Budget Gaming Build (RTS, MMOs) $500

Auramine

Honorable
Feb 9, 2014
3
0
10,510
This will be my first time building my own pc, actually first time having my very own. I want to use this primarily for RTS (mostly older ones like Age of Empires, Total War, Starcraft II and some Civ games), MMOs and MOBAs. Oh, and Skyrim Online. Some light video editing will be used as well. I'm more interested in putting my money to the best parts used as I'm on a budget. Making this easy for a future upgrade would be nice but absolutely not necessary. Not interested in the highest/best looking graphics since I'm not planning on playing any FPS games on this PC but a descent one, of course, puts the sugar in my tea.

Some questions I'm trying to figure out:
Is it worth it to spend more on a 2gb gpu than a cheaper 1gb?
Is ram going to be important here? (8gb over the cheaper 4gb)
What will be more cost effective to skimp on now and upgrade in the future? (1.5-2.5 years).

I've got a few pcpartpicker builds but I'd like to know what you guys would pick out before making a final decision. Thank you!

Approximate Purchase Date:Before March 15.

Budget Range: as close to/under $500 if possible.

System Usage from Most to Least Important: games (see above), Internet browsing, watching videos, light video editing.

Parts Not Required: keyboard, monitor, mouse

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: N/A

Country: U.S.

Parts Preferences: N/A

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: Is ok. Not superb. will look to upgrade later this year.

Additional Comments: A case that is relatively on the easier side to put together is a plus. Must not be a crap case please! Don't need to run high or ultra settings for games. Medium range is ideal.
 
Solution
you can start from here :)

fx 6300 six cores
cheap AM3+ mobo, do not OC
2x 4GB
Radeon 260X

MMOs is mostly cpu intensive, 6 cores CPU + mid range GPU will serve you well

good luck


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 1GB Video Card ($119.98 @ Best Buy)
Case:...
you can start from here :)

fx 6300 six cores
cheap AM3+ mobo, do not OC
2x 4GB
Radeon 260X

MMOs is mostly cpu intensive, 6 cores CPU + mid range GPU will serve you well

good luck


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar TA970 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R7 260X 1GB Video Card ($119.98 @ Best Buy)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $479.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-25 06:49 EST-0500)
 
Solution

Auramine

Honorable
Feb 9, 2014
3
0
10,510
Looks good so far! Thank you AMD Radeon for your input. I'm told that AMD is the way to go for budget builds and that the FX series is pretty solid. Ive had my eye on the R7 260X and the prices seems to be just about right. I've held off waiting for gpu's to come down in price.

 

Auramine

Honorable
Feb 9, 2014
3
0
10,510


I found the FX 8320 for the same price. I know it runs hotter but would it be worth it to get this one over the 6300? I'm about to buy all parts this weekend.

Also I realized there is a microcenter in the vincinty. I could save $60 bucks with a combo deal. Where can I put that extra $60?