Buying a budget PC very soon, Help me answer a couple questions PLEASE :)

Nugget712

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Aug 22, 2014
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So I want to build a budget gaming pc. I previously posted a rig that was too expensive for me. Here is one I am thinking about buying today or tomorrow.

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

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54590) | $188.99 @ NCIX US
**Motherboard** | [Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-motherboard-gab85mds3h) | $56.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gskill-memory-f312800cl9d8gbrl) | $72.00 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $57.23 @ OutletPC
**Video Card** | [Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvr928wf3oc3gd) | $199.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Rosewill Line Glow ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-lineglow) | $44.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [XFX TS 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-xfxts550w) | $25.99 @ Newegg
**Optical Drive** | [Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/lite-on-optical-drive-ihas12414) | $13.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $660.17
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-28 12:51 EDT-0400 |


I already have an OS, keyboard, and G400s mouse. I also have a 42" HDTV (1080 60hz) that I will be using as the monitor

This build is right above my budget, but I think I can stretch it. Will everything work well in this build? Can I save money anywhere?

If I was to put a G3258 in this build instead of the i5, it could save me some money, and I could eventually upgrade to the i5 correct? Would there be any disadvantages of going the 3258 route with a (i5)CPU upgrade planned within the next year or so?

I play a mix of games, currently a lot of War Thunder (which i think would run fine on the 3258). I would like to play some of the newer titles and such, and would like to play on the best settings possible, but if I have to play on lower settings with the 3258 I wouldn't be too disappointed(don't pro gamers play on low to mid settings anyway?)... as long as I could eventually upgrade to the i5 which will play the higher demanding games no problem. I do understand that there are few games that use multicores, and that most games are GPU dependent instead of CPU dependent. So maybe the 3258 with the future upgrade planned is the way to go... Uhhh I can't decide.
 
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viewtyjoe

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The only thing I would look to changing is getting an H97 or Z97 board (if you're going G3258). The B85 chipset is older, and on the off chance you want to switch over to a Broadwell CPU when those hit the desktop market, you're going to need a 90 series chipset.
 

Conor17777

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Good build btw :)
Now to answer some of your questions, I would say you cannot save money anywhere else, infact i would advise throwing another $30/40 into the pot and getting a higher quality PSU, last thing you want is a bang, some smoke and the rig is dead xD

Moving onto your next question regarding the compatibility of a G3258 and then upgrading to an i5, it is perfectly fine to do so :) Although its going to cost you more in the long run through the upgrade.
The only disadvantage will possibly be the lack of availability of new cpu's, As picking up old cpu's can set you back a fair bit.

Now moving on again, you mention the future upgrade, generally i would just get the i5 first, rather than detouring through the G3258, it will just cost you more in the long run, and you end up with a useless cpu sitting around that can be a pain to get rid of.
 
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Nugget712

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Aug 22, 2014
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@bluemoon: I thought I have been reading that the 3258 will NOT bottleneck with the 280, are you sure about this?

@ easylover & conor: The reason I'm considering the 3258 is because I am a little over budget with the i5, and there is a combo deal for $90 on newegg for the 3258 and this mobo(which will OC the 3258). My budget is really right around $500, so I'm stretching it with the i5 build, but am pretty sure I could come up to $600... so yeah let's say $600 is my budget. Also, I could use the 3258 and build my mother a General Purpose, email/internet browsing, pc eventually... though I did not even think about that until you, conor, mentioned I would have a cpu sitting around with nothing to do with it. Although I really didn't want that to be a deciding factor

What do you mean old cpu's can set you back a fair bit? Do they go up in price as they get older or soemthing?..sorry if dumb question

I thought this PSU was made by seasonic and considered a pretty good psu... the price shown is after a $25 MIR and $10 promo discount, so it is $60 before rebates.
 

Bluemoon_9

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Jul 13, 2014
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3258 will not bottleneck in many scenarios, but in cases where the programmes you run uses more than two cores, it will bottleneck. Your GPU will be waiting for your GPU. 3258 is meant to be used in low end HTPC or internet/casual gaming builds.

The XFX PSU is a fine one. If you can afford a better one, it's great. If not, it will do just fine.
 

Nugget712

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Is there a PSU that you could recommend for the i5 build that is not too expensive? I was told on here that the https://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1650snlb9 was a good one to go with, and thought the one I chose would be pretty similar for cheaper.

I think I have enough money together now, but I want to look into the H87, H97, and Z97.. wish I had a MicroCenter closer...never even heard of it until I started browsing Tom's.

Can you, or anyone, recommend a better mobo on the cheap as well?