Looking to build decent gaming desktop ($500-$600)

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bammeh

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I currently have a little over $600 to invest into a new PC. I want to make the switch from Mac, and build a PC that can handle games well. I will be playing games such as Battlefield 3, Arma 2, Minecraft, etc. Nothing TOO intensive, like Crysis 3 lol. I just want to be able to play the games I listed on Highest-High settings without breaking my bank account.

I have a few builds I like, but I'm sure you guys could do better as I have never built my own PC. But, I want to get the most bang for my buck!

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ryanfree/saved/1UML - $650
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ryanfree/saved/1UMO - $685
http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ryanfree/saved/1UMQ - $570

I may hold off on some non-essential parts for a week or so, until I get paid this Thursday. Like an SSD.

Any suggestions? :)

Approximate Purchase Date: This week-Next Week

Budget Range: $500-$650

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Movies, Surfing

Are you buying a monitor: No



Parts to Upgrade: CPU, RAM, Graphics card, Power Supply, motherboard, all parts essentially

Do you need to buy OS: No.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg/microcenter

Location: Atlanta, GA

Parts Preferences: Not too picky. Just whatever is best for the lowest price.

Overclocking: Maybe? Im not sure if ill need it?

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe. I can add a new GFX card later?

Your Monitor Resolution: (e.g.: 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1440x900, 1600x1200, 1680x1050, 1920x1080, 1920x1200 or if you're upgrading please state what you'd want to get)

Additional Comments: Not too picky on noise. or looks. Just performance

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: My macbook broke, so I want a new gaming rig.
 
Solution
Swordkd
So remember, whenever you can, buy a Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo cooler and overclock that Cpu. If temps are a problem, buy another 140mm Case fan. And enjoy your build. Watch some videos on putting a PC together to understand what they mean by "cable management" and you'll end up with a nice, clean looking system. Even if you can't see it, if there aren't any cables cluttering up the inside you'll get better airflow and lower temps.
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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Over shoots your budget by just a tad, but it has several advantages.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston T1 Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($59.09 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $668.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-07 22:39 EDT-0400)

The Cpu is enough to get you rolling. I upgraded recently from the Phenom II 940 to an Intel 3570k, and I don't notice any difference. After Amd releases their new processor lineup later this year, you'll still be able to throw in the latest and greatest Amd Cpu in that motherboard because they are sticking with socket AM3+.

You have the best budget video card out right now in the 760. This one has one of the higher stock clock rates as well.

The Ram is less expensive than many others, and it still has Cas latency 9 with 1866mhz.

The Case is super cheap for a decent quality one. Nzxt makees solid enclosures.

Xfx Psu. 'Nuff said.

Down the road you'll want to buy a Cpu cooler. You can overclock that Cpu fairly well, and when you buy another processor, you'll use the same cooler. Look at the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, which runs between 28 and 35 dollars. You've already said that you'll eventually want to buy an SSD as well. That's a great part to wait on. This build will get you up and running for not a lot of cash. Has options to upgrade down the road as well.
 
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bammeh

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Awesome! I can probably save myself $70 for now. I have a 500GB 3.5" Seagate HDD I will be using until I get the SDD and 1TB HDD. Is there anyway to go with a cheaper graphics card without sacrificing too much performance?

That build should be able to play the games ive listed pretty well?
 
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mastrom101

mastrom101

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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: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($56.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($19.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $611.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-07 23:20 EDT-0400)
 
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bammeh

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Can you list some pros of your choices? Will they run the games I've listed on high to ultra settings?
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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Right now there is a 7870Ghz edition card on Newegg for 200 dollars. It isn't as good as the 760, but it costs 60 dollars less. Don't bother with the 6300fx. The 965 actually performs within 1% of it in games, and in some actually surpasses it. This is stock vs. stock comparison. Take a look at the comparisons here: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-processor-frame-rate-performance,3427-4.html The 965 would best be compared with the 980, just realize it isn't quite as fast. However, there isn't any reason to spend the extra money on the 6300 for the little performance difference.

Here is a comparison of the 760 I listed against a stock 7870. http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/graphics/57453-evga-geforce-gtx-760-superclocked-acx/?page=4 Just keep in mind the Ghz editions are a little faster than stock 7870's. The 660ti isn't bad though, but I'd rather spend the extra 40 bucks for the 760.
 
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bammeh

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I believe I will be going with the 760 you suggested as well as the processor you suggested, unless the 980 is better than the 965 enough to make a difference?

Also, is the general consensus that the motherboard you picked out it a good one for the job? Good for gaming?
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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AsRock makes good motherboards, so I wouldn't worry about that.

The 980 is better than the 965, but, the problem is finding one to buy. You can still get the 965 online, new, though. Also, the 980 would be more expensive and not worth the price premium. Get the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo and overclock the 965 when you can. You'll be able to hit at least 3.8ghz if not 3.9ghz easily and running stable. It's super simple for that mild of an overclock too.
 
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SamGriffiths

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It's over budget but if you could push to it this would be a great build.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($265.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $657.60
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-08 10:08 EDT-0400)
 
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bammeh

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Can anyone offer and pros/cons to these parts as opposed to the ones suggested in the first answer? I noticed the gfx card is the same essentially. What about the mobo and CPU? And great differences?
 
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SamGriffiths

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Well it depends what you put it against.
Pros:
-Faster GPU (Benchmarks http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/GeForce_GTX_760_Direct_Cu_II_OC/7.html)
-Higher quality PSU
-Better RAM
-Slightly better CPU
-Slightly better Case
Cons:
-Worse Mobo
-No after market CPU cooler
 
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bammeh

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Well, pitting what you suggest against what swordkd suggested.
 
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bammeh

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Hmm, I might stick with his mobo and look into your CPU and GPU
 
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SamGriffiths

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Best of both worlds =P
 
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bammeh

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So really the only pro to the gpu is the sound?

Do you happen to have benchmarks of your CPU?
 
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SamGriffiths

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http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699?vs=102
It's not much faster but it slightly faster. The GPU it's cooler and quieter which means you can overclock it higher.
 
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bammeh

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I might be able to swing that since I won't be getting the 1 TB HDD yet.
What about the GPU. Any vast differences in comparisons?
 
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bammeh

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According to the following article, the FX-6300 performs significantly better than the 965 and consumes less energy, while having more cores, as well as more cache.

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/AMD-Phenom-II-X4-965-vs-AMD-FX-6300

Do you honestly think the extra $30 is going to be $30 well spent? Will it be worth it and make a difference with its 6 cores, as opposed to 4, larger cache, less power consumption, and better benchmark scores?
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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Look at gaming benchmarks. If your main use of the pc is going to be games, there isn't much difference in FPS between the two. Other tasks the 6300 performs better, but not much of a difference in games.

That eVGA card isn't a reference cooled design either. It's the ACX version. Well, it was supposed to be. I clickied the wrong version.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($90.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston T1 Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($259.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $617.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-08 14:37 EDT-0400)


Updated to the ACX version of the GPU for the same price.
 
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bammeh

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My local MicroCenter has the CPU for $79.99. Im just not sure if the lack of 2 cores will prohibit me down the line if I ever do want to do more than gaming. Nothing too intensive like video editing or anything.

So, you're saying that for gaming, it wont make a huge difference if I get the 6300?
 
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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I linked a Toms article earlier. Look at the comparison between the 6300fx and the 980. Most games there isn't much of a difference. Remember that the 980 is a bit faster than the 965. There are some games that are a bigger difference. WoW is one such game. However running a 760 video card, you would be hard pressed to notice a difference in FPS between the two CPU's.
 
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