Help With My New Build

[acetrainerbob]

I don't know much about PCs, but I would like to be able to create a PC for gaming, but on a lower budget. I do not care for graphics, therefore, I will not mind running games on lower settings. However, I would still like to have a smooth framerate. I am looking to play modern games, as well as older games such as Sid Meir's Civilization IV.

My build is as follows:

CPU: Athlon II X2 750k
MOBO: FM2
GPU: AMD Radeon 6670
Fan: Cooler Master Hyper TX3
RAM: Kingston Non-ECC CL11 DIMM (4 GB 1600 mhz?)
Case: Undecided
Monitor: Anything under $100
HDD: Western Digital WD5000AAKX 7200 RPM 1TB
Power Supply: Corsair CX series (430 W and 80+ Bronze certified)

I am also willing to go with these alternatives, as well as any you all would suggest. However, I would like to keep the PC under $500.

Alternate Fan: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTS 450


I also cannot decide between a 500 GB HDD and a 1 TB HDD. On Newegg, the 1 TB only costs $10 more, but I am not sure if I will need all of that space. The 750 GB model costs about $100.

Lastly, is RAM supposed to be expensive, or are there any better deals?

 

[tiny voices]

That CPU is OLD. Get an athlon2 x4 750k. Change to an fm2 motherboard to support this.

You should be able to get 8gb RAM for around $68. BUT, you only need 4gb R for this build because your GPU will be the bottleneck WAY before 4gb RAm would even come into play.

 

[TheBigTroll]

the althlon 2 is just as old. its just put on a new socket and thats it. i wouldnt even bother.

ram is supposed to be cheap, until someone decided that they were producing too much of it and there was a fire at a plant. now its like 70 bucks for a mainstream kit

 

[acetrainerbob]

The Phenom II X2 still seems to be pretty efficient, and fits well into my budget. However, I'm not sure if it is compatible with newer games and I am open to suggestions for a newer one as well. Would the X3 600/650 work, or has that been rendered futile as well?

 

[tiny voices]

You are talking about 5 year old CPUs. An i3 would be a better bet, as would an athlon 2 x4 750k. Yes its a re-hash of an APU with the GPU removed, but it performs very well in modern games, for not much money.

 

[acetrainerbob]

I'm assuming I should get the Ivy Bridge model for $120? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116773 Would I be able to swap out or remove the default GPU, or would I have to go with a different model of the i3 or the Athlon II X2?

Do you have any recommendations for the new MOBO?

 

[tiny voices]

You would buy a GPU and it would override the on-board graphics on the i3.

The athlon 2 x4 750k does not have graphics so you NEED a GPU to be able to use it.

 

[TheBigTroll]

the althlon ii x4 is 4 years old. its just as bad as the phenoms

 

[tiny voices]

You cannot really say that it is 4 years old. It was released only 10 months ago and it based on an a10 chip with the iGPU removed. It is a very popular CPU for budget gamers. For the price, I would have it over a dual core phenom.

 

[acetrainerbob]

Have any monitor, case, or MOBO suggestions? I have a copy of Vista Ultimate at my house, so I will likely be using that as my OS.

Also should I go with the 1 TB with the deal I got on Newegg? I think the 1TB HDD is about $70.

 

[tiny voices]

Motherboard depends on CPU choice. Get the cheapest 1080p monitor you can find. Get a case from antec, Corsair, Coolermaster, NZXT, Fractal Design for quality.

 

[acetrainerbob]

I'm probably going with the Athlon. I love the i3, but $130 is a bit too pricy, especially on a budget. If I had more money, I would get an i3 or i5, but alas...

 

[tiny voices]

the athlon is a solid choice. You will need an FM2 motherboard.

 

[acetrainerbob]

Thank you both for your help.