Thoughts on my $900 future desktop

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ConfusedGamer123

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Ok so i'm planning on building a desktop for around $900 (without monitor) - http://pcpartpicker.com/p/JVyj - So i just want to know if you guys think it will be a good build or not or what to improve on it. I'm not sure about what PSU to get or how many watts. I will be overclocking my CPU and maybe my GPU. I'll be using the computer for some gaming at 1080p (on games like BF3, GTA, Crysis 3, Tomb Raider), and other random stuff like web browsing and homework etc. I'm also not sure if going with the 7950 would be worth it or should i just get a 7870 tahiti or something. I'm new to computer building and I've just been doing research before i buy, so if anyone could look at the build and give me advice on what to do it would be very helpful.
 
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MajinCry

MajinCry

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You gimped out on the HDD.

I say get the 7850. Not worth buying a 7950; the performance increase is nowhere near capable of justifying the price difference.

I'd say up the HDD space. Or even get several. More storage is better.
You could even raid them, and get SSD-like speeds, with many times more storage for a fraction of the cost.

Or you could just keep the 500GB HDD, and splurge on a "Creative SoundBlaster X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Pro". A superb soundcard makes things sound so much better, supposing you're playing quality audio (don't expect that mix-tape you made, by recording the radio, to sound any better when played with a soundcard).
Couldn't hurt to get better speakers as well.
 
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SHORYUKEN

SHORYUKEN

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That's actually a very nice build. I made a slight change in the SSD and got you 1 TB of HDD:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($56.79 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Ultra Plus 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($94.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Rosewill BlackHawk ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1036.70
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-16 11:52 EDT-0400)

 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Not a bad build. Have you tried an Intel load out? You could try a i5 3330 for just a little more and find a motherboard in the same price range. Intel has the performance lead, especially if games are your focus.

I have the 7950, it's a pretty decent card. I don't know if warranty is a big deal for you or how long you are planning on using this system, but XFX offers a double lifetime warranty if you live in North America. nVidia has a pretty compelling card at the same price point: 660 Ti. They trade blows back and forth depending on the game and settings.

I would say your power supply is powerful enough for this system, however Rosewill is not really known for quality. I would try to stick with a more reputable maker: PC & C, Corsair, Thermaltake or even Antec. New builders tend to try to save their pennies here, when it's really the place you don't want to scrimp on. Best case scenario if you buy a bargain PSU, your systems unstable, worst case scenario it fails catastrophically and takes out a bunch of hardware with it.

Just some small suggestions.



 
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ConfusedGamer123

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Ok thanks for the feedback, so upgrade to a 1 TB hardrive and spend less on the SSD. Get a PSU from a better more reputable brand. I'm not sure about the i5 3330, would it be a major difference for the extra $50? The warranty i guess is another thing to consider, I plan on having this PC for a couple years (3-6).
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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I personally think the difference is worth the money. However if you need a metric, use the Tom's CPU charts. Both CPU's will be on them and use the compare feature and look at the gaming metrics.
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Well I had a look at Tom's CPU Charts and much to my chagrin, the i5-3330 isn't on it. However the i5-3470 is on it. It has a slightly faster clock speed, however everything outside of that is the same. I also attempted a look at CPUboss.com, the upside is the i5-3330 is there, the downside the FX-6300 isn't.

Ultimately from my perspective, the i5 is better core for core. The only time the FX comes close is when it can bring all 6 cores to bear against the i5's 4 cores. So taken in relation to gaming, there really aren't many games (if any) that will utilize all the cores in the FX, however we were starting to see games make use of 4 cores last year. So the i5 certainly beats the FX under these conditions. And like I said, in applications that will utilize all the cores of each, the FX approaches the performance of the i5. The other less important factor is the i5 maintains that performance with a much smaller power draw. The flip side to that is the i5 should be much cooler than the FX.
 
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ConfusedGamer123

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I don't know, it seems like it's on par or worse than the FX-6300 and i can't overclock it and it costs more, so it seems like it's not the CPU for me. I understand the 6300 uses more power and has weaker core for core performance, but in my opinion the more cores helps and make a difference. For example the 8350 beats out the i5-3570k in most games, yet costs about $20-$30 less. It may use more power and not run as efficiently but the power is only like $10 every year or two and it not too major of a difference to alter my opinion.
Also if you haven't seen this video about the 8350 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eu8Sekdb-IE
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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The only two game benchmarks in Tom's CPU charts for the 8350 vs the 3570 has the i5 winning in both. It does beat out the i5 in quite a few non-game benchmarks, but it does that with twice as many cores that are clocked higher.

Ultimately it's your choice. I certainly don't have any pride tied up in convincing you, I was just offering an alternatively. You are definitely right about the overclocking, the 3330 isn't unlocked so there isn't much headroom. So if overclocking is something you're interested, I think you should go with the FX.
 
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MajinCry

MajinCry

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"I certainly don't have any pride tied up in convincing you" A fellow that recommends intel and isn't a fanboy? My hat's off to you. Need to find it first.

@OP Go with the FX. Intel's equivalent motherboard will cost more than AMD's, increasing the overall cost of the build.
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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No fanboy here, it's been awhile since I built a system, but the last two were AMD. I just call them like I see them. I build AMD when there's value, just happens today AMD trails so far behind, I don't see the value.
 
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ConfusedGamer123

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I'm not sure what you're looking at to say that AMD doesn't have value, i think the FX-6300 is a great chip especially for $130. I'm not trying to be an AMD fanboy or disrespect Intel at all. I am actually typing this response on a Intel Pentium G620 i just don't see how you see value in Intel over AMD.
 
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SHORYUKEN

SHORYUKEN

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Intel is far ahead compared to AMD. AMD's current best processor only barely manages to keep up with the i7-3770K, on Crysis 3. Everything else past the i7-3770K just beats it. AMD processors are made for editing, and even then, Intel still beats them. Sure, AMD is great for budget builds, but not for mid-range to high-end gamers and editors a like.
 
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ConfusedGamer123

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Ya AMD can't compete with anything above the 3770k, but in my situation i'm leaning toward the FX series. I won't be doing any editing, just mainly gaming so should i still go with the 6300 or should i stretch my budget and go for a 3570k or maybe a 8350 or 2500k? I don't have anything against Intel just in this build it originally seemed like AMD was the way to go.
 
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ConfusedGamer123

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So he's biased against Intel? The facts are facts man, he is not going to purposely give AMD some advantage over Intel in the benchmark testing. He even says he used to use an intel in his machine before he did the testings, I know that many other benchmarks around the web don't show this but AMD just might be better than the i5 3570k. I agree it depends on what games you play, but he tried several games and some Intel won, but AMD won the majority with still being cheaper than Intel. I'm still skeptical about it all but i don't see how Logan can prefer AMD and somehow flaw the benchmarks, it just isn't logical.
 
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SHORYUKEN

SHORYUKEN

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It could be sponsorship. But again, it depends what games you play. I prefer Intel over AMD just for the fact that Intel takes up WAY less watts than AMD.

 
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ConfusedGamer123

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I'm still confused on which CPU to go with, it's pretty much down to choosing from the 6300, 8350, or 3570k. Does anyone know if games will start using more than 4 cores in the future, because i'll be playing new-ish games and i want to know if it would be better to go with the AMD CPUs over the Intel (based on the number of cores).
 
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