Looking for a $500-$550 Intel gaming build

xiCritical

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Jan 17, 2015
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Hello! I'm looking for a Intel gaming build that could run most modern games a decent frames from med-high setting at anywhere from 40-60 frames. I'd love more performance but that's around the minimum I require. I've been told that an I5 processor is better than an AMD f6000 series so even if the price is a little higher then I'm going to go with Intel. I plan to play games such as: World of Warcraft, Planetside 2,CS:GO, Pay Day 2, Killing Floor 1-2 as well as a few other Steam games. If you could please tell me how whatever build you post will handle Planetside since that is the most graphically demanding game on this list. Also please only include parts that have good reviews and trusted brands.

Thanks in advance, Crit

Edit-If you absolutely have an amazingly solid and lasting AMD build and feel like you could change my opinion then im also willing to look at it
 
See http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

For $550 you can get -

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 260X 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $495.56

or

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($72.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($65.75 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 260X 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($112.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $506.30

Both will play cs go, wow, etc
 


So why is the video card more expensive than the CPU? Shouldn't it be the other way around?

 


If your rig will be focusing on gaming then It should be.
I personally like the Intel build.
You can get better fps If you are willing to go for maximum budget on Intel build,
get r9 270x http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr927xoc2gd
making the total $550
 
When it comes to budget gaming you'll want to have the bulk of your budget focused on the graphics card.

This will do almost every current AAA game on ultra for quite a while, good bang for buck.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($98.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Stealth 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $536.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-26 07:30 EDT-0400
 

Bad reviews on the motherboard for the AMD one.
 
If you want an i5 you're gonna have to go with this:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($173.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.88 @ Newegg)
Memory: Pareema 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($162.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $545.78
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-26 19:42 EDT-0400

An i3 is still just as good in about 90% of games though, and you can get a stronger GPU:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($113.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.88 @ Newegg)
Memory: Pareema 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($48.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($46.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($242.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: EVGA 600B 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $565.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-26 19:40 EDT-0400
 
Solution


http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-h81mdplus
This motherboard you picked makes me nervous. No review, stars or any kind of credibility.
 


Yes. http://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/H81MD_PLUS/HelpDesk_CPU/

The pentium also has a lot of issues you don't want to deal with.
 

Welp okay thanks for your help.