Need Help For A Suggested Build $600-$700

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u00drk1

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Apr 8, 2015
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Ok, I'm going to attempt to build my 1st PC. My budget is $600 min, but if it gets to near $700, I can handle that.

After watching countless videos, and reading articles of builds... I'm lost and so undecided. I was wondering if you guys could give me some suggested builds.

My only requirements are, it has to have a AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor and preferably an AMD graphics card. But the processor is a must.

Also, I don't plan on overclocking the CPU or the GPU as It's my 1st time building a PC and don't want to mess around with that yet.

Edit: I forgot to mention, it needs an optical drive too. just the standard DVD / CD is fine

Approximate Purchase Date: (1-2 months)

Budget Range: ($600-$700 After Rebates)

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (Gaming, Video Editing / Rendering)

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: (doesn't really matter.)

Country: (USA)

Parts Preferences: by brand AMD, unless you think something else is better.

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: (I would prefer if the PC ran quietly)
 
Solution
Darkbreeze
Well, as much as I hate to admit it, the build posted by Rockie is probably a pretty sure bet. I can't see much chance of getting a better build for the price. I'd go with that build actually. There are a couple of things that could optionally be changed, like maybe the case and the RAM speed. That case only comes with a single rear exhaust fan, which isn't going to cut it with a 125w FX chip and a high end GPU installed. At minimum you'll want at least a single front intake and preferably a top exhaust as well, especially if you're going to use the stock cooler which will really struggle without a good supply of fresh ambient air.

FX chips like the 1866mhz modules. The RAM speed itself isn't going to offer any great performance...
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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What are your main intended uses for this computer? Is there a reason you have your heart set on an 8320. I have an 8320, OC to 4.5Ghz, and I can tell you that while it's ok, I'm absolutely switching to an Intel chip on my upcoming build due to the tremendous core performance advantage and much lower power consumption with the Intel chips. We could probably do an Intel build that would be within your budget, depending on what you need and what you plan to do with the machine.

But if you insist on using the FX chip, we can do that as well. You can also take a look at my Piledriver megathread, to get an idea that I'm not talking out my a@#.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2464608/amd-series-piledriver-architecture-cpus-megathread.html
 
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u00drk1

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I was set on it because i was under the assumption AMD CPUs are cheaper than intel. I wanted the 8 cores for future proofing. (windows 10 & direct X 12 using multiple cores.) But if you think an intel CPU will preform better, by all means don't hold back. Like I said, I'm new to this and I was only going for that CPU on my assumption.

I'm going to be using the PC for gaming and video editing / rendering.

 
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rockie_

rockie_

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($137.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($78.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Adorama)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($199.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Enermax ECA3253-BW ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $691.71
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-08 01:16 EDT-0400
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Actually, at that budget, an AMD chip MIGHT be a better option. It really depends on what your expectations are on the gaming side of things, as the more capable graphics cards are fairly expensive. With a lower end card you can go with a better intel chip. If you need a higher end card, you might need to go with an FX 8 core chip. Let us know.
 
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u00drk1

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I would like a higher end GPU over a lower end one.
 
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john TJ

john TJ

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Jul 12, 2014
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$700 @ intel

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.49 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($78.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($193.26 @ Amazon)
Case: Azza SIRIUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($42.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($83.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($13.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $694.57
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-08 01:20 EDT-0400

$700 @AMD

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($137.88 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.75 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI 970 GAMING ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($60.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270X 4GB DirectCU II Video Card ($189.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Deepcool TESSERACT WH ATX Mid Tower Case ($38.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($13.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $701.51
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-08 01:29 EDT-0400
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Well, as much as I hate to admit it, the build posted by Rockie is probably a pretty sure bet. I can't see much chance of getting a better build for the price. I'd go with that build actually. There are a couple of things that could optionally be changed, like maybe the case and the RAM speed. That case only comes with a single rear exhaust fan, which isn't going to cut it with a 125w FX chip and a high end GPU installed. At minimum you'll want at least a single front intake and preferably a top exhaust as well, especially if you're going to use the stock cooler which will really struggle without a good supply of fresh ambient air.

FX chips like the 1866mhz modules. The RAM speed itself isn't going to offer any great performance benefits, but the Piledriver chips seem to perform well using them. The price will likely be lower after rebates, but the initial investment can't really be helped if you want it right. This board won't be great if you want to overclock, in which case you'll want to use the board Rockie had indicated, but otherwise it would be fine. Also changed to an MSI card to make budget. It really won't be any dramatic change in performance although technically the EVGA card is a little better, but not enough better that it's essential.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($137.88 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($67.78 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($193.26 @ Amazon)
Case: Enermax ECA3253-BW ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($58.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($87.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master SickleFlow 69.7 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $698.75
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-08 01:49 EDT-0400


 
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Solution
Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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Looks pretty good. I don't see any issues. If that's what you like, go for it. I will add one final suggestion in that the following build below, for 14 bucks more, would give you much better gaming performance now, and multiple options to upgrade later with the addition of nothing more than a new cpu to variously increasing levels of performance since you could at some point move up to a Xeon or i7, or some form of Broadwell CPU once they're released.


With the FX-8320 there is really nowhere to go that's going to make any difference at all, no upgrade path whatsoever aside from an 8350 or 8370 that are the same chip anyhow and can be equaled by overclocking the 8320 which still wouldn't give you the same gaming performance as with the Intel chip. Just a thought. What you have outlined is fine. Heck, I have the same chip now. But given the option again, I would likely have gone the other way.

Then again, I got outstanding deals on most of my hardware so I really can't complain. Whichever way you choose to go, you'll have a very good system.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($68.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.99 @ Best Buy)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($199.00 @ NCIX US)
Case: Corsair SPEC-01 RED ATX Mid Tower Case ($40.71 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec Neo Eco 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($57.99 @ Directron)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.75 @ OutletPC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($86.89 @ OutletPC)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-C2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-C2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.99 @ NCIX US)
Case Fan: Cooler Master R4-C2R-20AC-GP 69.0 CFM 120mm Fan ($4.99 @ NCIX US)
Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor ($144.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $915.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-09 02:57 EDT-0400
 
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