Best Gaming Setup With AMD Phenom II X4 965 B.E.

iAmJimbo

Honorable
May 4, 2013
24
0
10,510
Hi, I was hoping someone might be able to help me out with a gaming setup under $500 (HDD Not needed nor DVD Drive) that would go great with a AMD Phenom II X4 965 B.E. It's first time building a pc with a friend and I need some suggestions. Thank You.
 
Something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($191.60 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Tempest 210 ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $510.55
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-05-16 00:55 EDT-0400)

Obviously we can tweak it how ever you want to, but this will be the best bang for the buck that you can get for your budget. If you want a different case, Mobo, etc. we can re-adjust the build to fit in what you like.

* Mobo has onboard USB 3.0 port, so you can use it for cases that support front USB 3.0 ports.
* RAM has a LOW PROFILE heat spreaders, so you can add just about any aftermarket CPU HSF later, if you want more cooling.
* GPU is one of the best for the $ that you can get. Most 7850's/GTX 660's are around this price.
* Case supports 1 x front USB 3.0 ports (it plugs directly into the USB 3.0 port on the mobo listed above) and is built quite well for the $.
* PSU is the best buy (after $20 MIRc).
 
lunyone has a great build, but way over budget in Canadian prices. Anyway, in respect to Newegg, here's what I'd pick.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($94.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($60.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Power Supply: Antec Basiq 500W ATX12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg Canada)
Total: $510.94
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 

iAmJimbo

Honorable
May 4, 2013
24
0
10,510
Both setups look great Ill check em out and see what's best for me. Wish I can pick both answers as my solution xD. Thank You both for taking the time to help me out.
 


Didn't see the Canadian requirement, because I was working on the build, which took a bit to put together :)

I'd consider getting at least a 7850 GPU or if the budget can fit it a GTX 660. Either will do quite well, so strive for either one if you can.
 

usaf_mech

Distinguished
Nov 20, 2011
12
0
18,510
ive got the exact build right now but with an evga gtx 650 ti boost superclocked and your going to need more than a 500w power supply, tried my friends 650w and it runs like a champ.
 


The GTX 650 Ti Boost doesn't need a 500w QUALITY PSU to run. The Corsair CX 430w PSU would be fine up to a GTX 660 GPU, so the lesser GTX 650 Ti Boost will be fine. Obviously if your OC'ing than I'd recommend at least a 500w PSU of quality build (Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, PCP&C, & XFX brands).