First Computer Build (Help/Suggestions)

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sublimestylie13

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
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Hey everyone,

I'm brand new to the forum and I was in the market for a new computer but every time I would look up specs I would see someone post, "build your own." Well to put it simply I have decided to build my own.

I am new to this and have been doing a bunch of research over the past few days and would like some help and suggestions. Here is what I have came up with so far:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rhCN
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rhCN/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rhCN/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($7.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($139.18 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($151.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Scout 2 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Sony 5280S-CB-PLUS DVD/CD Writer ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($90.91 @ Amazon)
Total: $859.01
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-12 20:30 EDT-0400)

I wanted to get an Intel CPU because I always hear they are better but AMD is cheaper. With that in mind if you have a suggestion for a Intel build I am all ears. I will be using the computer for gaming and music production. I am not a huge gamer but when I do I would like it to run smoothly. I am looking forward to Rome II: Total War and want to make sure I can run that well. Those are my type of games.

Thank you in advance for the help
 
Solution
Seladon-1370374
Laptops got lower CPU frequencies, pretty much all the time. The i3-3220 has hyper-threading, which means it has 2 additionnal virtual cores. AMD's definition of cores isn't the same as Intel's. I would just stick with the 3220 on this one.
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nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
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Unless you are planning to OverClock, the stock cooler on the AMD should work well, so you might want to eliminate the EVO.
The thermal compound on the stock cooler will be just fine, so you can save a little $ by not getting the AS5, unless you just want to have some around...in case.
For that system, unless you plan on adding another video card in the near future or some serious overclocking, the 750Watt PSU might be overkill. Now, I like a lot of overhead for power so the 750 sounds good to me, but a good 620-650 would be adequate for you system.
Here's a couple really good quality 620-650 units.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151096
SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$64.00 plus tax and $6.99 shipping. REALLY good PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207014
XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-NLB9) 650W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
More then the Corsair you chose, but made by Seasonic with better warranty than the Corsair. #89.99 w/ $10 rebate, free shipping. (plus tax).
 
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Seladon-1370374

Seladon-1370374

Honorable
Jul 23, 2013
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12,960
Here is your Intel build. It should perform better than the AMD one that you proposed, except maybe if you get into heavy overclocking with the FX-6350.

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($117.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $814.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-12 21:43 EDT-0400)
 
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sublimestylie13

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
6
0
10,510
Unless you are planning to OverClock, the stock cooler on the AMD should work well, so you might want to eliminate the EVO.
The thermal compound on the stock cooler will be just fine, so you can save a little $ by not getting the AS5, unless you just want to have some around...in case.
For that system, unless you plan on adding another video card in the near future or some serious overclocking, the 750Watt PSU might be overkill. Now, I like a lot of overhead for power so the 750 sounds good to me, but a good 620-650 would be adequate for you system.
Here's a couple really good quality 620-650 units.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
SeaSonic S12II 620 Bronze 620W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
$64.00 plus tax and $6.99 shipping. REALLY good PSU.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
XFX Core Edition PRO650W (P1-650S-NLB9) 650W ATX12V 2.2 & ESP12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
More then the Corsair you chose, but made by Seasonic with better warranty than the Corsair. #89.99 w/ $10 rebate, free shipping. (plus tax).
Click to expand...

Well I plan on upgrading my system little by little. When it comes to anything I prefer to save and buy the best available so I don't buy something twice, but with computers that will just add up way too quick. I actually already purchased the case and power supply. The case I got from a buddy for 35 so I can't complain and the power supply will be about 60 70 bucks after mail and rebate.

Here is your Intel build. It should perform better than the AMD one that you proposed, except maybe if you get into heavy overclocking with the FX-6350.

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: A-Data XPG Gaming Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($117.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost 2GB Video Card ($139.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Nine Hundred ATX Mid Tower Case ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $814.03
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-12 21:43 EDT-0400)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the Intel build. I'm really just researching and getting suggestions and will probably pull the trigger in the next few weeks. I don't plan on overclocking, at least not right away since I am rather new to all this stuff.
 
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sublimestylie13

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
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10,510
Also any suggestions on a video card would be great too. I am really close to living a little tighter for the next few weeks until I get paid and getting either the EVGA GTX760 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130933&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= or the Sapphire HD 7950 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Are those cards far enough apart to validate the extra 40 50 bucks?

Any other suggestions for a video card? That EVGA is the highest I can go on it. Thanks again for the help so far
 
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sublimestylie13

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
6
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10,510
Alright 10 bucks difference shouldn't be too hard to pull. I think one last question should help me make the final decision. Would the extra cores in the AMD build help with music production? I'm tempted to get Intel but I've tried recording and producing my music on my I5 laptop and it struggles so I completely stopped because it was frustrating when it would freeze for a couple minutes every 5 to 10 minutes. I figured that it's a laptop so maybe that is part of the reason it would lag.
 
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Seladon-1370374

Seladon-1370374

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Jul 23, 2013
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Laptops got lower CPU frequencies, pretty much all the time. The i3-3220 has hyper-threading, which means it has 2 additionnal virtual cores. AMD's definition of cores isn't the same as Intel's. I would just stick with the 3220 on this one.
 
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Solution
nostall

nostall

Splendid
Nov 28, 2012
3,244
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23,865
I would stick with the original build. Most games are moving towards using more CPU cores, plus if you are going to do music and music editing the extra cores will help. Yes, the AMD CPU might be a little slower in cpu intensive games but you might never notice it, especially with a decent video card.
About the video cards: your choice is pretty good. Take a look at the Tom's Hardware link, and especially the hierarchy chart near the end.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html
The 7850 in your original build is about equal to the 650Ti in Seladon's build. Per the article, when changing or upgrading you won't gainmuch unless the selected upgrade is 3 tiers above the old card: Though better cards the 760 and 7950 are only two tiers up. THIS decision is yours. If you don't get the cpu cooler and don't get the AS5, that money could be put towards the upgrade card, and I would do the 760.
But I don't think you'll be disappointed with the performance of the 7850.

 
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S

sublimestylie13

Honorable
Aug 12, 2013
6
0
10,510
I would stick with the original build. Most games are moving towards using more CPU cores, plus if you are going to do music and music editing the extra cores will help. Yes, the AMD CPU might be a little slower in cpu intensive games but you might never notice it, especially with a decent video card.
About the video cards: your choice is pretty good. Take a look at the Tom's Hardware link, and especially the hierarchy chart near the end.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-car...
The 7850 in your original build is about equal to the 650Ti in Seladon's build. Per the article, when changing or upgrading you won't gainmuch unless the selected upgrade is 3 tiers above the old card: Though better cards the 760 and 7950 are only two tiers up. THIS decision is yours. If you don't get the cpu cooler and don't get the AS5, that money could be put towards the upgrade card, and I would do the 760.
But I don't think you'll be disappointed with the performance of the 7850.
Click to expand...

Yeah I'm still debating and will be making a decision soon. Thanks for that link. Very informative
 
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