Is this a good computer build for gaming/animating?

Tommythebold16 · Feb 12, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($84.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Western Digital Red 1TB 3.5" 5400RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Aerocool StrikeX-Advance ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Logitech Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1183.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-12 19:25 EST-0500)

realchaos · Feb 12, 2014

It's fairly good, but I would change a few things:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Logitech Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1161.25
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-12 20:21 EST-0500)

-The 8320 processor is the same chip as the 8350, but it's just clocked 500mhz lower. Not a huge difference, but the price difference is pretty large.
-Used the money saved from the processor to get a better cpu cooler. This will allow you to overclock the 8320 better and make it faster than the 8350.
-Cheaper ram.
-The Kingston SSD isn't that great anymore. They switched the flash used and now it's unreliable and not that fast. The 840 EVO is more reliable and faster.
-Faster HDD at a cheaper price.
-Better quality case.
-Bigger psu and cheaper, just as good quality.

Tommythebold16 · Feb 12, 2014

realchaos :

It's fairly good, but I would change a few things:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE_BK 78.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($309.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Logitech Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1161.25
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-12 20:21 EST-0500)

-The 8320 processor is the same chip as the 8350, but it's just clocked 500mhz lower. Not a huge difference, but the price difference is pretty large.
-Used the money saved from the processor to get a better cpu cooler. This will allow you to overclock the 8320 better and make it faster than the 8350.
-Cheaper ram.
-The Kingston SSD isn't that great anymore. They switched the flash used and now it's unreliable and not that fast. The 840 EVO is more reliable and faster.
-Faster HDD at a cheaper price.
-Better quality case.
-Bigger psu and cheaper, just as good quality.

I don't know how to overclock and really don't want to get into that. Is there any way i can keep the 4.0 ghz processor?

realchaos · Feb 12, 2014

With AMD chips, it's highly recommended to overclock because they are made to be overclocked. It's really easy as well. With the unlocked multiplier, most of the overclocking is just increasing the multiplier, but be sure to increase it slowly in small increments.
If you really don't want to overclock, then I would recommend a locked Intel set-up as they will perform much better at stock speeds vs AMD at stock speeds.
How intense is your animation work?
How often do you do it?
What do you create? What program do you use?

Tommythebold16 · Feb 13, 2014

realchaos :

I mainly just do small simple banner animations using Cinema 4d. I do it not too often. But i will also be rendering huge videos at 1080p. Can you direct me to a guide on how to overclock? Thanks!

realchaos · Feb 13, 2014

Don't know a specific link, but if you just google "AMD Piledriver Overclocking Guide" I'm sure you'll get good resources. I can list the basics right off the bat:
1. Disable all cooling and power-saving options in the BIOs. Those often interfere with overclocking and results in an unstable set-up. It's much easier to overclock with those disabled.
2. Increase the multiplier by 1, save results, and go stress test your processor. Stress test is putting your processor under 100% load to see if it's fully stable. Also, be sure to monitor the temperature to be sure that it's in the safe zone.
3. Watch out for your voltage. This is where you need to be REALLY CAREFUL. At first, you want to leave your voltage at stock settings. Once you get to a point in which increasing the multiplier results in an unstable overclock (blue screen/freeze/shut-down during stress test) then you want to increase the voltage, but only in SMALL increments. Don't push it all the way to 1.5v or something as you can very possibly fry your processor.
4. Stress-test again, and after increasing the voltage, you really want to look at the temps to make sure it's not too high.

Overclocking is a process that can be time consuming, but it's definitely worth it.

Tommythebold16 · Feb 13, 2014

realchaos :

Don't know a specific link, but if you just google "AMD Piledriver Overclocking Guide" I'm sure you'll get good resources. I can list the basics right off the bat:
1. Disable all cooling and power-saving options in the BIOs. Those often interfere with overclocking and results in an unstable set-up. It's much easier to overclock with those disabled.
2. Increase the multiplier by 1, save results, and go stress test your processor. Stress test is putting your processor under 100% load to see if it's fully stable. Also, be sure to monitor the temperature to be sure that it's in the safe zone.
3. Watch out for your voltage. This is where you need to be REALLY CAREFUL. At first, you want to leave your voltage at stock settings. Once you get to a point in which increasing the multiplier results in an unstable overclock (blue screen/freeze/shut-down during stress test) then you want to increase the voltage, but only in SMALL increments. Don't push it all the way to 1.5v or something as you can very possibly fry your processor.
4. Stress-test again, and after increasing the voltage, you really want to look at the temps to make sure it's not too high.

Overclocking is a process that can be time consuming, but it's definitely worth it.

Ya, i don't know that much about this stuff to risk that. Can you direct me to a good stock speed processor at 4.0 ghz?

realchaos · Feb 13, 2014

Try to go for this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($300.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H87-D3H ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($99.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.89 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($319.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($83.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($84.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Logitech Call of Duty: MW3 Edition Wired Gaming Keyboard ($32.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1240.50
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-13 01:37 EST-0500)

I know it's not 4ghz, but you shouldn't worry too much about that. The architecture of the i7 is superior to that of the 8350, and despite the 600mhz difference, the i7 will still out-perform the 8350 in every possible way except value and price.

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Is this a good computer build for gaming/animating?

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