Description

Just finished my first from scratch build! I needed a new daily driver, something that could handle some light gaming and some design software I'll be using next semester. Came in right at my budget of $700 with some recycled peripherals. Had an Amazon gift card so ordered most from there.

Build notes: Everything went well. I did my best on cable mgmt, the case connectors were the biggest PITA.

Component notes: the fan speed controller on the case is a toy. I don't know what I was expecting, but what I got was a joke. The power supply I got wasn't listed, its an OCZ 550W ZT series. Fully modular for $50.

I'd appreciate some tips on the cable management and in general, thanks! Sorry about the ****** pictures.

Comments

  • 62 months ago
  • 5 points

750 ti better for the price

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  • 49 months ago
  • 1 point

Shadowplay

  • 62 months ago
  • -2 points

Ehh true I guess. The 260x has a higher clock rate and more stream processors but the 750 ti scores better on benchmarks

  • 62 months ago
  • 7 points

more steam processors, higher clock rate, means absolutely nothing :D The 750Ti benchmarks and plays better, in all scenarios, than the 260X.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKy5ctjixaY

Crysis3 Gameplay, Settings on High with x4 AA and VSync on. The 750Ti kept a healthy 5-8 frames on the 260X at all times, and at one point, the 750 was holding 60fps for a considerable amount of time, while the 260X on the same scene, could barely hold 50.

I'd shell the extra 20 bucks for it. Hands down. But, if you don't have the extra cash, the 260X is the next best choice.

  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

I'll keep this in mind, there's always upgrades.

  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

It is worth noting that the 750Ti also uses less power than the 260X. That being said, it saves more money and you don't need an external power connector.

  • 54 months ago
  • 1 point

I highly doubt the GTX 750Ti can hold up 60 FPS on High settings on Crysis 2 let alone Crysis 3 (unless the gameplay is actually 720p)

But I do agree , the 750Ti is a better video card than the 260X (but a 265 can be had for about the same money and performs better than the 750Ti)

  • 53 months ago
  • 1 point

XD you realised he said "light gaming" so crisis 3 probably isn't such a big deal.

  • 51 months ago
  • 1 point

i wouldn't base that kind of comparison on crisis 3, that game sees way better frame rates on all nvidia cards. Most of the amd cards struggle with the game i can't remember why it was but i think the game is nvidia optimised.

But i'm quite sure a 260x could run bf4 on high with no AA to get about 50-60 fps on some maps. My 270x sees about 60 min to 120 max n bf4 with AA. A 750ti could do exactly the same as the 260x in some games at least.

  • 62 months ago
  • 0 points

not really IMO. most 260x cards are only 1gb, so at higher resolutions it won't perform as well as the 750ti which are all 2gb. However he got the 2gb version of the 260x. So he made the right choice for the price, same performance, lower price. Minus the nvidia features, but is shadowplay really worth 20 bucks?

  • 62 months ago
  • 0 points

The 2GB 260X still lags behind the 750Ti, not by the same margin as the 1GB 260X, but still enough to notice. Again, depends on budget, and what you need.

"Is shadowplay really worth 20 bucks?" Considering a video capture solution that is anywhere as effective and seamless as Shadowplay costs 50+, yes. It is worth 20 bucks. Every penny (IMO).

Continue this thread
  • 62 months ago
  • -2 points

Yeah, as I said, the 750 ti shows slightly better performance in benchmarks. (And games, too)

  • 62 months ago
  • 3 points

still, the 260X is ~20$ cheaper, so you get more bang for buck from the 260X. The 750Ti is still better, but only if you can shell the extra cash for it.

  • 62 months ago
  • 3 points

Nvidia cards do have great features though.

  • 62 months ago
  • 4 points

Yeah ShadowPlay is a great feature if your into recording funny moments in gameplay :)

  • 62 months ago
  • 4 points

I would of went R7-265 GPU. higher power requirements, yes but the performance advantage is worth it imo.

other than that, great build! I'm sure you will enjoy it!

  • 54 months ago
  • 1 point

I'm actually considering a build with a 265, but is the performance and price difference between it and the GTX 750Ti large and small enough (respectively) to justify it?

  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

I was thinking about getting the R7 260x how are you finding it? :)

  • 62 months ago
  • 3 points

good so far, unfortunately I forgot to budget for games so I've only been testing it with movies and such.

Keeps decently cool but is definitely the hottest component in the case (45C at load).

Very small physical size, would be awesome in a micro build.

  • 62 months ago
  • 2 points

45° is fine, my 270x runs at 60° without any issues.

  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

Your PSU doesn't match the pictures. You're card runs a little too cool if it's at 45 with load. Just download a free benchmarking tool, google unigine valley. If you're vid card is still that cool durring benchmarking on high graphic settings, I'd be wondering if it has enough power. I briefly took a look at some of the OCZ PSU's and some have pretty low AMP ratings. Anyway your card at full capacity should run alot hotter than that. Take a look: http://media.bestofmicro.com/T/7/404107/original/08-Temperatures.png

Nice build though, the 260x is a great card. I recently built a rig for my brother in law and it is very similar to this build: http://pcpartpicker.com/b/O3A

  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

Not bad at all +1

  • 54 months ago
  • 1 point

the 260x and 750ti are neck a neck it really only matters if the title you play are amd based or nvidia

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

Did you have to do a Bios update?

  • 48 months ago
  • 1 point

Hows that motherboard working for you? I'm building a computer later and that's the motherboard I've chosen. (for now)

  • 33 months ago
  • 1 point

gotta work on the cable management man

  • 62 months ago
  • -2 points

Good job for your first build, I have to ask though. Windows 7?

  • 62 months ago
  • 0 points

While doing some research on the mobo I discovered a few known issues with win8. I figured I would hold out until those are addressed as I have a free upgrade to win8 through my university. Linux does not play nice with this board either, apparently.

  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

PFFFT. Linux plays nice with everything. It just takes some tweaking sometimes. My toaster can run linux.

  • 53 months ago
  • 1 point

I don't understand Linux very well but I understand it takes quite a bit of technical savvy to operate successfully once you get much beyond simple web browsing and media playing. I have about that much experience with an absolutely ancient version of Knoppix. Which version would you recommend for a Linux beginner?

  • 50 months ago
  • 1 point

Debian or Linux Mint.

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  • 62 months ago
  • 1 point

This comment reminds me - anyone purchasing the cooler I used - power it on outside the case to check the airflow; the one I got pulls air through the fins instead of blowing it through them.

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