First Gaming Build, Compatibility Check

kmb32123 · Mar 6, 2014

Here are my thought for a new box. I was hoping to keep it <$600 but if it goes a bit over I'll live. I will be using a single 1080p display connected via HDMI. I am hoping this setup should be good enough to play modern games without issue.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($152.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Vortex Plus 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($24.99 @ Mwave)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 6000B HTPC Case ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Microcenter)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHDS118-04 DVD/CD Drive ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $619.91
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-06 03:09 EST-0500)

To keep compatibility with current games it will likely be a Windows box but with SteamOS coming around and rumors of Battlefield 4 on Linux I'm toying with that idea as well.

Overall I'm just looking for some feedback as to parts I may be forgetting or incompatibility issues.

jnewegger23 · Mar 6, 2014

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/radeon_r7_260x_r9_270x_280x_review_benchmarks,10.html
First, I'd look into getting a 450W psu (see above). I know he uses a much more powerful system but he calculates based on the average system; you might get away with the 430 but I try to never skimp on the psu.

Next I noticed you are buying an aftermarket cpu cooler which is great but do you intend on overclocking? If so, that htpc case can get hot compared to a mid tower but if you were just getting the cooler to help and don't plan on overclocking then that's fine too. You can try to oc in htpc cases but I don't encourage it. I'm all about cool quiet systems.

Finally your cpu and mobo support 1866 ram:
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Bulldozer/AMD-FX-Series%20FX-8320.html

So, you could go with your straight setup but you did not include an os, so I made a few adjustments (1866 ram, mid tower case, 600w psu, and win 8.1) putting you at the $700 mark:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/351Ci

Again, you did all right to start and will be just fine if you stick with your original choices but those are my recommendations if you want to consider them! Have fun!

maurelie · Mar 6, 2014

Hi,
I wouldn't recommend FX8320 with R7 260X, better get cheaper CPU and better GPU, because modern games need faster GPU than CPU.
Here i made some changes, and benchmarks for 7850 and R7 260X http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/1076?vs=1044

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($20.53 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($186.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $598.44
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-06 04:13 EST-0500)

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First Gaming Build, Compatibility Check

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