First time build. Is everything ok? A little bit confused choosing components.

Gretsi · Oct 22, 2014

Hi everyone,

I am building a PC for first time in my life and I want your opinion about the components I am going to order. Are they compatible? And have I made the best decisions? I am planning to use it for gaming (not extreme gaming) and no 3D Editing or something. Here's my build:

CASE: Rosewill THOR V2 ($90) / NZXT Phantom 410 Mid-Tower ($80)/ Cooler Master Haf 912 ATX Mid Tower ($40)

Which is the best case or can you suggest me something better?

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($98)

After searching, I think that's the best value for money in comparison with FX-6350 or FX-8320

MOTHERBOARD : Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3 ($116) / Gigabyte 970A-UD3P ($75)/ Asus M5A97 R2.0 ($90) / Asrock 970 Pro3 R2.0/ ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ($100)

Which one to choose? Or do you suggest a tottaly different MoBo? I am not planning to overclock but I want a MoBo including this option if there will be a need to overclock in the future.

RAM : Corsair Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54)

For now, I want a 4GB RAM and i will upgrade to 8GB in the future. I'm open to other RAM suggestions.

GPU : Sapphire Radeon R9 270 ($160) / Sapphire Radeon R7 260X ($124) / SAPPHIRE R7 250X ($100) / Sapphire Radeon R7 240 ($83)

Which GPU of them or should I go with NVIDIA?

PSU: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($20) / Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($30) / Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($45) / Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($55)

HDD :Toshiba 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($55)

I do not know anything about Coolers. Any suggestions would be overwelcomed.

MoBos' benchmarks : www.pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/asrock-motherboard-990fxextreme3%2Casus-motherboard-m5a97r20%2Casus-motherboard-m5a99xevor20%2Cgigabyte-motherboard-ga990fxaud3

GPUs' benchmarks : www.pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/sapphire-video-card-100365l%2Csapphire-video-card-1003662l%2Csapphire-video-card-100367l%2Csapphire-video-card-1003694gl

Cases' benchmarks : www.pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/cooler-master-case-rc912kkn1%2Cnzxt-case-caph410b1%2Crosewill-case-thorv2

PSUs' benchmarks : www.pcpartpicker.com/parts/compare/corsair-power-supply-cx430%2Ccorsair-power-supply-cx430m%2Ccorsair-power-supply-cx500%2Ccorsair-power-supply-cx600m

Thank you all in advance,
Gretsi.

mangodrinker · Oct 22, 2014

What is your budget? It would be most helpful.

patrichpachich · Oct 22, 2014

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.97 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $571.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-22 00:12 EDT-0400

I assumed your maximum budget is $650 but this rig will be enough for your wants, because of "not extreme gaming" thing. and you might want SSD for faster booting and loading times just for $70.

case: this is very personal thing, i just choosen great budget case. you can get CM haf case if you want although this rig will no have any temps issues.

CPU: this is a gaming rig so we will need more power per core than more cores, besides am3+ is dead, there will no future upgrade path.

Ram: 4gb is good but 8gb will do well on mid entry games. no need to upgrade if you can afford 2x4gb

GPU: bang for the buck GPU. you can get 40-60-100fps 1080p hi/ultra settings on almost all games

HDD: seagate for lower failure rates than toshiba, but WDC blue is best among them.

PSU:better PSU

Gretsi · Oct 22, 2014

mangodrinker :

450€ - 600€.
Operating system and peripherals NOT included in this budget.

patrichpachich · Oct 22, 2014

my build is already 450€. but if you want i can get it on maximum for higher gaming performance

patrichpachich · Oct 22, 2014

heres a 600€ rig
I added ssd and change i3 to i5 for better gaming and for future games

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($197.93 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H97M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($76.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270X 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($154.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($65.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $750.82
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-22 00:48 EDT-0400

mangodrinker · Oct 22, 2014

Here you go. It is a bit over the budget, but it should do the trick.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor (€105.83 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: Asus H97M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (€83.06 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory (€78.21 @ Amazon Italia)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (€48.50 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280 3GB IceQ OC Video Card (€198.94 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 370 ATX Mid Tower Case (€38.00 @ Amazon Italia)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (€56.00 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €608.54
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-22 06:48 CEST+0200

Gretsi · Oct 22, 2014

patrichpachich :

It's an interesting build but I would prefer an AMD CPU because they are cheaper than Intel CPUs' and they are very similar in performance issues.
I think the Motherboard is too cheap and I could go to a more expensive MoBo.
From friends who had experience using MSI Video Cards, I know that they aren't completely satisfied. I haven't heard the best for this brand.
You are saying that if I would choose an AMD CPU I would not be able to upgrade it in the future?
65$ for a power supply isn't too much?

patrichpachich · Oct 22, 2014

they are cheaper because they are older, i5 has newer technology and better performance per core and AM3+ will be die soon, so no there will no upgrade paths. and i3 is slightly better than 6300 on gaming.
the mobo is best for this budget, and there are no primary advantages using $100+ mobo interms on gaming as per dollar performance.
As for the ati/amd cards there are still debates on this, but what i see on members of toms, majority will go for
1.MSI
2.asus
3.evga
4.sapphire
5.gigabyte

yes there are no worthy upgrades in the future, AMD's line up today is APUs
its not too much its just right for the rig, i have to balance the rig.
but if you want you can get corsair CX/VS/CS or evgab PSUs they are slightly cheaper but sligthly higher power failure rates and shorter life. keep on mind that PSU is incharge on supplying power, if you will use cheap PSU(non rated or did not meet standard atx requirements) it will burn your mobo and so GPU, RAM and etc..

Gretsi · Oct 22, 2014

patrichpachich :

so, any AMD CPU I might choose, I won't be able to upgrade it? If so, then the only solution is Intel CPU.
Could you suggest me some video cards between $100 and $180?
You have forgotten the cooler and $750 is way too off from my budget. I am considering of removing the SSD Drive. Is it necessary?

Gretsi · Oct 22, 2014

mangodrinker :

You also prefer Intel than AMD CPUs' ? I think 8GB RAM is more than my current needs.
Shouldn't I choose a 4GB RAM and upgrade it to 8GB later?
What about cooling system?

patrichpachich · Oct 22, 2014

I believed 600€ = $761.47. and you stated your maximum budget is 600€.

$100-$120 = r7 250x / r7 260 / 740 / 650 / 750
$120-$150 = r7 260x /650ti / 750ti /660 / r9 270
$150-$180 = R9 270x / r9 280 / 760
for my recommendations refer to my builts.

stock cooler will be enough for lock procs, if you are referring on case fans get corsair air series / noctua nf / fractal designs fd

yes, SSD will always be an option

patrichpachich · Oct 22, 2014

Gretsi :

mangodrinker :

You also prefer Intel than AMD CPUs' ? I think 8GB RAM is more than my current needs.
Shouldn't I choose a 4GB RAM and upgrade it to 8GB later?
What about cooling system?

8gb is just fine, but 2133 is just a waste of money (no offense) you will never notice the difference of 2133 and 1600mhz interms on gaming. cooling system is just for OCable rig

mangodrinker · Oct 22, 2014

None taken, I just assumed that later on he could use the High Speed Ram in a build where it matters. 8 gigs of RAM is starting to become a standard in gaming, having 4 gigs would significantly hold you back as some modern games are starting to require 6 gigs as a minimum. I would recommend spending a bit more and reaching for this build. It cointains an i5, an R9 270X, a decent PSU, and high speed RAM which you can use later on if you so desire (it also didn't cost much more). The motherboard is from a reliable brand, and you have a 1 Terabyte of storage. I did not pick out the greatest case, but it is the internals that truly matter, the case is simply for aesthetics.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor (€171.27 @ Amazon Italia)
Motherboard: Asus H97M-E Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard (€83.06 @ Amazon Italia)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory (€78.21 @ Amazon Italia)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (€48.50 @ Amazon Italia)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Dual-X Video Card (€147.51 @ Amazon Italia)
Case: Cooler Master K350 ATX Mid Tower Case (€43.69 @ Amazon Italia)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (€56.00 @ Amazon Italia)
Total: €628.24
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-10-22 21:21 CEST+0200

Gretsi · Oct 22, 2014

patrichpachich :

Gretsi :

8gb is just fine, but 2133 is just a waste of money (no offense) you will never notice the difference of 2133 and 1600mhz interms on gaming. cooling system is just for OCable rig

your 8GB RAM has the same price with that of 2133MHZ that mangodrinker suggested me to pick so why not to go for it?

Gretsi · Oct 22, 2014

Guys, I thought I had ended up to an AMD CPU pick but you have changed my mind. Since you are telling me that with an AMD CPU (AM3 socket) there are no upgrade paths, there is no option but to go for Intel CPU.
To understand, the game I want to be playing is League Of Legends, but with a mid-high system I will play some other more demanding games such as Battlefield, Skyrim etc.

patrichpachich · Oct 23, 2014

Gretsi :

patrichpachich :

your 8GB RAM has the same price with that of 2133MHZ that mangodrinker suggested me to pick so why not to go for it?

2133 is $99 : https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=%E2%82%AC78+to+us&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US

fficial&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ppVIVPHgHNSCvATz84DoAQ

1600 is $80

their diferrence is $19 , you could get an ODD with that.
but its up to you.

Gretsi · Oct 23, 2014

patrichpachich :

Gretsi :

2133 is $99 : https://www.google.com.ph/search?q=%E2%82%AC78+to+us&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US

fficial&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=ppVIVPHgHNSCvATz84DoAQ

1600 is $80

their diferrence is $19 , you could get an ODD with that.
but its up to you.

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory (€78.21 @ Amazon Italia)

If you were I, where would you spend more money? For the CPU or the GPU?
Also, it is better to choose one of the best Intel i3's or some of the first models of i5?

patrichpachich · Oct 23, 2014

this depends on what type of games I will play , prefered graphic performance and budget.
i3s are good on almost games except for demanding games which requires quadcore, which i5 got.
i5 is ready for future games, if you are planning to play games in many more years you should get i5.

Gretsi · Oct 23, 2014

patrichpachich :

I want to play mainly League Of Legends and games such as Football Manager 2015, NBA 2k15, PES 2015. Secondarily, if I had a system which can run games like Battlefield, Skyrim, Minecraft and other demanding games I might give them a try.
So, you would prefer a very new i3 model, or a very old i5?

patrichpachich · Oct 24, 2014

Then i3 & 750ti is enough but if you are planning to go higher FPS on demanding games and looking for longer PC span on games you should get i5 & 270x

First time build. Is everything ok? A little bit confused choosing components.

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