I'm 15 and working with a very limited budget, so I need an inexpensive gaming PC that can last roughly one or two years. I found parts in Italy for an OptiPlex 9010 SFF build: an Intel Xeon E3-1270 v2, an RX 580, 16 or 32 GB of DDR3 memory, and a 500W power supply. I mainly want to play older or less demanding games, especially Call of Duty: Black Ops III and IV, ideally at 1080p and around 90 FPS. My main concern is whether the LGA1155 Xeon is still capable enough for gaming. The SFF case itself is not a major concern because I have access to a compatible case, so I'm mostly asking whether the specifications make sense.
2 Answers
The overall build should be decent for budget 1080p gaming, especially with an 8GB RX 580. Black Ops III should generally run well, but promising a locked 90 FPS in every situation—particularly in Black Ops IV—would be too optimistic without testing the exact system. Use reduced settings if necessary. Also verify that the 500W power supply is good quality and compatible with the motherboard and case. If possible, a Mini Tower OptiPlex is safer than the original SFF model because it accepts standard power supplies and larger dual-fan graphics cards. An RX 580 can also benefit from a modest undervolt to reduce heat and power consumption.
The E3-1270 v2 is still a reasonable match for an RX 580. It is essentially the server equivalent of a third-generation i7-3770, and it is close to the practical limit of what LGA1155 can offer. An E3-1240 v2, E3-1245 v2, E3-1270 v2, or E3-1275 v2 would all perform similarly, so choose whichever is cheapest. For older Call of Duty games, this CPU should be fine, although exact FPS will depend on settings and the rest of the system.
That’s what I was trying to confirm. I saw claims that Black Ops III could run at high FPS on high settings, but I wasn’t sure how reliable they were.
The physical case issue should be covered because I have another case that supports the SFF motherboard, so I mainly wanted to know whether the CPU and GPU are still capable enough.