$1,000 AMD Gaming Computer Build. Any Suggestions?

Zaujahr

Honorable
May 8, 2013
8
0
10,510
So, I am building a AMD gaming computer very soon and here is what I am thinking:

Processor: AMD FX-6350 3.9 GHz 6-core
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Storage: 1) Samsung 830 Series 128GB 2.5" SSD
2) Western Digital RE4 500 GB 3.5" 7200RPM HDD
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card
Case: Nvidia 690 II Advanced Limited
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 750W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V /
EPS12V
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer

Here is the pcpartpicker link:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VX0N

The case is not on pcpartpicker, so here is that link too:
http://gamestoysonline.com/product/25389_Nvidia-690-II-Advanced-Limited-.html


I just am wondering if there is anywhere I can improve this build while still being around $1,000?
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
Yeah you could definitely improve that whole build. If it's gaming you should be going Intel - there's no reason to get AMD on a budget of $1K or more. Too much money being spent on some areas and not enough in others.

This is what I'd recommend:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($134.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($68.66 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($235.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 750W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1039.22
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-08 18:33 EDT-0400)

- Stronger CPU
- Stronger GPU
- Downgraded RAM
- Better PSU
- Better case
- Slightly better SSD
 

Zaujahr

Honorable
May 8, 2013
8
0
10,510
Thanks for the input, very helpful! If you don't mind though, I do have a couple of questions for you:

1) Why Intel? I know that it is more powerful than AMD at the same processor speed, but for the same price I can get twice the amount of cores with an AMD, or even a higher GHz speed. In my mind, I see a (just sticking to even a quad-core) 4.0 GHz AMD FX-4350 to be more of a "bang for the buck" value than a 3.4 GHz Intel Core i5, because it is cheaper and it has a higher GHz speed.

2) Will 8GB RAM be enough for a while? I really want this build to last me for a while before I upgrade it, if possible. That is why I was considering the 16GB RAM

3) What about this case makes it better? I figured that the one I had chose out would have great air flow because it is a Cooler Master tower (or at least I found the case on coolermaster.com).

I am just trying to understand what I should completely. This is my first build so I still have a lot of questions even after much research.