Is this a Good / Compatible first time computer build?

secretumpiratica

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May 5, 2014
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Here is the link to my computer parts build on pcpartspicker.

I already have a dvd drive, other hard drives, monitors and such. These are just the parts I wondered about.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/CP8gQ7


This is my first time building a computer and I wondered if it was good, compatible and there weren't any huge bottlenecks. Thank you.

Also, I was able to get all the parts new for under $800 on ebay... Not $850 like the site says.
 
Solution
You will need a more robust power circuit with heatsink on the motherboard for that FX 8 core CPU. And you really only need 8GB of RAM for gaming and most apps.

I'd suggest this minor tweak:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t9ngQ7

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
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 ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive...
You will need a more robust power circuit with heatsink on the motherboard for that FX 8 core CPU. And you really only need 8GB of RAM for gaming and most apps.

I'd suggest this minor tweak:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t9ngQ7

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
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 ($74.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($83.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card ($180.38 @ Newegg)
Case: Apevia X-HERMES-BL ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $753.29
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Almost identical, just changed the board and RAM.
 
Solution

moozilbee

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Jul 19, 2013
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Here is a system that will perform MUCH faster, and is slightly cheaper:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4xVK23

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/4xVK23/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($112.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U9B SE2 37.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($85.99 @ Best Buy)
Storage: Crucial MX100 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($106.81 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.23 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($209.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT H230 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($68.95 @ OutletPC)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $833.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

It's pretty different, but will perform much faster due to a better graphics card, cpu is worse but the system will still perform better overall (the CPU you picked was overkill). It has improvements in other areas, such as a HDD for storage as well as a bigger SSD, nicer case, etc.

Since you didn't mention it, I assumed you weren't overclocking, and so this build is not designed for overclocking.
If you wanted to overclock, however, I would suggest getting the regular m5a97 (not the LE), which is slightly more expensive, and also looking into a better cpu cooler (current cooler is very quiet, but won't be as good for OC).
 

moozilbee

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Jul 19, 2013
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No, it's not. I assumed you're going to be gaming (due to the case and graphics card you picked), but if you're mostly editing you can swap out the HDD for an extra 8gb of ram, and downgrade the GPU to an r9 270x in order to upgrade the CPU back to a 8350 (if you change the motherboard as Mad suggested), but other than that it's the same as your build except for a much bigger ssd, a more fitting power supply (750w is not needed), and a better case.
 

moozilbee

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Jul 19, 2013
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Okay, gaming or editing, my suggestion still applies as it's simply the same as your original build but with a larger ssd, a hdd, a better gpu, a better case, a cpu more suited to the gpu, and a better suited psu, however with less ram, which you can change if you think you need the 16gb.