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First PC Build! Woo! (Budget)

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  • World Of Warcraft
  • Systems
Last response: in Systems
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September 2, 2014 8:34:15 AM

Hey all, after paying well over-priced for pre-built computers to play games on (mainly WoW), I've decided to try building my own after hearing good things about doing that.

I've got an older Compaq desktop with a monitor, which I doubt is HD, and I'm not sure whether or not I can use anything from that (it'll run WoW on lowest settings); if I can let me know! Less costs the better.

I'll be starting from scratch unless I'm able to use the Compaq's case and/or monitor (have a keyboard and mouse) and can't you get OS for free these days (preferably NOT windows 8)?

Anyways, budget would have to be $400-500max. Hope that's not asking too much! Appreciate all your help! No idea where to even start.

More about : build woo budget

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September 2, 2014 8:45:39 AM

Starting point:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Pentium G3258 3.2GHz Dual-Core Processor ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($72.00 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.78 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $490.72
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-02 11:47 EDT-0400
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September 2, 2014 9:11:38 AM

Good Intel build there by LucoTF. Not much to improve on there without adding to the budget. For the sake of additional options, the build below is on the AMD FM2+ platform (integrated CPU + GPU).

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD A10-6800K 4.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($130.29 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($16.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88XM-D3H Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.30 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Xion XON-560 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec 450W ATX Power Supply ($27.00 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $504.52

You would probably be happy with either of these build, but comparing them...

CPU - For single threaded performance the Intel will perform better, but ANY multi-threaded application would show gains on the AMD build. Overclocking the AMD build would give it a clear advantage across the board.
GPU - HD 8670D vs R7 250x - They are pretty close, but the slight edge goes to the R7 250x. Both could be overclocked.
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