Need Opinions on Budget Gaming PC Pre-Build

[SiOps]

Two builds here. Was wondering if everything is compatible, and if the second build would be much worse than the second? Any suggestions are appreciated.

Games that will be running on this system include l4d2, WoW, Skyrim, latest Assassin's Creed variations.


Build 1

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Mobo: ASRock 870 Extreme3 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor ADX455WFGMBOX

Video: SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Total Price before shipping = app. $580.00


I've put together a second build with the same CPU and Vid Card from the previous list and shaved off about $100 of the total price of the previous build. Would there be a significant performance drop?

Build 2

Case: NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

HDD: Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Mobo: ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

PSU: Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified

RAM: Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model BL2KIT25664BA1339

Total Price = $485.00

 

[nutmanmatt]

hmmm i would scrap both and do this.

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128529

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231417&cm_sp=Cat_Memory-_-Daily_Deal-_-20-231-417

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145299

Video: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150573

Total is $550.

You are getting a quad core, better graphics card, and more ram for less then your first build but more than your second.

 

[longpig]

A lot like my ongoing build.

First, Gigabyte boards need BIOS update to run FX processors. So unless you have an AM3 cpu hanging around you're screwed.
The AS rock may be okay, depending on BIOS version. I've bought the 970 Extreme3 which they claim supports FX with all BIOS versions.

I'd go with the Sniper memory given the choice.

But I have the same dilemma with the CPU. x3 455, x2 555 and gamble on core unlock or go FX4100? At least the first two enable you to update the
BIOS and wait for Piledriver / Windows 8

I also went for 6770 (5770 essentially not available in UK) which UESP Wiki claims will get to High/V. High settings in Skyrim.

Hope that helps

 

[SiOps]

Changed the RAM and PSU in build 2. The sniper kit you posted was out of stock on newegg

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

As mush as I would like to go with the AM3+ CPU it seems like everyone is having problems with the older BIOS versions not booting. It seems the lower priced Gigabyte and Asrock boards all suffer the same issue. I don't have an older AM3 laying around just to get into windows and get the BIOS updated. But I don't see anything wrong with getting an AM3+ board and the x3 455 for now. Could update the BIOS and could later drop in an AM3+ CPU right?

 

[nutmanmatt]

Changed the RAM and PSU in build 2. The sniper kit you posted was out of stock on newegg

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL

PSU: Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W ATX12V v2.3 SLI Ready CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

As mush as I would like to go with the AM3+ CPU it seems like everyone is having problems with the older BIOS versions not booting. It seems the lower priced Gigabyte and Asrock boards all suffer the same issue. I don't have an older AM3 laying around just to get into windows and get the BIOS updated. But I don't see anything wrong with getting an AM3+ board and the x3 455 for now. Could update the BIOS and could later drop in an AM3+ CPU right?

Bahh forgot about the bios update...my bad.....Yes you can use the x3 and update bios for am3+

 

[cutebeans]

Just get a Phenom II x 4 and a AM3 Motherboard. Bulldozer is a dissappointment.

 

[zooted]

^+1 Get them fast before they all disappear.

 

[nutmanmatt]

Just get a Phenom II x 4 and a AM3 Motherboard. Bulldozer is a dissappointment.

Really? Is it FX really worse than the Phenom II? I know its cheaper and faster and you can overclock it allot on air. Why is the Phenom II better?

 

[cutebeans]

Really? Is it FX really worse than the Phenom II? I know its cheaper and faster and you can overclock it allot on air. Why is the Phenom II better?

Yes, you can overclock alot on it but it still sucks compared to the phenom II.

 

[SiOps]

Ended going with:

ASRock 870 Extreme3 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

XFX HD-679X-ZDFC Radeon HD 6790 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...

Everything else is the same for Build 2. $570.00 shipped. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[SiOps]

Best answer selected by SiOps.

 

[longpig]

Thanks for the nod.
What processor did you end up with?
Considering that not all Phenoms are better than FX, there is no point buying a dead end AM3 mobo with no upgrade path and Phenom processors are as rare and expensive as hen's teeth

 

[SiOps]

The Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3 GHz. I think it's good enough for now. If it turns out to be a bottleneck in the future I can drop a Phenom or AM3+ in it easily. All in all I think it's going to be a great system for $570.00