Building a $400 Budget Gaming PC in 2021 with the $10 Xeon X5670!

Building a $400 Budget Gaming PC in 2021 with the $10 Xeon X5670!

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The CPU: Intel Xeon X5670
3. The Motherboard: Asus P60 Workstation Pro
4. The Cooler: EVGA 120mm AIO
5. The RAM: Corsair DDR3 1600MHz
6. The Storage: Silicon Power SSD and 1TB Hard Drive
7. The GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1650
8. The Case: Asus TUF GT301
9. The PSU: Corsair CX-500
10. Performance testing: Fortnite, CS:GO, Minecraft, GTA Online, Warzone
11. Conclusion

🖥️ Is the Intel Xeon X5670 still a good option for a budget gaming PC in 2021?

Introduction: Building a budget gaming PC in 2021 can be a challenge, but in this article, we're going back in time to explore the potential of the Intel Xeon X5670 CPU for a $400 build. Despite its age, this CPU still offers six cores and twelve Threads, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers. Join us as we dive into the components and performance of this build, and see if it's a viable choice for your gaming needs.

💡 The CPU: Intel Xeon X5670

The heart of our $400 gaming build is the Intel Xeon X5670 CPU. This processor, despite being released in 2010, still packs a punch. With six cores and twelve threads, it provides ample performance for modern gaming. What's even better is that you can find this CPU for as low as eight to twelve dollars on eBay. With a bit of overclocking, you can easily reach frequencies of four gigahertz or more, as we'll see in the benchmarks later. The Intel Xeon X5670 proves that age doesn't always dictate performance.

Pros:

• Affordable price on the used market
• Six cores and twelve threads for multitasking
• Overclockable for increased performance

Cons:

• Older architecture may limit compatibility with certain software
• Power consumption may be higher compared to newer CPUs

⌨️ The Motherboard: Asus P60 Workstation Pro

To pair with the Intel Xeon X5670, we've chosen the Asus P60 Workstation Pro motherboard. Priced at around $55, this motherboard offers solid performance and reliability for our build. It's important to note that the x58 platform, which this motherboard belongs to, does not natively support USB 3.0. However, you can easily add USB 3.0 functionality through adapters or PCIe cards. Another limitation of this motherboard is that the onboard SATA ports only support SATA 2 speeds. While this may affect the performance of high-speed SSDs, it shouldn't be a major concern for budget gaming builds.

Pros:

• Affordable and reliable motherboard
• Good compatibility with the Intel Xeon X5670
• Supports overclocking for better performance

Cons:

• Lack of native USB 3.0 support
• SATA ports limited to SATA 2 speeds

🌬️ The Cooler: EVGA 120mm AIO

To keep our Intel Xeon X5670 cool, we've opted for the EVGA 120mm AIO cooler. With a price tag of $30, this all-in-one liquid cooler offers efficient cooling performance while remaining budget-friendly. It's worth mentioning that the included RGB fan shown in the video is not normally bundled with this cooler. However, you can use any cooler that supports the LGA 1366 socket for this build. Make sure to choose a sufficiently powerful cooler to handle the heat generated by the CPU.

Pros:

• Efficient cooling performance
• Affordable price for an AIO cooler

Cons:

• Additional RGB fan not included
• Compatibility limited to LGA 1366 socket

💾 The RAM: Corsair DDR3 1600MHz

For memory, we've selected a 16GB kit of Corsair DDR3 1600MHz RAM. While X58 platforms typically support triple-Channel RAM configurations, we have opted for a dual-channel setup due to a faulty stick. This change allows us to save some money, but if you prefer, you can choose to use ECC RAM, which is often cheaper. Just ensure that your X58 motherboard supports ECC RAM before making the purchase.

Pros:

• Sufficient memory capacity for gaming
• Affordable option for DDR3 RAM

Cons:

• Dual-channel configuration instead of triple-channel
• Potential compatibility issues with ECC RAM

💽 The Storage: Silicon Power SSD and 1TB Hard Drive

In terms of storage, our $400 gaming PC build includes a 120GB Silicon Power SSD and a 1TB hard drive. The SSD provides fast boot times and quick application loading, while the hard drive offers ample space for storing games and files. While there may be cheaper options available on eBay, our chosen storage combo strikes a balance between performance and cost-effectiveness.

Pros:

• Fast SSD for quick boot and load times
• Ample storage space with the included hard drive

Cons:

• Other storage options on the market may be more affordable

🎮 The GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 1650

For graphics processing power, we've chosen the EVGA GeForce GTX 1650. While there are other options available at a similar price point, such as the GTX 970 or 980, the GTX 1650 was a more accessible choice during our build. It offers a good balance between performance and price. Keep in mind that availability may vary, so it's worth looking out for better deals. Overall, the GTX 1650 is a solid choice for budget gaming and can handle modern games at 1080p.

Pros:

• Good performance-to-price ratio
• Capable of running modern games at 1080p
• Relatively easy to acquire

Cons:

• Other GPUs may offer better performance for a similar price
• Availability may fluctuate

🖥️ The Case: Asus TUF GT301

For the case, we've selected the Asus TUF GT301. Priced around $70, this gamer-focused case offers a sleek design and good cable management options. It features three ARGB fans and a 120mm black fan, ensuring adequate airflow for our components. Additionally, the case includes a detachable headphone holder and has designated front straps that double as a carrying handle. The only downside we found was that the front RGB fans are slightly dim, but this can be a matter of personal preference.

Pros:

• Stylish design with good cable management
• Well-ventilated with included ARGB fans
• Convenient detachable headphone holder

Cons:

• Front RGB fans may appear dim for some users

🔋 The PSU: Corsair CX-500

To power our $400 gaming PC build, we chose the Corsair CX-500 power supply unit (PSU). Although this PSU is a bit old, it still provides enough power for our components without breaking the bank. However, if you prefer a newer PSU, the EVGA 450 BR or 500 BR from B-Stock are also great options. While they may not be top-of-the-line, they are reliable and come at attractive prices. In our case, the Corsair CX-500 was acquired for free, making it an ideal cost-saving solution.

Pros:

• Sufficient power for the components
• Reasonable performance for a budget PSU
• Can acquire for free or at a lower cost

Cons:

• Older model with potentially limited lifespan
• Newer PSUs may offer better efficiency and performance

Now slug down