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Which build is better?

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  • Build Your Own
  • Desktops
  • PC gaming
Last response: in Technologies
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June 25, 2014 2:58:33 PM

Dear Tom's Hardware Community,

I have been trying to build my own desktop for a year now. I have been own all websites that give information on parts and have checked my parts numerous times. I have narrowed it down to two builds.

Build #1:

CPU: AMD Athlon X2 370K 4.2GHz Dual-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Scythe SCKTN-4000 55.5 CFM CPU Cooler
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard
Memory: Kingston Blu 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card
Case: Xion XON-720P_BK MicroATX Slim Case w/300W Power Supply
Power Supply: SeaSonic 350W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular TFX Power Supply
Optical Drive: LG WH16NS40 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: Acer B236HLymdr 60Hz 23.0" Monitor
Sound Card: Diamond XtremeSound XS51 16-bit 48 KHz Sound Card
Keyboard: Zalman ZM-K380 Combo Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse
Total: $904.70

Build #2:

CPU: AMD FX-9370 4.4GHz 8-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master DK9-7G52A-0L-GP 27.1 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Z Series 8GB (4 x 2GB) DDR3-2133 Memory
Storage: Hitachi Ultrastar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Superclocked Video Card
Case: Sentey CS1-1398 PLUS ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 V2 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply
Optical Drive: Pioneer BDC-207DBK Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Monitor: Acer G237HLbi 60Hz 23.0" Monitor
Sound Card: Diamond XtremeSound XS51 16-bit 48 KHz Sound Card
Keyboard: Zalman ZM-K380 Combo Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse
Total: $951.36



I want to build a desktop that can handle anything business wise thrown at it and will occasionally handle games such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Battlefield 4, Saints Row IV, or GTA V(when it comes out on PC of course!)

If you have anything I could improve on please tell me. My spending limit is about $1,000. I know that does not leave room for much, but it whatever you suggest that improves my computer, I am sure I can find some way to pay for it. Thank you very much.

Your Fellow Man,
Ryan408

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June 25, 2014 3:03:57 PM

build 2 but delete that ancient diamond sound card and just use the built in one on the motherbd.
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June 25, 2014 3:57:48 PM

I made some tweaks to your build. Added a better graphics card, and went for an FX-8320 rather than an FX-9370 as you can just overclock it and get better value. I was also aiming for a nice blue, white and black design.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case ($67.42 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 V2 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer B236HLymdr 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($163.27 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Zalman ZM-K380 Combo Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($12.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $981.04
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Some people will tell you go go for a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P, as it has a better power phase design, 8+2 as opposed to the Asus' 6+2, so i've added it here for your consideration.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Micro Center)
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June 25, 2014 4:44:55 PM

popatim said:
build 2 but delete that ancient diamond sound card and just use the built in one on the motherbd.


Yes, I have been thinking about that. I'll probably do that. Thank you.

byza said:
I made some tweaks to your build. Added a better graphics card, and went for an FX-8320 rather than an FX-9370 as you can just overclock it and get better value. I was also aiming for a nice blue, white and black design.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($149.98 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($89.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case ($67.42 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: NZXT HALE82 V2 550W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.98 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer B236HLymdr 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($163.27 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Zalman ZM-K380 Combo Wired Standard Keyboard w/Laser Mouse ($12.49 @ Amazon)
Total: $981.04
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Some people will tell you go go for a Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P, as it has a better power phase design, 8+2 as opposed to the Asus' 6+2, so i've added it here for your consideration.

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Micro Center)


Thanks for the input. I will go with the Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P motherboard. I like all of your tweaks except for the CPU. I would like 4+ GHz processor because most games need a lot lower than that for a high frame-rate. A 4+ GHz enables me to play more high-end games. However, I still thank you for your help.
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June 25, 2014 5:47:06 PM

An overclocked FX-8320 will get you into the low 4's, for an extra $25 a FX-8350 should get you into the mid-high 4's if you OC. A FX 9370 might get up to 5 if you have good cooling, chip and skills, but then you also need to fork out for a more expensive motherboard. Of those chips my personal choice would be a FX 8350, but you could get away with an OC FX 8320 if you're pinching pennies. Also, as the FX 8320 and 8250 are the same chip, separated by binning, you could get lucky and get a 8320 that will go to mid 4's.

I had a computer with a 3.5Ghz locked processor and it played most high end games with decent FPS. It really depends if the game is CPU or GPU intensive, as to where you will bottleneck.

If your thinking of upgrading more later, look at an i3 and upgrade to an i5 -k with cooler later.
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July 11, 2014 12:31:53 AM

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