Mid-range GPU for first build?

cjb10711

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Aug 1, 2013
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10,510
Hey guys,
I'm looking for a graphics card for my first build. Nothing too high-end, as the mostI'll be doing is playing a couple of older games (2003 to 2006). I'm looking to spend around $130, but I can do $15 or $20 more if it's worth it. I'd like to OC my CPU a little, which I believe will affect the GPU I get? Also, my PSU is only 450 watts, so lower power draw is a plus.

My build is only partly finished, as I'm going on a low budget, but I have all my parts picked out.
Parts bought:
Asus M5A99X Evo R2.0 Motherboard
Corsair Carbide 200R case
Diablotek PHD450 PSU
Lite-on ODD
Corsair 120 GB SSD

Parts to be bought (any recommendations are welcome):
AMD FX-6300 (base clock speed is 3.5, but hoping to OC to about 4.3 Ghz. Again, first-time builder, so I'll be askin for OC help somewhat soon.)
Micron DDR3 1600 RAM
GPU (obviously. See links below).
Coolermaster Hyper 212+ CPU cooler
Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (if that has any effect on my GPU needs).

If I understand correctly, PCIe compatibility will allow me to put a 3.0x16 card in a 2.0x16 mobo slot. Below are the GPUs I've picked out. Which one is best? Or is there another I can get at a similar price with better performance?

XFX Radeon HD 7770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150598&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL073013&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL073013-_-EMC-073013-Index-_-DesktopGraphicsVideoCards-_-14150598-L09B
HIS Radeon HD 7770: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161402

Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
 

slomo4sho

Distinguished


The FX-6300 is $110 currently so I am unsure why you think the i3 would be a better buy...


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($69.30 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.73 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $475.99
 


The FX series finally had the price drop that was talked about 2 months ago. Now, at that price, you can get a fx-63xx and a cpu cooler (for the price of a i3) which will allow the 6300 to surpass the i3-3220. 2 months ago, the CPUs were the same price. And at stock, the i3 performed better than the fx-6300.

You found a super cheap mobo. If there are issues I think I know the culprit.
 

slomo4sho

Distinguished


I have had an overall positive experience with Biostar and this board has had a substantial price break as of late. It does have heatsinks on the VRM but only has 4+1 power phases so it may have limited overclock capacity. Nevertheless, the board is crossfire compatible(the new beta drivers are suggested to resolve the issues with crossfire) and has had positive reviews (can't find any professional reviews on this specific model) :)
 


Personally, I have no problem with Biostar. The company isn't well known but gets good testing reviews. However, how often do people buy Biostar? I mean..look at pcpartpicker or other tomshardware builds, does anyone choose Biostar?
 

cjb10711

Honorable
Aug 1, 2013
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10,510


I'm not planning a gaming build necessarily. Like I said, just a couple of older games that aren't very demanding. And I've already bought the mobo, which has an AM3+ socket, which is why I picked out the FX-6300. Doubt I'll get very many more games, if any. Just looking for something decent to hook my monitor up to my computer.
 

slomo4sho

Distinguished


People have been thoroughly trained to believe the fallacy that popular brand names provide quality whereas unknown or unfamiliar brands are inferior.


I am unsure why you are paying a premium for a 990FX board for a budget build. A 970 board would more than fit your needs and save you $50-75
 

cjb10711

Honorable
Aug 1, 2013
4
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10,510

I am unsure why you are paying a premium for a 990FX board for a budget build. A 970 board would more than fit your needs and save you $50-75[/quotemsg]

Note that mine is the 990X, not FX. That alone is 30 or 40 bucks less, including the rebate.
 

slomo4sho

Distinguished


The ASUS M5A99X EVO R2.0 is $120 after rebate whereas the Biostar TA970 is $55. You can easily step up to a FX-8350 from a FX-6300 with the savings if you are worried about processor performance difference potential in overclock between the two boards.
 

cjb10711

Honorable
Aug 1, 2013
4
0
10,510

Regardless, that's the mobo I bought. Got any good GPU recommendations?