I am thinking of buying a gaming PC for the first time. I am looking for advice on these two gaming PC builds on pcpartpicker. Which one is better for gaming? This one: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/gamemaniac247/saved/1ytx Or this one: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/gamemaniac247/saved/1xYY
Advice on $700 gaming PCs
- Thread starter Amolk247
- Start date
Maxx_Power
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- Jul 17, 2012
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They are both pretty much the same. However if you were going to go with an AMD (AM3+) based setup, you NEED a good motherboard with a strong VRM section. That little Gigabyte board common to both of your builds has a very weak VRM (I don't even think it has 4 phases for the CPU alone). For a good cheap decent board, get a Gigabyte GA-970A-D3, http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128521. Weaker VRMs don't bode well for OC, upgrades or even longevity and reliability. ESPECIALLY with the new AMD cpus (bulldozer and newer), because they are very current-heavy.
As far as CPU is concerned, if you shop around, you can get a Piledriver based FX6300 or FX6350 for nearly the same price as the FX6100 which is the slower, Bulldozer based version.
As for the GPU, I would lean towards the HD7870 version. Although if your budget is VERY VERY tight, you might go down to a HD7850 to make up for the money spent on the better motherboard and CPU.
Most AMD builds with budget components become CPU limited for newer games, so the Piledriver upgrade is a good idea, as well as the VRM issue on the motherboard.
Also, I find the NZXT cases really thin and flimsy, if you had another choice, I'd suggest Bitfenix (anything)?
As far as CPU is concerned, if you shop around, you can get a Piledriver based FX6300 or FX6350 for nearly the same price as the FX6100 which is the slower, Bulldozer based version.
As for the GPU, I would lean towards the HD7870 version. Although if your budget is VERY VERY tight, you might go down to a HD7850 to make up for the money spent on the better motherboard and CPU.
Most AMD builds with budget components become CPU limited for newer games, so the Piledriver upgrade is a good idea, as well as the VRM issue on the motherboard.
Also, I find the NZXT cases really thin and flimsy, if you had another choice, I'd suggest Bitfenix (anything)?
Marcopolo123
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- Jan 31, 2013
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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 ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ZT 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $659.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 17:34 EDT-0400)
750w if you plan to crossfire
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 ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7870 GHz Edition 2GB Video Card ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ ZT 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $659.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-06 17:34 EDT-0400)
750w if you plan to crossfire
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