Budget-Friendly PC Gaming: Athlon II x4 610e GT 1030 Gaming Test

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Choosing the Right Components
3. Benefits of an Economical Computer
4. Performance testing: The Witcher 3
5. Performance Testing: Sniper Ghost Warrior
6. Performance Testing: Battlefield: Bad Company 2
7. Performance Testing: Singularity
8. Performance Testing: Assassin's Creed
9. Performance Testing: Battlefield 3
10. Performance Testing: Medal of Honor Airborne
11. Conclusion

💻 Introduction

In this article, we will be discussing the performance of an older computer with budget-friendly components. We will explore the capabilities of this system and see how it fares in various gaming scenarios. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of what you can expect from an economical computer setup.

⚙️ Choosing the Right Components

When building an economical computer, it's important to choose the right components that balance performance and cost. In this section, we will discuss the key components used in our setup - the processor and the graphics card.

Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e (AM3)

The AMD Athlon X4 610e is a low-power processor that is compatible with the AM3+ socket. It has a TDP of 44W, making it one of the most power-efficient options available. The processor delivers decent performance while keeping energy consumption to a minimum.

Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 is an entry-level graphics card with a power-efficient design. With 2GB of memory and a TDP of 30W, it provides good performance for casual gaming without putting a strain on the system.

Pros:

• Power-efficient design
• Good performance for casual gaming

Cons:

• Limited for more demanding games

💡 Benefits of an Economical Computer

Building an economical computer comes with several benefits. Let's explore some of the advantages of opting for budget-friendly components.

1. Cost-effectiveness: Using budget-friendly components allows you to save money without compromising too much on performance.

2. Energy Efficiency: Low power consumption components help reduce energy costs and are environmentally friendly.

3. Less Noise and Heat: Economical components tend to generate less heat, resulting in quieter operation and improved system longevity.

4. Suitable for Casual Use: An economical computer is suitable for everyday tasks, light gaming, and multimedia consumption.

🎮 Performance Testing: The Witcher 3

To gauge the performance of our economical computer, we tested it with several popular games. The Witcher 3, known for its demanding graphics, was one of the titles we evaluated.

Test Settings

• Resolution: 1366x768
• Graphics Quality: Low
• Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Results:

• Average FPS: 38
• Energy Consumption: 52W

Despite the low-resolution and the low graphics settings, the Game was playable with an average of 38 frames per Second. The energy consumption during gameplay was around 52W.

🎮 Performance Testing: Sniper Ghost Warrior

Next, we tested our economical computer with Sniper Ghost Warrior. This game provided a different gaming experience, with higher resolution and better graphics.

Test Settings

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Graphics Quality: High
• Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Results:

• Average FPS: 40
• Energy Consumption: 105W

Despite the high graphics settings, our system managed to achieve an average of 40 frames per second. The energy consumption during gameplay increased to around 105W.

🎮 Performance Testing: Battlefield: Bad Company 2

In our next test, we evaluated the performance of our economical computer with Battlefield: Bad Company 2. This game offered a different gameplay experience with its intense multiplayer action.

Test Settings

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Graphics Quality: Ultra
• Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Results:

• Average FPS: 38
• Energy Consumption: 122W

Despite the demanding graphics settings, our system managed to maintain an average of 38 frames per second. The energy consumption during gameplay increased to around 122W.

🎮 Performance Testing: Singularity

Next, we tested our economical computer with Singularity. This game allowed us to explore time manipulation and experience a thrilling first-person shooter gameplay.

Test Settings

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Graphics Quality: High
• Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Results:

• Average FPS: 60
• Energy Consumption: 44W

Singularity performed exceptionally well on our setup, providing a smooth gaming experience with an average of 60 frames per second. The energy consumption during gameplay remained low at around 44W.

🎮 Performance Testing: Assassin's Creed

Assassin's Creed is another popular game known for its immersive open-world gameplay and stunning visuals. Let's see how our economical computer handled this title.

Test Settings

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Graphics Quality: Maximum
• Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Results:

• Average FPS: 36
• Energy Consumption: 46W

Assassin's Creed proved to be quite demanding on our system, resulting in an average of 36 frames per second. The energy consumption during gameplay remained relatively low at around 46W.

🎮 Performance Testing: Battlefield 3

Continuing our performance testing, we evaluated the performance of our economical computer with Battlefield 3. This game challenged the system with its intense multiplayer battles and realistic graphics.

Test Settings

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Graphics Quality: Ultra
• Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Results:

• Average FPS: 40
• Energy Consumption: 125W

Despite the high graphics settings, our system managed to maintain an average of 40 frames per second, providing a playable experience. The energy consumption during gameplay increased to around 125W.

🎮 Performance Testing: Medal of Honor Airborne

In our final performance test, we evaluated the performance of our economical computer with Medal of Honor Airborne. This classic game allowed us to experience World War II from a paratrooper's perspective.

Test Settings

• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Graphics Quality: Maximum
• Processor: AMD Athlon X4 610e
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

Results:

• Average FPS: 60
• Energy Consumption: 125W

Medal of Honor Airborne performed exceptionally well on our setup, delivering a smooth gaming experience with an average of 60 frames per second. The energy consumption during gameplay remained consistent at around 125W.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our economical computer setup, consisting of the AMD Athlon X4 610e processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 graphics card, provided satisfactory gaming performance. While it may not handle the latest AAA titles at maximum settings, it offers an enjoyable gaming experience for casual gamers. The power-efficient components also ensure low energy consumption and reduced environmental impact. Overall, building an economical computer can be a viable option for those on a budget who still want to enjoy gaming.

📌 Highlights

• Building an economical computer comes with several benefits, such as cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and suitability for casual use.
• The AMD Athlon X4 610e processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 graphics card are budget-friendly components that offer decent gaming performance.
• Performance tests showed that our economical computer could handle popular games like The Witcher 3, Sniper Ghost Warrior, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, Singularity, Assassin's Creed, Battlefield 3, and Medal of Honor Airborne.
• While not suitable for high-end gaming, our economical computer setup offers a satisfactory gaming experience for casual gamers.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Can I use an economical computer for tasks other than gaming? A: Absolutely! An economical computer is suitable for everyday tasks, light gaming, and multimedia consumption.

Q: Is building an economical computer cost-effective? A: Yes, building an economical computer allows you to save money without compromising too much on performance.

Q: Are power-efficient components quieter? A: Yes, power-efficient components tend to generate less heat, resulting in quieter operation and improved system longevity.

Q: Can an economical computer handle the latest AAA games? A: An economical computer may struggle with running the latest AAA games at maximum settings, but it can still provide an enjoyable gaming experience for casual gamers.

Q: Are power-efficient components environmentally friendly? A: Yes, power-efficient components help reduce energy costs and have a lower impact on the environment compared to high-power components.

Resources:

• AMD Athlon X4 610e
• NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030