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Question

New Entry-Mid Level Gaming Rig - Does Everything Work Out?

Mar 20, 2013 8:39AM PDT

Hello, I've built several computers before this so feel free to go into detail. I'm just wondering if all of these specs work with each other and there's no bottlenecking occuring between any of the components. I'll post the specs below:

1. Motherboard: MSI FM1 mATX A55M-P33

2. Processor: AMD A4-3400 APU

3. Chassis: Raygo MT MicroATX Computer Case

4. CPU Fan: Stock

5. RAM: Patriot Intel Extreme Master Viper 3 - 1600Mhz DDR3 (Single DIMM) 4GB

6. Power Supply: Cooler Master Elite Series 460W

7. GPU: XFX Radeon HD 6750 1GB GDDR3

8. Hard Disk Drive: Seagate Barracuda 3.5" Internal SATA 500GB 7200RPM

9. DVD Drive: LG Internal 24X Multidrive

10. Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium

I need to know ASAP whether or not these parts work with each other well in-game. I have a slight feeling that the CPU might bottleneck the GPU but I could be wrong. Let me know. Thanks for your help everyone! Tell me if you need more information on the parts.

Edit: Will this setup allow for dual graphics between the APU and the dedicated GPU?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
MicroATX Computer Case
Mar 20, 2013 8:54AM PDT

Sorry but any gaming rig in a micro case has been a disaster. If not right away but 2 years later.

Why are you cramming all this into that small box?
Bob

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Micro Gaming Appealing to Some?
Mar 20, 2013 9:34AM PDT

I thought that gaming in a small form factor computer might be appealing to some people. Also this isn't meant to be some sick computer that I plan on keeping for 7 years. I'm selling it for profit. I don't care what happens to it after I sell it lol...

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Refreshing........Honest marketing.
Mar 21, 2013 9:03AM PDT

I'll build you a machine that will never work very well.
If you get much over a year out of it before it croaks consider yourself lucky.
I'll only charge you 100 bucks above my cost.
Sounds like a winner........go for it.

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ENTRY LEVEL
Mar 21, 2013 10:49AM PDT

Whoever is thinking: "Wow there's a computer that can run BF3 on medium no problem - and it only costs $400.00!!", must also be thinking: it won't last very long, and there's gotta be some sort of catch, but to me, and many others, it sounds like a great deal. And plus it'll last longer than a year if you take care of it. There's nothing wrong with the parts, and the multirail psu won't be overloaded.

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Answer
Just a opinion
Mar 20, 2013 9:07AM PDT

If you plan on gaming.

Don't do it with a small case.
Don't do it with a micro mobo.
Don't do it with a single stick of ram.
Don't do it with a multi rail psu.

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So do it?
Mar 20, 2013 9:10AM PDT

Do it with a normal bix case.
Do it with a normal mobo.
Do it with the number of sticks that gets you the dual or triple channel full speed ram.
Do it with a monster single rail psu.

Gaming is tough. Chuck Norris tough!

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Not a Gaming Machine - Entry Level Build
Mar 20, 2013 9:30AM PDT

I wasn't planning on this to be a monster gaming machine. I'm trying to do a $300 build, and then sell it for $400 or $500. I just wanted the mATX components because I thought a micro gaming desktop might be appealing. Also, 2x2GB was more expensive than 1x4GB, and I really just don't care about the power supply, as long as it works. We're talking about a $20 dollar power supply.

My main question is if everything works together and there's no bottlenecking between the CPU and GPU.

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The parts above are a future disaster.
Mar 20, 2013 9:35AM PDT

You could give that to me but I would know better than to pay for it. That sort of machine may work for a time then start to error out.

If a company was trying to build a reputation, it would not be good for long.

Let's see what others write.
Bob

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Answer
Let's rejigger this one. How about.
Mar 20, 2013 10:02AM PDT
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-4770k-haswell-performance,3461-7.html

No, you don't need to get the i7 but look at the comment about the A10.

" AMD's A10-5800K, averaging more than 60 FPS at 1920x1080, is currently much more playable. "

So what happens if you forget the current CPU and video card and try just the noted A10? You can still see if the 20 buck PSU is doable by checking your design to see if you are in the ball park.
Bob
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Problem
Mar 20, 2013 11:18AM PDT

The problem with this is that the A10 unlocked version is actually a fair bit more than the graphics card and the A4 combined. The integrated one is far less powerful than the 6750.

I don't want to spend more money, I just want the cheapest build possible that provides the necessary power in game. I just really don't see why there's a problem with the CPU and GPU unless there's bottlenecking, and I don't see why I can't use a mATX board and a micro case? If you could elaborate on that, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

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No one said you couldn't.
Mar 20, 2013 11:20AM PDT

It was just it was a recipe for problems in the future.

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Why!?
Mar 20, 2013 11:50AM PDT

I don't understand why it's a "recipe for problems in the future". What's wrong with it exactly?

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(NT) Bob B above gave you the reasons.
Mar 20, 2013 12:09PM PDT
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Bob B
Mar 20, 2013 12:53PM PDT

Why Do it with a normal bix case.
Why Do it with a normal mobo.
Why Do it with the number of sticks that gets you the dual or triple channel full speed ram.
Why Do it with a monster single rail psu.

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Reasons
Mar 20, 2013 10:47PM PDT

Why Do it with a normal bix case.
Think heat......it's a parts killer.
With a small case you can't get rid of it.

Why Do it with a normal mobo.
A micro mobo is smaller......something has to give.
Either the parts are moved closer together or features get dropped.

Why Do it with the number of sticks that gets you the dual or triple channel full speed ram.
Think ram speed.
If you do it with one stick you'll be running single channel mode.......slow.

Why Do it with a monster single rail psu.
If you do it with a multi rail unit you best get out paper and pencil and verify you don't overload some rail.

If you want to build that unit for 300 and sell it for 400....go for it.
Suggestion........don't sell it to a friend or someone who knows how to find you.

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Recommendation
Mar 21, 2013 12:08AM PDT

Can you recommend some parts from TigerDirect Canada that are the same price but would be a better choice?

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No!
Mar 21, 2013 12:25AM PDT

It's tough to build a mid range gaming rig for much less than 1000 bucks.

Entry level..........you can't build it for less than what Wally-mart is selling it for.

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Revamped
Mar 21, 2013 12:42AM PDT

So I managed to change the build a little bit. I'm now going to be mounting the microATX motherboard into a mid-tower case to achieve better airflow. I'm going to be stepping up the power supply from a 460W to a 600W. The new one has three rails, but there is not chance I will be pushing it past it's limits because the current components don't use anything close to it's maximum power. I couldn't find an ATX motherboard for about the same price so I'm going to be sticking with the microATX. I don't think it affects gaming, and there was pretty much no difference between that and a more expensive ATX board.

- Will it be more reliable now?
- Does the CPU bottleneck the GPU in-game?