Hardware very cheap build?

[Monado_III]

I'm looking at building a computer for about $270 USD (which is about ~$330 CAD). I know with something like that it's not going to be anything close to running 60fps 1080p games, but what I'm looking for is a decent 30fps 720p gaming computer that can be upgraded in the future to a better one. I'm not going to be needing something to play GTA or Skyrim, but things like Dolphin, and games like Yooka-Laylee (more cartoon-ish, easier to render games). What I've so far gotten is something like this http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tZMN7P . I'm new to building PCs so if something is off with that list, that's why.

note: I have a hard-drive already and am using Linux.

 

[RevPokemon]

That's a tight budget but do you need a hdd? Was wondering since you didn't have it in your build.

 

[Monado_III]

That's a tight budget but do you need a hdd? Was wondering since you didn't have it in your build.

no, I have a 500gb hard drive already, probably should add that to the OP.

 

[RevPokemon]

no, I have a 500gb hard drive already, probably should add that to the OP.

OK but is 270 USD you max or could you go to 300 USD?

 

[sarkwalvein]

WARNING: This is not good advice.

Dolphin will laugh out loud at that processor. Then it will stop for a moment, and then it will ROFL at that video card. (but specially that processor)

 

[Monado_III]

OK but is 270 USD you max or could you go to 300 USD?

Sure, just don't suggest some $350+ USD build that'll be over $420 CAD. man, I hate our dollar right now...

 

[sarkwalvein]

WARNING: This is not good advice.

I would say get a corei or be ready to pull some nasty OC out of that CPU to make it passable.
Well, you live in Canada, so perhaps the cold weather will be on your side for the OC.

 

[RevPokemon]

Dolphin will laugh out loud at that processor. Then it will stop for a moment, and then it will ROFL at that video card. (but specially that processor)

Sure its not the best but the second best one is 200 bucks

Sure, just don't suggest some $350+ USD build that'll be over $420 CAD. man, I hate our dollar right now...

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r2Qb6h
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/r2Qb6h/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-DS2V Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card ($124.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $303.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-16 00:17 EDT-0400

Note you can get the GPU refurb for 100 bucks and free shipping on eBay from new egg.

I'd say look around for refurbs and sales. With the mobo and CPU you should get 4.2 GHz with stock cooler

 

[Monado_III]

Dolphin will laugh out loud at that processor. Then it will stop for a moment, and then it will ROFL at that video card. (but specially that processor)

my 2.1ghz laptop CPU and HD 3000 from '08 can run Xenoblade Chronicles at 15fps. The CPU can be overclocked to 4.8ghz, Dolphin uses only 2 cores, and the video card is crap, but dolphin relies more on CPU power. https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-intel-pentium-g3258-emulator-performance

not saying it will run great, but it should run well enough at 480p/720p.

 

[RevPokemon]

my 2.1ghz laptop CPU and HD 3000 from '08 can run Xenoblade Chronicles at 15fps. The CPU can be overclocked to 4.8ghz, Dolphin uses only 2 cores, and the video card is crap, but dolphin relies more on CPU power. https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-intel-pentium-g3258-emulator-performance

Remember that 4.8 is on a better mobi and liquid cooling

 

[Monado_III]

Remember that 4.8 is on a better mobi and liquid cooling

Yep, I know I'm not getting to 4.8ghz, but that's not a fault of the CPU rather my budget.

 

[Zerousen]

Dolphin will laugh out loud at that processor. Then it will stop for a moment, and then it will ROFL at that video card. (but specially that processor)

Surprisingly enough, that particular processor is known to be pretty much the best budget processor, since it is unlocked and its performance can rival that of an i5, and it's still a respectable CPU even without OCing for builds around $400, and for that, it really isn't anything to be scoffed at. All OP has to update later on it mostly the GPU and the RAM.

 

[sarkwalvein]

my 2.1ghz laptop CPU and HD 3000 from '08 can run Xenoblade Chronicles at 15fps. The CPU can be overclocked to 4.8ghz, Dolphin uses only 2 cores, and the video card is crap, but dolphin relies more on CPU power. https://forums.dolphin-emu.org/Thread-intel-pentium-g3258-emulator-performance

not saying it will run great, but it should run well enough at 480p/720p.

WARNING: This is not good advice.

Yes, you can OC of course. And you will need to OC to run games Ok.
I think I made all that clear in my previous posts.
That said, my laptop CPU running ag @2.5GHz or so with an HD3000 pulls 60FPS out of Xenoblade no problem, but it is a corei5 (well... actually I use a GT630, but the HD3000 is still there on idle )

 

[RevPokemon]

Yep, I know I'm not getting to 4.8ghz, but that's not a fault of the CPU rather my budget.

Yeah but really I'd look around Craigslist and fond used items for less money and it will save you alot

 

[Kioku]

Dolphin will laugh out loud at that processor. Then it will stop for a moment, and then it will ROFL at that video card. (but specially that processor)

Please do some research before you give such a horrible input. The g3258 is a great processor for Dolphin. He can o/c it high enough to get great performance.

The folks on those forums actually put it just under the 4690k for a great emulation CPU.

The Gpu on the other hand?? Yeah it's pretty bad. 2x ir may be his best bet.

 

[Monado_III]

Yes, you can OC of course. And you will need to OC to run games Ok.
I think I made all that clear in my previous posts.
That said, my laptop CPU running ag @2.5GHz or so with an HD3000 pulls 60FPS out of Xenoblade no problem, but it is a corei5 (well... actually I use a GT630, but the HD3000 is still there on idle )

mine's an i3, and it was doing that with a whole bunch of things that I didn't need turned on. I would just use my laptop for dolphin but, it overheats within minutes and consumes A TON of battery power (approx. 30% in about 10 minutes)

 

[RevPokemon]

mine's an i3, and it was doing that with a whole bunch of things that I didn't need turned on. I would just use my laptop for dolphin but, it overheats within minutes and consumes A TON of battery power (approx. 30% in about 10 minutes)

Well its ultra CPU based which affects heat and batter life. Really CPU based things like dolphin are best on desktop

 

[Kioku]

mine's an i3, and it was doing that with a whole bunch of things that I didn't need turned on. I would just use my laptop for dolphin but, it overheats within minutes and consumes A TON of battery power (approx. 30% in about 10 minutes)

The pentium is actually better than your laptops i3. Oo

I'd get a 750 or even a 260x Radeon. Just my suggestion. However if you want cheap cheap get a GT 640

 

[RevPokemon]

J

The pentium is actually better than your laptops i3. Oo

I'd get a 750 or even a 260x Radeon. Just my suggestion. However if you want cheap cheap get a GT 640

Hell the desktop petium beats the best laptop i7

 

[Kioku]

J

Hell the desktop petium beats the best laptop i7

Shocking, ain't it? It's astounding..