Hello, I'm helping a friend build a PC. It'll be a multimedia rig; for school, gaming (sims 3&4, minecraft, misc shooters), youtube, and web browsing. Budget is around 800, with deadline for Xmas.
Here is the Build Link:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1FW0l
Parts in Depth & my Reasoning:
1)CPU
AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
-At least 3.0GHz for gaming
-At least 4 cores for gaming
-Good G3D score*
-Excellent price-to-performance ratio*
2)CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
-Well known
-Highly Reviewed
// From what I understand it has an adjusting RPM and sound level based on workload
3)Motherboard
MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
-970 chipset for better FX CPU support
// Will AM3+ be used with next gen CPU?
// Do Mobos come with 'front' oriented 3.0 USB ports? i.e. My case comes with 2x 3.0 ports on the front. Are they functional, or does the mobo need to supply that?
4)Memory
Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($48.96 @ NCIX US)
-Cheapest (2x4gb) RAM on pcpartpicker
-I've heard that the typical user wont notice a difference in 1333 or the higher up speeds
5)Storage
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
-7,200RPM standard, with a healthy 1TB
6)Video Card
MSI Radeon HD 7790 1GB Video Card ($113.98 @ Newegg)
//Originally planned to use HD 7770, but after watching youtube (fx6300 hd7770) gameplay videos, I saw a few comments suggesting spending $20 extra for 7790. MSI had the most reviews on pcpartpicker 4/5.
-1GB memory
-Good G3D score*
-Good price-to-performance ratio*
7)Wireless Network Adapter
TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
-Wireless is convenient
-Compatible N for today's standard
-3x external antennae
8)Case
NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.50 @ Amazon)
-Attractive, sleek design
-Side window panel
-Front 3.0 USB, 2.0 USB, audio in/out
-Highly reviewed
9)Power Supply
Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
//pcpartpicker advised at least 284w. I used an external PSU calculator, and got 324w recommended. I've seen builds with a lot more impressive hardware that only used a 500w, so I know I'm overkilling. But I'll worry too much if I go down to 400w. Besides this will allow for upgrades later.
-80 PLUS bronze certified
-Comfortable headroom
10)Optical Drive
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
-Cheap and functional for what it can do
-Highly reviewed
11)Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ Outlet PC)
-Better boot speeds
-Faster file operations
// I love innovative technologies. I've read a lot of mixed reviews about win 8, and how it's only useful with mobile, yet i'm curious to try. Opinions? I don't see myself buying a touch monitor in the future (unless awesome deal, and worth it), this rig will be for multimedia (gaming, surfing, misc entertainment).
12)Keyboard
Microsoft Keyboard 200 Wired Standard Keyboard ($12.38 @ Outlet PC)
-Cheap yet functional
-Highly reviewed
-Brand name
13)Mouse
Razer ABYSSUS Wired Optical Mouse ($31.99 @ Best Buy)
I favor this brand;
-Designed for gaming
-Long lasting (in my experiences)
14)Other
Logitech LS21 7 Watts RMS (FTC) 2.1 Stereo Speaker System - Black ($24.99)
-Functional for price
-Highly reviewed
-I've used logitech numerous times and I have a 5-6/10 star experience with them
Thermal Compound
Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($6.20 @ Outlet PC)
-Highly reviewed
Total: $778.88
If you read this, thank you for your time. Any tips, tricks, opinions, general knowledge is welcome and GREATLY appreciated.
*I used cpubenchmark.net for G3D score and price-to-performance ratio information.
Here is the Build Link:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1FW0l
Parts in Depth & my Reasoning:
1)CPU
AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz)
-At least 3.0GHz for gaming
-At least 4 cores for gaming
-Good G3D score*
-Excellent price-to-performance ratio*
2)CPU Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ Outlet PC)
-Well known
-Highly Reviewed
// From what I understand it has an adjusting RPM and sound level based on workload
3)Motherboard
MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
-970 chipset for better FX CPU support
// Will AM3+ be used with next gen CPU?
// Do Mobos come with 'front' oriented 3.0 USB ports? i.e. My case comes with 2x 3.0 ports on the front. Are they functional, or does the mobo need to supply that?
4)Memory
Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($48.96 @ NCIX US)
-Cheapest (2x4gb) RAM on pcpartpicker
-I've heard that the typical user wont notice a difference in 1333 or the higher up speeds
5)Storage
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.98 @ Outlet PC)
-7,200RPM standard, with a healthy 1TB
6)Video Card
MSI Radeon HD 7790 1GB Video Card ($113.98 @ Newegg)
//Originally planned to use HD 7770, but after watching youtube (fx6300 hd7770) gameplay videos, I saw a few comments suggesting spending $20 extra for 7790. MSI had the most reviews on pcpartpicker 4/5.
-1GB memory
-Good G3D score*
-Good price-to-performance ratio*
7)Wireless Network Adapter
TP-Link TL-WDN4800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
-Wireless is convenient
-Compatible N for today's standard
-3x external antennae
8)Case
NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.50 @ Amazon)
-Attractive, sleek design
-Side window panel
-Front 3.0 USB, 2.0 USB, audio in/out
-Highly reviewed
9)Power Supply
Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ Newegg)
//pcpartpicker advised at least 284w. I used an external PSU calculator, and got 324w recommended. I've seen builds with a lot more impressive hardware that only used a 500w, so I know I'm overkilling. But I'll worry too much if I go down to 400w. Besides this will allow for upgrades later.
-80 PLUS bronze certified
-Comfortable headroom
10)Optical Drive
Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
-Cheap and functional for what it can do
-Highly reviewed
11)Operating System
Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.98 @ Outlet PC)
-Better boot speeds
-Faster file operations
// I love innovative technologies. I've read a lot of mixed reviews about win 8, and how it's only useful with mobile, yet i'm curious to try. Opinions? I don't see myself buying a touch monitor in the future (unless awesome deal, and worth it), this rig will be for multimedia (gaming, surfing, misc entertainment).
12)Keyboard
Microsoft Keyboard 200 Wired Standard Keyboard ($12.38 @ Outlet PC)
-Cheap yet functional
-Highly reviewed
-Brand name
13)Mouse
Razer ABYSSUS Wired Optical Mouse ($31.99 @ Best Buy)
I favor this brand;
-Designed for gaming
-Long lasting (in my experiences)
14)Other
Logitech LS21 7 Watts RMS (FTC) 2.1 Stereo Speaker System - Black ($24.99)
-Functional for price
-Highly reviewed
-I've used logitech numerous times and I have a 5-6/10 star experience with them
Thermal Compound
Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($6.20 @ Outlet PC)
-Highly reviewed
Total: $778.88
If you read this, thank you for your time. Any tips, tricks, opinions, general knowledge is welcome and GREATLY appreciated.
*I used cpubenchmark.net for G3D score and price-to-performance ratio information.
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