Cheap ($468) PC build for good Aces High action, 2023 edition

[Brooke]

From time to time, I build a cheap PC for Aces High.

This one gives 60 fps with default settings, except environment map slider set to "none" and video texture size set to 2048.  Is smooth and looks good.

Total (not including monitor or OS) = $468
Monitor = $96.

All of the following bought new through Amazon:

 Logitech MK120 Wired Keyboard and Mouse Combo for Windows, Optical Wired Mouse, Full-Size Keyboard, USB Plug-and-Play, Compatible with PC, Laptop - Black
$17.95

 Crucial P3 500GB PCIe Gen3 3D NAND NVMe M.2 SSD, up to 3500MB/s - CT500P3SSD8
$34.99

 G.Skill AEGIS Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin SDRAM (PC4-25600) DDR4 3200 CL16-18-18-38 1.35V Dual Channel Desktop Memory Model F4-3200C16D-16GIS
$46.99

 Intel® Pentium Gold G-6400 Desktop Processor 2 Cores 4.0 GHz LGA1200 (Intel® 400 Series chipset) 58W (BX80701G6400)
$52.95

 Thermaltake Versa H17 Black Micro ATX Mini Tower Gaming Computer Case 2.0 Edition with One 120mm Rear Fan Pre-Installed CA-1J1-00S1NN-A0
$51.99

 NewHail TPM2.0 Module TPM SPI 12Pin Module with infineon SLB 9670 for MSI Motherboard Compatible with TPM2.0(MS-4462)
$23.99

 ZOTAC GeForce GT 1030 2GB GDDR5 64-bit PCIe 3.0 DirectX 12 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card ZT-P10300A-10L
$105.99

 InnoView 24 Inch Monitor 100Hz 4000:1 Contrast Ratio Computer Display 1080p Full HD Gaming Monitor HDMI Ultra Thin Built-in Speakers and VESA Mounting Machine Black
$95.99

 MSI H510M PRO ProSeries Motherboard (mATX, 11th/10th Gen Intel Core, LGA 1200 Socket, DDR4, PCIe 4, M.2 Slot, USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1Gbps LAN, D-SUB/DP/HDMI)
$89.99

 Thermaltake TR2 500W ATX 12 V2.3 Power Supply TR-500CUS
$43.08

[Shuffler]

That is inexpensive. That is about half the price my ram cost back when I purchased my ram for my build. That price has since come down now to about $400 USD.

[Brooke]

I also turn off pilot mesh, reflections, and shadows.

I do that even on my higher-end PC because I like it better with those settings turned off.

[Eagler]

I also turn off pilot mesh, reflections, and shadows.

I do that even on my higher-end PC because I like it better with those settings turned off.

This

Eagler

[Denniss]

so many awful or overpriced components in there..... you may have better got an AM4 system with a 5600G CPU using its potent IGP. That would have left some money to exchange the awful P3 into something like KC-3000.

[oboe]

To be fair, he said cheap, not quality.  It's sort of intriguing the way Brooke puts these systems together. 

I can never match the low system overall cost, but I wouldn't be able to spend less than $250 on a video card - either an RX 6600 or maybe Intel's new Arc A750.   Even $468 is too much $$ for me not to spring for the extra $$ to get a more capable video card, and that means a bigger PSU, etc.

I think mine would come in close to $800.

[Brooke]

so many awful or overpriced components in there.....

I'm going for the cheapest system that will run AH well.

An AMD Ryzen 5 5600G system is indeed a good choice.  A "well done!" to you on going right to that. 

But . . .

Early January, when I was buying the cheap system, I wasn't able to find an AMD route that was as cheap as today.  Things at the cheap end were going into and out of stock depending which week I was looking.  Here are my notes from Jan 3:
"or ryzen route with igpu
1/3/2023
ryzen 5600g, $130
mb can't get -- so no"

Graphics performance of the AMD 5600G is similar in most cases to GT 1030 GDDR5 -- with one concerning exception.  On Rocket League, the AMD was way worse.  I assume it would be OK on AH, but it would take a test to know.
https://youtu.be/KycNI1FxIPc?t=582

Cost depends on what MB works with the 5600G.  Not all AM4 motherboards handle 5000 series.  If I could get a $70-$90 MB that works, then the AMD route is about $60 cheaper (because CPU is more, but don't need to buy a GPU or a TPM).

If I were building today (and could use a $70-$90 MB), I'd probably try out the AMD route and see how it does on AH.

I don't care at all about something better than the Crucial NVMe, though, or a better PSU, etc.  All of that stuff is totally fine.  I would use that same stuff in a different build.

[Eagler]

What does this setting actually do?

environment map slider

Eagler

[Denniss]

All AM4 motherboards, except one or the other forgotten oddbal, supports Ryzen 5000, they just require a somewhat recent bios. Not all permit a Biosflash with unsupported CPU though.
Here in Europe we did not have real shortages of AM4 boards, it was just noticable that older gen boards with B450 were mostly sold out without restocking while newer B550 boards rose in price. Entry-level A320/520 were always available

[Brooke]

What does this setting actually do?

environment map slider

Eagler

I think it has to do with how accurate the reflections are, such as of the environment reflecting off the skin of aluminum planes.

[hgtonyvi]

What does this setting actually do?

environment map slider

Eagler

It makes recording more realistic looking....Only great if u are recording. Doesn't matter in game play but will look more crisp recording flight with environment map turned on. other wise keep it off.