Building a PC

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GXT

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Jul 18, 2014
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Hello all,

I am currently building a PC for my GF. She's not a heavy gamer or anything, only using it for World of Warcraft and SWTOR. She may play other games, in addition, but nothing too intense. Anyway, I have a few components I've selected but I'm mainly stuck on the motherboard.

I was pretty set on getting the AMD FX-6350 Vishera 6-Core 3.9GHz with a Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO. Now, as stated above, I'm having a difficult time being completely sure of my motherboard choice. I was looking at the Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3, but after researching it, I've noticed a ton of issues regarding heating and voltage problems, leading to freezing and reboots. Most of these appear to be linked with the AMD FX 8350 8-core series, however. Thing is, that CPU is also 125w, much like the FX-6350 I was eyeing. I'm wondering whether there is any cause for concern or if my particular CPU selection would be fine. Unfortunately, as per her request, I'm limited to brands other than Asus for motherboards (don't ask). Therefore, I was looking at mobos such as Gigabyte, MSI and ASRock, of which come to mind. I just want to try and get a reliable one for the CPU being purchased and was looking for any input regarding the Gigabyte above or a better/similar alternative. Looking to spend upwards of 130ish or less, preferably, but somewhat flexible.

Additionally, the PC will be using a 650W Corsair PSU and G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB. Figured I'd mention the additional components, if it matters. Her graphics card is actually nothing too special, but she insists it'll be fine. I would personally upgrade it were I in her shoes, but we may revisit that in a future date. A future GFX card purchase would not be anything extremely high end either.

Appreciate any input. Thanks, guys.
 
Solution
geofelt
Here is a list of psu quality:
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true

6 core fx is more likely underkill.
I do not much like the FX chips. Many do because they are impressed with many cores.
The problem is that many cores are only good if you can make use of them. Most games, like minecraft can use only one core. two or perhaps three at most.
It is important that the cores be fast. FX cpu architecture is not as good as intel. It is perhaps 30% slower per clock.
Here is a post I made for another regarding a budget build.
Take from it what you may.
-------------------------------------------------------------


For a budget build, I like to recommend that one builds for...
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maddogfargo

maddogfargo

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Nov 28, 2006
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Certain revisions of the 990FXA-UD3 had heat issues.

The R4.0 board is fine.

Unless you are going to crossfire or SLI dual GPUs, you don't need a 990FX board.

I paired a Gigabyte 970A-UD3P with an FX 6350 under a Corsair H110 CLC and got it stable at 4.950GHz. So I recommend that as a good budget gamer's platform with a good single GPU like an R9 270x or R9 280.
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Do you have a budget?

WOW is essentially single threaded, making the FX 6 and 8 core cpu's not optimal.
In addition, the FX cores are slow.
If you are on a budget, I suggest looking at G3258 at $75 and plan on a conservative overclock.
Check out some reviews.

Most motherboard brands are ok. I would lean to gigabyte, asrock, msi in that order if you don't want asus.

For psu quality, Seasonic and xfx would be better than corsair.

I don't know what other parts can be reused.

Also... build with a ssd for the "C" drive. It makes everything so much quicker.
I will never build again without one.
120gb at least. 240gb if you can. Samsung evo is probably the best now.
 
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G

GXT

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Thank you very much for your advice. I will look into the 970A-UD3P as an alternative. I know that her PC needs aren't anything too extreme, but I just figured I'd get her something that will last her a while and run most things well, you know? It's hard separating what I'd want versus what she'd need out of a computer! haha.

Thanks again :)

 
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G

GXT

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Yes and no to the budget question. She didn't want to quite build one from scratch, so we mostly added parts to her old PC. Although, at this point, I've already added nearly everything for a new PC anyway. I wanted to do an SSD, but we opted for simply a WD Blue 1TB HDD.

I thought about a Seasonic PSU, but I wasn't incredibly familiar with the brand. I've always heard of good things of Corsair PSU's, not to mention mine is one, so I simply went the familiar route there. I know 6-core is likely overkill for her needs, but I just wanted to her something that'd last down the road. If she wanted to play anything more high end, figured going this route would simply cover her in the long-run. Went AMD simply to cut some costs as Intel tends to be more expensive, albeit probably better performance. Everything I read on the FX-6350 indicated that it was a great chip, though. Do you feel otherwise?

 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Here is a list of psu quality:
https://community.newegg.com/eggxpert/computer_hardware/f/135081/t/45344.aspx?Redirected=true

6 core fx is more likely underkill.
I do not much like the FX chips. Many do because they are impressed with many cores.
The problem is that many cores are only good if you can make use of them. Most games, like minecraft can use only one core. two or perhaps three at most.
It is important that the cores be fast. FX cpu architecture is not as good as intel. It is perhaps 30% slower per clock.
Here is a post I made for another regarding a budget build.
Take from it what you may.
-------------------------------------------------------------


For a budget build, I like to recommend that one builds for future expandability.
That means paying a bit more up front for some parts that allow for an easier future upgrade.
Let me start where you might not expect:
1. Buy a good 620w psu. Such a unit will run any future graphics card.
I would normally suggest Seasonic 620w:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
But this EVGA 600w unit is going for a very good price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
2. Buy a Z97 based motherboard. Z97 will allow you to install a overclockable cpu and even offer a future 14nm broadwell upgrade.
You should fine one for about $100.
Here is a M-ATX : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
3. I suggest a G3258. It is a overclockable dual core at a budget price of about $75.
Here is what it can do: http://techreport.com/review/26735/overclocking-intel-p...
In time, you can upgrade to any cpu that you want and market the G3258.
4. The intel stock cooler will do the job up to a point. But, I suggest a $30 tower type cooler like the cm hyper212 with a 120mm fan. It will cool better and be quieter under load.
5. For ram, speed is not important. Buy a 8gb kit of 2 x 4gb DDR3 1.5v ram.
6. Cases are a personal thing. Buy one you love. Most will do the job for <$50.
It would be hard to beat $34 delivered for this Antec GX500 :
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
7. The graphics card is the most important component for gaming. My usual rule of thumb is to budget 2x the cpu cost for the graphics card. I like the GTX750ti and EVGA as a brand.
Here is a superclock version:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
You could go stronger in the video card if your budget permits and your games need it.
On the other hand, you could build using the integrated graphics and see how you do.
By deferring on the graphics card, you will get a better idea of what you really need.
Integrated is fine for sims, but not fast action games.
8. Lastly, I will never build again without a SSD for the "C" drive. It makes everything you do so much quicker. 120gb will hold the OS and a handful of games. With 240gb you may never need a hard drive at all. Defer on a hard drive until your ssd approaches 90% full.

-------------good luck------------




 
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G

GXT

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Jul 18, 2014
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You've been extremely helpful. Thank you very much for all your help. I will take a better look at your suggestions and do a little more research just as soon as I am home. Much appreciated!

One more question, in regards to your Intel CPU suggestion. Wouldn't aiming for a quad core be better? It's possible my knowledge on mobo's isn't as extensive. I was under the impression that dual cores were kind of outdated, but I may fall under the category you mentioned of people who only look at cores, I suppose. Are there any quad cores you'd recommend that are within a reasonable price range? For example, around the same price as the AMD chip I was looking at, or even less. I know that most games nowadays don't use the full potential of 4-8 cores anyway, some don't even come close; however, as I mentioned above, I just figured getting something above average now would ensure it lasts a while. Thanks again!
 
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geofelt

geofelt

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Oct 9, 2006
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Of course, a quad core is better if each core is stronger than the individual cores of a duo.
And.. if you have a game or app that actually is multithreaded.
Or... if you do lots of multitasking to occupy all 4 cores.
But each of the G3258 cores is about twice as strong as a fx core when used as intended, ie: with a decent overclock.
A i5 quad will be about 3x the cost of a G3258.
In between at twice the cost, you will find the i3 series which is dual core but with hyperthreads that look like 4 cores. The extra 2 threads are not full strength though.
We all have a budget though.
My point in suggesting a G3258 is flexibility. It will do the job in a surprising number of situations.
If you ever need more, the motherboard will accommodate even a i7-4790K, a $350 cpu.
The G3258 is so cheap that one would not be losing much even if you threw it away in favor of a future upgrade.


 
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