Assemble an intel core i5 gaming computer. Intel Gaming PC

Sooner or later the time comes when you need to build a new PC. And regardless of what tasks the selection of components will be for, most people are inclined towards computers with Intel processor. This does not mean that computing technology will be very powerful and superior competitor AMD.

Assembling a PC with an Intel processor.

All CPUs belong to a certain price category, which determines what tasks the chip is purchased for. But this topic applies not only to Intel processors, but to assembling a desktop PC with this flint stone. Surely many people know, and perhaps even imagine, what components a computer consists of. This is a case with a power supply, motherboard, processor, RAM, hard drive, video card, drive and other devices according to user preference (TV tuner, SSD drive, PCI cards). Initially, the issue of processors was raised. Therefore, we will begin the selection of components with this component. Surely knowledgeable users understand that each CPU has its own connector (socket), and Intel chips are divided into generations. Two years ago, 2nd generation stones were very popular Sandy Bridge with socket 1155. A year later, the 3rd generation was released with the same connector Ivy Bridge. However, now it is no longer relevant to buy them, since Haswell (4th generation), which are equipped with a different socket - 1150. This means that when buying a motherboard, its socket must necessarily coincide with the processor socket. Despite all the subtleties listed, the question remains about which CPU to choose. The best is Core i7 (from $315).

It is equipped with 4 cores with hyper threading technology (8 threads). This chip is perfect for those who process and encode video (audio), as well as tasks that require high power of the computing chip. As for modern games, it will be an ideal solution for them Core i5 (from $185). This processor has 4 cores (4 threads, without hyper threading technology). There is an even cheaper solution - Core i3 (from $130). It has 2 cores and hyper threading (4 threads). The chip is intended for ordinary users who are interested in playing games in their free time. That is, if you want to relax and have fun for a few hours after work. For ordinary users interested in office programs, the Internet, films, music, it will be enough inexpensive Pentium (from $65). Unlike Core i3, it lacks hyper threading. This means that stable 2 cores will cope with all the tasks of undemanding buyers. Also coming soon Haswell Celeron(in Ivy Bridge - they were dual-core), intended for office PCs. In addition, Xeon, designed for the purpose of creating a server, should not be excluded from the above list. Now it's time to take a closer look at motherboards.

Motherboard

The motherboard is one of the most important components because it integrates the work of all components. Plus to all this, it also has its own controllers, for example, Ethernet, sound card. As already written earlier, the board socket must coincide with the processor socket. Otherwise the system will not work. Motherboards designed for Haswell, until recently, cost from $100. Now there are budget ones, starting from $55. When choosing a motherboard, be sure to pay attention to the chipset, RAM frequency (Socket 1150 - I don’t recommend taking it if it doesn’t support 1600 MHz), the number of PCI slots (if necessary), the presence of a SATA 3 interface, and the number of USB ports. As for the company - the most preferred are Asus, Gigabyte, MSI. This also applies to purchasing a video card.

Video card.

Most people will wonder which video card to buy. My recommendation would be this. For a gaming PC, with the ability to have fun with high graphics - you need a card Nvidia Geforce GTX 660/ATI Radeon HD 7870 or better (depending on budget). If your build is designed to play for a couple of hours a day, as a rest after work, then you probably won’t want to shell out the cash. The ideal solution in this situation would be Nvidia Geforce GTX 650/ATI Radeon HD 7790. Regarding a regular PC, with plans to access the Internet, watch movies and run undemanding programs, you do not need to buy a video card, since integrated video will be quite sufficient for these tasks. But if you are still set on a discrete card, then choose something in the $100 price category, with GDDR 5 memory type.

RAM

The time has come to look at the memory modules. As already mentioned, their recommended frequency is 1600 MHz. However, if you choose a motherboard that supports 1333 MHz, then you will have to limit yourself to only this frequency here. Recommended inexpensive manufacturers: Kingston, Goodram, Hynix, Silicon Power, Transcend. In addition, I advise you to take two identical modules at once (both by brand and by memory). This will enable dual-channel mode and will have a positive effect on PC performance. For a regular computer today it is important to install 4 GB of RAM. For the purpose of gaming assembly, 8 GB will be required. If you don’t have enough money when purchasing hardware, you can temporarily limit yourself to one memory stick. And when you have money, buy another one, the same one. Another custom component will be the hard drive.

HDD drives.

First of all, focus on the capacity of the HDD drive. For some, 1 TB may be enough, but for others, 2 TB is not enough. Therefore, decide for yourself here, but do not forget that you should not take less than 500 GB (it is not advisable for the price). Regarding the subtleties - look at the connection interface (SATA 3 is preferable, if there is such a connector on the motherboard), spindle speed (should not be lower than 7200 rpm), Cache (the more, the better), manufacturer ( according to statistics the most reliable: Seagate and Western Digital). Some may have doubts about the connection, for example, there is only SATA 2 on the board, and the preferred drive is SATA 3. There is no need to worry. All versions of SATA (including USB) are COMPATIBLE, and differ only in data transfer speed.

In principle, these are all the main components. But we still have to look at the drive, case and power supply. Regarding the drive, it’s no longer difficult to guess popular Asus. And note, perhaps you don’t need a simple DVD, but a Blu-Ray? This is an individual solution, because many people use it only when they need to install the OS and drivers.

As for the body. Very often they offer to buy a box with a built-in power supply. But this should not be done, since the cheapest and low-quality blocks are installed in them. It's better to buy a case without a power supply. When considering the box, be guided by your taste, but do not forget to take into account its dimensions (the main thing is that all components fit in). Take a power supply from a well-known company (for example Chieftec). The power of the selected power supply already depends on the hardware examined. Recommendation: components with video card Geforce GTX 650/Radeon HD 7790 – 500W, Geforce 660/Radeon HD 7870 – 650W. If you chose an even more expensive video card, then you will need a more powerful power supply (see the requirements for the power supply in the technical specifications of the video card). Ultimately, you will have a rough idea of ​​which components will suit you best. And most importantly, you can calculate how much money all this pleasure will cost.

After a short break, we are returning to a series of materials on assembling gaming systems of various levels. Last time we looked at two options for the most economical users. For this purpose, we chose a combination of a popular processor and video card, which in most cases copes with modern games without problems at medium/high graphics settings in Full HD resolution. We kept the same CPU, but paired it with a more powerful video card, which allowed us to raise the graphics level to high/maximum values ​​in all modern demanding projects at 1080p resolution. And just recently it came out on our YouTube channel, where we reviewed a configuration with the sensational Intel Pentium G4560 on board.

This time we will talk about the capabilities of the tandem and the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060. But before starting the story, it is worth making a few clarifications, which are caused by a number of comments under previous articles. Firstly, we are not an online store or a warehouse of a large company, therefore we do not have access to a wide range of components to select the most optimal ones in terms of price / capabilities. Secondly, we have a whole where you can evaluate purchasing options and an approximate price range. Here we want to evaluate the practical results of such connections when building real PCs, and everything stated below should be considered only as a clear example that will help you make the right and informed choice. So let's get started.

Accessories. CPU

Otherwise, by adding just $14, we get a 200 MHz bonus in the frequency of processor cores (3.5 versus 3.3 GHz) and support for DDR4-2400 memory instead of DDR4-2133 MHz. In addition, the new Intel Skylake Refresh processors have integrated graphics with improved support for hardware encoding of high-quality video, which is useful even when using a discrete video card. For example, when streaming through the popular OBS platform.

What about the competitor? At the moment, although AMD has introduced the new Socket AM4 platform, only flagship eight-core processors are currently available for sale, and the appearance of mass six- and quad-core AMD Ryzen 5 models should be expected on April 11 of this year. If you are completely limited in budget and don’t want to wait, but at the same time are comfortable with overclocking, then you can try to build a system on . Yes, it is already frankly outdated, but after manual optimizations, the AMD FX-8300 / 8320E looks very good in modern realities, including thanks to multi-threading.

Cooling system

Since the Intel Core i5-7400 does not support overclocking, it is quite possible to limit yourself to the supplied cooler. Let us remind you once again that not all motherboards by default adjust the rotation speed of the fan blades depending on the temperature of the processor. If this does not happen after installation, and you hear loud noise from the cooling system, be sure to find and activate the profile with the optimal cooler operating mode in the BIOS.

For overclocking experiments or if you want to achieve better temperature and acoustic performance, you should get a more powerful cooling system, for example, Deepcool GAMMAXX 300 / S40 / 400 or

Motherboard

Since we were not initially aimed at overclocking the Intel Kaby Lake processor line, we chose a model ($91) based on the chipset as the motherboard. Of course, you can save money by choosing the solution, but to install new CPUs you must first update the BIOS, and for this you will need to arm yourself with chips or contact the service center of the store or the board manufacturer. In our case, you don’t need to do anything: installed it and everything works. Additionally, we get support for M.2 drives and Intel Optane Memory, which may come in handy in the future.

The ASUS PRIME B250M-A motherboard itself offers a compact microATX format, four DIMM slots for installing DDR4 RAM in dual-channel mode, a decent set of expansion slots (PCI Express 3.0 x16 and 2 x PCI Express x1), two M. 2 Socket 3, six SATA 6 Gb/s and a basic set of other components. If you are not constrained by finances, then you can look for full-size solutions with older chipsets or with a more advanced network controller and audio subsystem. The choice is very large, the main thing is that your desires coincide with your capabilities.

Want to try overclocking Intel Skylake or AMD Vishera processors? In the first case, you will have to fork out for motherboards based on the chipset or a model from the ASRock Hyper-OC series. Whereas in the second it is quite possible to get by with affordable solutions based on AMD 970 / 990FX + SB950. In both cases, do not forget about the large number of power phases and the presence of at least simple radiators on them.

RAM

At the moment, 8 GB of RAM is enough, although there are already games for which this is not enough. Therefore, we decided to equip the PC with two 8 GB DDR4-2400 HyperX Fury Black (HX424C15FB2/8) modules with a stylish design and an effective low-profile radiator. This should be plenty to spare. And, as many tests show, dual-channel mode and fast hardware have benefits in processor-dependent projects.

The average price tag for one module is $74.

Video card

The video card is perhaps the most important component of a modern gaming system. In the middle price range, they are actively fighting and which have comparable prices. But which one to choose? The question is quite complicated. The first shows an advantage in many projects under DirectX 11, while the second shows better results in games under DirectX 12 and Vulkan. Although there are situations where not everything is so simple. You can see this for yourself by looking at our video channel in the section gameplay tests . The easiest way to make the right decision is to look at the performance of these models in your favorite games. A video card that demonstrates higher FPS will be preferable. It is quite possible that in the future a similar situation will be repeated with the AMD Radeon RX 480, as with the AMD Radeon HD 7xxx / R7 / R9 2xx, which at the start lost to their counterparts in the form of NVIDIA GeForce GTX 6xx/7xx, but is now leaving them behind.

But still, we decided to opt for the $355 one. This model boasts an original PCB with a reinforced power subsystem, a quiet and efficient proprietary DirectCU III cooling system, factory overclocking and a number of other pleasant proprietary improvements and technologies. Not ready to overpay for such a high-quality and functional solution? Please, the market offers many simpler alternatives.

Is it still too expensive for you? Then we take AMD Radeon RX 470 (8 GB), which in good overclocking is minimally behind the older representative of AMD Polaris. But you can only choose if you are ready to make compromises in graphics settings, since there are already quite a lot of projects that require more than 3 GB of video memory for Full HD resolution, and this is fraught with FPS drops and even problems (for example, HITMAN some options simply could not be selected).

Drives

Taking into account the budget and desired functionality, we suggest equipping the assembly with a classic 2.5" SSD drive with a capacity of 240/256 GB. This is quite enough for the operating system, all the necessary programs and a couple of heavy games. At the same time, we will get a new level of system responsiveness, and In some games we will even get rid of friezes or lags compared to a budget build.

Specifically, in our case, we settled on a popular and time-tested model with a capacity of 240 GB and an estimated price tag of $100. This is a durable solid-state drive based on MLC memory chips with a very high stated endurance rating (TBW is 641 TB), which demonstrates decent speed performance in all use scenarios.

For file storage, we chose a low-speed 3.5” HDD drive with a capacity of 2 TB with a spindle speed of 5400 rpm and a 64 MB buffer. In domestic online stores they ask for it around $75.

power unit

In the past, we have already talked about the importance of a correctly chosen power source, but here it would not be superfluous to recall simple truths. First you need to calculate the energy consumption of all components. The easiest option is to use an online power calculator (for example, from be quiet! or ASUS), where you only need to enter all the components, and the system itself will perform all the necessary calculations and produce the finished result. Next, we compare this indicator with the power of the +12V channel of your power supply (usually indicated on the official page or on the label): if it is lower, then there should be no problems. If in doubt, please clarify in the comments - we will be happy to try to help. By the way, if you plan to overclock the processor and video card, then the reserve needs to be increased by another 100-150 W. We also do not recommend buying very cheap power supplies from dubious brands, which, at best, simply cannot work stably even at the declared rated power, and at worst, they can fail, simultaneously taking expensive components with them.

We used the 500-watt model ($49), which performed well during testing. The list of its advantages includes the presence of a single +12V channel with good load capacity (40 A), easy-to-use flat cables, a sufficient number of different connectors, good quality of the element base and the use of DC-DC converters in the low-voltage part, a decent efficiency indicator ( more than 86% at peak), the presence of almost all protections (OVP, UVP, SCP, OPP, OCP), the use of a 140 mm fan with blue LED backlighting and many others.

Frame

When selecting a case, it is not only important to look at the external appearance and quality of materials, but you also need to clarify whether it can accommodate all your components and at the same time organize a normal microclimate inside. To do this, you should look at the supported motherboard formats, the number of bays and expansion slots, the maximum length of the video card and power supply, the height of the cooler, etc. It would not be superfluous to install a couple of fans, and it would be desirable to have modern I/O ports on the front panel. All this will help avoid unpleasant moments.

In our case, the role of the case was played by a budget premium option. Of course, it will cost buyers more than many analogues (about $63), but in return it offers the ability to install motherboards of various formats, 11 bays for 5.25-inch drives and 3.5-inch drives, space for long video cards (up to 330 mm) and 160 mm processor coolers, the possibility of hidden cable management and a number of other advantages.

In addition, the used version of the NZXT Source 220 case (CA-SO220-01) is already equipped with two 120 mm fans on the rear and top walls, which eliminates the need to purchase additional case fans.

Total cost

The final cost of building a mid-range gaming PC was:

Let us remind you once again that we did not set a goal to choose the cheapest components possible, but only identified, in our opinion, the optimal configuration of a mid-level gaming PC with a selection of real components. You can choose solutions from other manufacturers or combine new models with to reduce the cost of your PC.

System assembly

Undoubtedly, most of our readers will be able to assemble such a configuration without any problems. But just in case, we decided to clearly illustrate the main points, which should be useful for beginners.

First, you need to install the processor on the motherboard and attach the supplied cooler on top. Since the thermal interface is already applied to the base of the cooling system, you only need to carefully position it and securely fix it. And don't forget to connect the 4-pin power cable to the header marked "CPU Fan" on the motherboard.

After this, you can install RAM modules, placing them in slots of the same color to implement dual-channel operation.

Now you can prepare the case: install the racks for mounting the motherboard, release and route the internal cables (USB, power supply, audio block) in the required direction and install the interface panel plug from the motherboard kit. If your case does not have complete fans, then it’s time to attach them to the selected places.

Carefully place the motherboard in the case and securely fix it using the maximum number of mounting holes.

We install the drives in the appropriate slots, securely fix them and connect them to the motherboard.

We connect all the necessary internal connectors: front USB ports, front audio jacks (if necessary), power and reset buttons, as well as LED indicators. If necessary, a diagram for their correct connection can be found in the user manual of the motherboard.

We carefully install the power supply, securely fix it to the back wall with the supplied screws and supply power to all the necessary components.

Thanks to the long cables and clever design, all the necessary wires can be routed behind the motherboard tray. It is better to assemble unused cables with ties: this way the assembly looks more aesthetically pleasing. If you have a power supply with modular connectors, then there are even fewer problems with cables.

All that remains is to install the video card and fix its position on the back wall with a screw to reduce the load on the PCI Express x16 connector and ensure reliable contact with the internal interface for a long time. Don't forget to connect the 8-pin PCIe connector to power it.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated, and the final result will have approximately the same or even neater appearance.

Testing

To begin with, we checked the stability of the assembled system by simultaneously running the AIDA64 and MSI Kombustor tests for 30 minutes. For the processor fan in the BIOS, the mode for automatically changing the blade speed (the “Standard” profile) was selected. As a result, its frequency reached 2500 rpm, and the temperature did not exceed 57°C. At the same time, the housing propellers spun at maximum speeds of 1212 and 1542 rpm. The video card cooling system operated at a maximum of 1500 rpm, keeping the GPU temperature within the same 57°C. There were no problems with the stability of the components. The noise from the computer at full load did not exceed the average level and remained quite comfortable. In idle mode, the system worked very quietly.

Before analyzing the results, we would like to clarify some points. Firstly, built-in benchmarks were used to measure the average FPS, and where they were not available, indicators in one of the scenes. Secondly, we tried to run all tests at the most playable graphics settings. Thirdly, since in DirectX 12 mode the system, as a rule, produced less FPS, testing was carried out in DirectX 11 mode.

Traditionally, the first on our list of benchmarks is the popular test from 3DMark. It is quite expected that budget builds showed the most modest results. In the overall standings, the leader was the AMD Radeon RX 480, which is used in the computer. CPU Test demonstrates an almost threefold advantage over the junior Intel Core i5 of the Intel Kaby Lake line.

WorldofTanks

In tanks at Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and maximum graphics settings, the Intel Core i5-7400 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 provided the most FPS, while when switching to Quad HD (2560 x 1440) AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and AMD were ahead Radeon RX 480. In both cases, the frame rate exceeded 100 fps - this is a more than comfortable indicator.

When switching to 4K resolution and activating the preset with medium graphics settings, the Intel-based system again demonstrates the best performance - 84 versus 76 FPS.

DirtRally

You can drive off-road in a rally simulator on an Intel Core i5-7400 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with maximum graphics settings in Full HD and Quad HD resolutions at 85-106 frames/s.

In High mode at 4K resolution we get a playable 76 FPS. As you can see, in all cases the game gave its preference to the “blue-green” camp. It is likely that in a system with AMD Ryzen the video card is the bottleneck.

Quite expectedly, the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and AMD Radeon RX 480 in API Vulkan mode showed the best results, where AMD video cards traditionally feel more confident than their competitors.

The transition to OpenGL brings the Intel Core i5-7400 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 to the first places. But it is also worth noting that on all systems we get a completely smooth picture of the virtual world - it’s comfortable to play.

Our build makes it easy to set maximum graphics settings in Full HD, and you can count on 72 FPS. Next comes the AMD-based system, which in a similar situation produces an average of 60 FPS.

Switching to Quad HD resolution at a low level of detail provided an average of 94 FPS. If desired, you can safely raise the graphics settings to high values ​​and enjoy comfortable gameplay.

RiseoftheTombRaider

The adventures of Lara Croft in the game Rise of the Tomb Raider can be played without any problems at maximum graphics settings at 1920 x 1080, getting about 83 FPS. In a similar mode on AMD we get an average of 71 FPS. If you wish, you can go to 2560 x 1440, but the picture quality will have to be lowered to medium-high. In all cases, you can enjoy what is happening on the screen without any problems.

DeusEx: MankindDivided

Like the project above, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided has serious system requirements. To get the coveted 60 fps, even with Full HD resolution, you will need to set high graphics settings. Ultra settings lower this bar to 44 FPS.

To play in Quad HD you will need low or medium settings. At the same time, the picture remains smooth and the controls are responsive. It is noteworthy that the AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and AMD Radeon RX 480 give up in lighter modes, but pull ahead in difficult ones.

Battlefield 1

Last on the list, but not least, is Battlefield 1. We tested this project in several modes at once. So, Full HD resolution with picture quality from low to maximum allows you to watch smooth gameplay with a frequency of 82 to 136 frames/s.

At a resolution of 2560 x 1440 and presets from low to high, the frame rate did not drop below 68 FPS. For owners of monitors with a resolution of 3840 x 2160, we recommend choosing a profile with low graphics settings, which will allow you to achieve a refresh rate of 76 FPS. In all cases, playing is more than comfortable. As with the last game, the AMD-based system performs worse in light modes, but catches up in heavy modes.

Energy consumption

Before summing up, we propose to evaluate the energy consumption of systems in different operating modes. A computer based on AMD Ryzen 7 1700X and AMD Radeon RX 480 consumes about 351 W at maximum load. Under similar conditions, the Intel Core i5-7400 and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 combination required only 192 W. When idle, this figure drops to a modest 56 W and 38 W, respectively.

Results

As predicted, a mid-range gaming PC with an Intel Core i5-7400 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6 GB graphics card allows you to enjoy modern games in resolutions of 1920 x 1080 / 2560 x 1440 at high / maximum graphics settings. If you wish, you can indulge in 4K resolution, but the detail will have to be lowered to a low or medium level.

Anticipating comments like: “4-core processors are no longer relevant in 2017,” I would like to make a few clarifications. To begin with, it is worth recalling that it is CPUs of the Intel Core microarchitecture that are the most common and have the most games and programs optimized for them. Therefore, it is unlikely that developers will abandon them so quickly, although the advent of the multi-core era is hard to ignore. Yes, you can already remember Battlefield 1 in multiplayer mode for 64 players and Watch Dogs 2. That is, in projects with a large open world, the Intel Core i5 may have some difficulties. However, it is enough to reduce the drawing distance and a couple more settings to achieve a completely comfortable frame rate. That is why “purebred” 4-core models are a completely justified choice for at least the next year or two, and then we’ll see. Naturally, if you are aimed specifically at specific games and are not ready to make compromises, and also want to get a certain margin of safety, then it is better for you to immediately look towards the Intel Core i7, but do not forget about the importance of the remaining components of the system, which may limit its overall performance.

What does the competitor offer? Everyone is waiting for the release of mass six- and four-core AMD Ryzen 5 models, which will appear at the beginning of next month. Only after the first real tests will it be possible to judge their attractiveness and ability to compete with Intel solutions. If you are completely limited in budget and don’t want to wait, but at the same time are comfortable with overclocking, then you can completely try to build a system on Socket AM3+. Yes, it is already frankly outdated, but after manual optimizations, the AMD FX-8300 / 8320E looks very good in modern realities, including thanks to multi-threading.

We hope you find this review helpful. If you have your own thoughts about the optimal configuration or are simply interested in any questions regarding the assembly, then leave them in the comments.

We express our gratitude to the online store pcshop.ua for the processor provided for testing.

We express our gratitude to the brand HyperX for the SSD drive provided for testing.

Article read 32348 times

In short: these are the same Skylake chips, but with higher frequencies and an advanced hardware video processing engine. Still, some models are quite interesting. In addition, there is an unshakable rule: it is better to build a computer from scratch on the most modern hardware possible.

Intel Core i3-7320

Briefly about the product: 2 cores but 4 threads, 4.1 GHz, 4 MB L3 cache, 51 W TDP
Peculiarities: very high default frequency - 4.1 GHz
Price: US$149
Budget for a gaming computer with this processor: 35-40,000 rubles

Initially, this place in the selection was given to the Core i3-7350K. He is unique. As the song of the Kino group says: our hearts demand change! Indeed, since 2011 Intel has had two overclockable processors. One Core i5 and one Core i7 (there was also an anniversary one Pentium G3258, but this is the exception that confirms the rule). Such patterns are easy to recognize. They are the fastest, they are the most expensive, they have the letter “K” in their name. The wind of change blew in 2017, precisely with the release of the Core i3-7350K. It's been a long time since Intel released overclocking budget processors. Naturally, you will have to pay extra for overclocking capabilities. The chip costs $168, but it is nevertheless cheaper than the slowest Kaby Lake quad-core Core i5-7400 ($182).

Core i3-7350K is fast without any overclocking. Operates at a frequency of 4.2 GHz. It is quite possible to overclock it up to 4.8-5.0 GHz. Naturally, for this you will need to have a high-quality cooler in your arsenal. In general, overclocking requires a more expensive motherboard based on the Z170/Z270 Express chipset. For information on which devices are required for the seventh generation Core, read this material. So saving is a moot point. As well as the possibility of overclocking. But 4.2 GHz out of the box is already serious. And the Core i3-7320 runs at 4.1 GHz. It's only 100 MHz less, but we save $19 right away.

Intel Core i3-7320

Intel Core i5-7400

Briefly about the product: 4 cores, 3.0 (3.5) GHz, 6 MB L3 cache, 65 W TDP
Peculiarities: cheapest quad-core Kaby Lake
Price:$182
Gaming computer budget: 50-55,000 rubles

And Core i5 processors, as you know, have four full cores. And modern games love multithreading more and more. Perhaps the most obvious example is Battlefield 1. In it, any Core i5 is loaded at 100%. But such a chip is still enough to build a gaming computer with a powerful video card, including Radeon RX 480 and GeForce GTX 1060.

Let's not forget about one tempting feature of the new Kaby Lake. The chips have not very fast integrated graphics HD 630, but it has an advanced media block. As a result, all the power of the processor can be “thrown” into ensuring the operation of the video card, and the hardware units of the integrated GPU, for example, will ensure the operation of the OBS streaming program.

Intel Core i5-7400

Intel Core i7-7700

Briefly about the product: 4 cores but 8 threads, 3.6 (4.2) GHz, 8 MB L3 cache, 65 W TDP
Peculiarities: fastest processor with 65W TDP
Price:$303
Gaming computer budget: 60-75,000 rubles

The capabilities of the Core i7-7700 are studied in detail in review. The tricky part is that with a fairly low TDP for desktop processors (only 65 W), all four cores of the chip operate at 4 GHz under load. We get two things. Firstly, eight streams are useful, including in games. Secondly, high frequency. It will help both in work and in entertainment. Core i7-7700 works well with a GeForce GTX 1070-level video card. And the low level of typical heat generation will allow you to assemble a gaming computer of any complexity. Yes, even the size of a game console!

Intel Core i7-7700

Intel Core i7-7700K

Briefly about the product: 4 cores but 8 threads, 4.2 (4.5) GHz, 8 MB L3 cache, 91 W TDP
Peculiarities: accelerates to 5 GHz. If you're lucky.
Price: $339
Gaming computer budget: 100,000 rubles

The mainstream Intel platform, and LGA1151 is what it is, supports a maximum of quad-core Core i7 processors. Therefore, the Core i7-7700K differs from the Core i7-7700 only in frequency, the presence of an unlocked multiplier and, as a result, an increased TDP level. Overclocker model. With proper luck, it accelerates to 5 GHz using a good cooling system. The last time Sandy Bridge chips, released back in 2011, boasted such overclocking agility. It is clear that any modern video card can be used with the Core i7-7700K. Or even two.

We called today's PC build exotic for a reason. Judge for yourself. Firstly, it includes some components with an original design and bright LED backlighting. Secondly, individual components are not so common, for example, a motherboard from BIOSTAR or an SSD from Colorful. And thirdly, the combination of processor and video card is also not very popular. In short, the result is a rather colorful and powerful system in a compact body.

Let's start with the key element - the processor. It just so happens that in Intel’s lineup, the younger CPUs in each line look more advantageous compared to the older ones in terms of price and capabilities. The same 6-core one can be found on sale from $184, and for the Intel Core i5-8600, which has frequencies higher by 300 MHz, you will have to pay $30 more. Nevertheless, for many people the first option is enough for games and work.

Let us remember that its base frequency is 2.8 GHz, and its dynamic frequency can reach up to 4 GHz. The L3 cache capacity is 9 MB, and the thermal package does not exceed 65 W. Since we were kindly provided with an OEM version, we had to look for the cooler ourselves.

In accordance with the chosen theme of the build, we settled on a fairly quiet cooling system with a very unusual design and bright LED backlighting, which can be controlled using the motherboard. It is designed for processors with a TDP of up to 130 W, so it can handle a 65-watt model without problems, even despite the absence of heat pipes in the design. And thanks to the upper location of the 100 mm fan, part of the air flow is directed to blow over adjacent components: the power subsystem and memory modules. This will be especially useful in compact systems.

In this case, you should take into account the low profile of the cooler and possible problems with compatibility with tall RAM modules or large heatsinks for the processor power subsystem, especially in Mini-ITX and microATX boards. The new product has not yet appeared on sale here, but in foreign stores it can be found for $40.

Another key component is the motherboard. Since the processor does not support overclocking, we decided to go with the model with the Intel B360 chipset. In our opinion, the H310 is more suitable for assembling ultra-budget systems, and motherboards based on the H370 are quite controversial in terms of price and capabilities compared to the available models with the Z370.

Solutions from ASUS, GIGABYTE or MSI are quite common in our reviews, so we chose something more exotic - which can be found starting at $91. But it attracts not only the price tag. Firstly, four DIMM slots make it easy to expand RAM in the future. Secondly, two M.2 connectors and six SATA 3.0 ports are available for the disk subsystem. We also note a heatsink on the elements of the power subsystem, a gigabit LAN controller from Intel, a reinforced PCIe x16 slot, the top-end Realtek ALC1150 audio codec in the past, a good set of external interfaces, and even minimal bus overclocking, which slightly raises the frequency of the processor and RAM. A combination of such features is quite difficult to find in A-brand products in this price range.

In addition, there are two connectors for connecting RGB strips, the operation of which can be controlled through the BIOS and a proprietary utility. In addition to configuring illumination parameters, the software provides the ability to select the system operating mode, balance sound quality, adjust the fan operating mode and monitor key parameters.

We also decided to take the RAM modules with backlighting, making the assembly as bright as possible. And in order not to bother with overclocking, we chose a 16 GB GeIL Super Luce RGB kit with a built-in DDR4-2666 XMP profile. The chipset does not support faster memory, so there is no point in taking it. The cost of this kit starts at $176, but if you wish, you can save money and take any simple modules of the DDR4-2133 standard with subsequent overclocking to 2666 MHz.

Unfortunately, the LED backlight can only be synchronized with boards from ASUS, ASRock, GIGABYTE and MSI, so for us it simply shimmered in accordance with its own algorithms.

In most cases, it is recommended to pair the Intel Core i5-8400 with a 6 GB GTX 1060 video card, as the best choice for Full HD in terms of price and performance. But we already have such a build on our channel, so we didn’t want to repeat it. Plus, in some games we noticed a request for more than 6 GB of video memory, either in the settings themselves or already during gameplay. Therefore, we decided to take a video card with an 8 GB buffer. It could be the AMD Radeon RX 580, but it is still expensive, hotter and in terms of performance is on par with the GeForce GTX 1060. In the end, the choice fell on the GeForce GTX 1070 Ti. At the same time, we will be able to check how good the safety margin of such a combination is for comfortable gameplay, and whether the processor will limit the potential of the graphics adapter if we use the system exclusively for games, without many background processes.

The video card used was the MSI GeForce GTX 1070 Ti Gaming 8G, which can be found on sale starting at $569. It is characterized by a reference frequency formula, but thanks to an efficient cooler with six heat pipes, the GPU speed exceeds 1800 MHz in games. In addition, the fans are based on double ball bearings, which guarantees a longer service life.

By storage devices. An SSD must be used in an assembly of this level. Moreover, 120 GB is not enough for the operating system, the necessary software and a couple of gaming blockbusters. Therefore, we looked towards 240 GB models and noticed that in almost the same price range you can get the 320 GB Colorful SL500. It will cost approximately $72.

Even though it is built on not the most durable 3D NAND TLC chips, the larger volume allows you to rewrite memory cells less frequently, extending the service life. And speed indicators in the range of 400-500 MB/s guarantee a decent level of performance.

To store cold data, a 2-terabyte HDD, for example, a representative of the Seagate Barracuda series, is usually sufficient. It has a 64 MB cache, a spindle speed of 7200 rpm, and a maximum supported data transfer rate of 210 MB/s. Such a hard drive will cost $50.

To power the entire test configuration, it was decided to take a reliable source from a trusted brand. The choice fell on the Seasonic Focus series. We requested a “gold” block for assembly, but it was not available, so we took a “platinum” one with a power of 550 W. It will cost at least $125.

The price tag is not small, but you get a product of the highest quality with a 10-year warranty, a fully modular cable system, high efficiency, as well as a quiet and reliable FDB-bearing fan with hybrid operation.

In one of the latest builds based on Ryzen 3, we were accused of using a microATX board with an ATX case. In this video, we decided to correct ourselves and took the compact model Cooler Master MasterBox Q300P, the price of which starts at $87.

In general, choosing a case is a purely individual step. In this version, we were attracted by the nice and convenient design with pre-installed fans and LED lighting, the possibility of horizontal and vertical placement and an observation window on the side.

And to get a full-fledged computer at the end, we added basic peripherals in the form of a set of keyboard and mouse Cooler Master MasterKeys Lite L for $52 with RGB LED backlighting, as well as a simple 21.5-inch Benq GW2270H monitor based on an AMVA panel with protection user's eye. It cost us $109.

The final cost of our exotic build was $1556. Of course, if desired, the price tag can be reduced. For example, take less RAM or simpler modules, save on a power supply or case, take a different video card or a set of peripherals. In a word, it all depends on the breadth of your imagination and the depth of your wallet.

System Configuration:

• MSI GeForce GTX 1070 Ti GAMING 8G
• Seagate Barracuda 2TB
• Seasonic Focus Plus Platinum SSR-550PX 550W
• BenQ GW2270H

Immediately after assembling and installing the necessary software, we checked the system for stability, and at the same time measured the level of energy consumption. When idle, the temperature of the processor cores, GPU and drives was in the range of 35-45°C. Power consumption from the outlet reached 42 W.

Running the AIDA64 stress test for the processor raised the core temperature to 74°C. The rotation speed of its cooler almost reached 2000 rpm: it was audible, but it did not create much discomfort. The video card was not involved, so the GPU temperature only rose to 48°C. Energy consumption reached 98 W.

And now we run AIDA64 and FurMark in parallel. In this mode, the GPU temperature rose to 78°C, and the CPU - to an unpleasant 90°C, but there was no throttling. The processor cooler frequency reached almost 2400 rpm. The general background noise was at an average level. The situation is aggravated by insufficiently good ventilation of the internal space: access of external air to the front turntables is limited, so the main role is played by the propeller on the rear panel and the ventilation holes on the bottom wall. The system power consumption was 270 W.

Now we come to the main test. Installing each game on the SSD and subsequent testing would take a lot of time, so we immediately threw all the games onto the hard drive. In some projects, freezes initially occurred due to the need to load large amounts of data, so before recording we did several test runs, as if “warming up” the system.

And in most cases there were no problems during the test recording, with the exception of Assassin's Creed Origins. No matter how much we ran in advance, freezes still appeared with the hard drive, and the statistics of rare and very rare events were at the level of 4-10 FPS. With an SSD the situation changes, and the frame rate very rarely drops to 28 fps. But the average indicators in both cases were approximately the same. That is, at maximum settings the game definitely requires an SSD.

Now let's look at the other projects. World of Tanks even at ultra settings we are pleased with consistently high speed performance: on average we received 137 FPS, and the 1 and 0.1% Low statistics are 104 and 77 fps, respectively. That is, there can be no talk of any uncomfortable phenomena in the gameplay, with the exception of opponents and allies.

Frostpunk at very high settings requires more than 6 GB of video memory, so the 8 GB buffer reduces access to slower RAM. It seems that the game does not have the best optimization: the processor and video card were loaded at a maximum of 60-70%, and the speed indicators were frankly weak: 66 FPS on average, with very rare drops to 35 frames/s.

IN GTA V At very high graphics settings, the performance is also not always encouraging. In the city, the CPU and GPU are loaded to capacity in some places, and the speed very rarely drops to 52 FPS. Outside the city, not only the load on the processor is reduced, but also the frame rate: 96 FPS on average is good, but rare and very rare events in the region of 24-30 fps are somehow not comme il faut.

IN The third Witcher With maximum graphics settings the situation is already better. Jogging through the streets of Novigrad made not only Geralt sweat, but also all 6 processor cores. But the video card is only slightly underloaded. At the same time, the speed very rarely drops to 45 fps. The average figure remains around 98.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance You can also run it at ultra settings. The game will pamper you with picturesque pictures and a well-developed world, but not with comfortable speed indicators. And if the average frequency still fits this definition, then the rest of the statistics are in the region of 30 FPS. For its part, the processor manages to load the video card almost to its maximum.

Ultra preset in Quake Champions It turned out to be generally very comfortable and pleasant to use: the average speed almost reached 150 FPS, and from the rest of the statistics, the only disappointing indicator is the indicator of very rare events at the level of 38 frames/s, but this was not felt during the game. Only 5 GB of video memory was required and another 6 were taken from RAM.

Fortnite Battle Royale even with the epic preset it does not require more than 3 GB of video memory. The game also has more than enough processor, so the system as a whole guarantees comfortable gameplay with an average of 129 FPS and statistics of 1 and 0.1% Low in the range of 60-90 fps.

Here's one that's gaining popularity Realm Royale even at the alpha version stage at maximum settings it provides a consistently high frame rate, especially if you install the game on an SSD. But even on an HDD you can count on the speed very rarely dropping to 60 FPS. The remaining two indicators completely crossed the 100 fps mark.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the comic Totally Accurate Battleground: at high settings, the statistics for rare and very rare events are below 20 fps, so the average frame rate of 112 FPS is not particularly pleasing, as is the overall appearance of this project. Moreover, monitoring the CPU and video card load shows 60-70% at best.

IN PUBG They very rarely play on ultra settings, but if you have such a combination, you will be able to evaluate the project in a similar mode. The game really looks beautiful, and the system provides generally comfortable performance: only very rare events dropped to 44 FPS. The average figure rose to almost 100 fps. The video buffer is used a little more than half.

Need for Speed ​​Payback with the ultra preset it is much more demanding on the processor. It is curious that video memory requires only about 3 GB, but RAM consumption rose to 9. The average frame rate was 94 frames/s, and the rest of the statistics were in the range of 45-55 FPS.

Watch Dogs 2 With ultra settings I was able to load the assembly very heavily: the processor was at 100% in some places, the video card at 92-98%, about 7 GB was taken from video memory, and about 8 GB from RAM. At the same time, the gameplay was smooth and predictable, but with low speed indicators in the region of 30-60 fps.

But with Rainbow Six Siege with the ultra preset there were no problems: the processor, even at 100% load, could load the video card, providing an average output of 160 FPS, with very rare events at 120 frames/s. Owners of 120- and 144-Hz monitors will be delighted with these indicators.

There are not many suitable projects on the volcano, so for testing we decided to use a couple of the most popular ones. IN DOOM At ultra settings, we did not experience any problems with either the visuals or the responsiveness of the controls. Speeds ranged from 120 to 200 fps with an average of 160 FPS.

The situation in Wolfenstein II with the Mein Leben profile it turned out to be just as good: the frame rate very rarely fell into the region of 100 - 110 fps, but the maximum rose to 260 FPS. As a result, the average speed was somewhere around 180 fps. This means that Vulcan support in the GTX 1070 Ti with new drivers is implemented at the highest level.

IN Call of Duty WWII We tried to select the maximum settings in order to properly load the system. At the same time, the processor has enough reserve, and it supports the graphics card load at the maximum level. But the game does not have enough video buffer, so almost 9 GB is taken from the RAM and there are constant requests to the hard drive. However, the speed very rarely drops below 44 FPS, and the average even rises to 90.

Online mode Battlefield 1 with ultra settings, the system again has to work out every penny invested: the CPU cores are loaded at 80-100%, and the video card at 88-98%. Almost 9 GB of RAM was required, and about 3 GB of video memory. At the same time, the frame time graph is quite calm, and the frame rate is very pleasant: the average speed rose to 86 FPS, and the statistics of very rare events did not fall below 47.

Far Cry 5 at maximum settings, it required a series of test runs to load all objects, but when everything was cached, the output we received was an average of 103 FPS with rare drops to 73. If you immediately install it on an SSD, then the comfort of the gameplay will be maintained from the very first minutes high level.

Results

A gaming assembly consisting of a 6-core Intel Core i5-8400 processor and a GeForce GTX 1070 Ti video card on a motherboard with an Intel B360 chipset is a worthy option for wealthy gamers who want to run all the latest games at maximum settings in Full HD. In this case, you should definitely install a capacious SSD in the system, at least 240 GB, so that heavy games can be installed on it. As the example with Assassin's Creed Origins showed, the average speed of the SSD does not affect much, but it gets rid of freezes and stators, lifting your mood.

The Intel Core i5-8400 processor itself, even in heavy AAA projects, manages to load a video card of the GeForce GTX 1070 Ti level. Therefore, you can safely use it in such combinations. But if the game itself is poorly optimized, like Frostpunk, for example, then we didn’t get outstanding results with this build. In general, such a system has a solid reserve for the future if you play games and not monitoring.