First time building Gaming PC and I need help picking between 2 builds 600$ budget

TheGreatVandito

Reputable
Dec 29, 2014
9
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4,510
So after about a week of research of I have narrowed my choices for components and parts for a pc down to 2 possible builds. If anyone could please tell me the pros and cons of either build would me greatly appreciated. Keep in mind I'm trying to stick to a 600$ budget.

Build 1.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/P88cGX
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/P88cGX/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($96.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($150.38 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($14.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $521.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 19:05 EST-0500

Build 2.
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GNkPhM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GNkPhM/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.88 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($174.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $604.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-31 19:05 EST-0500
 
Solution
The i5 build is better. AMD does not compete at any price range. AMDs are not better for a budget. The AMD build does not have more potential. It is worse in every way.

Superman1

Honorable
Jan 5, 2015
38
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10,530
After building a PC like this, your AMD build has more potential because at this budget, AMD have some decent, more affordable CPUs. Unless you are looking at a higher budget (like I am right now), AMD CPUs are the way to go. And if you have a $600 budget, what are you doing with that leftover $80? You should invest in a better GPU. Maybe an R9 280X or even an R9 290. You could also get a better CPU, like an FX6350, rather than the 6300, but that's not a necessity. They both perform really well anyway, especially if you overclock them. If you do that though, make sure you invest in an aftermarket CPU cooler.
 

stan14892

Reputable
Sep 30, 2014
11
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4,510
I think you should go with the build number two. The i5 will preform better imo compared to the AMD. Also the PSU might be better for any future upgrades you wish to partake on.