FX-6300/R9 280 or i3-4160/ R9 270x

[Bryan121813]

Hey guys, so I'm deciding between these two build right now and I need an outside opinion. What I want to do with this build is play NBA 2k15 (and future NBA games), DOTA 2, and maybe 1-2 triple A games on a 900p monitor on high settings at 40+ FPS. I personally don't game a lot throughout a week because of school, but I am really interested in starting video editing. I don't plan on upgrading this PC for the next 3-4 years. Which build would be a better combo, the FX 6300 with the R9 280 or the i3-4160 with the R9 270x.

Here are the builds that I have come up with:

i3-4160/ R9 270x

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus Z87-A (NFC Express Edition) ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($59.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB HAWK Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Enermax OSTROG ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($35.00 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $499.35
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-13 11:11 EDT-0400

FX 6300/ R9 280

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Best Buy)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($45.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($8.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $504.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-13 11:12 EDT-0400




Now I know that it might sound obvious that the FX 6300 build is better, but for the FX build, I'm only 96 Watts over the PSU limit and I have slower RAM than the i3 build, and I'm going to need a CPU cooler if I don't want it to melt. The i3 however has better single threaded performance, has way more superior RAM, 150 Watts below the PSU limit, but isn't as good as the FX 6300 in video editing and has a weaker GPU in the r9 270x. Which one would be the better build for me? Any recommendations are open, as long as it includes the keyboard and the wireless adapter and does not exceed $510 dollars, not even by a dollar.

 

[johnnyb105]

Well with the Intel system you have a higher upgrade path but you have a lot slower gpu the 270.. Now the Amd system has the better gpu but the upgrade path is limited to the fx cpus and they are not going to make anymore for socket am3+ whats out there is out there that's it.
I would go the intel route.
Also with the intel system I would think about getting the pent G3258 its highly overclockable and probably be as good as the I3 you have picked and save a few bucks and add the r 280 to your intel build because of the saving over the I3 then upgrade later...

 

[Bryan121813]

Well with the Intel system you have a higher upgrade path but you have a lot slower gpu the 270.. Now the Amd system has the better gpu but the upgrade path is limited to the fx cpus and they are not going to make anymore for socket am3+ whats out there is out there that's it.
I would go the intel route.
Also with the intel system I would think about getting the pent G3258 its highly overclockable and probably be as good as the I3 you have picked and save a few bucks and add the r 280 to your intel build because of the saving over the I3 then upgrade later...

Hi thanks for the answer! The upgrade path isn't really as important to me though since in 3-4 years, I could probably save up some money to change the motherboard and the CPU and the GPU, so that's not a big deal. What I really need is which system will fit my needs for the next 3-4 years without upgrades.

 

[captainmumoy]

I'd say go fx, better gpu, and 6 core with upcoming windows 10 *drool*, sure they are not making anymore am3+ BUT for a budget build that would be ncie setup for you. and I hate to say it you will like the hyper evo 212 alot better if you plan to overclock, if not planning to just stay stock. and cx psu, Id go little higher maybe 600-700 wat as you'd have issues with components using more then offered