Learn from My Mistakes: The Failure of My First AMD Dual Graphics Gaming PC in 2014

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. My First Gaming PC
3. The Components of My First Gaming PC
   • The Case
   • The Power Supply
   • The Motherboard
   • The APU
   • The Aftermarket Cooler
   • The RAM
   • The Graphics Card
   • The Storage
   • The DVD Drive
   • The Operating System
4. My Main Mistakes
   • Lack of Proper Research
   • Overestimating AMD Dual Graphics
   • Neglecting the Power Supply and Graphics Card
   • Not Opting for a Mid Tower Case
   • Choosing a Micro ATX Size
   • The Hybrid Drive
5. The Good Things that Came Out of the Build
   • Practical Experience with PC Building
   • YouTube Success with MD Geographics
6. What Should I Do With This PC Now?
   • Leave it as is
   • Sell it off
   • Upgrade it
7. Conclusion

🖥️ My First Gaming PC

In this article, I will take you back to the early days of 2014 when I decided to build my first gaming PC. This was an exciting and challenging project for me, as I was transitioning from console gaming to PC gaming. I had done months of research and was ready to embark on this journey of building my dream gaming rig. However, little did I know that this build would be filled with mistakes, lessons learned, and a few surprises along the way.

The Components of My First Gaming PC

To give you a better understanding of the PC build, let's take a closer look at the individual components I selected for my first gaming PC.

The Case

The case I chose was the Char Kuhn M2-M1000 micro ATX case. Although it wasn't aesthetically impressive, costing only £30, it offered good quality and low noise levels. The case had convenient features like a removable front panel, USB ports, and options to add extra disks.

The Power Supply

For the power supply, I selected the Corsair CX430m, a semi-modular power supply that cost £38.27. While I can't recall the exact reasons behind this choice, it has served me well over the years. However, with only one slot for the PCI, it limited my options for powering a more demanding graphics card.

The Motherboard

I went with the MSI A78M-E35 micro ATX motherboard, which provided standard features and cost £37.98. It had two RAM slots, three SATA ports, and video ports at the back. This motherboard turned out to be not ideal for overclocking, which was a mistake on my part as I had not done enough research on motherboard capabilities.

The APU

My choice of the AMD A8-6500 APU, clocked at 3.5GHz (turbo at 4.1GHz), was driven by my fascination with the concept of combining a CPU and a graphics card on one chip. However, I later discovered that this APU was not a true quad-core and didn't perform as well as I expected. The graphics core, equivalent to an HD 8570, also fell short of my initial understanding.

The Aftermarket Cooler

To keep the system cool, I added the Cooler Master Hyper 103 aftermarket cooler, costing £19.12. This was a wise decision as it provided decent temperatures and allowed me to create a helpful installation video for others.

The RAM

I installed two sticks of 4GB DDR3 1866MHz CL10 RAM from HyperX. This was a crucial choice as it enabled me to set up the dual graphics configuration. Though the APU I selected did not offer high-end dual graphics options, the RAM played a significant role in its functioning.

The Graphics Card

Due to budget constraints, I ended up opting for the Asus HD 6670, a non-powered GPU, costing £52.99. While it had its limitations and didn't live up to my initial expectations, it served its purpose for entry-level gaming.

The Storage

For storage, I chose a 1TB SSHD, which combined the speed of an SSD with the storage capacity of a traditional hard drive. However, I didn't Notice a significant performance difference between this SSHD and a regular hard drive.

The DVD Drive

Back then, DVD drives were still in use, so I included one in this build for an additional £11.99. Although it seems unnecessary now, it was convenient for some tasks and installations at that time.

The Operating System

Luckily, I had access to licenses, so I didn't have to purchase an operating system. I managed to activate Windows through the phone activation system, and it worked without further complications.

My Main Mistakes

Looking back on my first gaming PC build, I made several crucial mistakes that affected its overall performance and gaming experience. These mistakes serve as valuable lessons for anyone planning their own gaming PC build.

Lack of Proper Research

One of my biggest mistakes was not conducting thorough research before assembling my PC. I failed to consider the recommended specifications for the demanding games I wanted to play, leading to subpar performance and disappointment.

Overestimating AMD Dual Graphics

I overestimated the capabilities of AMD Dual Graphics, thinking it would provide a significant boost in graphics performance. However, it didn't live up to my expectations, and I should have prioritized a traditional CPU and a dedicated graphics card.

Neglecting the Power Supply and Graphics Card

I didn't give enough attention to the power supply and graphics card, which are essential components for gaming PCs. Skimping on these components limited the overall performance of my build.

Not Opting for a Mid Tower Case

Choosing a micro ATX case instead of a mid tower case was another mistake. As a first-time builder, I underestimated the importance of having ample space for future upgrades and easier assembly. A mid tower case would have been a wiser choice.

Choosing a Micro ATX Size

In line with the small case, I also chose a micro ATX motherboard, further limiting my options and making the build more challenging. Opting for a larger ATX motherboard would have provided better flexibility.

The Hybrid Drive

While the SSHD seemed like a cost-effective option at the time, I didn't notice a significant performance improvement. In hindsight, investing in a primary SSD for faster boot times and adding a separate hard drive would have been a better choice.

The Good Things that Came Out of the Build

Despite the mistakes made during the build process, there were some positive outcomes that emerged from this experience.

Practical Experience with PC Building

Building my first gaming PC allowed me to gain valuable practical experience with PC components, assembly, troubleshooting, and setting up software. This knowledge has been invaluable in subsequent PC builds and upgrades.

YouTube Success with MD Geographics

One unexpected outcome of this build was the success of my YouTube video titled "How to Set Up MD Geographics for AMD." This video showcased my problem-solving skills and became my first successful venture on YouTube. It propelled me to take YouTube seriously and played a significant role in my Channel's growth.

What Should I Do With This PC Now?

Now, I need your help in deciding what to do with this PC. I've narrowed it down to three options, and your input would be greatly appreciated. Please visit the community section on YouTube and vote for one of the following options:

1. Leave the computer as it is for background research, browsing, and as a reminder of my mistakes.
2. Sell it off to recoup some of the money spent on the components.
3. Upgrade the CPU and graphics card to maximize its potential as a gaming PC.

Your vote will help determine the future of this PC, so please take a moment to share your opinion.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my first gaming PC build was a mix of excitement, mistakes, and lessons learned. Despite the subpar performance and limitations, it provided me with valuable experience and unexpected success on YouTube. When embarking on your own PC build, it's essential to conduct thorough research, prioritize the power supply and graphics card, and consider the size and flexibility of the case. By learning from my mistakes, you can avoid common pitfalls and build a gaming PC that meets your expectations.