Budget friendly desktop build

[uncle_joseph]

I want to help my friend to build a new AMD based desktop for daily usage and occasional gaming session, I need some advice since I'm not too familiar with AMD CPUs.

Right now we're stuck at choosing the right CPU since there are many choice at his budget range, such as AMD Athlon X4 series, A6 series, A8 series, and FX6300 (he drools when he read hexa core on it).

Can I get some help to choose which processor for the build based on performance and $400-ish budget, then we'll go from there.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rhezner]

you should let me put one together for you. and i will put a whole build to gether for you,

as for the processor the athlon 860k is a good budget friendly PCU

Also keep in mind that the number of cores and the core clock doesn't determine performance, an i3 is better than a 6300 for gaming.

do you need an OS/monitor/peripherals?

 

[turbopiki]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($38.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($164.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec Green 450W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $413.92
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-06 13:52 EDT-0400

 

[uncle_joseph]

I know that the number of cores is not enough to determine the CPU is good or not, but my friend got too excited whem he knows that FX series comes with extra cores.

I was about to post that the budget is probably around $420 and turbopiki already reads my mind.
No need for peripherals/monitors/OS, just plain desktop is fine.

Feel free to add your build and I'll show it to him so he can pick which one that suits his taste

 

[Rhezner]

turbopiki's build is great, i would get that if i were you. And i rarely have nothing to change in someones build.

 

[uncle_joseph]

I'll let him read this later and check for the parts. How about performance and reliability of AMD CPUs?

 

[Rhezner]

they are not usually as good for gaming as intel CPUs but the 860k is definitely the best super budget CPU for gaming