$500 Budget AMD Gaming Build - Need help

[samuelspark]

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully soon

Budget Range: $500 After Rebates

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Watching Videos

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS, Optical Drive

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: microcenter.com newegg.com tigerdirect.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: 1TB HDD

Overclocking: Just +1 to the CPU multiplier with stock cooler/fan

SLI or Crossfire: Crossfire later

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Phenom II x4 965 BE w/ ASUS M5A97 EVO AM3+ 970 ATX AMD ($200)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325874
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0366622

Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1.5TB SATA 3.0Gbps REFURBISHED($50)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0372925

Patriot Viper Extreme Series 8GB CL8 DDR3-1600 ($40)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0355690

Cooler Master 650 Watt ZS Series ATX Power Supply ($60)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0367247

Gigabyte nVidia GTX 460 (Fermi) ($100)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0343140

Cooler Master Elite 430 Mid Tower Computer Case ($40)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0339423

Kingwin 120mm Long Life Bearing Case Fan x2 ($6)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0325743

Antec Tricool 120mm Blue LED Case Fan ($4)
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0365890

TOTAL = $500

 

[Memnarchon]

Well I cant see any flaw on your system you have build. Just be aware that the psu you choose has only 1x pci 6 pin and 1x pci 6+2 pin so you will will not be able to add a 2nd gpu since your gpu will take both of the connectors. this is 20$ more but you asked for Xfire (sli for 460gtx ) later so i guess it worth it. Antec High Current Gamer Series 900W ATX Power Supply http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0361182

Edit: these also are able to feed sli or xfire system at the same price of 79$
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0328087
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0323928

 

[samuelspark]

Budget. And I edited the build

 

[Emelth]

These are the only things I would change just so you can cut your prices down a little bit more

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL ($28)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s ($55)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148697

15% off w/ promo code NZXTOCT1, ends 10/10 NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ($36)

 

[akopp21]

I just used the Elite 430 for a budget build last month. It's a great case for that price, I'd stick with it.

 

[Emelth]

It is a good case but since he is already over the limit on the build he put together himself, i was just looking for something similar but a little cheaper to help him reduce his cost.

 

[samuelspark]

Subtotal is w/o rebates. I'm on the line with the budget.

 

[Emelth]

Well let us know how much money you got left to spend so we can see what we can try to upgrade or make a little better

 

[samuelspark]

Total is with rebates. My budget is $500. I'm right on the line. I want to clear up some money so I can get a CPU cooler and case fans.

 

[xcomvic]

I am confused...you said you want to Xfire, but you have a 460 up there... On that subject...why do you wish to SLI/Xfire anyway? I can assure you, a 460 will be good enough for max settings @ 1080p. Are you trying for Bulldozer later, is that why you went with the AM3+? If not, then you can save a lot of money with a different mobo, CPU wise, you can go lower for a gaming rig too. Anyways, I was doing a gaming build for my daughter: it came out to 468 after discounts on NewEgg, which included Win7 Home (which you don't need an OS anyway)

 

[FinneousPJ]

You could save some money downgrading to 4 GB RAM which is enough for gaming and a 400-500W PSU which is enough for your system.

 

[008Rohit]

What about an intel i3/i5 build. That'll perform better in games.

Anyways, here's my $500 AMD build.

Processor : AMD Phenom II X4 955 BE - $120
Motherboard : ASRock 970 Extreme4 AM3+ - $110
RAM : Gskill Value Series 4GB DDR3 1333 - $20
Storage : Seagate Barracuda 1TB SATA 6.0GB/s - $55
Graphics : HIS H685FN1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB - $145
PSU : Corsair CX500 V2 - $50
Case : Xigmatek ASGARD II - $30

Total : $530 before rebates

 

[samuelspark]

I got a 970 mobo for Bulldzoer and a GTX 460 will definitely NOT be able to run DX11 games like BF3 at max. Therefore, after my GTX 460, I'll crossfire 6950's which WILL be able to run everything at max and a Bulldozer so it isn't bottlenecked by my CPU.

 

[samuelspark]

I think crossfire 6950's will require a few hundred more watts than a 500w PSU.

 

[Emelth]

haha i knew you were gonna go for the BD thats why I didnt change it most people will even I will as well it sounds like it will be a great chip. Yes you are gonna want a better GPU like you've already said to play BF3 at max settings 6950's will be great for it.

 

[008Rohit]

I wrote HD 6850. When crossfired, they're capable of maxxing out current games at 1080p. and for HD 6850 Crossfire, a decent 500W PSU is enough.

 

[samuelspark]

Best answer selected by samuelspark.