How does this build look?

Jackoftrade

Reputable
Aug 2, 2015
15
0
4,510
Budget: 630$ at the extreme highest.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($134.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 4GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $612.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 09:49 EDT-0400

I am aware there is no PSU on the list, or optical drive. I already have these picked out, but they're just not showing up on Pcpartpicker for whatever reason.

Also, it was suggested that I downgrade to a cheaper GPU and I was thinking about this one. If it would be better, I would be able to use the money difference to get more RAM and an SSD.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $129.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 09:51 EDT-0400
 
Solution
There is not i5 for 20$ more than fx-8320

This is the cheapest i5 - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54460
You save money on motherboard because you can geta cheaper one, you cant do that with 8 core AMD cpu such as fx-8320 because motherboards VRMs would overheat

So get this motherboard - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97anniversary

AMD combo you picked - fx-8320+ motherboard = 230$ (If you live in hot area you would also need aftermarket cpu cooler for fx-8320)
Intel - i5 + H97 chipset motherboard = 235$
I'll be using it mainly for gaming. I want a PC that can handle the newer games coming out without much difficulty, on medium-high settings with good FPS. I'll be overclocking here and there, and I might do some streaming down the road.

With the GPU I have listed: $700 would be the highest, with PSU + Op
With the GPU suggested: $630.
(I should have clarified that in the OP)
 
For gaming dont downgrade GPU is the most important part in gaming perfromance

For 700$ you should get this

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($166.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($42.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($241.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $684.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 10:14 EDT-0400

Consider chaning the Case the one you picked is old it doesnt even have front panle USB 3.0 there are better cases for about the same money
 
For Gaming, this would be a better balance than the OP and still fits your $630 budget.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($91.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($77.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $582.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 10:17 EDT-0400

Stock FX 6300 runs like an i5 4440, overclocked it could will support a GTX 970 or R9 290. There is room left to upgrade the GPU if you really want to spend your full budget here.
 
I would really suggest a different PSU. The power supply is the life's blood of your system and there is little point hand picking all these nice parts and then powering them with something unreliable. If you go with the lesser of the two graphics cards you listed, take the money you save and get either a Rosewill Capstone or a Seasonic S12II power supply. those are both solid units that will keep you running well for years. The Ultra you listed is extreamly low quality and very unreliable, when a bad power supply fails, it has a tendency to spike and this can damage the system.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into those PSUs, DHFF.
I like this build (It's cheaper too), but is the 6300 really better than the 8320? If it is, that's great because it's quite cheaper.
And this motherboard is better I assume? Or just more reliable?

Also, taking note of the incompatibilities with the case, I'll probably switch to:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

Case: Corsair SPEC-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $59.99
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-08-05 10:33 EDT-0400



 


That's what I thought, and a lot of my buddies have used the 8320 and they tell me that it's really good. At this point, I'm fine with using the little extra money to get that instead of the Fx-6300. Then I'll replace the case with the Corsair Spec-02 and I think I'll be set. I know a lot of people prefer Intel over AMD, but I'm fine going with the latter for right now and if I have any issues in the future, I'll switch to Intel.
 


Simple fact that my friends that have it say it's good, and since I'm pretty new to PC building, I'm just trusting their opinions.

Also, can someone recommend a good PSU that's available on Tigerdirect? I'm ordering mostly from them because Newegg and Amazon have high international shipping to APO addresses, whereas Tigerdirect is more reasonable. (But they're stock is limited compared to the other two)
 


Thanks, I'll consider Intel before I make my final decision. And thanks for the links! :)
 


What i5 would you guys recommend then? I'd like one within 15-20$ price range of the 8320 if that's possible.

Also, this is the motherboard I was going to use:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=667675&Sku=G452-1042
 
There is not i5 for 20$ more than fx-8320

This is the cheapest i5 - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54460
You save money on motherboard because you can geta cheaper one, you cant do that with 8 core AMD cpu such as fx-8320 because motherboards VRMs would overheat

So get this motherboard - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-h97anniversary

AMD combo you picked - fx-8320+ motherboard = 230$ (If you live in hot area you would also need aftermarket cpu cooler for fx-8320)
Intel - i5 + H97 chipset motherboard = 235$
 
Solution


Alright, well I suppose I'll trust you guys on this. I've heard 2 in favor of Intel here and nobody for AMD, so I'll go with Intel. Thank you for the links, my friend!