AMD Budget Build

[agk5189]

Hello, I'm looking into building myself an AMD based system with a budget of around $500. If you could tell me if the build is smart or worth it, that would be great. Thank you!
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/zGkFpg

 

[Math Geek]

no reason to get an apu with built in graphics to then add a gpu. i changed the cpu to an fx-6300 and the psu to a better quality model. then upped the gpu to an r9-270 with the money saved.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($98.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($98.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.85 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $507.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-06 13:51 EST-0500

there are a lot of rebates built into the price but in the end it is a better cpu. you can save some upfront cash by going back the 260x you first picked.

 

[sadams04]

It is an OK build with the exception of the PSU. For a PSU look first toward XFX or Seasonic, then Antec or EVGA. Also, when using an APU (CPU and GPU combined) there is no need to add the R7 260X GPU. That said... at that budget level you are better off with an Intel setup like the one below. It offers a much stronger CPU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.76 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($81.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($122.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($61.23 @ Amazon)
Total: $509.93

 

[agk5189]

no reason to get an apu with built in graphics to then add a gpu. i changed the cpu to an fx-6300 and the psu to a better quality model. then upped the gpu to an r9-270 with the money saved.


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($98.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($98.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.85 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 270 2GB Core Edition Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $507.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-06 13:51 EST-0500

there are a lot of rebates built into the price but in the end it is a better cpu. you can save some upfront cash by going back the 260x you first picked.

Thanks so much for the quick response. Do you have any quality case recommendations?

 

[Math Geek]

to me cases are pretty personal choices so i shy away from recommending specific ones. i know what i see others suggest but i have no experience with them. common ones i see are cooler master elite 120, corsair 300r, nzxt phantom series and some others i don't recall.

i personally like big cases and love my most recent one. the cooler master HAF XB EVO. different shape and HUGE!!!! i also have used the antec 900 which was also a big heavy case with lots of airflow. many people prefer other models to what i like which is why i avoid the issue normally

 

[agk5189]

to me cases are pretty personal choices so i shy away from recommending specific ones. i know what i see others suggest but i have no experience with them. common ones i see are cooler master elite 120, corsair 300r, nzxt phantom series and some others i don't recall.

i personally like big cases and love my most recent one. the cooler master HAF XB EVO. different shape and HUGE!!!! i also have used the antec 900 which was also a big heavy case with lots of airflow. many people prefer other models to what i like which is why i avoid the issue normally

Okay, thanks for that. Sorry to keep bugging you, but, do you suggest any CPU coolers or additional case fans?

 

[Math Geek]

the cooler master hyper 212 evo is the best budget air cooler at around $30 and worth it for the 6300 cpu. the noctua mega coolers are best in the $75 range. i have no experience with water cooling but from what i have seen for the money the noctua's do the same or better job for less money.

i have the hyper 212 evo myself on an oc'ed i5-4690k and it keeps things nice and cool and is quiet as well. if you get a quality case it will come with a few fans which should be enough. otherwise i usually just grab a couple artic f12 cooling fans at around $5-6 each. they cool well, are quiet and are not very costly. i'm sure there are other good fans but i keep getting these since i know they work for me.


and don't worry about asking questions. that is why were are here. lots to learn and you can't possibly get it all down the first time out. i have been doing this for a long time and still learn something new every day 😀

 

[agk5189]

the cooler master hyper 212 evo is the best budget air cooler at around $30 and worth it for the 6300 cpu. the noctua mega coolers are best in the $75 range. i have no experience with water cooling but from what i have seen for the money the noctua's do the same or better job for less money.

i have the hyper 212 evo myself on an oc'ed i5-4690k and it keeps things nice and cool and is quiet as well. if you get a quality case it will come with a few fans which should be enough. otherwise i usually just grab a couple artic f12 cooling fans at around $5-6 each. they cool well, are quiet and are not very costly. i'm sure there are other good fans but i keep getting these since i know they work for me.


and don't worry about asking questions. that is why were are here. lots to learn and you can't possibly get it all down the first time out. i have been doing this for a long time and still learn something new every day 😀

Thanks so much, you've been a huge help