New build for first time builder, thoughts?

[Jwh Wu]

Hey guys, since the last post, my budget went up by $100-200. so I try to build this PC for Christmas, what do you think? Here are the specs : *Got an old hard drive with window 8.1

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hckLqs
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hckLqs/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.78 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($118.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $440.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-17 18:39 EST-0500

 

[rockie_]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($77.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($122.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA 430W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($28.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $439.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-17 18:57 EST-0500

 

[Jwh Wu]

At first, I was thinking that building something like that too. But with G3258 and Z97, I want to overclock and I hope it can hit 4.5GHz with the cooler. For the GPU, I am not sure though which is better.

 

[rockie_]

3D Mark shows that R7 260X is a bit faster but games benchmarks show that GTX 750 ti outperforms R7 260X , on average . GTX 750 ti draws 60W but R7 260X 115W . So GTX 750 ti is the better card . i3 4150 is 25% faster than G3258 and no need of overclocking and expensive motherboards . Furthermore some games reportedly stutter on the Pentium or refuse to run.

 

[Jwh Wu]

I see, so GTX 750 Ti is better. But the reasson I went to the CPU and motherboard is because I found the bundle near by a pick up store. For both the CPU and mother board, I only need to pay $109 after tax, http://www.microcenter.com/site/brands/G3258Bundle.aspx . Maybe upgrade the CPU in the future.

 

[Jwh Wu]

This is how it goes for changing the GPU: *G3258 + Z97 PC MATE Bundle =$108

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LcNGt6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/LcNGt6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($89.78 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $431.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-12-17 20:11 EST-0500