New AMD Platform

[blue_smoke]

Ok guys, again I'm here discussing my new build. So the goal is to have an overclocked (Hopefully 4ghz) cpu, a R9 270 and 8gb ddr3 with a budget of 600 bucks shipped. So here's what I've found. Retailer is amazon as they have no technological knowledge and would just replace doa parts no questions asked.

SO,

XFX Double D R9 270 925MHz Boost 2GB DDR5 DP HDMI 2XDVI Graphics Card (R9270ACDFC) - 165.00
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan (RR-212E-20PK-R2) - 30.00
Antec VP-450 450 Watt Energy Star Certified Power Supply - 38.00
Kingston KHX16C9B1RK2/8X HyperX Red 8GB (4GB 512M x 64-Bit x 2 pcs.) DDR3-1600 CL9 240-Pin DIMM Kit - 76.00
MSI A78M-E35 FM2+ / FM2 AMD A78 (Bolton D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - 58.00
AMD Athlon Multi Core Processor AD760KWOHLBOX, 760K Richland 3.8GHz Socket FM2 100W - 85.00
Cooler Master N200 - Mini Tower Computer Case with Fully Meshed Front Panel and mATX/Mini-ITX Support - 45.00
WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX - 58.00
That comes out to 600.00 shipped.

Is there anything I could do to this to make it better? I think the price point and these components fit the bill nicely and efficiently. Let me know what you guys think.

I know it may seem stupid but I have two monitors, one 1024x768 and one 1440x900. Could I ditch the 1024x768 and use the 1440x900 for high/ultra gaming on this build?

 

[techtechie]

i suggest getting the fx 4350 (4.2 turbo) or fx 6300 (3.5 stock) you can get either one of these for under 130. so you need a mobo (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0073JYZ48/ref=sr_1_2_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1405991092&sr=8-2&keywords=am3%2B+motherboard&condition=used) a little over your buget but the performance over the athlon 760k is worth it.

 

[blue_smoke]

i suggest getting the fx 4350 (4.2 turbo) or fx 6300 (3.5 stock) you can get either one of these for under 130. so you need a mobo (http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0073JYZ48/ref=sr_1_2_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1405991092&sr=8-2&keywords=am3%2B+motherboard&condition=used) a little over your buget but the performance over the athlon 760k is worth it.

yeah that is a little over budget. However Austin Evans' youtube video about cheap cpus leads me towards cheaper platflorms that perform the same. Aside from CPU+Mobo, is there anything else i should change?

 

[techtechie]

the rest of your build is at the lowest where you'd want it. maybe if you don't need alot of storage get a smaller hdd. and maybe a cheaper case http://www.amazon.com/Antec-MicroATX-Tower-Case-VSK-4000E/dp/B009LDNTOG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405993899&sr=8-2&keywords=atx+mid+tower+case you dont really need to make these changes unless you really really want to save some money

 

[blue_smoke]

the rest of your build is at the lowest where you'd want it. maybe if you don't need alot of storage get a smaller hdd. and maybe a cheaper case http://www.amazon.com/Antec-MicroATX-Tower-Case-VSK-4000E/dp/B009LDNTOG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405993899&sr=8-2&keywords=atx+mid+tower+case you dont really need to make these changes unless you really really want to save some money

I am confident that my budget is firm at 600 bucks. I believe I'd take a huge performance hit by going with something like a 260x, which is why i made the 270 a must. As shown by multiple reviews, a oc 760k performs on par with an i3, which is why I went for it. Do you think I could expect high/ultra at 1440x900 off the original build parts?

 

[techtechie]

the rest of your build is at the lowest where you'd want it. maybe if you don't need alot of storage get a smaller hdd. and maybe a cheaper case http://www.amazon.com/Antec-MicroATX-Tower-Case-VSK-4000E/dp/B009LDNTOG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1405993899&sr=8-2&keywords=atx+mid+tower+case you dont really need to make these changes unless you really really want to save some money

I am confident that my budget is firm at 600 bucks. I believe I'd take a huge performance hit by going with something like a 260x, which is why i made the 270 a must. As shown by multiple reviews, a oc 760k performs on par with an i3, which is why I went for it. Do you think I could expect high/ultra at 1440x900 off the original build parts?

yes i believe the 270 would play ultra at that res without much problem but idk if the vram is sufficient for that

 

[Mac266]

Just putting it out there, how about an Intel build with the unlocked Pentium? then you have an upgrade path at least lol

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($199.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $614.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-21 22:07 EDT-0400

only $14.15 over budget, and when the time comes, you could drop all the way up to an Broadwell i7 in there

 

[blue_smoke]

Just putting it out there, how about an Intel build with the unlocked Pentium? then you have an upgrade path at least lol

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($199.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $614.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-21 22:07 EDT-0400

only $14.15 over budget, and when the time comes, you could drop all the way up to an Broadwell i7 in there

viable option.
Although pcpartpicker includes all combos, discounts and rebates in their prices which doesnt really give me an actual 615 dollar build like you show, thats more like 700 before rebates and whanot. I absolutely do not count on money I will not recieve. nice option though. thanks

 

[Mac266]

Just putting it out there, how about an Intel build with the unlocked Pentium? then you have an upgrade path at least lol

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($82.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($199.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($43.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $614.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-21 22:07 EDT-0400

only $14.15 over budget, and when the time comes, you could drop all the way up to an Broadwell i7 in there

viable option.
Although pcpartpicker includes all combos, discounts and rebates in their prices which doesnt really give me an actual 615 dollar build like you show, thats more like 700 before rebates and whanot. I absolutely do not count on money I will not recieve. nice option though. thanks

No worries mate