Best gaming PC build for under $600

[alexyougoonie]

I am a noob to this
So i'm in dire need of a new pc. I generally want it for gaming and Graphic Design. I am on a really tight budget.
So i want to know whats the best Pc i could build for under $600 that fits my needs. This does not include an optical drive, a monitor, an OS, a keyboard and mouse, nor a hard drive. A friend is donating those but i do plan on upgrading.

Parts needed

• 
  Case
  MoBo
  CPU
  PSU
  GPU
  Memory
  Cooler (if possible)

EDIT: what i have in mind...
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Xfma
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Xfma/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Xfma/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($235.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $649.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-14 15:21 EDT-0400)

I am located in the U.S.

 

[bigshootr8]

This doesn't include windows in the even you need it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($87.23 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($253.29 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $584.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-13 18:10 EDT-0400)

 

[alexyougoonie]

Will this work? http://pcpartpicker.com/user/alexyougoonie/saved/1AOk

 

[bigshootr8]

It will but you will need to flash the bios to be able to use that processor. Those components are fine. The memory you will have to be careful with if you ever get a large heatsink because of the high profile of the dimms.

 

[alexyougoonie]

How about either of these???

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/alexyougoonie/saved/1AFS


http://pcpartpicker.com/user/alexyougoonie/saved/1AOr

 

[bigshootr8]

I like the first build more so. Did you check the cpu support list for that motherboard? Meh its a FX board you should be just fine I would say. I would just flash your bios when you get it

 

[alexyougoonie]

i read reviews of the mobo, and they arent that great, there's also no internal connection for case-mounted USB 3.0 ports. do you have any mobo suggestions for that build?

 

[bigshootr8]

Do you have a lot of devices that utilize usb 3.0. See I really dislike the standard because what happens is it normally needs drivers to work properly and few devices actually use the speed. That first link with the asrock 990fx board has front panel 3.0

 

[alexyougoonie]

I'm a graphic designer and i have 2 external harddrives that use usb 3.0.

ok so this is what i have, gimme some feedback

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/alexyougoonie/saved/1AOk

a bit over budget but i can deal

 

[bigshootr8]

I gotcha well you should be just fine with that motherboard honestly. You have 2 USB 3.0 ports on the back which would be more manageable cable wise anyway plus you have E-SATA which is faster then the USB 3.0 if your external drives had a E-SATA port.

I like it I'd personally say if you aren't looking to overclock you may be just fine with the stock cooler although I don't like using the stock fan.

 

[bigshootr8]

Also for comparing sake here is a intel build I came up with for you.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($173.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($95.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($235.66 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.79 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $642.41
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-14 15:49 EDT-0400)

 

[alexyougoonie]

yeah that sounds good. yeah id rather get the after market cooler. thanks for your help man

 

[alexyougoonie]

oh cool thanks man!

 

[bigshootr8]

No problem man enjoy

 

[VISA006]

Here is the build:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/WyY9xr
CPU: Intel i5 4460
For a gaming build you would not need a CPU better than this. Don't go for the AMD FX-series processors.
GPU: Asus STRIX AMD R9 380
You could go for a GTX 970 because it is more efficient but this is the best one that doesn't break your budget, and it has 4GB of VRAM.
Case: Corsair Carbide series 200R
Corsair is one of the best case manufacturers and the 200R is a very good case. It's very neat and good-looking, but it lacks the "bling" of a gaming case. If you choose functionality over looks, then this is what you need.
PSU: Corsair CX430M
The TDP of this build comes to around 340 watts, and a 350 watt PSU should be fine, but it's better to take a higher wattage because you plan on upgrading. the PSU is the part that supplies power to the remaining parts, and if it takes a dump, you could end up with a fried PC. The Corsair CX430M is one that I'll trust my PC with.
Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 1X8GB
Any 8Gb DDR3-1600 memory should be fine, I just added this for a representative purpose
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33
This is a pretty good motherboard for your build.

Upgrade:
This is a pretty good build and I think you won't need to upgrade this. But if you want to upgrade, I suggest you swap your graphics card with a good nVidia card such as the 980Ti. there's no question about CrossFireX as the AMD cards consume way too much power and you'll have cooling problems.