Hello everybody!
In this video, I’m going to show you my optimal gaming PC, how to choose parts for
your computer and where to find the best prices.
Having read lots of articles on the topic and having seen multiple reviews, we built
a relatively inexpensive optimal computer for work and gaming - it’ll perform nicely
in work tasks, video rendering, and it will play all the latest games with comfortable
settings.
Now let’s select the parts based on how much we can spend - and today, we go for the
mid-budget rig.
Processor The first thing to decide on is the CPU: today,
there are two large manufacturers, Intel and AMD, and we have to choose from these two
brands.
As long as the computer will be used for work and games alike, I choose an AMD processor.
It edges ahead in video rendering, processing 3D graphics and everything else where multitasking
matters.
If you are going to build a computer for games only, it’s worth choosing an Intel CPU,
as their gaming performance is considerably higher.
In my case, I know what tasks this computer will have to handle, so I’m choosing an
AMD Ryzen 5 processor.
This is not the latest model, but it has already earned a good reputation and is one of the
market favorites.
You’d ask me, why not the 2600 model?
Because the 2000 series processors are just a bit accelerated versions of the previous
generation, but they cost considerably more.
The same Ryzen 2600 has only 200 or 300 MHz more to boast for the new price.
After all, every Ryzen chip is unlocked so they can be overclocked to compensate for
the slightly lower frequency.
In every other aspect, it is still the same 6-core 12-thread CPU with 16 Mb cache and
65-watt thermal design power (TDP).
Its specifications promise support for DDR4 memory up to 2666 MHz in dual-channel mode,
but with optimized AGESA code, memory modules will work without any issues at frequencies
over 3200 MHz.
Talking of the cooling system, when you overclock the CPU slightly to 3.7-3.8 GHz, the stock
cooler AMD Wraith Spire will suffice.
However, to be on the safest side possible, you can buy something better by BeQuiet or
DeepCool.
The current prices start at 180$
Motherboard My system will use an AM4 socket motherboard.
The general advice is to look for products based on B350 or B450 chipset as they support
overclocking and high-frequency system memory.
In my case, the choice is an X370 chipset motherboard which supports the processor out
of the box, so you don’t need to update BIOS.
It’s also got good overclocking potential, with radiators on the power elements, so this
motherboard comes in handy because we’re planning a bit of CPU overclocking in the
nearest future.
The Gigabyte AX370M-DS3H motherboard is a well-balanced microATX product offered for
AM4 processors at an affordable price.
The manufacturer advertises this motherboard as a mid-range product with advanced functionality.
It is meant for building high-performance home and office computers, and it can also
become a good basis for an inexpensive gaming rig - just what I need for a moderate price.
It offers some overclocking features but due to using 6-phase CPU power supply is only
good for moderate overclocking that doesn’t suggest a great increase in heat output.
This motherboard supports up to 64 Gb of DDR4 system memory at 2666 MHz and up to 3200 MHz
when overclocked, and there are four memory slots with XMP profile support.
Thanks to having an M.2 slot (32 GBit/s) and 4 SATA3 ports (6 GBit/s) it is possible to
create a high-performance storage system with an NVMe SSD drive as the system drive.
It also has an integrated network controller Gigabit Ethernet LAN and 8-channel audio chip
Realtek ALC887 with an improved analog output.
There are 14 USB ports for peripheral devices, including 6 USB 3.1 Gen.1 ports.
The current prices start at 85$
System memory Now that we’ve finished with the motherboard,
let’s move on to system memory.
Experience shows that 16 Gb of system memory is enough for all modern games.
That’s why we choose the dual-channel kit by Kingston HyperX FURY - two DD4 modules
8 GB each with the frequency 3200 MHz (DIMM1Rx8) and the bandwidth of 25600 Mb/s.
The prices start at 105$
Graphics Of course, a cornerstone element of any gaming
rig is the graphics card.
For this computer, Nvidia GeForce 1060 with 6 GB of memory will be a good choice.
Based on the numerous tests, reviews and budget considerations, we have chosen Inno3D GeForce
GTX 1060 equipped with TwinX2 coolers and 6 Gb of GDDR5 memory.
This card features memory frequency of 8000 MHz and base core frequency 1506 MHz that
can be boosted up to 1708 MHz.
With the memory bus width of 192 bits it can support the maximum resolution of 7680х4320.
The card requires extra power supply and comes equipped with the 6-pin supplementary power
connector.
It also features all modern display connectors: 2 DVI ports, 1 DisplayPort and 1 HDMI.
The current prices start at 300$
Drives When it comes to drives, it is recommended
to combine an SSD with an HDD which gives you good speed of the solid-state drive with
sufficient and safe storage capacity of the conventional hard disk.
We were lucky to save on the SSD because we already had one by Samsung, a disk manufacturer
with an excellent reputation.
This is the model MZ-7TD2560/0L9 for 256 Gb.
This SSD has very good specifications and is no match for traditional hard disks, as
its read and write speeds are three times better.
You can see all details on the screen.
Specifications: Brand: Samsung
Capacity: 256 GB Form factor: 2.5”
Interface: SATA 6.0 GB / s Sequential read: up to 540 MB / s
Sequential write: up to 520 MB / s Height: 7 mm
Talking about newer Samsung drives, have a closer look at Samsung 860 Evo-Series 250GB
2.5" SATA III V-NAND TLC This SSD has similar specifications.
Sequential read: up to 550 MB / s Sequential write: up to 520 MB / s
or a Samsung 970 Evo series model with the PCI Express 3.0 interface which boasts even
higher read and write speeds.
Sequential read: up to 3400 MB / s Sequential write: up to 1500 MB / s
Power supply Now we need to power this build and put it
into a suitable case.
A good power supply unit means safer conditions for all other equipment, so don’t try to
skimp on your PSU, and remember that its capacity should be calculated with some reserve of
50 or 100 watts.
In our case, the computer will be powered by Aerocool VX-550 550W.
It has a suitable motherboard connector for the product we have selected (20+4 pin), the
CPU 4+4 pin power connector, and a 6-pin power connector for the graphics card.
You can see maximum voltage specifications on the screen.
+3.3 V: 18 A +5 V: 16 A
+12 V: 42 А +5 V sb: 2.5 A
-12 V: 0.3 A
This power supply unit comes preinstalled in the computer case Aerocool PGS QS 180 Black
(ACCX-PQ01051.11) which is good enough to house all the parts
we have chosen.
This Minitower case lets you build a computer on a MicroATX and Mini-ITX motherboards, install
a graphics card as long as 320 mm and a CPU cooler as tall as 145 mm.
The bottom case panel has an extra opening for the air to cool the graphics card, and
we have a dust filter here.
With this case, you can install two 2,5” drives or one 3,5” drive and one 2,5”
drive.
This case is also equipped with an 80 mm exhaust fan, but you can add 120 mm fans to the front
panel and left side panel.
For future overclocking, we will add more fans, and first of all, one intake fan into
the front panel.
Now the entire set of parts set us back for about 800$, without the drives.
The next stage is to put all of these together - but that’s another video.
And... that is all for now.
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Thank you for watching.
Good luck.