Novice Builder, New Build $400-$500 budget

[Imreallycool]

I don't need a monitor, OS, or Optical Drive.
I'm building this for a friend and he gave me quite a small budget. I'd like your input so far.
CPU:FX-6300
MOBO: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P
Case: NZXT 210(I've used this before pretty solid but a slightly wider one would be okay aswell)
GPU: R9 270X/280
Storage: 1TB WD Caviar Blue
These are pretty much set in stone... the hard part for me is finding a proper power supply. I't has to at least be semi modular but I would prefer full modular. I am TERRIBLE at cable management. I can't pick the rest because of the I need to know the budget constraints of the power supply. I'm thinking something like 4-8GB DDR3-1600 but that depends on how much budget is left. And I know that I should get a different CPU Cooler but the last time I got this case a 212 Evo was too large to fit without leaving the side panel off and I doubt that would fit in the budget as well. Thanks for your help guys

 

[quilciri]

Full modular is unnecessary because you're using all the cables that would be permanently attached to most semi-modular PSU's anyway, but
SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($66.60 @ Newegg)

cheers!

 

[Andrei123]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/R797FT

 

[tiny voices]

Get a semi-modular PSU. (same building ability as full modular because you use all the cables that are attached anyway)

Antec, XFX, Seasonic, EVGA (G2,B2) 650w.

For the RAM, get a 2x4gb 1600mhz 1.5v kit.

The 212 eVO is a great cooler and I strongly recommend it.

I would get for an intel i3 build as it is newer, and not on a dead socket like the FX CPUs are. Plus the i3 beats the 6300 in many games.

Look a the Corsair 200r or 300r. Both fit the 212 EVO. BUT if you go i3, you have no need for an aftermarket cooler.

 

[Imreallycool]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/R797FT

Nice job posting without reading!

 

[Imreallycool]

Get a semi-modular PSU. (same building ability as full modular because you use all the cables that are attached anyway)

Antec, XFX, Seasonic, EVGA (G2,B2) 650w.

For the RAM, get a 2x4gb 1600mhz 1.5v kit.

The 212 eVO is a great cooler and I strongly recommend it.

I would get for an intel i3 build as it is newer, and not on a dead socket like the FX CPUs are. Plus the i3 beats the 6300 in many games.

Look a the Corsair 200r or 300r. Both fit the 212 EVO. BUT if you go i3, you have no need for an aftermarket cooler.

I know that the next line of AMD CPU's (I think are called Zen?) will be AM4 or AM4+ and that's fine. If I went for the i3 4160 it costs a little bit more and that's why I hedged away a little bit. I have nothing against it personally. Do you think you could possibly recommend a CPU/MOBO combo that I could use? Thanks so much on that case recommendation.

 

[Imreallycool]

Full modular is unnecessary because you're using all the cables that would be permanently attached to most semi-modular PSU's anyway, but
SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($66.60 @ Newegg)

cheers!

That's the one I randomly picked off of PC Part Picker ha!

 

[Andrei123]

@Imreallycool I was suggesting a build I'm thinking performs better than op's build

 

[quilciri]

@Imreallycool I was suggesting a build I'm thinking performs better than op's build

I'll let you point it out, I'mreallycool, but lol 😀

 

[Imreallycool]

@Imreallycool I was suggesting a build I'm thinking performs better than op's build

@Imreallycool I was suggesting a build I'm thinking performs better than op's build

I'll let you point it out, I'mreallycool, but lol 😀

Just an fyi I was looking at your signature and the $500 build in it shows roughly as $600. Might want to look into that.

 

[Stryker13799]

Have a look at these :

This is a bit overbudget

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($201.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $507.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-27 13:04 EDT-0400



OR



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper T4 70.0 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($16.49 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A78L-M/USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($201.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $509.67
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-27 13:11 EDT-0400




OR



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper T4 70.0 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($16.49 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $507.68
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-27 13:16 EDT-0400




OR



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($70.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-DS2H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($39.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $505.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-27 13:16 EDT-0400

 

[Stryker13799]

Just read the OP again, have you bought the parts?

 

[Imreallycool]

Just read the OP again, have you bought the parts?

Wow that was incredible thank you! I haven't purchased any parts as of yet. I was having a hard time finding a good price combo for the CPU/Mobo so I switched over to the i3 4160 and H81M-P33. I think the biggest problem was that the SeaSonic Power Supply I found was almost double(if you count the MIR). Do you have any other advice?

 

[quilciri]

Just an fyi I was looking at your signature and the $500 build in it shows roughly as $600. Might want to look into that.

That's because I haven't updated it in two or three months and prices change.

Any other passive aggressive comments?

 

[tiny voices]

Stryker's suggested builds need new PSU. The Cx units are not good and we do not recommend them at all.

Antec, XFX, Seasonic, EVGA (G2,B2) are what you want.

I would not recommend any of them though. An i3 build would be better as you can go to an i5 later on very easily.

 

[Imreallycool]

Just an fyi I was looking at your signature and the $500 build in it shows roughly as $600. Might want to look into that.

That's because I haven't updated it in two or three months and prices change.

Any other passive aggressive comments?

I honestly wasn't being passive aggressive just pointing it out because I wanted to know if it had a build i could use a guide for myself. I'm sorry if it sounded that way. :/

 

[quilciri]

I honestly wasn't being passive aggressive just pointing it out because I wanted to know if it had a build i could use a guide for myself. I'm sorry if it sounded that way. :/

Sorry. I may be ornery from too much caffeine. If I were building a $500 gaming machine for myself right now, I would use the FX-6300 as well and overclock it out of the box.

By the time an overclocked 6300 platform really needs replacing, we'll be on DDR4 systems. In the meantime, an OC'd 6300 would outperform the I3 on 3+ threads, and be on par with 2 or less.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 980DE3/U3S3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $498.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-27 14:08 EDT-0400

I like stryker's builds, except for the PSU and the cooler. The CX series aren't terrible, but I wouldn't use that in a system I intended to overclock. The wide ripple will limit it's overclockability and place more stress on the voltage regulator. I also wouldn't trust it for it's rated wattage. the build with the 290 has no headroom for overclocking and even at stock speed is pulling more wattage than I would trust that PSU with.

The T4 cooler is a good cooler, but it's performance is a bit below the 212 EVO, which I consider the minimum for heavy overclocking. Another issue for me is that there is no way to install the T4 vertically oriented on an AM3+ board, which I prefer for cooling (aligns with natural convection).

 

[Imreallycool]

I honestly wasn't being passive aggressive just pointing it out because I wanted to know if it had a build i could use a guide for myself. I'm sorry if it sounded that way. :/

Sorry. I may be ornery from too much caffeine. If I were building a $500 gaming machine for myself right now, I would use the FX-6300 as well and overclock it out of the box.

By the time an overclocked 6300 platform really needs replacing, we'll be on DDR4 systems. In the meantime, an OC'd 6300 would outperform the I3 on 3+ threads, and be on par with 2 or less.

url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/c8c43C]PCPartPicker part list[/url] / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 980DE3/U3S3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($53.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)

Total: $498.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-27 14:08 EDT-0400

I like stryker's builds, except for the PSU and the cooler. The CX series aren't terrible, but I wouldn't use that in a system I intended to overclock. The wide ripple will limit it's overclockability and place more stress on the voltage regulator. I also wouldn't trust it for it's rated wattage. the build with the 290 has no headroom for overclocking and even at stock speed is pulling more wattage than I would trust that PSU with.

The T4 cooler is a good cooler, but it's performance is a bit below the 212 EVO, which I consider the minimum for heavy overclocking. Another issue for me is that there is no way to install the T4 vertically oriented on an AM3+ board, which I prefer for cooling (aligns with natural convection).

I'm personnally an AMD fanboy so I really like this recommendation I was only going i3 because I could find a good cpu/mobo combo price. I have one last request. Do you know of a way by chance that we could achieve around that price tag with more immediate sales rather than MIR's? Thanks for the help.

 

[Stryker13799]

Stryker's suggested builds need new PSU. The Cx units are not good and we do not recommend them at all.

Antec, XFX, Seasonic, EVGA (G2,B2) are what you want.

I would not recommend any of them though. An i3 build would be better as you can go to an i5 later on very easily.

He is right though, but the PSU will be fine IF you do not push it to its limits or try doing extreme stuff i-e extreme OCing.

Try going with the suggestions that this guy suggested, or a Corsair TX, HX etc if your friend can afford it.

 

[Stryker13799]

I know, its exactly the same as quilcri's build:


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by
merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI 760GMA-P34(FX) Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $500.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-28 02:38 EDT-0400


OR



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($72.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper T4 70.0 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler ($16.49 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A68HM-H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($201.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $503.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-28 02:46 EDT-0400



OR



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $494.69
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-28 02:53 EDT-0400




OR



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

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: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($149.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $495.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-28 03:01 EDT-0400




OR




You wont be able to OC with this Processor:



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3240 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($52.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB Video Card ($201.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $493.18
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-28 03:08 EDT-0400




OR




If your friend can spend the extra $20 ( although he will not see the full benefit of the better GPU because of the Processor, I would only recommend this build IF he plans to upgrade his Processor later on ) :



PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3240 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($52.98 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($25.50 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $521.19
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-28 03:11 EDT-0400

 

[kwa-e]

The G3258 can mild OC fine on any half decent H81 board on the stock cooler, no need to waste money on a Z97 board and a 330USD cooler.

 

[Stryker13799]

The G3258 can mild OC fine on any half decent H81 board on the stock cooler, no need to waste money on a Z97 board and a 330USD cooler.

I didnt know that before!

Well, you can never have enough knowledge!

 

[quilciri]

Do you know of a way by chance that we could achieve around that price tag with more immediate sales rather than MIR's? Thanks for the help.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($98.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: RAIJINTEK THEMIS Evo 65.7 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 600W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($56.98 @ Newegg)

Total: $524.90
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-28 11:12 EDT-0400