Is this the best build I can do for a limited budget of $650?

zhengz · Oct 15, 2014

As for building my first desktop computer, I have to have all the peripherals/components(wireless adapter, keyboaard/mouse). I want to play atleast at high settings on modern games. My budget is around $650-$700, so I would like to get the most out of the money being spent. Is there anything to change for better performance at the same cost?

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hj7yLk
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hj7yLk/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($73.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($156.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($84.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($78.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.95 @ Amazon)
Total: $630.87
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-14 23:31 EDT-0400

tiny voices · Oct 15, 2014

The build looks good. You could change the case to a Corsair 200r and the PSU to an XFX550. This will allot you to get an i3 build and a 280x which will beat the 6300+280.

zhengz · Oct 15, 2014

Am I able to overclock with no problems with that PSU? And also which i3 cpu would you recommend then? If I'm going for a i3, wouldn't it be a bit better to spend a little more for the i5?

tiny voices · Oct 15, 2014

An i5 would be better, but ONLY if you keep the same GPU. It you have to lower the GPU to get an i5, DO NOT do it. An i3 beats the 6300 in most games. This is why I recommend it.

Yes the PSu is WAY more than enough power for overclocking.

zhengz · Oct 20, 2014

I plan on getting the i5 4590 but I don't know what motherboard I should use to go along with it. Do you have any recommendations?

Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Micro Center)

tiny voices · Oct 21, 2014

Any H97 board will be great. What GPU will you be pairing with the i5?

zhengz · Oct 21, 2014

I'm going with the r9 280, but does it matter which brand I go for? Previously I had picked MSI r9 280 because it was on sale, which ended sooner than I thought it would. So far all the r9 280 prices are well in range of each other.

What do you think?

tiny voices · Oct 21, 2014

Any brand will be fine.

It is a good card and will play some games at max but most at high settings.

zhengz · Oct 26, 2014

Here is my final build. I didn't went with the PSU you listed because I want a full or semi modular for an easier cable management and efficient cooling. Due to limited funds, I won't be able to get the i5 cpu instead I replaced it with the i3. But in near future, I do plan to upgrade the intel cpu to a more powerful one though.
What is your thought of the build now?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Micro Center)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($156.00 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($57.00 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $736.85
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-26 00:22 EDT-0400

tiny voices · Oct 26, 2014

Looks great to me!

zhengz · Oct 26, 2014

Also can you tell me how does rebate work? Is the rebate expiration date from MSI Radeon R9 280 the last day to turn it in? Also turning in the rebate will void the limited warranty, I don't seem to like that. Is there anyway to inform the shipper to deliver the packages to the backdoor of a home?

tiny voices · Oct 26, 2014

Rebates work by mailing in a card and waiting a month or two and then getting a pre-paid VISA back.

I have never heard of rebates voiding warranties.

zhengz · Oct 26, 2014

Where do you plug a case fan connector? Is it on the motherboard or the power supply? I want to install extra fans to improve cooling, I don't know how many fan headers there are. It will let me know the max fans I can install based on how many headers there are. This will be my first time building a pc, therefore if you can explain to me so that I wont make a mistake. Thanks.

tiny voices · Oct 26, 2014

You can connect it to either the motherboard or PSU depending on what connection type it has.

You do not need max fans. Thats crazy. 3 fans is plenty. (front intake, top exhaust, rear exhaust)

zhengz · Oct 27, 2014

Can I go with a smaller motherboard like a micro ATX to save some money?

tiny voices · Oct 27, 2014

Yes as long as it is still an h97 chipset board.

Math Geek · Oct 27, 2014

reading this thread you asked about overclocking. you can't overclock the i3. i understand you want to go to an i5 later on but the h97 mobo will not let you overclock that either.

would it not be better to get a z97 mobo now to not have to buy a new mobo later with the i5? or has bios updates enabled overclocking on the h97?

tiny voices · Oct 27, 2014

It was decided to forgo overclocking in lieu of having more money to spend on other parts. A great idea.

logainofhades · Oct 27, 2014

H97 pro4 does have overclocking capability, just as an FYI. If you are willing to pay the upfront cost of that system, then spend $7 more and go with this.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 PRO4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($88.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.95 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($184.95 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($69.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Monitor: LG 23MP55HQ-P 60Hz 23.0" Monitor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($17.98 @ OutletPC)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse ($24.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $849.80
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-27 13:40 EDT-0400

Math Geek · Oct 27, 2014

tiny voices :

don't disagree with you there. just checking in case it slipped past folks. it's a good build and will do what it's asked to do.

Is this the best build I can do for a limited budget of $650?

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