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Gaming PC build, any last quick tips on it before I start ordering?

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  • Gaming
  • Power Supplies
  • MSI
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  • Antec
  • RAM
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Last response: in Components
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June 17, 2014 1:16:59 PM

So here is my build: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/user/FordPrefect/saved/ZHdFf...

I was talking with with somebody before in a different thread, who was very helpful, and gave me some great advice, but before I started ordering, I thought I might as well get some other people's input and opinion on it.

So, if for example if I can shave off some money for a different component that is just a good or better, or even if there is something that is better for the same amount of money, I'm all for it. (I would rather not spend any more money though)

Something to note is that my PSU has very recently spiked in price, and so if there is anything around the same specs or better for a lower price that would be great.

Also, my video card is 100 dollars off until the 30th I believe, so I must order it before then. But a few days ago I checked my build, and noticed that in addition to the $100 off, it said "free 3 games w/ purchase limited offer". After doing some research I found out this was probably because of the AMD Never Settle Forever promotion (as found here due to my R9 280X http://sites.amd.com/us/promo/never-settle/Pages/nsrelo...) ... unfortunately that has disappeared (out of stock?), and so I am wondering whether or not I should wait for when it comes back (if it comes back) or simply get the card now.

One last thing that I just noticed is that apparently my mobo is $40 off from NCIX (plus the $10 mail-in rebate makes it $50). Buuut the deal kind of ends tomorrow, so unless a suggestion is made on another mobo today, it seems as if I'm going to have to buy it today. And if not, looks like I need to find a different motherboard (maybe the Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0)

Oh, I almost forgot: I am going to be overclocking my CPU, video card, and maybe (maybe) my ram.

Thanks for all the help everybody :) 

More about : gaming build quick tips start ordering

a b 4 Gaming
a b ) Power supply
a b G Storage
a c 106 à CPUs
a b À AMD
June 17, 2014 1:25:13 PM

[PCPartPicker part list](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/CfB4Bm) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/CfB4Bm/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd6300wmhkbox) | $124.95 @ Vuugo
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-coole...) | $32.50 @ DirectCanada
**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-ga...) | $119.99 @ NCIX
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f314900cl...) | $84.77 @ DirectCanada
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-interna...) | $63.75 @ Vuugo
**Video Card** | [MSI Radeon R9 280X 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r9280xga...) | $264.98 @ Newegg Canada
**Case** | [Corsair Graphite Series 230T Orange ATX Mid Tower Case](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-case-cc9011038w...) | $74.32 @ DirectCanada
**Power Supply** | [XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550s...) | $54.99 @ NCIX
**Optical Drive** | [Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-optical-drive-drw2...) | $19.75 @ Vuugo
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700615) | $99.99 @ NCIX
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-wireless-network-c...) | $27.54 @ DirectCanada
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $967.53
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-17 16:22 EDT-0400 |

changed the RAM to G.Skill, I find that they just usually work better (for me, anyways), and changed the psu to one of the same, if not slightly better quality, while having plenty of power and saved $30. other than that, it looks pretty sweet, and if you want to spend the extra $35 saved on the fx 8320, that is a beast of a chip too :) 
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June 17, 2014 2:13:17 PM

Alright, just a couple things...
First off, I'm kind of confused, my RAM was already G.Skill? If you check I have the G.Skill Sniper series on my list... so yeah...
Secondly, yeah, the PSU you mentioned was the one I used to have on my list a week and a bit ago, but I decided to bump it up to ~600W, because I wasn't sure if 550 was going to be enough. Is 550W enough for my build, with overclocking and all that? If so then great I'm perfectly okay with that one! :) 
Thanks
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a b 4 Gaming
a b ) Power supply
a b G Storage
a c 106 à CPUs
a b À AMD
June 17, 2014 2:17:25 PM

550w is plenty, and yeah oops, i thought i saw it was adata ram XD and overclocking is fine with this build, probly up to ~4.4-4.6
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July 3, 2014 5:30:18 AM

SSD? It can make the difference.
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a c 305 4 Gaming
a b ) Power supply
a b G Storage
a c 506 à CPUs
a c 145 À AMD
July 3, 2014 5:47:57 AM

This would be WAY better for a few $$$ less

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/GZMBhM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/GZMBhM/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($361.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Orange ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.37 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($100.28 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($23.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1064.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available




Yes ssds make a huge difference in overall system performance.
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July 3, 2014 6:19:02 AM

CTurbo said:
This would be WAY better for a few $$$ less

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/GZMBhM
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/GZMBhM/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.75 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($82.79 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ Canada Computers)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($361.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: Corsair Graphite Series 230T Orange ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.37 @ DirectCanada)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ NCIX)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.75 @ Vuugo)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($100.28 @ DirectCanada)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($23.99 @ Canada Computers)
Total: $1064.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available




Yes ssds make a huge difference in overall system performance.

Recently Samsung 850 Pro is came out
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July 3, 2014 11:30:45 AM

Yeah, I'm thinking of getting an aftermarket SSD, which I will transfer my OS onto, but I don't think I'm going to get it right now. Maybe in a few months, as I do quite want to have one in there.
In reply to CTurbo, I notice that the only things you have really changed are the CPU, the Video Card, and the Motherboard. Yes you changed the Memory as well but I don't believe it will make too big of a difference compared to the Snipers (I've heard that a lot of people actually prefer the snipers? Maybe I'm wrong). After doing some research about the CPU, I found out that it isn't unlocked ( D: ), if you didn't know I am planning on overclocking my 6300 to 4.4 or 4.5GHz, plus it's 80 bucks cheaper... :p  . For the Video Card, they're really about the same performance wise and price wise, so don't really see a reason for switching here... And then the Motherboard is a bit worse then my previous to make room for money.

Another problem is that since I haven't had a comment on this for a while I've actually ordered all these parts you changed (lol). The video card I actually got for $360 (including shipping) BUT I am getting it with a mail-in rebate of $100, making it actually about $260 (I think the deal ended on the 30th of June). Because of that and how minimal the performance boosts were between the 770 and the 280X, with the 280X even beating the 770 in some circumstances, (oh, and because of Mantle too I guess) I decided to go with the 280X
I also decided to go with the 6300 because a) it fit well in my budget, and b) it was unlocked and VERY overclockable.
I went with the motherboard because I've heard it's very good for overclocking, and is a very good board in general.
And lastly I went with the Memory because I've heard that Snipers are a bit better for stuff like overclocking (which again I'm doing)

lol, I just took a 20 minute break because AS I was writing this the Purolator guy came to my door and delivered my RAM and Video Card :D 
Anyways, thanks for the advice but (if I decided to change) it's a bit late :c

Thanks anyway :) 
-FordPrefectV
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a c 305 4 Gaming
a b ) Power supply
a b G Storage
a c 506 à CPUs
a c 145 À AMD
July 3, 2014 3:37:42 PM

Yes I changed the cpu, motherboard, RAM, and video card.

The i5 4570 is WAY better than the FX6300 and it doesn't matter how much you overclock the FX6300. You can overclock it to 5.5ghz and the i5 is still better. Sure the i5 is locked, but it doesn't need to be overclocked. It also offers a better upgrade path compared to the FX6300 which is already 2 years old, and is on a dead socket with no upgrade path. Sure the cpu alone is $80 cheaper but if you look at the total price of the cpu, motherboard, and cpu cooler for the FX, they are actually about the same price. In fact, I just did the math and the i5 + motherboard is actually $4 cheaper than the much weaker and older FX6300 + motherboard + cpu cooler.

The RAM you chose and the RAM I chose are equal, but mine was $17 cheaper making it a much better value. There's no reason to spend $17 extra for the Sniper series.

Yes the GTX770 is not a whole lot better than the 280x, but it IS better. It's usually not worth spending a lot of extra money on, but in this case, the difference was just $2 making the GTX770 a better value.


All in all, the i5 + 770 build is WAAAAAAAAAYYY better in pretty much every way. I'm just being honest. The FX6300 build literally has no advantage. Not even price.
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July 3, 2014 6:53:20 PM

Actually, it does have an advantage in price. I got the FX-6300 for $119.99 (this is all without tax or shipping by the way, because that all varies depending on the place), when I bought the Snipers they were somewhere between $82.99 and $84.99 (I forget), and with the rebate the 280X was $249.99. In total that is only $453.97.
You chose the i5-4570, which I do agree with you is A LOT better, but since I've already ordered the FX-6300, and since the 6300 is 80 bucks cheaper, I don't really see the point in arguing about it. Anyway, according to what you say above, the i5-4570 is $204, the Ripjaws X Series is $82.79, and the 770 is $361. In total that is $647.79. That is a difference of about 200 dollars! Honestly, I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of upgradability and a small amount of power if I get to keep an extra couple hundred bucks, but that's just me.

Sorry if I gave the wrong impression when responding before, I didn't mean at all to come off sounding rude or anything like that in the slightest way, but now that I look back at how I worded it, I may have done that accidentally. I don't even see why we are having this argument in the first place, since it will make no difference seeing as how I've already ordered everything we're talking about. Oh well, honestly if I had the extra money to get what you said I probably would have, but unfortunately I don't :c I'm on a fairly strict budget. In fact, when I was first planning this build I was originally only going to spend $800, but after seeing how much it could be improved, I decided to up it another $200. Because of this, there was literally no way that I could upgrade anything else for "just a little bit more money".

Thanks anyway, sorry if I gave off the wrong impression, if it weren't for the price I would agree with you 100%

Thanks again :) 
-Ford
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a c 305 4 Gaming
a b ) Power supply
a b G Storage
a c 506 à CPUs
a c 145 À AMD
July 3, 2014 9:31:17 PM

I didn't know you already bought the parts. That's a good price on the 280x so I don't blame you there at all. The RAM is a wash because they are literally equal. I'll never agree with the cpu purchase though.

This is straight from your link.

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/7rBZLk
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/7rBZLk/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($123.11 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.21 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($122.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $278.31
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available


and then mine

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/tbgrmG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/tbgrmG/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($204.00 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.75 @ Vuugo)
Total: $283.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available


Even a slightly lesser i5 for cheaper would be so much better than a FX6300

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/vYRCD3
Price breakdown by merchant: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/vYRCD3/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4430 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.79 @ DirectCanada)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($79.75 @ Vuugo)
Total: $269.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available


Sorry to beat a dead horse, but I would send the FX6300 back. :) 
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