$500-700 Gaming rig advice(first time buider)

[rader953]

Approximate Purchase Date: Ihave no purchase date I'll probably buy the parts one-by-one for a few months.

Budget Range: $500-700

System Usage: Mainly gaming but i may also use it to surf the net and watch movies on netflix.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes I will probably buy 2.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any site as long as it's reliable.

Location: Michigan, USA

Parts Preferences: I don't know many of the brands so no preference really.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: Don't know what this is.

Your Monitor Resolution: Don't know yet



I don't know if all this will fit mainly because I am a first time PC builder but i was wondering if there were better parts than mine for cheaper or the same price. I would like to get my build down to $600 but $700 is also just fine.

Here is the list of parts I have thought about buying.


PCU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor $89.99

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler $29.99

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard $99.99

Hard Drive: Western Digital VelociRaptor 250GB 3.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive $87.49 Note: i plan on upgrading this in the future

Memory: I don't know yet

Video Card: MSI GeForce GT 630 4GB Video Card $77.99

Sound Card: Asus Xonar DS 24-bit 192 KHz Sound Card $41.99
Note: in all honesty sound doesn't matter too much to me.

Case: Thermaltake VM30001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case $39.49
Note: I chose this case completely at random but I'm looking for something cheap and accesible to the inside.

Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply $83.99
Note: I'm looking for a power supply that is good and efficient and will save me money on power.

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer $17.99
Note: I chose a cheap one because I will most likely rarely use it.

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) $89.98
Note: Is there another OS that is still good for gaming that is cheaper?

Final Price so far: $655.57

Also here is a link to my build just in case you wish to see the specs of the parts.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tw9M

 

[butremor]

Hey, please fill out those questions, otherwise it's gonna take too long asking you those question one by one. Post answers here. After you do that we will be able to help you faster, without having to be guessing in the dark. Thanks
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/353572-13-build-upgrade-advice

Welcome to forums!

 

[rader953]

Hey, please fill out those questions, otherwise it's gonna take too long asking you those question one by one. Post answers here. After you do that we will be able to help you faster, without having to be guessing in the dark. Thanks
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/353572-13-build-upgrade-advice

Welcome to forums!

Thanks for the tip I updated it. Hope It is okay now.

 

[butremor]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($33.84 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $582.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 13:54 EST-0500)

 

[rader953]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($33.84 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 1GB Video Card ($119.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $582.74
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 13:54 EST-0500)

Would this build be more or less powerful than before. if so how big of a difference would it make. and also thanks for replying.

 

[Kamen_BG]

i don't want to come off as a hater or anything but the builds you both made are pretty bad.


Build 1
Here I'm just going to upgrade his almost finished build.
Much and i mean a LOT better then either one of the builds you made (actual FPS in games will be a lot higher than one the 2 combined)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($134.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $577.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 15:02 EST-0500)

And the second build.
This time im going to build you a real beast.This one is about 60-70% faster than the previous one in games and the CPU it uses is a lot faster too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($152.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($214.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $695.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 15:10 EST-0500)

Oh and i forgot to tell you that there is an integrated sound card in every modern moderboard, so unless you're an audiophile there is no need for a discrete one.

 

[rader953]

i don't want to come off as a hater or anything but the builds you both made are pretty bad.


Build 1
Here I'm just going to upgrade his almost finished build.
Much and i mean a LOT better then either one of the builds you made (actual FPS in games will be a lot higher than one the 2 combined)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($134.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $577.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 15:02 EST-0500)

And the second build.
This time im going to build you a real beast.This one is about 60-70% faster than the previous one in games and the CPU it uses is a lot faster too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($152.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.20 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($214.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($18.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $695.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-21 15:10 EST-0500)

Oh and i forgot to tell you that there is an integrated sound card in every modern moderboard, so unless you're an audiophile there is no need for a discrete one.

thanks this is what i have been looking for a great pc under $700 and great to know that there is already a sound card with the motherboards so now i don't have to waste extra money on one.

oh and also since i dislike windows 8 does it matter if i just get the OS i had above?

 

[DeusAres]

Here's an Intel build with an amazing upgrade path. It'll max out any game you throw at it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($35.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $680.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-22 02:20 EST-0500)

If you want, you could try out Linux. It's a free operating system. Just recently, it has started support for Steam. If you do decide to try Linux, I'd put the extra cash towards a better GPU. Something like the HD 7950 would be a great option.

And here's a link to Linux just in case you wanna try it out...

http://www.ubuntu.com/

 

[mrdowntownkiller]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock B75M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($61.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Intel Extreme Master, Limited Ed 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($31.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Galaxy GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($41.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.89 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $668.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-22 07:38 EST-0500)