But in such a way that he pulled all modern games and his capacity was enough for the next two or three years. We will focus on a budget of 40-45 thousand rubles. It makes no sense to collect something cheaper, because after about a year you will have to add, improve and spend again.

It should be noted right away that fans of significant overclocking of space on such components will not be enough, if you want peak capacities, then be ready to shell out for one motherboard(for example, the SaberTooth or Rampage series) about 25 thousand rubles, and the rest of the components will also be far from cheap. For the allotted amount, you can collect powerful enough computers for games without any frills.

Processor and cooler

There is no point in buying the top-end processor of the i7 series from Intel and at the same time saving on other components. This imbalance will lead to the fact that a powerful chip will be idle for a significant part of the time, since the video card, hard drive and RAM simply will not fully open it.

For games, but at the same time, inexpensive will feel great under the control of an i5 processor on the well-proven Haswell architecture. The average price for such chips fluctuates around 15 thousand rubles (spring, 2016). You can stop at the middle version in the person of the i5-4440 with a frequency of 3100 MHz and a third-level cache of 6144 KB.

The model will perfectly combine with the video card described below, and the capabilities of both the processor and the video accelerator will open up to 100%. It is also worth noting that taking a chip with the K prefix (for overclocking) is not worth it, since the budget is small, and the prices for such processors are significantly higher.

It is not even worth assembling with a BOX cooler, that is, with a cooling system that comes with the processor. It is better to buy a chip without it at all (OEM) and spend money on a good cooler that will not allow overheating or unstable system operation - you cannot save here. The best option for such a case, it will cost you approximately. Remember that a separate and high-quality cooler for the processor is not a luxury, but a necessity.

Motherboard

It is quite easy to select the main parameters of the motherboard, but the rest of the technical nuances can be a problem for some. The first thing we need from the MP is an LGA 1150 socket for the chosen processor. Also, powerful computers for games must be equipped with at least two slots for RAM in order to work in dual-channel mode.

Another important parameter is a slot for a video card, it must be of the PCI-E x16 type 3.0 standard. Difficulties can arise when choosing a chipset, because there are some subtleties here. It is preferable to build powerful gaming computers using RAID technology (arrays of independent disks), but this is not our case, since we will have only one hard drive.

Since we will have a processor without overclocking capabilities, a chipset based on Z87 nm is completely useless, and its multifunctionality in our case will simply go nowhere. The budget types H81 or B85 will perfectly fit into modest requirements, but this does not mean that powerful computers for games cannot be assembled on such chipsets. The series support RAM with a frequency of 1600 MHz (more than enough), there is a slot for a 3.0 video card, it is possible to work with SATA hard drives at a speed of 6 Gb / s. That is, there is no point in overpaying for what we will have idle.

The best option in our case will be a motherboard from Asus of the B85M-G series, which fully meets our requirements both in terms of technical characteristics and price (4 thousand rubles).

RAM

It seems that there is nothing complicated here: take a larger volume, and that's all, but even here there are nuances and pitfalls. Most planks are similar in their technical characteristics, but it is still necessary to choose the best and inexpensive.

As for the RAM frequency, there are no options here - this is 1600 MHz, which meets the requirements of the motherboard, and powerful gaming computers with a higher frequency are just an extra investment of money, since you will not notice much difference between 1600 MHz and 2400 MHz. "Benchmarks".

The main problem lies in the amount of RAM. Should I take two 4GB or one 8GB? No matter what all kinds of overclockers say, for our system the best option there will be one 8 GB bar. This step is primarily aimed at significant budget savings (one bar is much cheaper than two separately with the same volume). If we talk about performance, then the difference is so small that it is practically impossible to see it in games, but only in special applications, which are designed for compiling graphics and complex calculations (which we do not need at all, since we are assembling a gaming computer).

Therefore, overpay two thousand rubles in this case there's no point. An excellent option for our assembly is the Kingston KVR16N11 / 8 with a consumption of 1.5 V (without a radiator) and a price of 3.5 thousand rubles.

Video card

It was for the sake of this point that we saved on other components (within reason, of course). The video accelerator is the heart, and when asked why games slow down on a powerful computer, there is only one answer - your video card is outdated.

Collecting gaming computer for 45 thousand rubles, you can spend almost half of the budget on this component with peace of mind. The best that you can pick up within the allotted frame is GeForce GTX 950 from "Asus" or "Gigabit" for 15 thousand rubles. With such a video card, you will not experience any problems with FPS and freezes, so saving is inappropriate here.

Hard disk and power supply

The now popular SSD and HDD bundles do not fit into our assembly, so it is better to stop at the usual "terabyte" from Western Digital from the WD10EZEX series for about 3 thousand rubles. In the future, you can buy and install an ultra-fast hard drive, but for a start, this option will also work.

As for the power supply, the main consumer of energy in modern computers- this is a video card, but in our case it is designed for 90 W, so a 400 W device is enough for the eyes. But if you want to play it safe with the expectation of the future, then you can take a power supply with a margin of 500 watts. Here specific models difficult to name, but it is better to give preference to the brands Zalman, Corsair and FSP.

Frame

It all depends on yours. Since there are no more than 2 thousand rubles left for the case, you can stop at the proven and high-quality version from Zalman - Z1 Black. It is distinguished by quite good material, good fans, simplicity and a convenient front panel, and it looks very presentable.

With the help of Aliexpress, for a penny, you can assemble a gaming computer that can handle absolutely all modern games. Our build of a budget gaming computer for 2017 will not be inferior in performance to modern solutions that cost at least twice as much.

A small preface

More recently, games have not been optimized for multi-core processors. That is why it made no sense for gaming computers to buy processors with 4-8 cores, since most of the cores were simply not involved in the work. At the same time, manufacturers produced expensive multi-core server processors that were used in servers in large companies.

Several years have passed. Modern games have not only begun to be optimized for multi-core processors, but the presence of at least four computational threads is already a necessity for a comfortable pastime. At the same time, the companies have updated their servers, throwing to the market virtually for a song processors that previously cost up to $ 1,000.

In the case of Intel processors, server solutions differ from the usual i5 or i7 in the presence of a built-in graphics core... These stones also fit into regular motherboards. Processors are virtually indestructible, that is, they can last for more than one year. That is why the assembly of a budget gaming computer 2017 will be built around such a solution.

CPU

As "brains" in our budget game assembly will be Intel Xeon X3440(socket LGA 1156). Without exaggeration, this is the most successful processor at the current time.

Intel Xeon X3440 is practically exact copy Core i7 860 (see differences above). This processor is the youngest and cheapest of the line for LGA 1156. The analogs differ only in the maximum frequency, but are unjustifiably more expensive.

The beauty of this processor is that it is compatible with all 1156 socket motherboards. You do not need to reflash the BIOS or work with a file to "shove" the processor into the socket. Put it - it works. Owners of computers on socket 1156 can safely take Intel Xeon X3440 as a system upgrade. The increase will be very noticeable.

Another indisputable advantage is support for ddr 3 RAM cards up to 8 GB. Even if the motherboard claims support for memory strips up to 4 GB, everything will work with the Xeon processor with 8 GB. Therefore, you can easily insert up to 32 GB of memory into your computer, instead of 16 GB.

The characteristics of the processor are very pleasant, despite its age (produced from 2009 to 2012). It has four physical cores that run on eight threads using Intel Hyper-Threading Technology. Processor frequency - 2.53 GHz, but there is support for the technology Turbo Boost, with which the frequency can be increased to 2.93 GHz. The volume of the cache memory of the 3rd level is 8 megabytes, the calculated power is 95 W. The maximum frequency of the RAM can be 1333 MHz.

Motherboard

As stated above, absolutely any motherboard on socket 1156 is suitable for this processor. reasonable price Asus P7H55-M, which is renowned for its reliability and durability.

The advantages of this board are 4 slots for RAM, which will allow you to install up to 32 GB of RAM in the system. Otherwise, this is an ordinary high-quality motherboard that has everything you need to work. It is worth noting only that for connection hard drives and the SSD uses slow SATA II ports. If you do not plan to limit yourself to only hard drives, then this moment is not at all critical. To be honest, you will not notice the difference in speed between SATA II and SATA III "by eye".

RAM

Our assembly will work with any DDR3 RAM, but the operating frequency will be limited to 1333 MHz. You can look for a used RAM on the Avito or OLH Internet flea markets, since the operating board does not have features to break. Whole in appearance - 99% working.

We will leave a link to a verified RAM seller on Aliexpress. He has 4GB trims available for $ 26. We highly recommend taking at least 2 boards at once to activate the dual-channel mode, which will increase the system's performance in games.

CPU cooling

Intel Xeon X3440 is not a particularly hot guy. Almost any cooler that fits socket 1156 is suitable for it. We advise you to pick up something at online flea markets. Even a boxed solution will do.

Video card

The hardest choice for a gaming build like this is a graphics card. First, it is the most an important part GAME PC. Secondly, due to the fact that the “miners” have bought all more or less normal video cards, the prices for new hardware, frankly speaking, “bite”. Ideally, a GTX 1050TI card with 4GB of video memory would go for this build, but it costs this moment on average $ 200, which is too expensive for our budget.

We offer to stop at the market of used components. The following video cards are ideal for our system: RADEON R7 360, RADEON R7 260x, GTX 950, GTX 750TI... These cards have roughly equal gaming performance. They can be bought at Avito or OLH for $ 80-130.

Detailed tests of the video cards we offer can be viewed on the website overclockers.ru (they dropped the link directly to the GTX 750TI test)

Power supply, hard drive, case

Our 2017 budget gaming PC build will consume approximately 300 watts. Accordingly, we need a power supply that can generate power no less than this value. With a discount on "Chinese quality", we recommend choosing any unit from 450 watts, but that there must be an output for additional power supply of the 6pin video card. On OLH or Avito, a similar block can be bought from 10 to 20 dollars (bargain). Usually, PSUs of similar power are sold completely new, tk. low-power power supplies go to the load to the case.

Same story with hard disk... Will suit you absolutely any HDD that supports SATA II or higher... Choose based on how much change is left in your wallet. For example, I found a good 250 GB hard drive on the OLH for $ 10. The seller even threw in a personal all the necessary tests.

Frame - even a cardboard box will do... We advise you to go to the city electronics market, because mailing the enclosure may be more expensive than the cost of the enclosure itself. In any case, the system will work fine without it. For fairness of assembly, on the Internet flea markets the simplest cases start at $ 4.

Assembling a budget gaming computer 2017 looks like this:

Processor - Intel Xeon X3440 ($31);

Cooling - PCCOOLER V1 ($10);

Motherboard - Asus P7H55-M ($53);

RAM - DDR3 1333 MHz 4 GB ($26);

Video card - GTX 750TI ($100);

Power Supply - 450-500 watts ($15);

HDD - 250 GB SATA II ($10);

Frame - any ($4).

Total: $ 249

You can eat ice cream for change 🙂

Such a system unit will make it possible to comfortably play any modern games at medium-high settings with HD resolution or at medium settings with FullHD resolution.

Here is an assembly of the 2017 budget gaming computer according to the version. For $ 250, you will not collect anything more productive, believe me. Moreover, this option will be relevant for at least several years, given the fact that the processor is able to unleash the potential of a more powerful video card.

Every year, or even a quarter, new, more advanced models are released. This applies not only to the computer market, but also to the mobile market, household appliances, auto and so on. The economic situation dictates its principles of flexible marketing to manufacturers, so you need to understand that if you spend a lot of money on assembling a gaming computer, then in a year you can see announcements of more productive and powerful components at the price of the components you purchased. Therefore, in mind constant renewal model lines from manufacturers, we will talk about basic principles assembly and without mentioning any specific models.

CPU

In 90% of cases, it is advisable to start assembling with the choice of the processor, or rather the platform on which it is based, because the processor is the most important element of a gaming computer (and indeed any one). It is he who will "pull" all the components, make calculations that come from the video card, hard disk and RAM. When choosing, everything is regulated, as always, by the main indicator - the budget, and if there is an opportunity, then you need to choose the latest platform, because similar to the memory format, it will make the PC more upgradeable.

About manufacturers

Over the decades, such a tradition has developed - AMD processors are cheaper. They are hotter and require good cooling, they have higher power consumption, their calculation methodology is based on the principle of "higher frequency, more cores", while Intel is more competent in solving the problem of computing: they work with improved instructions and unique technologies, which, when smaller technical characteristics allows you to achieve excellent performance. But Intel is more expensive, because such research costs serious money. They are also cooler and more energy efficient. One way or another, millions of users have assembled computers on AMD and were very pleased with their choice.

About cooling

If you plan to purchase a processor version, you need to purchase a separate cooling system. As of 2017, air cooling is preferred in most home gaming systems. When choosing, it is imperative to find out the heat dissipation of the processor and purchase cooling, ideally capable of removing 10-20% large quantity heat. Also, the efficiency of CPU cooling depends on the correct application of thermal paste and its quality.

Video card

The video card is the most important element game system, the main purpose of which is graphics processing. All animation, all textures and colors on the screen are drawn by the video card. The amount of video memory and the frequency of the video chip grows with each generation of video cards, the lines and names change, and these devices, like processors, are divided into two camps. On the forums they are called "green" and "red". These are the corporate colors of two competing computing chip brands: AMD and Nvidia. Video cards are produced by such companies as Palit, Sapphire, Asus, MSI, Zotac, etc., but the key point when choosing is always the chip on which the video card is built.

About "green" and "red"

There is a lot of debate about the advantages of each company, but in reality, as always, the truth is somewhere in the middle. Both these and other chips have their pros and cons, research departments of companies apply and successfully implement unique technologies, and thus keep up with each other. But general principles, as well as in processors, are similar: AMD takes the price, Nvidia - a competent approach. The principle of computing AMD video chips is in many ways similar to AMD processors, so the products of this company have become a favorite topic for mining, which boils down to solving one complex problem. And AMD is at its best in such matters, although for 2017 the company slightly changed the architecture and drivers for more flexibility. Nvidia has advantages comparable to Intel: technology and not much heat compared to AMD. As with Intel, these benefits cost money. General recommendations are as follows: if you plan to work in graphic and 3D editors, edit video and perform other challenging tasks that require calculations and calculations - look towards Nvidia. Their technologies allow their smart cores to be connected to the computing of the central processor, thereby significantly increasing performance. If you just plan to play modern games and perform common tasks, choosing AMD will significantly save money when assembling a gaming computer. Mining planned? Definitely AMD.

About video card manufacturers

In this matter, the spread is much more serious. Most companies offer their developments in the field of cooling and overclocking. Historically, users are very fond of Asus products for their good proprietary cooling, MSI and Sapphire have shown themselves well, Palit produces video cards just as well and inexpensively.

About the CPU - GPU bundle

It is no coincidence that the graphics card and processor were considered the first components to choose from. When assembling, you need to remember that performance in games will depend on these components by 80-90%. But the choice of each of them needs to be approached more carefully. During a dynamic game battle, the processor intensively communicates with the video card through the driver installed in the operating system. Solving their computational data unit, the devices transmit the results to each other for processing. If one of them works slower than the other, then the faster device will be idle waiting for the result. This often occurs when installing a very powerful video card and an average processor, which simply "does not keep up" behind it. When buying, consult with sellers and professionals, whether the processor you have chosen can handle the video card. If the processor is more powerful than the video card, then the situation will not greatly affect the balance of the system: firstly, the processor performs a much larger range of tasks than a video card, and in this issue power is never superfluous. Secondly, the video card is always easier to change than the processor.

Motherboard

After the issue with the processor is resolved, you can choose a motherboard. It is worth paying attention to the form factor - ATX format boards are larger, they have a higher potential for connecting equipment and components, but a PC case with such a board should also be chosen appropriately, it will be larger in size. If you plan to assemble a machine for simple tasks and games, quiet and with low power consumption, you should consider the format Mini ATX... Such boards are much more compact. If the budget allows, then you need to choose a motherboard with support for the latest memory format, then the computer can be easily upgraded later without replacing the processor or the board itself. Also pay attention to the number of connectors for connecting hard disks and drives. Currently, usually 2 connectors are required - for SSD and HDD. But if you plan to build RAID array, then such connectors are needed much more.

Specific tasks

If, nevertheless, your gaming computer is planned to be used for non-standard solutions regarding home use, it is worth paying attention to the board's support for special functions, for example, the presence RAID controller or support for hardware overclocking of components.

Power Supply

The power supply is the source of operation of the entire assembled gaming system, because it is he who powers all the components with electricity. It is always recommended to choose a power supply unit "with a margin", ie. 30-35% more powerful than the total power consumption of all components. Thus, the device will not work "in tightness", and therefore get warm and wear out. Try to choose branded devices. Ideally, if they have good efficiency and the corresponding certificates of energy consumption standards. Here the rule works well: less is more. When choosing, be guided by quality and do not chase after watts - often power supplies (especially for cheap models) do not give out the power indicated on the box and do not survive load surges well. Also, do not forget about the length of the power lines - it is not uncommon for the wires of the purchased power supply to reach the processor or hard drive.

RAM (random access memory)

If the video card / processor is 80-90% of the performance in games, then the processor / RAM is the main indicator of performance in work. The speed of executing programs and loading levels in games, the speed of surfing the Internet, complex file operations and table calculations depends not only on the amount of RAM. It is imperative to take into account such parameters as standard, timings and frequency. If there is a lot of memory, but it will work slowly, there will be little sense from it. When choosing, do not forget about the dual-channel mode, this is a kind of RAID array made of RAM strips: in dual-channel mode, the memory usually works 10-15% faster, but this can be achieved only with two memory strips of the same size. It is even better if they are 100% identical, then the desynchronization in work will be minimized. Do not forget, if the gaming computer turns out to be "hot" (for example, the processor and video card are powerful solutions from AMD), then it is highly desirable to purchase memory sticks with installed passive cooling. Heat dissipation from memory blocks in such models is more efficient.

HDD

In view of the large-scale proliferation of cloud storage systems, less and less information has to be stored on the computer. The volume required for personal tasks is always set by the user individually, but when choosing a system, it is important to understand the tasks ahead and make a choice based on their distribution: for example, allocate high-speed memory for OS and programs, and store games and personal data on more capacious devices, for which speed is not so critical. This will achieve better performance the entire system.

Frame

It often turns out that the case allows you to save a lot of money, since it does not directly affect performance. Of course, if you assemble a gaming computer with a boring cheap case, then it will be difficult to get full satisfaction from the purchase. Appearance is always a personal issue, but the build quality is definitely worth a look. The thicker the iron, the more reliable the case and the quieter the computer. It is important that air circulation is correctly implemented in the case and there is a possibility of installation additional cooling... And the most important point is for the video card to be successfully installed: common mistake lies precisely in the discrepancy between the size of the case and the size of the video card.

Rest

As a nice addition to the assembled gaming system, you can purchase additional peripheral equipment. For example discrete sound card, for people who are sophisticated in sound, or a USB hub board if you plan to connect a large number USB devices... The market is overflowing with interesting offers, so the choice is yours.

Outcomes

The market is moving forward very confidently. It is highly likely that manufacturers will not only develop new standards for connectors and devices - they can change the way a computer works. Today, there are very fast copies of SSD drives, and it is possible that they will someday replace RAM. So the main principle when assembling a gaming system is always the same - it is balance and the ability to prioritize. Do not forget that more expensive is not always better. But it is often better.

Many want to build a 2017 gaming computer within a small budget. But this is a very difficult matter, because the cost of computer components increases every year, as well as the requirements of games regarding PC performance. At the same time, I want to assemble a computer, the filling of which will remain relevant for at least several more years, because it is unprofitable to invest in its modernization every year, and not everyone can afford it. In our material, you will find out which parts are most important in games and how to assemble an inexpensive gaming computer.

Putting together a 2019 gaming computer do it yourself

CPU

The first step is to decide on the choice of the processor - the most important element of the computer, which is responsible for all computing processes. You have to choose between the products of two world famous brands Intel and AMD. It is recommended to find performance tests on the Internet and compare the results with each other. The best choice in our opinion is the processor Intel core i5 - its power is enough for any games and fast operation of the operating system.

The higher the processor generation, the better the performance, keep this in mind when choosing. To build a powerful budget gaming computer, you can use the i5 7500 - almost the most top-end solution in the lineup, which perfectly copes with resource-intensive tasks. Of course, Intel core i7 processors will be better, but the performance gain in them is not as big as the overpayment. AMD Athlon II X4 640 will be an excellent solution for assembling a budget computer, although in terms of its capabilities it is inferior to solutions from Intel.

Choosing a motherboard

You need to find a motherboard that will support the format of the selected processor. When choosing it, you need to pay attention to the processor socket (for example, an LGA 1151 socket is required to connect an Intel i5). Also important is the standard of slots for RAM, their number and frequency. Additional connectors may also be present, which is worth paying attention to in order to choose a motherboard with suitable functionality.

RAM

Collecting a gaming computer 2017 optimal solution will become DD4 standard RAM with a volume of 8 or 16 GB. There is simply no need for more volume, and so everything will fly. But 4 GB will not be enough for modern games, especially since part of the memory is consumed by the system. The amount of RAM you need to choose based on your budget - the more you put it, the faster games will load and the interface will work smoother. But keep in mind that if in the future you have a desire to expand the volume, then you need to install a bar with a similar frequency and preferably from the same manufacturer, otherwise it may turn out to be incompatible. It is better to choose memory with the maximum frequency, its performance largely depends on this. When deciding how to build an inexpensive 2017 gaming computer, you need to make sure that the chosen RAM standard is supported motherboard.

Please note that if you set the RAM bar by more than 3 GB, then the operating system must have a 64-bit architecture. Otherwise, how many memory you install, but no more than three will be available.

Video card - the most important detail when assembling a gaming computer

The question of how to build a good gaming computer is impossible to imagine without choosing a video card that is responsible for processing graphics in games. The graphics card and processor are the most expensive parts on which gaming performance depends the most. When choosing, it is better to read the reviews, since manufacturers offer a huge variety of models that vary greatly in their capabilities. For a budget PC, an Nvidia Geforce 1050 Ti with 4GB of memory will suffice. But recently, with video cards, not everything is so simple - they are being bought up by miners, and if they can be found on sale, then it costs much more than it should. This applies to the entire video card market. If you have a large budget, then you should pay attention to the Nvidia Geforce 1060, 1070 and 1080 cards - the top solutions for today, buying which you will get maximum performance.

When deciding how to assemble a gaming computer yourself, you can pay attention to cheaper solutions from ATI or Nvidia. When choosing, consider the connector to which the video card is connected. DDR5 is the leader latest format that almost all motherboards are equipped with. Therefore, it is better to opt for it, DDR3 will become less and less popular over time until it dies out completely. And remember that larger number a model does not always mean that it is better. You need to look at reviews and comparison of performance tests on special sites.

Drive selection

The best option today is to use an SSD drive in tandem with a standard one. The system is installed on the first, which gives a tangible increase in productivity. But due to the high cost, it will be unprofitable to buy a large SSD, which means that over time you will no longer be able to store all the files on it.

This is where the standard hard drive saves, which is much cheaper. So, for 3000-4000 rubles you can buy a 1 TB hard drive, while for the same amount you can find an SSD with a maximum of 128 GB. Again, when deciding how to build a good gaming computer for an inexpensive 2017, you should read reviews and pay attention to such characteristics as rotational speed. It must be at least 7200 rpm. The speed of writing and reading data depends on this parameter. A fast storage device helps you launch games faster and also shortens installation times.

Power Supply

Thinking about how to assemble a gaming computer 2017 yourself, you need to calculate the required power of the power supply. To do this, you need to look in the characteristics, how much energy each computer part consumes, add up the amount and add about 20% just in case. Most PSUs come with 20 or 24 pin connectors, please make sure they are compatible with your motherboard. You should not take the power supply complete with the case. As a rule, it is not of high quality. For a gaming computer, you will need a version with a power of at least 500 watts.

Frame

The case should not only be beautiful, but also contain all the connectors you need to use. Particular attention should be paid to cooling, because even on the most powerful hardware, games will slow down if it overheats. Some cases have 80mm fans, others have 120mm fans. The top solution is a liquid cooling system, but it is unreasonably expensive, so it is better to opt for a case with 3-4 powerful coolers. The more powerful the filling, the more efficient the cooling system should be.

I have already written many times that the most important thing when assembling a system unit is the selection of components. All subsequent actions are purely mechanical in nature. In 2015, several computer platforms can be considered relevant at once. Unfortunately (or fortunately), in recent years, technological progress has specifically slowed down. Therefore, there is no big difference in performance between one generation or another. Of course, the most in a simple way there will be an assembly of a system unit based on the most modern iron, but with a shortage of funds, the final result may upset you. There is no need to run far for examples - in difficult times for compatriots, the site launched a series of articles "Computer of the Month". Unfortunately, even with a budget of 50-60 thousand rubles, you have to seriously limit yourself. And if I tell you that an assembly of comparable performance can be assembled for 30,000 rubles? You probably won't believe it. However, this is quite possible. Within the framework of the article, I will try to clearly explain how to assemble a powerful gaming computer from formally outdated components.

How to Build a Powerful Gaming Computer from Legacy Hardware

Where can I buy?

"Formally obsolete hardware" is often no longer available at retail computer networks... Therefore, you will have to search for goods either with the help of public flea markets or on Chinese online sites. In both cases, it is necessary to weigh the pros and cons. The editorial staff created detailed instructions to work with such trading clusters as ebay and AliExpress. I think they will definitely help you.

Ads on AliExpress

As for purchases from private advertisements (for example, on Avito.ru), then require the seller to check the functionality computer device or the Money-back function. Just don't take the person's word for it. In this case, it will not hurt to provide a receipt and a photocopy of the passport. I have often heard stories in which, after a verbal agreement on the return of money, a person was sold a non-working second-hand product. As a result, the "victim" of the contacts has only a number mobile phone, but in fact it turns out that after the treacherous deal has been made, the SIM card has long been thrown into the trash can. In fact, there is not very much sense from this receipt, but in most cases it acts on a rogue like an aspen stake on a vampire. He stupidly refuses to do business with you.

In general, there are a lot of options for the "extraction" of the necessary iron. You just need to make the right choice and not go foolishly.

Private ad on Avito.ru

PC platform

As I said, computer hardware is progressing extremely slowly these days. This is especially true for central processing units. In an article devoted to the choice of a "stone" for a gaming computer, it was empirically proved that in modern games architecture does not significantly affect performance. The main thing is the frequency and the number of cores. For greater clarity, let's analyze the test results of several central Intel processors in GTA V - the most processor-dependent game of our time. The stand used NVIDIA graphics card GeForce GTX 980. Graphics quality settings are far from the highest. As you can see, the Core i7-2600K, introduced in 2011, was only 7% slower than the Core i7-6700K, released in late summer. Seven percent, Karl! At the same time, the Core i7-2600K is equipped with an unlocked multiplier. Consequently, this difference can be neutralized by overclocking.

The results of testing processors of various generations in games (NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980)

Interestingly, in other applications, architecture representatives Sandy bridge do not look like whipping boys, although in x86 computing, the difference between the Core i5-2500K and the Core i5-6600K can be up to 40%. Again, such a lag is easy to close with overclocking.

Test results for processors of various generations

As an example, I was able to find several ads for the Core i5-2500K model. On average, this "pebble" is sold for 8000-9000 rubles. On AliExpress, you can buy a "crust" without traces of installation for 10,000 rubles. For clarity: the Core i5-6600K model in retail costs about 17-18 thousand rubles. But you still need to purchase a modern motherboard and a DDR4 memory kit for it. But if there is no difference in games, then why pay more?

However, the Core i5-2500K processor is not a panacea. The sale is full of cheaper models belonging to the same family. But there are still solutions on architecture Ivy bridge... They are a little more expensive. As you can see, even among the formally outdated hardware there is a place to roam.

WITH AMD processors things are even simpler. There is a top AM3 + platform. It was introduced back in 2011 and was intended for the FX series processors built on the Bulldozer architecture. Then the line of chips was updated to the Piledriver architecture (this event happened in 2012). Everything, since then the FX-processors have not changed. With the release of new models, only the frequencies increased. But taking into account the fact that the entire family has a free multiplier, it will not be difficult to reach the "reference" 4500 MHz. In this case, instead of some AMD FX-8370 (Vishera, 4 GHz, 15,000 rubles), you can purchase the FX-8100 (Zambezi, 2.8 GHz, 8,000 rubles on AliExpress) or FX-8120. According to hwbot.org statistics, in the air, he calmly chases up to 4300-4500 MHz.

We buy a processor from a private owner on Avito.ru

Especially in the "architectural jungle" it is better not to get into. When assembling a computer from outdated hardware, it is necessary that its performance level be sufficient for at least another 2-3 years. Therefore, below I have given the current table of architectures with all hyperlinks. In my opinion, it is better not to pay attention to chips released before 2011.

Gold lots of processors: Core i5-2400, Core i5-2500K, Core i5-3570K, Core i5-3550, FX-6300, FX-8100, FX-8120

After buying a central processor, it is worth choosing a motherboard and RAM. The functionality of modern solutions does not differ much from models 3-4 years ago. All major interfaces are present. Modern boards support NVMe and M.2 / U.2 / USB 3.1 ports, but without them it is quite possible to survive for several more years.

Budget models for AMD and Intel chips can be found at retail even today. For example, for 3000 rubles sold ASUS board M5A78L-M LX3. She will make friends with any processor of the Bulldozer family. Just keep in mind that overclocking an 8-core will be quite problematic with such a board. The component base is rather weak. If overclocking is still planned, then it is better to take the motherboard more seriously. For example, on the AMD 970 chipset.

There are also budget solutions for Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge processors. Overclocking requires a high-quality motherboard based on Z77 Express logic. Here you will have to turn to the Chinese for help. So, at the time of this writing, the MSI Z77A-G41 model worth 5,000 rubles was on sale on AliExpress. You can't find this in Russian retail.

Cheap legacy motherboards can still be found in retail stores

All platforms shown in the table above work with RAM DDR3 standard. The realities are such that RAM manufacturers sell the product by themselves practically at cost price. DDR3 is the most widely used standard today. So there are plenty of retail offers. It makes sense to look for whales of "brains" at all kinds of flea markets only if a really very profitable offer turns up at hand.

If you do not plan to overclock the processor, then it is more profitable to take a budget motherboard. To date, there are still similar devices in retail. If it is planned, then it is necessary to look for a better solution through alternative channels

Video card

The performance of video cards from generation to generation is growing more noticeably than can be observed in the market of central processors. Nevertheless, recently AMD and NVIDIA have not hesitated to release the same product, but with a new name. This is especially true for the "red". For example, the Radeon R7 / R9 300 line of video cards presented this summer consists entirely of renamed 3D accelerators. Such manipulations are called rebranding. They are aimed at whetting public interest in their own person and increasing sales from "new" devices. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with that. Better than not releasing anything at all. In addition, video cards from the new line, as a rule, receive higher frequencies, but at the same time consume less power. For those who wish to save money on the purchase of a video card, it makes sense to look not at the past, but even the generation of graphics adapters before last.

Again, this year AMD was the brightest. For example, the Radeon R7 370 is an overclocking version of the Radeon R7 265. But if you dig deeper, it turns out that this is a Radeon HD 7850, presented back in 2012. "Three hundred and seventieth" with 2 GB of video memory can be found in Moscow retail for an average of 12,000 rubles. Radeon HD 7850 still hasn't disappeared from store shelves, only it costs 8000 rubles. At the same time, according to statistics, the device quietly chases up to 1000 MHz on the chip and 1400 (5600) MHz on the memory.

In my opinion, the most profitable offers today are among AMD graphics cards- this is the purchase of a Radeon HD 7970 or Radeon HD 7950. Even in 2015, they are able to pull all modern games in Full HD resolution. Their improved versions are the Radeon R9 280X and Radeon R9 380, respectively. The Radeon R9 380X should appear on sale very soon, that is, the rebranding of the most successful cards will continue. So, the Radeon HD 7970 (depending on the vendor) can be purchased for 8000-9000 rubles on Avito or for 10-11 thousand rubles on AliExpress. Competitive solutions - Radeon R9 280X and GeForce GTX 960 with 4 GB of memory - are much more expensive.

Finally, in the High-end segment, there was also a rebranding. Model Radeon R9 290 4 GB with "mileage" at computer flea markets can be purchased for 14,000 rubles.

NVIDIA last resorted to rebranding with the GeForce GTX 770, which in fact turned out to be an overclocked version of the GeForce GTX 680. Both solutions are well suited for modern games in Full HD resolution. And then the greens released their productive solutions based on the Maxwell architecture. They operate at higher frequencies and consume significantly less electricity. However, in terms of performance, these solutions (with the exception of the top-end ones) differ little from each other. So, the speed of the GeForce GTX 970 is comparable to the GeForce GTX 780, and the speed of the GeForce GTX 980 is approximately equal to the GeForce GTX 780 Ti. On the other hand, NVIDIA is actively collaborating with a variety of game developers. Therefore, in some games, superiority modern architecture Maxwell over the outdated Kepler turns out to be very significant. For example, in "The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt", as well as in applications that consume more than 3 GB of video memory.