~$550 Budget Gaming Build

[IndyAJD]

I'm looking to build a budget gaming PC for a friend of mine. I'm looking to get him maximum performance for around a $550 pricepoint. I wanted to build something that would be capable of casual gaming and mid-high graphics for some years, and with the ability to add a second GPU. Here is what I have come up with.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($105.99) Microcenter In store
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($70.91 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $572.76
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:20 EDT-0400)

As you can see, I'm a little overbudget, however for the extra $20 I was able to get a crossfire capable motherboard and a R9 270 instead of an R7 265.

So what do you guys think of this build? Any suggestions? Ways to reduce the price without sacrificing performance?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The board is very very poor. Rest looks good.

The board isn't true Crossfire capable.
PCI Express 2.0 x16
2 (1 at x16,1 at x4)

 

[IndyAJD]

The board is very very poor. Rest looks good.

The board isn't true Crossfire capable.
PCI Express 2.0 x16
2 (1 at x16,1 at x4)

Do you know of a good crossfire capable board that would fit this pricepoint?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

There are none , they are a bit higher over $100.00.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $114.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:46 EDT-0400)

 

[IndyAJD]

There are none , they are a bit higher over $100.00.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $114.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:46 EDT-0400)

Darn, I suppose I'll have to forgo crossfire then. One last question, what budget board would you recommend?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Get one of these 2.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $77.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)


or


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.79 @ Newegg)
Total: $88.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)

http://www.overclock.net/t/946407/amd-motherboards-vrm-info-database
VRM database.

 

[jaraldo]

Would recommend the Gigabyte version.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AgN1D79Joo7tdE9xMUFlMEVWeFhuckJEVF9aMmtpUFE&gid=3

Both are good though.

 

[IndyAJD]

Get one of these 2.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($77.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $77.98
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)


or


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.79 @ Newegg)
Total: $88.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-09 10:53 EDT-0400)

Thank you so much! I appreciate the help, I'll definitely pick yours as the solution. If you have the time, is there a wireless antenna you would recommend?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I use a huge ADAPTER , what type , do you want. USB or Card?

 

[IndyAJD]

I use a huge ADAPTER , what type , do you want. USB or Card?

An adapter should be fine as long as it fits in a Mid Tower (and preferably less than $30?).

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Do you have a site preferece?

I use USB adapters.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I use this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833381041&cm_re=premieretek-_-33-381-041-_-Product

 

[IndyAJD]

I use this.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833381041&cm_re=premieretek-_-33-381-041-_-Product

Cool, that looks good. I think I'll go with that. Thanks so much for all of your help!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

No problem.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Good choice , thanks for posting.

 

[IndyAJD]

Would recommend the Gigabyte version.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/spreadsheet/pub?key=0AgN1D79Joo7tdE9xMUFlMEVWeFhuckJEVF9aMmtpUFE&gid=3

Both are good though.

Thank you! I think I will go with the gigabyte.