$650 Gaming Build? Let me know your thoughts

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steeler fan

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Jul 21, 2013
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10,520
Hi, i am hoping to build my first PC this october. I have came up with this build. Seems like a great deal to me. Let me know with your thoughts and what you think i should do to improve in this build while staying around 650. Will primarily use for gaming and also some video editing.
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($18.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $637.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-01 12:47 EDT-0400)
 
Solution
Swordkd
Only suggestion from me would be to ditch that case and go with either the:

NZXT Gamma Classic: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UDK9U6/?tag=pcpapi-20 or
Zalman Z9: http://www.microcenter.com/product/355148/Z9_ATX_Mid_Tower_Computer_Case

The one you have selected has no cable routing options, while these two do for less money even. Other than that, depending on when you buy the system you might be able to get a higher wattage Psu for less money. Ends 9-2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= After the MiR this Psu is an exceptional value. Ocz is a quality manufacturer of Psu's, so no worries there.
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Swordkd

Swordkd

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Oct 3, 2012
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Only suggestion from me would be to ditch that case and go with either the:

NZXT Gamma Classic: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002UDK9U6/?tag=pcpapi-20 or
Zalman Z9: http://www.microcenter.com/product/355148/Z9_ATX_Mid_Tower_Computer_Case

The one you have selected has no cable routing options, while these two do for less money even. Other than that, depending on when you buy the system you might be able to get a higher wattage Psu for less money. Ends 9-2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID= After the MiR this Psu is an exceptional value. Ocz is a quality manufacturer of Psu's, so no worries there.
 
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Solution
Swordkd

Swordkd

Splendid
Oct 3, 2012
2,795
1
21,965
I'd disagree. I'd keep the 8320 and maybe get a better motherboard to support overclocking. Someone recently mentioned that the LE version of that motherboard isn't very good for overclocking, and I haven't found any reviews on it so far, so I'm taking that information to heart.
 
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Jose Navarro Vicente

Jose Navarro Vicente

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May 17, 2013
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I believe that increasing budget by ~30$ to get FX-8350 at stock speed will perform better than expending those extra ~30$ in a better motherboard and raising FX-8320's freq. a little. (Remember this setup has stock heatsink, not an aftermarket one)
 
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steeler fan

Honorable
Jul 21, 2013
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Thanks for the responses. The 8350 costs 199, while the 8320 is 144. I may upgrade the motherboard. What motherboard do u suggest would be better? i want to stick with asus though
 
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Jose Navarro Vicente

Jose Navarro Vicente

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May 17, 2013
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So you've to add 60~70$ in order to reach the performance of a +~30$ CPU. I don't think it is a good idea.

I don't like getting low-end MoBos since they will fail sooner or later, but in this particular case I think that the best performance increase per dollar is going for Fx-8350.
 
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steeler fan

Honorable
Jul 21, 2013
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I do not honestly plan on overclocking, since i am unfamiliar on how overclocking works. Ive read some more reviews on the 8350 and it is a huge upgrade from the 8320 but it is 60 dollars more which will go over my budget. What would be more important upgrading the mobo or the cpu? If id upgrade the mobo would the Asus M5A97 R2.0 be the best upgrade for my budget?
 
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Jose Navarro Vicente

Jose Navarro Vicente

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May 17, 2013
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Upgrading your MoBo won't upgrade your computer's performance. It could increase your computer's lifespan and allow you to make higher overclock with less risks.

If you're not going to OverClock your system, go for Fx-8350. If you can't expend that money then don't upgrade MotherBoard and keep Fx-8320.
 
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S

steeler fan

Honorable
Jul 21, 2013
21
0
10,520
Okay. I would prbly be more on the lines to upgrade the motherboard rather than upgrade the cpu. Because if id ever want to over clock the 8320 i would do it with a lot less risk because i would have a much more reliable mobo.
 
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