My Steam Box PC Gaming 860$ Build featuring the Silverstone Raven Z RVZ01

[Za0oO]

The Goal

Have a console like PC in my living room for gaming / multimedia (movies etc...) to replace my overrated Xbox One. I think the build itself would be a PS4/Xbox One killer. Achieve 1080p / 60fps gaming at the lowest cost.

The build

Case Silverstone Raven RVZ01
Motherboard Gigabyte Mini iTX GAH87-WIFI
Processor Intel i5 4570
A.Data 8GB DDR3 1600mhz
Kingston SSDNow! SSD 120GB + Hitachi 3.5" 1TB
Power Supply Silverstone SF45-G 450W SFF
Video Card Gigabyte GTX 760 OC 2GB bumped to 1190/6200
Total build cost - sub 900$

Total : 866.92$ Shipped.

Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MGSzXtb2cY

Runs everything 1080p, ultra maxed out! A beast!

 

[Soundmanred]

PS4/Xbox One killer.

I would hope so at twice the cost.

Achieve 1080p / 60fps gaming at the lowest cost.

1080/60 shouldn't be too hard to achieve.

 

[Stringjam]

I would hope so at twice the cost.


1080/60 shouldn't be too hard to achieve.

 

[Soundmanred]

LOL!
I calls 'em as I sees 'em. (Like people did every other place he spammed this.)

 

[Red Storm]

Factoring in PC game costs and the better HTPC functionality of an actual computer vs a console, the extra cost will be recouped.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I do think people tend to gloss over or completely forget that computers typically are used for more than just gaming, even if they call them a "gaming rig". Those same people also say things like "they spend $500 on graphics cards alone" as if the majority do that. They don't.

Spending alot on a pc to play games is really not necessary with todays crop of console ports and non-tech pushing graphics.

 

[Soundmanred]

I'd like to know how much more it will costs to get Kinect functionality and the ability to play Xbox One games.
If you're going to make the age old "this computer is better than a current gen console!" comparison, at least make it fair.

I'm not even sure why someone would make the comparison between a multifunctional PC and a gaming console, other than to be sensationalist (or begging for youtube views...)

 

[blackened23]

I would hope so at twice the cost.

That's true, but he has a substantially better gaming experience with better image quality and graphics.. and yes, it does cost more upfront. At the same time, the cost of the games will be substantially less than what you would pay for on the XB1, and you also have a wider variety of indie, F2P and AAA titles to choose from. With games sales from Steam and a variety of other sites there is simply never a need to plunk down 60$ for a title. Sure, sometimes you MIGHT do that. Sometimes a game may be so good that you'll want to do that. I bought Skyrim at launch for full price. I don't regret that one bit, 60$ isnt' a lot of money and sure it has been on sale since then, but I have gotten tons of enjoyment from that game. So whatever. Anyway, PC games are generally cheaper, so it all balances out really.

Don't get me wrong. I'm actually not a console hater. I do much prefer consoles for many types of games and exclusives. Specifically, i'm really into fighting games which are a non starter on the PC simply because the multiplayer playerbase is lacking compared to that of XBLG or PSN online. Similarly, sports games are better on consoles, and there are a few console exclusives which can be good from time to time.

Both consoles and PCs have their place.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I'd like to know how much more it will costs to get Kinect functionality and the ability to play Xbox One games.
If you're going to make the age old "this computer is better than a current gen console!" comparison, at least make it fair.

I'm not even sure why someone would make the comparison between a multifunctional PC and a gaming console, other than to be sensationalist (or begging for youtube views...)

Actually..that wouldn't be that expensive. Software might be an issue, but I'm guessing there is some out there somewhere because people have been doing it for years, and found it to be a novelty that wears off for most tasks.

I don't know about you, but I am not a fan of listening to myself talk to inanimate objects.

I would say that MS could have made this product for PC, and it could have been the same price ($100), same functionality, but they didn't because they knew that without force packaging it with a product, it wouldn't have nearly the chance of taking off and that is still questionable.

 

[dmoney1980]

That Raven case is sweet! Someone needs to make a quality 600w PSU in that form factor so buyers can use stronger GPU's in cases such as this one

 

[you2]

I'll probalby do one of these in a couple of years; but target will be 4K with 60HZ.

 

[Lil Frier]

My thing is, when people say PCs are multi-functional, it's with the assumption that this PC is to fulfill all of those functions. Yes, his PC can do more than a console, but if he's got a desktop for general use already, and this is JUST a gaming-specific build, does the extra functionality matter?

My PC sits in my room, and it handles basically everything I do, except playing Xbox games. When I want to upgrade it, it'll be the video card (5850 right now), and it'll be just for gaming. But what I mean is that if you're going to get a second PC for living room gaming only, then the "it can do more" argument goes out the window.

 

[Red Storm]

My thing is, when people say PCs are multi-functional, it's with the assumption that this PC is to fulfill all of those functions. Yes, his PC can do more than a console, but if he's got a desktop for general use already, and this is JUST a gaming-specific build, does the extra functionality matter?

My PC sits in my room, and it handles basically everything I do, except playing Xbox games. When I want to upgrade it, it'll be the video card (5850 right now), and it'll be just for gaming. But what I mean is that if you're going to get a second PC for living room gaming only, then the "it can do more" argument goes out the window.

PC in the living room makes a good HTPC.

 

[Stringjam]

LOL!
I calls 'em as I sees 'em. (Like people did every other place he spammed this.)

Well, to be honest - he didn't include the cost of the OS or the controller (and to be fair, this is a comparison against a console, so it needs to be factored), so this is really a $1K+ build.

 

[Attic]

Love it.

But I'd have gone for faster GPU.

1080p Maxed wont run at 60fps locked on the 760. It will on 780/290 or better.

For my money a 1080P vsynced locked to 60fps setup at medium details is better than a sub 60fps at high or ultra details. Getting locked to 60fps at max is where it's at, but otherwise 60fps trumps max details.

 

[shortylickens]

1080p is crap.

Go for 2560x1600 or nothing else.

 

[rommelrommel]

1080p is crap.

Go for 2560x1600 or nothing else.

On your 1080p tv?

 

[QueBert]

That Raven case is sweet! Someone needs to make a quality 600w PSU in that form factor so buyers can use stronger GPU's in cases such as this one

My EVGA Hadron case has a SFX PSU that's only 500 watts that will run any current GPU with no problem. And since with ITX you only have 1 video card 500 watts is plenty. Dunno how it'll work with future gen cards though.

 

[Jodell88]

Well, to be honest - he didn't include the cost of the OS or the controller (and to be fair, this is a comparison against a console, so it needs to be factored), so this is really a $1K+ build.

He said Steambox. SteamOS is free.

 

[T9D]

I would just buy a home theater style case and micro ATX board instead. More options more slots, more space. It's not that much bigger but much nicer to have. Can SLI some day, can have normal power supply. Maybe put a nice sound card in. I don't know. I looked into those smaller cases and went with the micro atx insted. They have some pretty dang compact ones. I like it a lot.

I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Lil Frier]

PC in the living room makes a good HTPC.

That assumes you want an HTPC, though. I consume media in my room, not the living room (where I ONLY watch one show on DVR and live sports). If I put something in the living room, it would be solely used for gaming in the living room. A 360 can handle that, as can a One, and it wouldn't take $800.

 

[Fox5]

A low end streaming solution for Steam seems like the best option long term.

Short term, 100 ft of HDMI cable and wireless controllers (or USB extension cables) can probably be made to work in a lot of homes...

I've done living room gaming for a while, and it's more economical to just run cables.
In 2006, I did it with 75ft of component cable and usb repeaters. Now I do it with a similar length of HDMI cable and wireless controllers.