Optimal configuration for new games.

[Grant7]

(sorry for any language mistakes)

Hi there

What PC would you recommend for someone, who likes to play new, demanding games, but is absolutely not obsessed with maximum details or hundreds of FPS, what CPU + GPU combo is optimal for smooth gameplay in FullHD (60Hz display) with some reasonable details?

The budget is irrelevant, it's kinda tricky, but the point is: what's the minimum specification in that particular case, that will provide smooth and moderately-nice quality gameplay?

My thoughts, after viewing many reviews and forums threads:
- as for motherboard, I think the H81 will do the trick,
- as for CPU, Intel Core i3 or cheaper, slighty overclocked (~3.6 GHz) Pentium G3258 on stock cooler,
- as for GPU, Radeon R7 265 or GeForce GTX 750 Ti.

I understand that "smooth and moderately-nice quality gameplay" is a very subjective feeling. So to make it little easier, let's assume that if a game has detail levels like this: very low, low, medium, high, very high and ultra, then I'm talking about something between medium and high details, at at least 35 FPS.

The PC is not for me, I just want to expand my knowledge. I want to find this sweet spot. It's kinda hard to find this type of configuration, because all reviews are focused on the scenario:
- tested GPU + fastest CPU on the market,
- tested CPU + fastest GPU on the market.
There is no for example mid-range GPU + mid-range CPU reviews, it's a shame.

I looked at "Attention Low-End Gaming System Builders" thread, and I assume that both builds meet my requirements (well, I'm not sure about GPU), but I just want to make sure.

What's your thoughts?

(sorry for any language mistakes)

 

[Seba]

Proper version:
Core i5 + R9 280 3GB + 8 GB RAM.

Cheaper version:
Pentium Haswell + GTX 750 Ti 2GB + 4GB RAM.

 

[Cerb]

(The budget is irrelevant, it's kinda tricky, but the point is: what's the minimum specification in that particular case, that will provide smooth and moderately-nice quality gameplay?

Budget won't be irrelevant. Even pinning it down to numbers, it's going to vary by game. Even narrowing it down to game, it won't always be that simple. For example, Skyrim can run on a Core 2 Quad and GTX 260 OK, or you can mod it up and need a new $1500 PC (as in 2014 dollars, for a 2011 game). You can play most games without the latest and greatest and fastest. It's a matter of what experience you'll get. At any given time, you generally want to hedge your bets against the near future, for what money you intend to spend (the far future is too uncertain).

Most games have ambiguous minimum requirements, and often recommended specs .

- as for motherboard, I think the H81 will do the trick,

If not overclocking, that's a matter of features, not performance. H81 gives you fewer USBs than B85 than H97. H97 allows RAID and SRT. Z97 allows overclocking. There are some further nitpicks, but that's the gist of it.

- as for CPU, Intel Core i3 or cheaper, slighty overclocked (~3.6 GHz) Pentium G3258 on stock cooler,

Check out more reviews for said Pentium, then skip it, in general. But, for any particular title, anything new, that isn't Bay Trail or Kabini, may very well be good enough. For another title, that might not be the case. For another, there may be ways of using faster CPUs, but lower end ones won't make for a worse game.

- as for GPU, Radeon R7 265 or GeForce GTX 750 Ti.

Maybe. The GTX 750 is definitely the least performant video card worth buying.

In general, if details/smoothness don't matter, and you'll looking at minimum spending, a fast CPU and middling GPU is a good way to go. Minimum CPU needs are usually much harder limits than GPU needs, at any given time. The trouble with that is that then you open yourself up to getting a new game and being GPU-limited even at lower details, which is wasting your CPU's time and power. For example, Metro 2033 and Metro LL both had that effect for many people, where even with lowered details, it just would not play smoothly with too weak a video card. There isn't a specific set of minimum hardware for every case, just balancing options available.