First Gaming Build On A Budget And No Idea What I'm Doing

JohnACK · Mar 3, 2014

I am wanting to build my first gaming PC and I am on a budget so I have limited resources. I found a template from another user and figured it would do, but I added a CPU Cooler, Wireless Network Adapter, Optical Drive, Operating System, Monitor, Keyboard, and Mouse. The only thing is, I have no idea if I need some of what I added or if it will even work together. I assume it will work together because the site said it was compatible, but I don't know how well they will work.
Here is the link: http://pcpartpicker.com/user/JohnACK/saved/3WyV

iam2thecrowe · Mar 3, 2014

all looks good to me. i would ditch that network adaptor for something cheaper and put more $$ toward the graphics card though. your wireless adaptor will not bottleneck you, your internet connection will.

Turb0Yoda · Mar 3, 2014

I have a very similar build to this w/o the wifi card and the moniter and Mine on Amazon is only 800. Will fix this fast. P.S. go for a 8320. The 6300 is under powered.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/33KQv
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/33KQv/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/33KQv/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($154.14 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($116.48 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-AC68 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Guardian 921 RB ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.89 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($76.23 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($59.88 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($132.80 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: A4Tech 3100N Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($24.32 @ Amazon)
Total: $1116.69
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-03 22:30 EST-0500)

Turb0Yoda · Mar 3, 2014

On your build, the GPU and windows 8.1 wasn't included, so that is why the prices are way off.

Asus 24x DVD-RW Serial-ATA Internal OEM Optical Drive DRW-24B1ST (Black)
$22.95

NZXT Guardian 921 RB ATX Mid Tower Case, Black 921RB-001-BL
$74.89

ASUS R9270-DC2OC-2GD5 Graphics Cards
$209.99

Corsair Gaming Series GS600 80 PLUS Power Supply
$89.99

AMD FD8320FRHKBOX FX-8320 FX-Series 8-Core Black Edition
$154.14

MSI Computer Corp. Motherboard North Bridge AMD 970 & South Bridge AMD SB950 Chipset ATX DDR3 800 AMD AM3+ Motherboards (970A-G46)
$79.99

Kingston Hyper X Blu 8 GB (2x4GB Modules) 1600MHz DDR3 Non-ECC CL9 XMP Desktop Memory - KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX
$69.99

WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX
$59.99

Windows 8.1 System Builder OEM DVD 64-Bit
$96.88

Subtotal (9 items): $858.81

JohnACK · Mar 3, 2014

iam2thecrowe :

I downgraded the WiFi adapter to http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-wireless-network-card-pcen10
Do you have any suggestions for a video card?

Turb0Yoda · Mar 3, 2014

R9 series by AMD. Get a 270 and OC it then you will have a 270x(basically) and save about 100 USD. the x at the end means a higher clock speed.

JohnACK · Mar 3, 2014

XxD34THxX -- Thank you! Also, I have Windows 8.1 on here as http://pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-885370635690 I guess it just didn't show up or something.
Do I need to add something else for GPU and does OC mean cross-fire them? I'm very new to all of this and am super lost. Sorry if I seem really ignorant.

Turb0Yoda · Mar 3, 2014

In adding a GPU, you get crossfire. THIS IS NOWHERE NEAR OVERCLOCKING. There isn't much point in crossfiring with games right now. Very few have support for it. Overclocking increases the speed which means more commands can flow through faster. for adding anything... I am not sure I understand you. Do you mean a better one, another one, or any accessories. To all of those, I would say no.

JohnACK · Mar 3, 2014

Turb0Yoda :

This is what I have at the moment. I am unsure of how to add a GPU and I didn't see an AMD R9 270 graphics card on their website, I didn't see any AMD graphics cards on their website. I might just be looking in the wrong places. Right now I have:
CPU AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core $113.48
CPU Cooler Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing $17.99
Motherboard ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ $84.99
Memory Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 $79.99
Storage Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM $59.98
Video Card MSI Radeon HD 7850 2GB
Wireless Network Adapter Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 $13.99
Case Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower $59.99
Power Supply XFX 550W ATX12V / EPS12V $49.99
Optical Drive Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer $58.98
Operating System Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) $99.97
Monitor AOC i2267Fw 22.0" $125.44
Keyboard A4Tech 3100N w/Optical Mouse $24.32
Total: $789.11

Turb0Yoda · Mar 4, 2014

There are definitely options for a AMD GPU. I just set up a couple of AMD GPU build's last night. PLEASE upgrade the cpu to a 8520 instead of a 6300. THE 6300 is underpowered.

JohnACK · Mar 4, 2014

Turb0Yoda :

Sorry, I didn't realize that ASUS owns the AMD series, my ignorance is immense haha. I have added the ASUS R9 270 graphics card and the CPUs that show up in the FX series are only the 4100, 4130, 4170, 4300,4350, 6100, 6200, 6300, 8120, 8150, 8320, and 8350. There is no 8520 on the list. Will the 8350 work?

iam2thecrowe · Mar 4, 2014

JohnACK :

the 6300 is fine, if your spending more than that on an 8350 you may as well switch to intel for far superior gaming performance.

JohnACK · Mar 4, 2014

I am definitely on a budget and don't have a ton of money. I have about $800 to spend on this, but if need be it can get up to $1,000. I'm not a hardcore gamer, I just like to play skyrim and want it to look really good. I might also play some Dota 2 and TF2, but nothing serious. However, my brother will want to use it and play Left for Dead and a few other shooters.

iam2thecrowe · Mar 4, 2014

JohnACK :

since you mentioned skyrim, forget amd cpu's, get an intel i3 or i5, skyrim is far better optimized for intel cpu's. that and a gtx660 or r9 270, and it will play maxed out 1080p with good fps no probs.

JohnACK · Mar 4, 2014

iam2thecrowe :

Will it still work with the 6300? It says the intels are incompatible with my setup and I don't know what would need to change.

Turb0Yoda · Mar 4, 2014

JohnACK :

Yeah thats what I meant.. Also, I never said ASUS owns AMD... Intel is better IF you have the money. There are i3's that will work but they are gear towards office work. Wait here while I whip up an Intel build. Skyrim will work with the 6300.

Turb0Yoda · Mar 4, 2014

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34jN2
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34jN2/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34jN2/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 45.0 CFM Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81.Amp-UP ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Amazon)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N10 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.63 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($76.23 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($20.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor ($132.80 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: A4Tech 3100N Wireless Standard Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($24.32 @ Amazon)
Total: $989.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-04 21:57 EST-0500)

First Gaming Build On A Budget And No Idea What I'm Doing

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