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Cushuito

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Apr 3, 2012
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So here I am on the never ending quest to build a computer that can game lightly (Path of Exile, SC2, D3, New FF MMO, Maybe even taking a crack at low settings BF3) also while being used as a streaming media pc (simultaneously in some cases), all without making me skip meals. I'm working around the idea of an A10-5800k in my build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Zalman CNPS5X Performa CPU Cooler ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($62.68 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk 64GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6670 1GB Video Card ($73.57 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $511.18
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-18 13:08 EDT-0400)

I will be using this with Windows 8. That is non negotiable guys, I already own it (and for the love of god it doesn't suck and if i personally needed it to look like 7, it could). Also, I will be using an old 5200 rpm 360 gb hdd for a while and probably just toss a 1+tb 7200rpm hdd on there in a month or so... so please don't mention using it as a media pc also and having no storage space lol.

Aside from that I will NOT have all of these components right away. It will be missing the graphics card, and the ram. I have some 1600 corsair dominator (3x2gb) that i will reuse for a week or two. And the graphics card will be missing for about two weeks, this is not negotiable... i am poor guys.

Okay, so here's what I need to know:

1) With the build (complete) will I be able to achieve 50+ fps on medium settings (at like 720p) for most games.

2) Do you suggest swapping any parts out? Cheaper is better... but I am already giving up performance by going the APU route. So I don't want suggestions that will reduce it further.

3) Will eventually adding another 2 x 4gb of ram increase performance noticeably (I understand that you can really get away with 4 for gaming on a non igpu system)? I mostly ask because I know the APU shares the ram. Also, i do not really plan on going up to anything over 1866 speed ram because the gain vs price doesn't fit a budget build in my opinion. (or correct me!)

4) Is my understanding correct that for games which can utilize the dx11 i will get to crossfire but for games that don't I'll simply be able to select my discrete card (will this be done in the gpus control center? or usually in game)?

5) (Give me opinions for this one) How bad will my gaming experience suck before adding that GPU

P.S. I will probably have a lot more questions as you guys answer these :D

also remember, I can't afford the gpu with a mobo and cpu in one buy... and I have a dead pc (little kids can destroy anything in seconds) and am using an hpg61 for gaming (hahahahahaha funny right? No, i'm serious and it sucks really really bad)... so I want to play asap.
 
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Cushuito

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Apr 3, 2012
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well, I guess that would mean at the 720p I shouldn't really have any issues with just the 6gb of 1600 right? Or would you say the difference between the 1866 timing and that extra 2gb of ram would drop me below playable frames (lets just say... 25-35 steady fps)

 
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L Helps

L Helps

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Jan 4, 2013
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I am almost sure you'll get that fps. The ram wont affect you're fps to much but you defenatly need 6gb if you dont want the ram to bottleneck your system.
 
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cathode

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1.What version of the video card are you getting? ddr3 or ddr5? If you can get the ddr5, at least it will be future proof. I think you can play 1080p in low to mid settings, just don't go extreme.

2. The 64G SSD get rid off it not enough space you will be fine with the 1TB 7200rpm plus you save some $$$ I would put that money towards a better PS at least 500w corsair or antec

3. Adding more ram is always good :D

4. Some games benefit in dx10-11 will benefit from dual graphics, its states in AMD website when doing dual GPU games that uses dx9 that wont take advantage of dual gpu will use the faster video card in this case the discrete video card in your case the radeon 6670, I know some motherboards will ask you to plug the monitor into the onboard graphics when doing dual but you can always plug into the discrete one and see if it works.

5. Don't expect miracles its a good APU a lot depends what games are you going to play.
 
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L Helps

L Helps

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I don't agree with 2, you can save something from that ssd ur not buying but don't spend the money on a psu it's a waste of money because a 380w is enough(if not get the corsair corsair cx430).
 
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Cushuito

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Well, I want the best cooling/cable management possible for the money. And from everything I was reading/asking it led me to the 300r as the best in class for the price. (well, at least when it was at like 49.99 idk about now... so a good suggestion with proper cable management would be excellent). I will check the reviews for the two you listed :D



I am getting the 1gb Gddr5 version :) And the SSD is ONLY for my operating system. I didn't really plan on putting anything else there at all. You say I should just nix it all together though? You don't think that PSU will perform accordingly? The reviews I have been reading suggest this should more than do the job. If it can, considering the price point I'd like to stick with something like that if possible.


 
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optimus1883

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1600 should be enough, but I would suggest using 2 matched sticks of RAM (2gb x 2 or 4gb x 2) to get the dual channel benefit.  From what I've seen with this going to 1866 speed would give a few FPS increase on most games, and it really depends on how many FPS you are getting if that matters.  Going from 25 to 30 is a bigger deal than 55 to 60.

 

I recently built a HTPC for my father in law with the A6-5400k and was very impressed with what it did for games.  I was able to play torchlight 2 (1920x1200) with max settings at ~45 fps.  Also tested with a few other games (d3, borderlands2, wow) and was able to pull 30fps with lowered details/resolutions.  I feel confident saying the A10-5800k will work well at 720p

 

I also used the same mobo and case (for my gaming pc), and would recommend both of them.
 
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Cushuito

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you are suggesting 2x2gb of my corsair dominator 1600 over the 3x2gb I have?? or am i misunderstanding.

After I purchase my new 2x4gb 1866 sticks I will be retiring the old stuff. (and eventually adding another 2x4gb for 4x4gb)
 
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optimus1883

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Go ahead and use the 6gb since you have it, I was mentioning that for when you purchase the new ram, if the 1600 is working good you could always get another 2 gb stick to go with those.



 
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cathode

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I know it is for the os I mean 64GB not much can be done, most people tend to over look the PS, 380W I think its to little, yes the APU won't pull that much but according to your specs you will be adding multiple HDD, more ram and a video card on the not so long distance it might require you to get a bigger PS. Granted if you get a 500w you wont be using that much but the PS wont be stressing out as much the 380w thus giving you a longer life span for your PC. I'm just saying, if you feel fine with the 380 by all means. I have mine with the A8 3870k with 8Gigs of ram ddr3 1600Mhz with a measly HDD of 160GB, soon I will add a bigger one and a video card as for the PS I have 600w corsair GS no problems at all.
Good luck with your build.
 
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Cushuito

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I can't quite understand why you are telling me not to bother with the SSD. If I plan on only putting my OS on there, why would I need more room?? If anything, I assume I could get away with an even smaller SSD since it's only to boot the OS. The only reason it is there is to improve boot times... but I guess I could just not bother (not like I've ever had a SSD Anyways)... but the faster boot times are a draw since this will also be a HTPC (the gf has some serious patience issues and i'd like her to not destroy my computer because she is impatient lmao)

Honestly, that 600W you are running is mega overkill lol (which i gather you are well aware of), my current build with all of it's components only runs around 255W (and that psu I am looking at has fairly solid reviews, so I think it should handle it okay)
 
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L Helps

L Helps

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cathode

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It's hardly an overkill at least if I do add a bigger video card in the future the PS wont be an issue, specially sense I got it on sale for around 60$ pretty good deal to me. Now its a real overkill to spend 60$ on a small ssd just to save a couple of measly seconds, but hey its your money. But sense the PS is no issue to you perhaps put that money towards more memory then I'm sure you will see a difference in speed and reaction.
 
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Cushuito

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hmmm... you may be right... the SSD is really not something that can ever be claimed as "budget friendly"... it shall be gone! As far as the psu I guess I may as well be safe and not sorry, besides there's some other ones in that general price range... how do you feel about these

Raidmax 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply $29.99 after $10.00 rebate (newegg)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/raidmax-power-supply-rx500af

and

Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply $43.99 (amazon)
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx430
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

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the corsair, of the two. your original 380W was fine as long as you stuck to no-external-power-needed video cards (the 6670 that crossfires with teh 7550D would be fine there)
 
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cathode

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I would go personally to any of the following brands, corsair, antec, sylverstone and xfx . As for the raidmax I don't trust it even though it has the 80 plus bronze stamp the price should tell you less than 40 bucks for a PS that has the 80 plus bronze kind of fishy. The only reason I trust the ones that I mention is because they got good reviews in http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/ those guys do amazing power supply reviews like no other.

That corsair 430 looks fine.
 
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