New build, perhaps some ideas for those considering building a budget AH3 puter

[DaddyAce]

 I decided I needed a major puter upgrade for AH3.   This is the only game I play, and is likely the most resource-demanding task for this puter.  I'm mostly retired and did not want to spend more than I need to, and also applied the principle that it's likely best to build only what I need now, since if I want something more in the future upgrading will get me more for the $ when I need to upgrade.  So here's what I built:

O/S  Win 10 moved over with SSD from my old system
GPU:  Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1060 Windforce OC 3GB DDR5  $209.99
CPU:  Intel I#-6100 3.7 Ghz    $118.2
Cryorig M9i CPU fan    $26.97
RAM:   Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR4  $37.99
Mobo:  MSI B150 Gaming M3  $103.95
WD 1 TB HDD  $49.99
PSU:  400 W Corsair CMPSU-400X (free, used from my old system)
Case:  Antec P-100  $74.99

Total cost:  $622.08

If I really wanted to go extreme low-budget I could have shaved another $120 off, and had the same functionality for about $500.

Lessons learned:

I really enjoyed building it!    Took my time, worked slowly and deliberately and feel like I learned a lot; very satisfying.
Despite info on the internet to the contrary, I found it trivially simple to move my SSD with Win10 installed from the old system to run the new system.  It took about a half minute for Win 10 to note new Mobo, CPU and Ram, and then run the new system with nary an issue.

I could have saved money on the case and motherboard, but wanted some extra features.  The case is very easy to open and work in for upgrades, and both the case and motherboard support lots of USB ports; if I decide I need a much more powerful machine it would easily accommodate more cooling, etc.  I could have also avoided the nicer CPU fan and saved $ by going with the stock Intel fan.

This build is so quiet it's almost spooky.  I 'm currently using a 1080p monitor.  The machine runs AH3 with all the settings full on mostly at about 60 fps, and sometimes I've seen it dip into the 40's.  I'm very happy with it.  I've never seen AH3 use more than about 40% or so of my video DRAM.

Thanks to Latrobe and my sons for help;  I found this site was very useful too:  Logicalincrements.com

I hope this helps some of you who are trying to decide to build or upgrade!       

[pipz]

Looks good! It is fun putting them boxes together isn't it! 

[DaddyAce]

Thanks pipz!  Yes it is!  I've offered to help a couple friends who recently retired build their own so they can play AH too, but I most suspect they'll not take me up on it....at least the gaming part.  I've long done upgrades, and my oldest son started building PC's at about age 8, and mostly took over as the family puter expert, but this is the first one I built start to finish, and really enjoyed it.

[Masherbrum]

I would get something along the lines of the Corsair 300R case and go to 140mm fans.   You're talking about $20.   I am fan of EVGA in terms of GPU's as their RMA system is effortless and superior to any other company.

My $.01.

[Gman]

Well done, how about some pics?  Great to see that new 1080p gaming PCs are capable of being built under $700 now, or less.

[BoilerDown]

Take a look at the GTX 1050 and 1050 Ti which are just now entering the market.

Edit:  Apparently you already bought and built it, so I guess I'll save the above for anyone trying to duplicate your build but is trying to get closer to $500.

[100Coogn]

Don't skimp on your PSU.
I know you're reusing it, but you can get much better for cheap.

Coogan

[DaddyAce]

This build anyways, has been running quite cool, at least with regard to CPU and "system" temps, have to way to measure GPU temp yet.....and that with the existing case fans set to "low".

Regarding PSU, I was not comfortable reusing my older Corsair, and had planned on buying a modular 650 W PSU; my computer engineer son talked me into reusing the Corsair.  Also the specs for the 1060 suggested only need for a 400 W supply.

Regarding pics....I'll use your request Gman to figure out how to get a couple up, perhaps tomorrow.

[DaddyAce]

Failed on inserting pics; still need to figure that out.  Meanwhile checked CPU temp immediately after flying in Tunisia,,, only 118 F

[DaddyAce]

[Bizman]

Looks cool. Nice cable management and plenty of free air.

[DREDIOCK]

Looks good. but....You didnt forget the ritual did you? Please say you didnt forget the ritual! Karma is at stake if you dont.

Only you MUST do it loud enough for the dogs to run for cover and everyone else in the house to wonder what the hell happened, or otherwise think you have finally and completely lost your mind

[DaddyAce]

ROFL!!!   Drediock!

But I have to admit, that's about how I felt when Win10 worked after simply moving the SSD to the new puter......I had been dreading spending hours on the phone with Microsoft, or worse....

[DaddyAce]

Thanks guys!

BTW, Yesterday during the Tunisia Scenario, I mostly ran the AH3 DX9, which seemed to eliminate the frame rate dips, so this machine seems to pretty much run AH3 with all settings on full at a pretty much constant 60 fps.  One nice thing I've noticed (relative to old build) is that I can have some things running in the background with no apparent effect on AH3.

Cool, my pic upload worked.  Here, hopefully, are a couple more, this time using urls:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wapiti49/30386603801/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wapiti49/30461284046/in/dateposted-public/

And, okay, since I'm finally figuring out how to get pics in here, here's one of the old guy and 2 of my closest advisors:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wapiti49/29476497072/in/dateposted-public/