First computer build, trying to budget it better.....

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
B

bearpaws77

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
7
0
10,510
Hi guys,

So this is my first attempt at considering a build and I'm trying to get my head wrapped around it.

Here's my attempt:


CPU AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Combo or $119.99
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Combo or $79.99
Memory Kingston XMP Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $69.99
Storage Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" SSD $78.99
Western Digital RE3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $50.74
Video Card Asus Radeon HD 7770 2GB $114.99
Wireless Network Adapter TP-Link TL-WDN3800 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 $31.77
Case NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower $29.99
Power Supply Corsair 430W ATX12V $29.99
Optical Drive LG WH14NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer $49.99
Monitor Asus VH238H 23.0" $148.48
Asus VH238H 23.0" $148.48
Keyboard Microsoft Wireless Desktop 3000 w/Optical Mouse $39.99
Total: $983.38

I would like to pull the trigger ASAP, and this is a little more than I intended to spend would like to get to the 800-900 total range. Also, I live in Atlanta if that helps for answers to my questions.

This will be for purposes like generally surfing and screwing around, working from home, student use, multimedia (hopefully figuring out a way to run it to a TV as well), and whatever other cool things i can do with a capable PC. I wanted a fast build that wouldn't break the bank but also leave room to upgrade because i forsee myself getting very addicted to this. I don't game but having a sweet computer might suck me in, so I'd like to keep that option open for the future.

I've read countless threads here (great info by the way, you guys are masters of your craft) about AMG vs Intel.....Which one would be best for my situation for non-gaming purposes, and if I wanted to game down the line would the original CPU decision screw me?

Also, I am sitting on my thumbs reading about monitors (have no clue what is good/bad/ugly) and if I'm better off buying them used to save or what... so any help in this subject would be greatly appreciated as well.

To sum up, would this build give me a great PC now as well as in the future, even if I got into gaming? Please critique away!!


UPDATE: The build is dual monitors (it isn't a typo that it lists the same monitor twice)
 
Sort by date Sort by votes
b0w

b0w

Honorable
May 23, 2013
147
0
10,710
With a HD7770 you won't be able to play every actual game with highest settings even only on one monitor. Besides this, you aren't hoping to play games on both monitors, are you? Because you got a gap between the two screens, making the most games unplayable.
But if you don't have to play in the newest games in the highest settings and only on one monitor, than this rig is OK.
You could save here and there some bucks, but first you have to tell what you plan to do with the PC, why a dual monitor setup?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bearpaws77

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
7
0
10,510


I didn't even know games could possibly be played over multiple monitors..thats pretty cool! But to be more detailed, I would like the option to run multiple applications at once. (example: movie/game on one screen, any other program on the other) alot of it is the "cool" factor of having dual screens and being able to run multiple programs with speed.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bearpaws77

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
7
0
10,510


Is the downside the HD7770? If so is there an option to upgrade that and downgrade other things to get it to a lower price range without losing too much?

I guess what I am asking would be, is there a better option of build that is more than just OK without having to increase the price?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bearpaws77

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
7
0
10,510


I've always enjoyed CoD...but I would be willing to try out plenty of new games like Battlefield or GTA and things like that. Haven't really played games on the computer since Counter Strike and TFC haha...I'm trying to think later down the line if I do want the ability to play new games on high settings would I be able to just buy a better videocard down the line and run it with crossfire on this build and not have any issues? Or would I have to upgrade the cpu etc. in order for it to handle the crossfire ability.

Also probably a dumb question, but if I wanted to set up XBMC on this PC and tie it to my TV's (treat it as a home media center) would it make the PC unusable for anything else?

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
b0w

b0w

Honorable
May 23, 2013
147
0
10,710
I think the CPU is fine for a while.
As for the graphics card, I'd recommend you the R7 250 instead, it's basically the same as the HD 7770 but cheaper and newer. You could upgrade another graphics card (R7 250 or R7 240) for Crossfire later, until then you could try some older games you missed, the card will do fine for that. Your picked PSU will handle that too, but with anything more powerful it will have difficulties.

Also probably a dumb question, but if I wanted to set up XBMC on this PC and tie it to my TV's (treat it as a home media center) would it make the PC unusable for anything else?
Click to expand...
Of course not, since XBMC can be installed in Windows.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bearpaws77

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
7
0
10,510


Very cool, thanks alot! I asked my question about XBMC wrong sorry...Will I be able to run games, web surf, and stuff like that from the computer while having XBMC running a movie or something on the tv? Or is this a completely different monster?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
b0w

b0w

Honorable
May 23, 2013
147
0
10,710
For me, it's a different monster, cause I don't know it, so you're on your own :) There is an XBMC forum though where you can look it up surely and they'll help you.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bearpaws77

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
7
0
10,510


Yeah I hear you...The more I read into this stuff the more I want haha. Thanks for all the help sir...One more thing, I looked up the R7 250 and it read as not compatible with crossfire. Do you have any other options to recommend? even if it is a slight upgrade?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
B

bearpaws77

Honorable
Feb 13, 2014
7
0
10,510


sweet. Thanks again sir!
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom