First time build!

[MysticalBeing]

I have been wanting to build a pc since December of 2013 but then got focused on other things and now I really want to make one by the fall of 2014. I just wanted to know what you guys think of this build. Now, I'm really on a tight budget of about $600-$750 ($800 if I have to) and this is including the os and monitor. I know this current build I presented is a lot higher than what my budget is so maybe you guys can help me out with replacing some of the parts that I'm planning on getting.

This PC is going to be mainly for gaming, basic things like surfing the net, movies, etc and possibly streaming. The games I'm mainly going to be playing are Guild Wars 2, BF3, GTA V (when it comes out this fall), Crysis 1-3 and some others. If you need for informations please feel free to ask, thanks!

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dVHWBm
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dVHWBm/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/dVHWBm/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($87.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($279.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $825.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-10 20:55 EDT-0400)

 

[stickmansam]

everything looks good

Made some brand changes to get lower cost and XFX 550W
Keep in mind the HAF912 lacks USB3 front panel

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280X 3GB IceQ X² Video Card ($244.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $772.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-10 21:24 EDT-0400)

 

[Hazle]

you may want to replace the corsair CX, known to fail within a year, with something a bit more reliable, preferably in the tier2 category;
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true

unless you plan to get another 280X to CF, 550-600W is plenty. if it helps, there's usually a DDR3-1600 2x4GB kit on sale for around $65. also consider he 8320 rather than the 8350. there should be an XFX 550W for around the price of that 750W CX.

 

[MysticalBeing]

My current build has not included the OS or Monitor so could you create a build for me includes those 2 things ? Also I want it to play the games i suggested at high to max settings or it isn't possible with my budget?

 

[stickmansam]

My current build has not included the OS or Monitor so could you create a build for me includes those 2 things ? Also I want it to play the games i suggested at high to max settings or it isn't possible with my budget?

If you want to price in an OS and monitor, you won't be able to play at high/max settings

OS is $90 and decent monitor is about $100+

 

[MysticalBeing]

My current build has not included the OS or Monitor so could you create a build for me includes those 2 things ? Also I want it to play the games i suggested at high to max settings or it isn't possible with my budget?

If you want to price in an OS and monitor, you won't be able to play at high/max settings

OS is $90 and decent monitor is about $100+

Well i have a shitty 1680x800 monitor that is 23" would it degrade my performance if I keep using that until I buy a better monitor?

 

[stickmansam]

It won't degrade you performance as long as the monitor is decent enough, just means you play at a lower resolution

If picture quality is crap though, it could degrade your experience

 

[MysticalBeing]

Should I go with windows 8.1 or windows 7? Is the windows 8.1 compatible with older games like unreal tournament, gta IV, etc?

 

[Icaraeus]

Windows 8.1 (~Update 1) is generally faster than Windows 7 and is easy to use after you figure out the basics. It supports backwards app compatibility down to Windows XP, so you should be able to play UT and GTAIV. I don't have those games though so I can't confirm.

 

[MysticalBeing]

Windows 8.1 (~Update 1) is generally faster than Windows 7 and is easy to use after you figure out the basics. It supports backwards app compatibility down to Windows XP, so you should be able to play UT and GTAIV. I don't have those games though so I can't confirm.

Alright awesome good thing to know. On another note, would a Intel CPU be better for gaming for future proofing or this AMD one more then enough for future games past 2014?

 

[stickmansam]

It's hard to predict the future but socket AM3+ is probably dead

I think the trend will be to multicore processing but how long that will take will depend

 

[MysticalBeing]

It's hard to predict the future but socket AM3+ is probably dead

I think the trend will be to multicore processing but how long that will take will depend

So, I should spend a little more money and get an Intel CPU? Which I don't mind at all, just trying to get the best bang for the buck with the parts

 

[Icaraeus]

Intel Core i5s beat AMD chips in basically every game, even the ones that support 8 cores. AMD CPU's beat Intel Core i5s in stuff that take advantage of the extra cores (like Photoshop, Folding@Home etc.). Intel Core i7s basically have 8 cores and, as a result of per-core performance, will beat any AMD CPU on the market regardless of whether they use up to 8 cores or not. For gaming, Intel Core i5s are basically the same as the i7s. The Core i7s are obviously much better overall, but they are much more expensive as a result.

For gaming Intel is best, and for the best 'bang for the buck' I would get an i5. There's not much point going with H77/Z77 (Ivy Bridge) now that there is broadwell mobo's (Z97) so I would go Z97. Z77 is dead past the Intel Core i7-3770K. There's not much difference between Ivy Bridge and Broadwell, but there's not much point now sticking with older tech.