This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:15:00
This video features a collaborative challenge between two computer collectors who aim to build budget gaming machines capable of running Baldur's Gate 3 at 1080p and 60 FPS. They experiment with several builds, each comprising different CPUs and GPUs, to find the most cost-effective configuration. The builds include a 12-thread Xeon CPU system, a 4-thread i5 4590 system, and a 6-thread i7-960 setup. After testing various configurations and addressing significant hardware issues such as driver errors and artifacting, they determine that Nvidia's GTX 1060 3GB offers the best balance of performance and cost, frequently outperforming other components like the Radeon HD 5450 and AMD RX 480, which suffer from driver issues. The i5 4590 build, approximately costing $100, emerges as the best value for gaming, particularly when paired with a GTX 1060 3GB, demonstrating that decently performing gaming PCs can be built on a limited budget.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the Canadian computer collector, joined by the brotherly computer collector, embarks on a challenge to see how cheaply they can build machines capable of running Baldur’s Gate 3 at 1080p and 60 frames per second. They use three machines with different specs: 12-thread, 8-thread, and 4-thread builds, and test various graphics cards. They highlight a $75 i7-960 system with 16GB RAM and a Radeon HD 5450, noting they will swap the graphics card for better performance. A key detail includes acquiring a GTX 1060 3GB for $550 from eBay. During testing, they achieve 30 frames per second at 1080p with high quality settings, indicating that playable performance is feasible on these budget builds. Lastly, they introduce a second case, found for $15, which lacks components but serves as the next test subject.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the presenter discusses their plan to install a six-core Xeon CPU from around 2011 into their machine, alongside a motherboard, 12 GB of RAM, and a robust cooler, all acquired for approximately $65. The key objective is to run Baldur’s Gate 3 effectively, aiming for stable 1080p at 60 frames per second on medium settings, though the primary limitation is identified as the graphics card. Despite completing the hardware setup and testing, they encounter significant issues such as game crashes, screen artifacting, and AMD driver errors, indicating the critical challenge of balancing performance within these constraints.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the creator tests different configurations on a budget gaming PC. They experiment with texture quality settings and frame rates, noting improvements and drawbacks, particularly the fuzzy visual output despite achieving 30 frames per second. The focus then shifts to a different, cheap build assembled for under $100, featuring an i5 4590 CPU, 16 GB RAM, and a GTX 1060 graphics card. They express high hopes for this setup, emphasizing the excellent value of the GTX 1060 compared to older graphics cards like the 750 Ti. After assembling and testing the machine, they observe it performs well, with medium settings offering mid-50s FPS, surpassing other computers tested.
00:09:00
In this segment of the video, the creators finalize their testing of three different machines, observing performance issues potentially linked to AMD driver problems. They attempt to download drivers directly from AMD’s website, and if unsuccessful, plan to install a GTX Titan black card for evaluation. Through testing, they realize Nvidia hardware shows better performance, specifically the 1060 3GB card. The comparison evolves to focus on different CPU thread counts, concluding that the 1060 3GB is a reliable choice. The segment ends with a request for viewers to like, subscribe, and consider supporting via Patreon, summarizing that the main takeaway is the effectiveness of the tested Nvidia card.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the focus is on evaluating the performance and cost-effectiveness of different computer builds for gaming. The discussion highlights that modern mid-range graphics cards are comparable to older high-end models, using the GTX 1060 3GB as an example of a versatile and reliable card. Conversely, the AMD RX 480 is criticized for driver issues affecting game performance. The segment then breaks down various builds:
1. A smaller Cooler Master case setup costing around $110-115, which is functional but aesthetically unappealing.
2. A Xeon-based build that, despite being around $150, is criticized for slow single-core performance and longer boot times.
3. A quad-core i5 build, considered the best value at approximately $100. Despite having fewer threads, it offers the best per-core performance and handles gaming effectively at 30 frames per second.
The conclusion suggests that gaming on a budget of $100-200 is feasible, with the i5 build being the preferred choice.