Budget gaming build < $550

[bskinner0413]

I'm looking to build myself a new computer. My budget is (a maximum of) $550. I currently have a GPU (Radeon 7850), monitor and a PSU (Corsair CX600). This will be primarily for gaming and I'm not set on whether I want to go Intel or AMD. I have no experience in overclocking, but I can certainly learn how to, in order to maximize any components that would allow it. I will need an OS (Windows 7), as well and would like components that can be easily upgraded in the future. Thank you guys in advance for all of the feedback.

 

[WyomingKnott]

Have a look through this:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-budget-gaming-pc,3943.html

(That's a direct quote from user snowctrl)

 

[angaddev]

The 7850 is a decent GPU and should work fine for the next couple of years at 1080p, also the CX600 is a decent PSU. There's no point upgrading your gpu, as at your budget, the most you could get is a 750ti, which is still beaten by the 7850 (http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1076?vs=1130). This upgrade gives you a great cpu which will not bottleneck your gpu, and an H97 mobo which will be compatible with future Broadwell CPUs.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($75.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($54.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $528.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 12:54 EDT-0400

 

[bskinner0413]

What if I was to go AMD instead of the latter (for comparison)? Also, not particularly fond of the case, but that's just personal preference and I can find one that best suites my taste. I noticed there wasn't an Optical Drive as well, any recommendations that would fit the price range? I've spent countless hours on PCPartPicker, but I just end up getting lost and frustrated with all of the available parts/reviews/prices.

 

[logainofhades]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97-GAMING 3 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H22 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.84 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($98.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $546.76
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 14:02 EDT-0400

 

[bskinner0413]

Any suggestions for an AMD build path or is Intel the most preferred route for gaming?

 

[angaddev]

Intel is superior to AMD to gaming, even the Pentium G3258 competes with the FX-8350. For the disk drive, unless you want blu-ray or mdisc support, get the cheapest one you can find. The N200 is a very good case to build in and for airflow for such a low price point. I don't know many microATX cases that are on par with it, the Fractal Arc mini r2 looks great but will bump the price up to $600.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.00 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($75.66 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($70.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.98 @ OutletPC)
Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $598.59
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-20 14:58 EDT-0400

 

[bskinner0413]

Love it. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.