BENCHMARKS
ZERO-
POINT
Cinebench R15 Multi (Index) 541 598 (11%)
CrystalDisk QD32 Sequential
Read (MB/s)^540 562 (4%)
CrystalDisk QD32 Sequential
Write (MB/s)^372 521 (40%)
Rise of the Tomb Raider (fps) 5 15 (200%)
Total War: Warhammer II (fps) 3 10 (233%)
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
Wildlands (fps)^2 9 (350%)
3DMark: Fire Strike (Index) 1,183 2,642 (123%)
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%4
2
3
1
(^1)
We stuck with the single
case fan that comes with the
MasterBox Q500L, but there’s ample
space on the top and bottom of the
case for additional fans.
2
The Wraith Stealth is the
smallest of AMD’s stock CPU
coolers, but it gets the job done in a
low-cost system like this.
3
There’s precious little space for
cable management inside this
case, but thankfully the front I/O
can be used to hide away some of the
excess cables.
4
The feet of the Q500L can be
popped out and reattached to
any side of the case for custom
orientations. Want your rear I/O on
the top of your system? You’re weird,
but this case has you covered.
WITHOUT WINDOWS 10, this build
would cost $490, which we’re pretty
happy about. The 3200G performed
above expectations; in fact, we’d
say it’s the best-value CPU with
integrated graphics on the market.
Under $100 for performance that can
comfortably carry out normal work
functions and even cope with light
gaming strikes us as an excellent
deal. We managed to get an average
of 30fps in R ise of the Tomb R a ider by
running it at low graphical settings
in 1080p; less demanding titles such
as Fortnite or 2D indie games run
smoothly in 1080p.
There are a few things we’d
do differently. When it comes to
components, turn the page to see
which parts we suggest upgrading.
There were some challenges in the
build process, too; using an ATX
mobo was a tall order, as the Q500L
case has an enormous lip around
the internal edges once the window
panel is removed. Were we to build
it again, we’d consider installing
the memory and cooler after the
mobo is mounted, as they add to the
weight during installation, which
makes things trickier. On the other
hand, installing components inside
this already cramped case would be
harder than doing so outside—it’s a
trade-off, with no simple answer.
The complications caused by the
case, BIOS, and cable management
meant that it took us longer than
expected to fully assemble. The latter
was a particular point of contention;
the Corsair CX450 power supply had
a large number of leftover cables
to tidy up. A modular PSU is the
obvious answer, but that would have
added too much to our total price, and
doesn’t solve the problem of excess
cable lengths. Again, there’s no
easy solution; a bit more time spent
routing cables will improve things,
though, along with liberal use of
cable ties. If you can get your hands
on shorter SATA connector cables for
the two drives, that’ll help, too.
This system was conceptualized
as a blank canvas, from which it can
be shaped into whatever machine
suits your needs. We think we’ve
succeeded in creating such a PC;
the potential here for this build
be upgraded and adapted to fulfill
different purposes is significant.
This system has two unused DIMMs,
three unused PCIe x16 slots, two
unused M.2 ports, and more. There’s
also room for more case fans, or a
radiator for an AIO CPU cooler, and
comfortable headroom for a larger
air cooler on the CPU. This case can
also be reconfigured to lay on its side,
should you want to slot the finished
PC into a space with minimal height
clearance. In short, there’s nothing
this system can’t do; what direction
you take it is up to you.
Our zero-point consists of an Intel Core i3-8100, 8GB of Team Vulcan DDR4 @ 2,400, and a 120GB Kingston SSDNow UV400.
All tests were performed at 1080p at the highest graphical profile.
maximumpc.com DEC 2019 MAXIMUMPC 35