Which build would you go with?

1. Not much difference between those two, and since you`re going to upgrade them to be almost exactly like each other, just pick which ever one is cheaper.

2. You can not run games at max for next gen, especially at 1080p, games today are OK, but when the PS4 or Xbone comes out, the graphics are going to skyrocket.

Come think about it, the GTX 760 can`t run crysis 3 at top settings (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-gtx-760-review-gk104,3542-12.html), you`re definetly not going to run next gen games at max either.

Just aim for that high setting, never aim for max settings, as it`ll just empty your pockets like a leaking balloon.

3. Not much computing power needed to record music, you`ll need a good microphone though.<

Hope it helps, and please check out my youtube channel: youtube.com/user/Kobortor

I would buy and assemble the parts yourself as opposed to the system/bundle at top, especially if you do not have an immediate need for a new computer right now. Follow the prices and wait for one to drop before buying that component. I'm in Afghanistan right now, but I'm still watching and buying parts for my computer when the prices drop to my liking. I just bought a Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 OC 2GB new for $173. The prices have been lower at times, but when I first started looking I did not realize the prices had already hit the floor and were rebounding back to a normal level. The 660 was at $160 at one point on Amazon with mail in rebates, but being in Afghanistan, mail-in rebates do not work too well at the moment.

How set are you on the FX 8150? Right now on Amazon the 8320 is only $153, they have very similar performance and you can save yourself some money in the process. Also, have you considered the Cooler Master HAF 912 case? It is similar to the Storm Enforcer, but lacks USB 3.0 at the front, however it does have an additional side mount for a fan to blow directly on the CPU, it has great air flow throughout the case and kept my whole system nice and cool even with a stock CPU heatsink and fan and all for $30 less than the Storm Enforcer. I think there is room to save some money in a few places on this build, especially the CPU and cases where I think you could easily save yourself $60+ without compromising performance, perhaps put that money into an SSD? http://www.amazon.com/MSI-Computer-Corp-Motherboards-970A-G46/dp/B0073JYZ48/ref=amtcd_B008V99350_B0073JYZ48 I recommend taking a look at that MOBO as well, it is $10 cheaper than the one you chose and seems to do everything the ASUS board does. All of these small savings can add up, even on a budget build, to big savings at the end.

All in all these both look like solid builds and other than the case selection (I do some engineering work, so when I see a case that has two intake fans and one exhaust, it raises all sorts of red flags, but I understand that about the only part of the computer you will actually see is the case so it's important that the one you choose looks nice in your eyes) it seems like both of these options are more or less identical. I would go with the second option for three reasons. 1.) The Storm Enforcer case appears to have better airflow. 2.) 1600 mhz ram is a good investment vs. 1333. 3.) The first appears to be a bundle which doesn't leave much room for finding ways to save some money outside of bundled discounts, plus you're already paying for a PSU you don't intend to use.

That motherboard does support Crossfire, but does not support Sli. Amazon, Newegg, Asus, and PCPartPicker all confirm this. However, I echo the call that the 6300 is a better choice for this application.

It supports CrossfireX . This is not the same as Crossfire where the pci-e x16 lanes share bandwidth across two graphics cards .

CrossfireX might let you add a second graphics card but the second slot stays at x4 and that will choke any high performance graphics card .
Might be useful if he wants a pair of 7750's or similar though
IT IS NOT CROSSFIRE

My apologies, I have never used CrossFire and did not realize there different types of CrossFire, my apologies.

If you use a board with a 990X chip set you can crossfire or SLI . The x16 pci-e link is split in to x8/x8 . .

If you use a board with a 990FX chip set you can SLI and crossfire at x16/x16 .

The ASRock 990FX Extreme3 is $119
The GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 is $123 after rebate and is a step up in quality

Id go with the Gigabyte . Im using an asrock board and it is good enough , but it is not the same build quality as Asus or Gigabyte