Gaming Build (Budget $700-900)

vonlehmden7

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Hey guys! As the title states I'm looking for a discussion based on a budget of between $700-$900.
I am building this for my brother and he wants to be able to play FF14 (MMORPG) on max settings, as well as some other games such as League of Legends. Nothing to demanding but I'm hoping to build him something that is future proof.
He also wants to be able to do some graphic design so I want to make sure it runs smoothly for him.
The current build I have in mind is as follows

The link is here:
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3g7Ryc
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3g7Ryc/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($220.00)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.80 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($0.00)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($42.78 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 290 4GB TWIN FROZR Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom ATX Full Tower Case ($111.26 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 850W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.99 @ Directron)
Total: $914.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 10:59 EST-0500

The Video Card/Case/PSU are just fillers. I am hoping to cut some out so I can fit a SSD(120GB) boot drive in.

Also I have no AMD/Intel Bias so fire away. (I do have a microcenter nearby too!)

Thanks all!
 
1) I wouldn't buy AMD; I would go with an Intel CPU instead. Something like the i5-4460 or the i5-4690k. For this current generation, the Intel CPUs easily beat the AMD CPUs. They are also better for video-editing/rendering.
2) Your motherboard price is at 0.00, so you have something wrong there.
3) Drop the 850W Gold and save money with a nice bronze one. A 650W would be fine.
4) Invest in a GTX 970 for long-term benefit. It's got the graphics horsepower to last a while. If you want to save $, then look at a GTX 960 or a R9 280.
5) You could skip the Hyper 212 CPU cooler if you don't plan on overclocking. The stock Intel CPU cooler is fine for regular use, and you can save the money for #6.
6) Drop the HDD and get a 240-256GB SSD instead. When the PC boots in 3 seconds, your brother will be impressed!

Edit: You can also get a cheaper case. I personally like the mini-ITX cases. If you are only going to have one GPU, then something like a Thermal Take Core VI ($40 at Newegg w/$10 Mail-in), a Silverstone SUGO or Raven RVZ01, or even a Corsair 250D will easily hold everything and still save the desk space.
 

ZeroGravity780

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Oct 28, 2014
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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8z3423
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/8z3423/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4690K 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor ($214.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($25.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z97X-UD3H-BK ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($121.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($76.97 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($87.59 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($39.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: SeaSonic G 550W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($73.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($19.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $994.17
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 11:14 EST-0500

You can cut out things that arent necessary to make it cheaper.
 

vonlehmden7

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May 24, 2014
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2Be_or_Not2Be,

Thanks for the response. I should have mentioned in my post I have a Micro Center nearby. The price on the FX8320 includes both the CPU/Mobo as a bundle package. I am going to look into all of your suggestions and see what I can do.
I saw the Antec TruePower Classic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply for $80+$30 rebate, so $50 after rebate. I know 750W is overkill, but would you suggest this PSU?

ZeroGravity780,
Thanks for the post. I am going to look into that as well. As 2BE suggested, the i5-4690k looks intriguing. I know I can get it from Microcenter for like 280 with the Mobo you posted. SO that would save a bunch of money as well.

Thanks guys!
 

Gracodana

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7VVWwP
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7VVWwP/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($174.69 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($66.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($50.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($39.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 970 4GB Video Card ($319.99 @ B&H)
Case: Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($53.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit) ($92.00 @ B&H)
Total: $901.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 11:34 EST-0500
 


Honestly, a Gold-rated PSU is a bit overkill for a budget build. Get a decent bronze one rated from 500-650W, and invest the money elsewhere. 750-850W is overkill for a single GPU.

I also like having a SSD a lot. It's one of the most noticeable upgrades you can make to a system.

I also like the 970 for "future-proofing" as long as you don't plan on 4K gaming. You mentioned games that don't require a lot of graphics horsepower, but you never know what game, present or future, your brother might want to play that will benefit from the horsepower of a 970. Its current price of ~$330 is a bit of a stretch for a budget build, but shaving off other items will give you that extra $100 over a 960 (like removing the CPU cooler & going with a bronze-rated PSU).
 

vonlehmden7

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May 24, 2014
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No monitor is required. He just bought a TV that he wants to use for it.

At this point I'm just trying to build a prototype on PCpartpicker for him. And then he's going to come over and tell me what he wants to spend additional money on. I like the idea of switching to an intel i5 instead of the FX. Is the performance difference from the i5 versus the fx8320 worth the extra cash? Just trying to future proof for him while keeping the price as low as possible.

Would you recommend the MSI Radeon R9 280 3GB Twin card?

Thanks again guys!
 


Well, then, likely you're not going over 1080p. So I would recommend the GTX 960 as it's more power-efficient than the R9 280. It can also be a bit quieter, which might be important if he's putting the PC next to the TV.

Finally, definitely get the i5. More power overall than the AMD, thus more usefulness long-term.

Edit: If the PC is going next to a TV, get a case that's designed to fit in as a HTPC (Home Theater PC). Investigate the Silverstone RVZ01 - it's seem perfect for that environment.
 

vonlehmden7

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I know the gold rating is overkill, I'm just curious on if that PSU is a good one cause it's on sale for $50 after rebate. All the other Seasonic, Antec, EVGA, ect PSU I've looked at for around 500-650W are all about $50-$60 and I'm just wondering if I should spend the initial $80 and wait for the rebate. Also the EVGA 850W gold is on shocker deal today at newegg, so if that's a good price I may pick up that instead. I know it has a $30 rebate as well, so if it's a shocker deal for ~$80 it's also a great price. Any suggestions on a smaller power supply?

Additionally, I'm going to look at the GTX 970. It's worth putting in there and having a R9 280 or GTX 960 next to it to let him choose whether he wants to spend the money on the 970 or save some money on a 280.

Thank you all for the help. This has really given me great ideas on what to do!
 
AMD FX-8320
Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P
Patriot Blaze 240GB SSD
$304 before $10 rebate

The MC deal looks good ... except, hard to see a real need for a 990FX motherboard.

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM: $80 with code EMCANAS36

EVGA SuperNOVA 80 PLUS GOLD 750W: $90 before $20 rebate

That's $744 before $60 in rebates, with the MSI R9 290 video card.

With a 2x4GB kit of RAMs (on the GB QVL list, of course), your CPU cooler, a WD Blue 1TB SSD, and DVD optical --- that's roughly $850 after your rebates.

And, it will curb-stomp a 4690K with a GTX 960.





 
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($237.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($74.93 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($39.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 970 4GB STRIX Video Card ($326.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.75 @ OutletPC)
Total: $916.62
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-06 11:57 EST-0500

http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_list.php
 


Power supplies are more efficient when you get a load on them that isn't too low and that isn't too much (overloading the max rating). So if you get a bigger one (750-850W), then you are actually running less efficiently than if you ran the same load with a PSU rated 500-650W. So bigger wattage rates on PSU doesn't mean it's better for your setup.

If you get the 960 or 970, these are more efficient in power usage. So they would be a smaller load than a R9. With those, you can probably get by with a 500W like this EVGA one for $30 after $10 rebate, or even its 600W bigger brother. That can save some money for you!