First ever gaming PC build

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Zachasaurs

Zachasaurs

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Mar 11, 2013
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I am asking for an experts opinion on whether this is a good build and well be able to play games like Planetside 2, WOT, and large Minecraft mods with consistent graphics.
My budget is around $730 without a mouse screen and including the mail in rebates
case- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227
motherboard-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131872
hard drive- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
graphics card-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130841
power supply-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026
cpu-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113285
DVD burner-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289
Ram-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345
os-windows 7 home prenium
cooling- 2 extra cooler master fans
a regular keyboard
all add to $740 with mail in rebates
 
Solution
lunyone


I'd suggest getting the 2 GB 7850 GPU for the same $ (listed in my build), but either is a better option, IMHO, over the 560 Ti. The 6300 is also a good option too, if you need to cut the budget by about $40. The aftermarket CPU HSF (Cooler Master Hyper 212...
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tenaciousk

tenaciousk

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Jan 18, 2013
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I suggest Downgrading your cpu and upgrading your gpu, also, for like 10 dollars more you can get a hard drive with 64 Mb cache, instead of the 16mb cache you have chosen.

When building a gaming computer you want to get the best graphics card you can afford. You could downgrade the cpu to the fx-6300 still a great cpu , and get a 7850. It will still run off the cx430 psu if you went higher like a 7870 you would have to get a better psu.

also i notice you do not have any RAM in your list.
 
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completelyrandomname

completelyrandomname

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Aug 13, 2012
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Spend $10 more and get considerably better performance. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004
It should run fine on that PSU but I suggest upgrading to 500W just to be safe. This may be a bit over your budget but it will be better than one that won't work. You can also drop the 8350 down to a 6300 which will spare you the money to get the better graphics card and psu. With the money saved I think you can also get a Hyper 212 EVO to overclock the CPU.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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Looks pretty good. Here is another option to consider:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $751.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 22:22 EDT-0400)

* CPU is a step up from yours (not much but is currently $180 :) )
* Mobo is about the same.
* RAM is included (you didn't have it listed above) is 1600 mHz @ CAS 9 timings and runs at stock voltage 1.5v. It also comes with LOW PROFILE heat spreaders, so you could add just about any aftermarket CPU HSF that you like (heat spreaders can usually infringe upon some CPU HSF's if they protrude up too much).
* HD is double the size for $10 more :)
* GPU is trades blows with the 560 Ti and usually beats it, also it costs less too :) Link to comparison on Anandtech's site.
* PSU is the same one you selected.
* Case I listed has the option for front USB 3.0 ports. You would need to upgrade the Mobo to support this option though, so keep that in mind. Here is a Mobo that supports the onboard USB.30 for the case w/front USB 3.0 ports. It's a bit spendy at ~$140ish though.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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I'd suggest getting the 2 GB 7850 GPU for the same $ (listed in my build), but either is a better option, IMHO, over the 560 Ti. The 6300 is also a good option too, if you need to cut the budget by about $40. The aftermarket CPU HSF (Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO) is also a possibility, if you drop down to the 6300, but that is up to the OP.

Here's what it would look like with the 6300 CPU and the Hyper 212 EVO:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.79 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $737.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 22:38 EDT-0400)

And if you prefer an Intel build (with Onboard USB 3.0 ports to support the front USB 3.0 ports on the case):

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B75 PRO3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($75.06 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($21.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $726.15
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 22:41 EDT-0400)
 
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Solution
lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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Like the i5 3350P that I listed above? It's pretty good too and sits between the FX 8350 and the FX 6300 price wise too. It's up to the OP which option he/she would like (I've listed several options).
 
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anubis44

anubis44

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Jul 22, 2008
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+1 to the 7850 2GB over the GTX650 Ti
+1 to the AMD FX-8350 CPU - but if you must save money somewhere, go for either the FX-8320 or FX-6300. Don't skimp on the graphics card, because even a $100 CPU will drive an upper end single graphics card these days. Every new game is way more GPU limited than CPU limited, as long as you have at least 4 cores.

The GTX650Ti is already underpowered for that system. Don't go any lower than a 7850.
 
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Zachasaurs

Zachasaurs

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i updated what ram i am thinking about getting and am still thinking about the CPU because i am not planning on overclocking and i have herd from others that you want your CPU and GPU to be around the same cost. I also chose the 650 ti because it has a great deal for $50 of in game money that i probably wouldn't buy otherwise.
 
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DarkSable

DarkSable

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Sep 27, 2012
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They're wrong or lying. You want your GPU to be TWICE the cost of your CPU in an ideal situation.

I mean, come on, think about it - if you're playing games, the most important part of your computer is going to be your graphics card.

 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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* The RAM you selected is okay, but it's HEAT SPREADER protrudes vertically too much for my liking. The one's that I've listed in all of my builds have LOW PROFILE heat spreaders, so you have more options with aftermarket CPU HSF (if you have the need to add one later).
* The CPU = GPU price is not right. A $100 CPU (Ph II x4 965 BE) will easily power a 7850/7870 without too much issues (They are $170-250 price wise). I would much rather have a decent CPU and the best GPU I can afford, when building a budget gaming system.
* A lot of the 7850 GPU's come with Bioshock and Tombraider games, so you can add/subtract that in the total purchase price too.
 
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Zachasaurs

Zachasaurs

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Mar 11, 2013
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do you think with gaming is an aftermarket heatsink is necessary and take into mind im definitely not playing on max settings. would the fx 8120 and 7850 be a good combo. also if overclocking isnt too hard i could also get the 6300 and an aftermarket heatsink.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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Any of the options will do fine, IMHO. You will have a good system no matter which way you go. The 6300 is a good option w/after CPU HSF if you like, but generally you should be fine on stock settings for most situations.
 
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Zachasaurs

Zachasaurs

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Mar 11, 2013
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if i downgrade to the fx-6300 and don get an aftermarket heatsink will my psu be able to work with a better graphics card like the asus 660? link-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121660
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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The GTX 660 would be the max for that PSU. The 7870 would be another option, but it requires 2 x PCI-e power connectors from the PSU, which means you would have to upgrade the PSU to work with that GPU. The 7850 is another option that would work with the 430w Corsair PSU and is about $30-50 cheaper than the GTX 660.
 
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envy14tpe

envy14tpe

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Mar 3, 2012
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Typically the good ones are $30, but if you don't overclock then you don't have to buy one. The stock cooler is ok. On budget builds, don't overclock. Your build is still good.

However, I'd suggest a 3350 instead of the AMD mobo. The FX-6300 is best for people who want to overclock it. The fx-6300 is comparable to i3 cpus not i5s. The i3s are good but can't overclock.
 
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Zachasaurs

Zachasaurs

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Mar 11, 2013
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i think that the i5-3350 core is a good choice but with it and the radion 7850 i cannot afford it because i also have to get 2 extra fans for the case and a keyboard to one of the other orders reccomended earlier. any ways you would reccomend for me to lower the overall cost.
 
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envy14tpe

envy14tpe

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Mar 3, 2012
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The difference between a 3350p and fx-6300 is substantial. You can get a 3350p and a decent mobo. The mobo could be ~$95ish. That still fits in budget. Right?
 
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