Advice on a first time gaming PC build

[FearUpontheTide]

Hey everybody.

I am currently making my first gaming build and could use some advice. My primary use for this computer is gaming. I want to get high to max settings on my current set of games (Skyrim, Titanfall, etc), while doing some basic future proofing. I also do graphic design work in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Flash for fun and profit, so these should also be taken into consideration.

My budget is 1,000 before shipping and such. I have Prime, but most of the best parts I've found so far are on newegg. The final purchase will be within the next couple of weeks.

Here is my build so far:

**CPU** | [AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd8350frhkbox) | $169.99 @ Amazon

**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga990fxaud3) | $108.00 @ Newegg

-Updated 10/7-
**Memory** | [ G. SKILL Ripjaws 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240 Pin DDR3 SDRAM 1866 (PC3 14900) Red] (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455) | $82.99 @ Amazon

**Storage** | [Corsair Force LS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-internal-hard-drive-cssdf240gbls) | $99.99 @ Newegg

**Storage** | [Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd1003fzex) | $74.99 @ Amazon

**Video Card** | [XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-video-card-r9280atdfd) | $199.99 @ Newegg

**Case** | [Rosewill THRONE ATX Full Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-throne) | $139.99 @ Newegg

-Updated 10/6-
**Power Supply** | [XFX XTR Series P1-650B-BEFX 650W ATX12V / EP S12V SLI CrossFire 80 Plus Gold Full modular](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207031) | $109.99 @ Newegg

**Optical Drive** | [Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/samsung-optical-drive-sh224dbrsbs) | $14.99 @ Newegg

**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwdn4800) | $39.99 @ Amazon

Windows 8 is 20 dollars for me to buy at my school tech store

I have a basic monitor, keyboard, and optical mouse. If I have some wiggle room, a better monitor is a plus but I can live without.

Total: 1060.91

I've got the SSD For my OS, Adobe Products, and possibly my most used games (Skyrim, Total War, etc) and my antivirus, just to reduce startup times and such.

I've stuck with AMD due to cost efficiency and some pretty good reviews around the internet. Intel is most likely outside my price range.

I don't have any LAN outlets in my house where this will be placed, so I have to spring for a wireless card.

Overclocking isn't something I'm interested in doing with my first build, so keep that in mind as well.

If you know of any better products that I can get for the same price, let me know. Some overall advice would be great too. Thank you so much for helping me!

- Nick

 

[i7Baby]

That's good. Fine tuning -

Change the ram to 2 x 4gb, 1866, 1.5V, cl9 - faster, should be about the same price.

Change the PSU to XFX 650 - better quality, cheaper

 

[tsuneo6]

if I can give you some advise.
I'd invest in a better graphics card before investing in a SSD. this is easily upgradable and wont be a big cut in your wallet when you buy one. also, if you take a case a bit cheaper you'll be able to clear up enough money to get yourself a gtx 970. which is atm the best price/performance card.(even with the other gtx7xx serie prices dropping).

 

[tsuneo6]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA CPU Cooler ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($76.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($339.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill RISE ATX Full Tower Case ($88.57 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $950.46
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 21:10 EDT-0400

this is a pretty good build, with good overclocking potntials, and a PSU powerfull enough to support a second card in the future with overclocking!
you can also add an ssd now, or later... depending on how much you wajnt to spend. but this will give you better performance

edit: I see I forgot a wireless adapter... so that's an extra 20-30 dollar, my bad^^
and about the CPU cooler. maybe not alot of ppl are familiar with it. but it's a bit cheaper then the overhyper CM hyper 212 evo. there is a 1 degree difference on it. I got one on my fx 8320 which is OC'd to 4.2GHz and it doesnt get over 58 degrees in a 3 hour stresstest(I do have a push pull fan setup though, so it's not just the stock fan)

 

[tsuneo6]

this build goes over your budget a bit, but you got your SSD, I also put a wireless expension card in here. and some faster RAM which will be beneficial for editting etc.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA CPU Cooler ($21.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Corsair Force LS 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($339.98 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill RISE ATX Full Tower Case ($88.57 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($18.36 @ Amazon)
Total: $1073.81
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 21:18 EDT-0400

 

[FearUpontheTide]

That's good. Fine tuning -

Change the ram to 2 x 4gb, 1866, 1.5V, cl9 - faster, should be about the same price.

Change the PSU to XFX 650 - better quality, cheaper

I updated with your changes. Thanks for the help and the speedy reply!

 

[GmanBOSS]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($108.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 780 3GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($334.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill THRONE ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1015.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 21:39 EDT-0400

You will need a cooler to game on the FX8k series.

 

[AntonM95]

I think if you get the FX-8320 is the best idea ! it's the same cpu but at lower price and with very little overclocking you will get the FX-8350.

And The ssd doesn't make games faster it gust make it load faster but not affect the frame rate .

with using Photoshop and Adobe programs you will use CUDA and have to get more RAM , so there is a build with these all features (SSD - 12GB RAM - Better PSU - Better CPU cooler)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($40.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($40.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($40.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($86.54 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($18.36 @ Amazon)
Total: $986.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 21:43 EDT-0400

 

[tsuneo6]

I think if you get the FX-8320 is the best idea ! it's the same cpu but at lower price and with very little overclocking you will get the FX-8350.

And The ssd doesn't make games faster it gust make it load faster but not affect the frame rate .

with using Photoshop and Adobe programs you will use CUDA and have to get more RAM , so there is a build with these all features (SSD - 12GB RAM - Better PSU - Better CPU cooler)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($40.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($40.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($40.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($86.54 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB ACX 2.0 Video Card ($329.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Rosewill RNX-N250PCe 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($18.36 @ Amazon)
Total: $986.73
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 21:43 EDT-0400

this is both for gaming and editting, so either go for dual channel 8 gig or 16 gig. but dont lose the dual channel.

appart from that, I suggested a zalman cooler, cheaper and nearly identical to the hyper 212 evo(ppl forget about other coolers nowadays)
appart from that I agree with the fx 8320 choice.

 

[GmanBOSS]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($108.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($359.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill THRONE ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1040.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 22:04 EDT-0400
Here is one with the 970 but, good luck getting it when it is in stock and don't think that case would fit it unless you remove a bay or two.

 

[GmanBOSS]

I stuck with the case you picked cause I assume you are like me and want THAT certain style you spent hours looking for. I could easily tweak this build to better performance with a cheaper case and could easily get an ssd in there for your editing hardly raising the cost at present if at all.

I like to buy my parts pre oc to avoid any warranty issues.

 

[tsuneo6]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($28.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($108.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card ($359.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Rosewill THRONE ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1040.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-06 22:04 EDT-0400
Here is one with the 970 but, good luck getting it when it is in stock and don't think that case would fit it unless you remove a bay or two.

stay away from cx units. these are tier 3. tier 2b and up is recommended. xfx, seasonic, antec evga,...are good brands. the tx series from corair are good aswell. but not the cx.

 

[GmanBOSS]

really??? seasonic makes them for corsair....http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/259312-28-corsair-made-seasonic
Not to mention the actual user reviews.

We all know every manufacturer has defective products and issues. Also you must take into account the majority of ppl who do post a review do so so cause they got one of those products. Most people don't bother if it functions fine. So for Every bad review you see you can bet their are 4 - 7 times that who don't post cause it works just fine. I chose the 750w cause he will only use about half of that and it is optimal for noise and life of the psu.

 

[i7Baby]

That's a lot of BS.

Corsair did sell TX and HX which were made by Seasonic. They are old lines (I have a TX750V2 - made by Seasonic).

The only good quality Corsair PSUs are listed in tiers 1, 2a and 2b of http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

Most of what's being sold now is in tier 3. Its low end.

 

[tsuneo6]

really??? seasonic makes them for corsair....http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/259312-28-corsair-made-seasonic
Not to mention the actual user reviews.

from what I can remember they have different suppliers. I bet seasonic supplies them the quality series PSU's, but here is the list, so you can see for yourself, I was surprised aswell as I got me a cx750m not to long ago. it works, but some of the vallues tend to be off...it's recommended to replace these units after the warranty period expired.
all this information I got from the forum over the last few weeks. so it's quite recent!
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1804779/power-supply-unit-tier-list.html

 

[GmanBOSS]

" Meets standard ATX specifications, though closer to the edges than Tier two units. These are still solid units, which still supply stable power to your system, though not ideal for serious overclocking " According to this guy... Still I don't suggest any overclocking since it can void your warranties.

 

[tsuneo6]

" Meets standard ATX specifications, though closer to the edges than Tier two units. These are still solid units, which still supply stable power to your system, though not ideal for serious overclocking " According to this guy... Still I don't suggest any overclocking since it can void your warranties.

you should google how many of the cx series PSU's exploded. especially the 600 watts one. the 750 is just fine for now. I was just saying that there are better PSU's out there for the same price.

 

[GmanBOSS]

I have seen the guys on here bash the rosewill green series as a tier 3 or lower when in fact the people who do an actual tear down and stress test on the models showed it to a great psu with quality parts that doesn't have and power flux up or down issues.

 

[GmanBOSS]

How is it you think that list is compiled? Does that guy get every single one of those units and stress test themselves?

If you buy a shirt off the net and it is just what was described do you go back and leave a review? I bet you would if it came in and was the wrong color/size.

i7Baby
Grandmaster
"That's a lot of BS.

Corsair did sell TX and HX which were made by Seasonic. They are old lines (I have a TX750V2 - made by Seasonic).

The only good quality Corsair PSUs are listed in tiers 1, 2a and 2b of http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1804779/power-supp...

Most of what's being sold now is in tier 3. Its low end."

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-TX750-V2-Power-Supply-Review/1227

Second paragraph...

 

[i7Baby]

Dotorrent hunts out reviews from reputable sources. He investigates when asked. His listing is better than anything else that exists.

TX and HX are old series.

 

[GmanBOSS]

Three years in pc term is old in fact, but how much is a psu built in the last 6 months? We all buy parts 2 or three years old.

I was told this psu was crap despite this review that did an absolute breakdown of the product. Still runs great to date btw....
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/881
I got it on sale for around $40 usd.
Rosewill who they seem to put down have this at least.
http://www.techpowerup.com/185028/super-flower-shows-off-first-80-plus-titanium-psu.html
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182169