AMD Budget Gaming PC -- I'm so close.

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raubon

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Aug 7, 2010
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Hi and Thanks for reading. This is somewhat lengthy, for which I apologize. I have two approaches I can take -- build or try to salvage another PC and rebuild.

After two weeks of looking at pre-builts, I'm convinced building a PC is optimal and have appreciated prior suggestions.

First my problems/concerns:

Over budget:

I'm about $50-$80 over budget on the build I came up with (well, really $500 over but that's another story) and wondered if it could be improved upon without substantial loss of speed etc.

For what it's worth, even though this is a gaming PC -- I'm "retired" per se and this is more than a casual hobby. So it's not a frivolous expense, hence I need to get it right and appreciate any input.


AMD vs. Intel --

I am not 100% comfortable with AMD -- as I want to add my Nvidia GPU. Also I notice most games I play promote Intel.

Salvaging my old PC?

My other question is if I bought a case and PSU could I **safely** test my intel-based motherboard/CPU/RAM and HD that may or may not have short-circuited. I would like to test the GPU also.

Would I need to buy anything else including any connectors?

The PSU/frontside USB + card reader failed after liquid came in through the front is all I know. Everything powers on (not sure about the HD) but I hear no beeps...though I guess those come through the speaker?

Specs: MB - MSI P55-CD53
CPU - i7 860
GPU - EVGA 460 v 2

The build I came up with on Newegg:

P.S. (I will add individual prices with discounts applied)

AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz ($79.99 - $10 on combo)

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5 ($59)

GIGABYTE GA-970A-DS3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard ($139.99 - $10 with CPU)

SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply ($89.99 - $10 on combo)

Rosewill LINE GLOW ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,Dual USB 3.0,come with Four Fans,Support up to 7 Fans ($69.99)

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM (or no OEM) ($99)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB)
240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) ($69.99 - $5 w/ Windows)

With combo discounts applied this system is $580 + shipping. My budget is 500-550.

Do I need to buy anything else...thermal paste maybe? Any special tools? Which guide is the best?

I really don't want to install fans so hoped this case had enough as is.

I was going to go Corsair PSU but the reviews on the SeaSonic were great and it's about the same price with the discount.

I am guessing I can go with a cheaper motherboard, I don't know what features I need or that improve performance substantially. I hate to cut corners on the MB though, unless it is fluff.

I'm trying not to get overwhelmed with building a PC but I think I can do this. I built them in the 90s -- but my eyesight isn't as good nor my dexterity. *sigh*

Anyhoo, any useful input is welcome even if you only want to address a portion of my questions.

Thank you very much!

P.S. My old build had a 750W PSU -- my GPU requires 450W. I'm not sure if this is enough, either. I don't and won't be overclocking.

My monitor is 25 in. I want to be able to run @1080p at 1980 X 1040 on high (not ultra) settings for today's/recent games. I am not concerned about what's on the horizon. I play things like Skyrim, Crusader Kings 2, Mount & Blade, EVE, I might play GW2 and BF3.


 
Solution
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Im going to go down and awnser each question the best I can,
AMD vs Intel, its a hot topic but in reality they both perform very similar and the preformance is going to be more relient on your GPU than your CPU.

As for your old PC If everything is dried out and is getting power but the motherboard is still not posting (loading Bios) then I'm sorry but the board is dead. You could try a different PSU but the odds of that working are very slim.

As for the PSU I would get a CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply is cheaper and is all your going to need unless your running 2 Nvidia Titans. It should also save your $20

GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX...
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Your old cpu is quite sufficient in order to handle most things that i know of. (nothing requires an i7 except crysis 3)
if you are going to amd i would suggest ...
the mobo seems expensive to me. i got a asrock 970 exteme3 (same architecture) for 70
also see this. it is an asus version of your motherboard.
http://www.frys.com/product/7326144

see the vishera 6350.. much newer of a product so hopefully better

nvidia and amd dosent run all that well
ever considered a10 5800k?
..
all in all i would suggest to keep your cpu. it is very powerful. if you are upgrading to amd i would first recommend changing gpu s as amd with ati works reallly well.

 
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Im going to go down and awnser each question the best I can,
AMD vs Intel, its a hot topic but in reality they both perform very similar and the preformance is going to be more relient on your GPU than your CPU.

As for your old PC If everything is dried out and is getting power but the motherboard is still not posting (loading Bios) then I'm sorry but the board is dead. You could try a different PSU but the odds of that working are very slim.

As for the PSU I would get a CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply is cheaper and is all your going to need unless your running 2 Nvidia Titans. It should also save your $20

GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard I hope that was a typo cause the 970 is not worth $139. The 990FX also supports Nvidia SLI where the 970 does not. If this is the 970 you were already on budget but the 990fx is recommended.

You could also use a Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case for 49.99 this should save you $20 and get you on budget.

I hope this helps
 
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Solution
 
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It does help, thank you. And no that wasn't a typo -- I'm so unfamiliar with AMD I didn't know it was so off mark.
 
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You will have no issues running your 460 on an AMD CPU/motherboard. Period.


Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $80 with code EMCXSTX22

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case: $40 with code EMCXRXT55

That saves yah around $40. You lose the USB3 ports on the front of your case, but you get an eSATA front port along with USB2 on the Challenger case.

Your 460 is holding yah back more so than anything (other than those dang operational issues). Can you not reuse your DDR3 and save another $60+ ??

You could put the extra cash toward a GB GA-970A-UD3 AM3+ or an Asus M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ - either for around $105

 
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If you are concerned about AMD + Nvidia pairing, let me try to put you at ease, my lan rig is a 8350 + 2 GTX 660s, they may get slightly better performance with Intel, but hey I am playing BF3, Bioshock Infinite, iRacing, Just Cause 2, Far Cry 3. pretty much any game on the Market on Ultra with no problems.
 
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All of these answers have been helpful, and are really appreciated, but I'm more unsure what to do now. lol

Here is what I am understanding:

-- Nvidia + AMD is OK @Wisecracker (not sure what ya mean by my 460 is holding me back except that it's not new?) If my RAM isn't damaged I could resuse it on an LGA 1156 MB, I simply don't know. Thanks for the Windows link for $80! (I"ll list my RAM, I don't know if it fits other boards)

-- I can save money on the case and PSU as suggested.

What I don't know is since the MB with my i7 860 is likely shot -- I would have to buy a LGA 1156 board, which arguably is a bad investment.

It may not be for me though. I have over 200 unplayed games and tend to stick to the same 5 unless it's a really good RPG.

What I found was this: BIOSTAR TPOWER i55 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138159
which ironically costs more (supply and demand I guess) 164.99
(I only checked Newegg -- I really don't want to buy on Ebay if possible).

IF I can use the RAM and CPU it would still save me money but do I want to do this?

The suggestions here for AMD are attractive and decently priced with motherboards that aren't so limiting. Plus I only have 4GB Ram that may or may not work.

Then there is the possibility my HD works...if it does I don't know if I can use that windows or not. I have an ISO backup as well.

If you guys think the i7 is the way to go, I guess I would buy the case, PSU and MB and start plugging the rest in -- but then am I risking the new MB with parts that have been potentially surged with power.

Choices! :)

Update: This is my RAM, FWIW the circuits look good.

Rendition 2GBX2 DDR3 240-pin 256X64 Pc3-8
 
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Ok if I don't rebuild I might be able to swing this -- it doesn't save as much as it would seem to but if it's doable, that is what matters. I may have not made the right choice on the CPU and MB as there was more than one suggestion.


Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($59)

CORSAIR CX600M 600W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply ($79) I went with modular for $10 more, has $20 MIB

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm -- ($49.99)

ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS ($99)

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M1A1600C10 ($67.99)

AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic ... ($129)

Windows 7 - $80

This is $565.67 if I sign up for that free shipping trial (not sure if it's worth it?)

-- What else would I need? a cpu cooler?

-- Did I miss a cheaper MB or CPU? -- I like the looks of both and esp. the CPU if my GPU card fails.

-- Could I use my existing RAM instead until I could afford more? That would really put me in the right price range.
(PC8500) Rendition 2GBX2 DDR3 240-pin 256X64 Pc3-8

Thanks for sticking with this thread, if you have.

UPDATE: I can rebuild with these parts (using my RAM) and BIOSTAR TPOWER i55 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard
(if this fits well in that case, my P55-seems big)
for $427 which is MUCH better for my spending comfort zone.

Any thoughts or compatibility issues now that I seem to be in the ballpark with parts?

 
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^An A10 would require a FM2 socket type, the M5A97 has a AM3+ Socket type.

And yes you should be able to use your existing ram on a new build.

The CPU as long as it is "new" has a stock cooler with it, your not going to be overclocking on it but it will perform "good enough" at stock clocks.
 
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Ratz on the socket type...but happy days on the rest. Thanks for the prompt reply.

So if I went AMD I am guessing I want the FM3 processor or AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz ($79.99) or 6350. I guess that would save me some money, too. I assume I want AM3 for upgradability IF I'm going this route... rather than be stuck like I am with the i870/1156. Right?
 
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I'm getting the sense there are a lack of fans for the FX-6300 -- it's on the 2nd tier of the TW CPU gaming chart, above my i7 860. I understand 1-2 levels doesn't usually mean much ...is this an AMD vs. Intel debate rather than a practical real world performance one. Or maybe limited to OC'ers.

I'm not cutting anyone...I just am considering that in the price too.

Even if it is close to my i7 860 ...i have 3 years of heavy use on it. I should consider that too.


Anyway, you guys are great with help!
 
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I don't think there is a lack of fans, its just no one is really sure if AMD will continue to use the AM3+ socket on their next gen cpus, and they you would be in the same boat as you are now, but I guess you could still go up to a 8350 at a later time.

Again i'm not really sure how the future will play out. only time will tell, until then no one can say one way or the other.
 
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That makes sense. OK I decided to go with AMD because I'm afraid I won't be able to find a replacement board in a year, it's hard enough now. I see a lot of out-of-stocks etc. And because it's a new CPU with warranty. (Bye Intel 🙁

Web and some of you have been immensely helpful. Since I can use my RAM the budget works. <=$500 (yay!)

I just want to confirm before I make this nerving purchase that what I selected is OK.

The parts above and if I use an ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS ($99) with a AMD FX-6350 Vishera 3.9GHz Socket AM3.

I can save about 15 on the ASRock 970 EXTREME3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA.

I know Asus is a good brand so figured it would be worth the difference, but if there is no real difference I'll go with the ASRock.

Also, if one is easier to work with than the other or has a better manual that would be helpful to know.

I know I can't even reconnect the P55- cables with the stock manual without outside help, since I had to unplug in a frenzy and no time to label things.



 
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Motherboard ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

+

CPU FX 6300

+

DDR3 Ram


+


PSU

=

Post

+

GPU

+

Sata HDD

=

Full working tower


I think that is my basic checklist when I build.
 
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Thanks again everyone. I wish I could have picked more than one solution as more than one saved me money....and probably headache. Here is the system for anyone interested.

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive ($59)

CORSAIR CX600M 600W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply ($79) I went with modular for $10 more, has $20 MIB

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm -- ($49.99)

ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS ($99)
[Alternate choice: ASRock 970 EXTREME3 ATX AMD Motherboard -$75.99 on sale]

AMD FX-6350 Vishera 3.9GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor FD6350FRHKBOX ($139)
[Note: Get 6300+ for newer generation, can compare the two for price/performance]

Windows 7 - $80 with discount

RAM -- have
GPU - have Nvidia 460 v 2
DVD/CD - have

Those who need RAM can add:

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M1A1600C10 ($67.99)

Price -- $477.93 (plus shipping if applicable) plus $20 MIB.
 
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Girls and shopping.

OK -- just checking if I can use the 8350 CPU instead with the above setup.
It's $20 off, so not much more -- so only $40 more.

I was concerned if the PSU was enough (my GPU wants 450W) and if the cooling would be OK as-is.

Also I have the slower 1600 RAM (8500 -- not sure what that means), but eventually I can upgrade it.

I thought I'd save money on an upgrade but if it will run hot or not really benefit me, I'll leave well enough alone or put the money towards better RAM.

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/Raubrey/saved/1yqO

As always, thanks again.
 
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FX8350 comes with a better stock cooler then the FX6350, Temp wise as long as you are not overclocking it will be fine.
600W should also be more than enough to cover it they have the same power draw.
There is a performance increase from the 6350 -> 8350, not sure how much but I would safely say its probably more than 20% more. I would need to do some testing to find out exactly.
 
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Thanks Webduel. It sounds worth it, but I'll sleep on it -- though the sale ends the 6th. I don't know why but I was still thinking I was in the 95W range (e.g. FX-4300) -- but you addressed my main concerns. Now if only I could hire you to build it! lol
 
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