Budget AMD Gaming/School Computer

[Joch730]

Hey everybody I am going to attempt to build a computer (it's my first) for gaming, school, and surfing the web. I will be playing games like Counter-Strike 1.6 ( I know my P3 can run it), the James Bond Games, and games like that.

Approximate Purchase Date: throughout the next few months

Budget Range: 400-450

System Usage from Most to Least Important: School, Gaming, Surfing the Internet with a hundred tabs open
Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Whatever is cheap and reliable

Country: USA

Parts Preferences:AMD cpu

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1280x780 I know it isn't the best I'll be getting a new one

Additional Comments: Needs to be easily upgradeable, last 3+ years, work well with windows 8 from our knowledge of it. If needed I can stretch the budget to $500. I also want to be able to play new games coming out at medium at 1280x780. Thanks everybody

 

[g-unit1111]

Additional Comments: Needs to be easily upgradeable, last 3+ years, work well with windows 8 from our knowledge of it. If needed I can stretch the budget to $500. I also want to be able to play new games coming out at medium at 1280x780. Thanks everybody

With HD prices the way they are right now I'm not entirely sure it can be done for ~$450 - your budget might have to go a bit higher. It can definitely be done for $600. Any computer that can run Windows 7 will be able to run Windows 8 pretty easily for the most part.

Try this:

Case: Antec 300 - $59.99
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX500 - $59.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 - $89.99
CPU: 3.5GHz AMD Phenom II X4 970 - $139.99
RAM: G.Skill 8GB (2 x 4GB) PC10666 1333MHz 1.5V - $43.99
Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 - $29.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200 RPM - $99.99
Optical: MSI 22X DVD Burner - included with HD
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 6770 - $119.99

Total; $633.91

 

[Joch730]

Hey do you think I should just wait to buy a HD, my lappy is just fine but can't game well
EDIT: Could I get by with 1 4gig stick of RAM and $500 is my MAX

 

[Joch730]

BUMP
EDIT: Would this barebones kit be a good start http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1336880&sku=B69-0453

 

[g-unit1111]

BUMP
EDIT: Would this barebones kit be a good start http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1336880&sku=B69-0453

I wouldn't trust a system that includes a case with a built in PSU - that can spell bad things down the road. Do not buy a PSU that isn't UL certified and rated at least 80+ Bronze or better.

If you want to go with a DIY combo this would be a far better system - just add a good GPU later on - http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.789249

Just be sure to swap the included PSU with this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&Tpk=corsair%20builder%20series%20cx500

That will come out to ~$479 approx.

Hey do you think I should just wait to buy a HD, my lappy is just fine but can't game well
EDIT: Could I get by with 1 4gig stick of RAM and $500 is my MAX

You could but to get the most out of a dual channel system (which the AMD 970 uses) you will need two sticks of RAM in order for it to properly function.

You could also get by with a lesser HD or a 64GB SSD - but what you have to keep in mind is that a typical Windows install takes 16GB plus each game will take anywhere from 8GB - 25GB.

 

[Joch730]

well I was complaining to my family and one of them volunteered to buy me a hard drive so that gives me wiggle room. I also have a $40 to Amazon that I was thinking I could buy RAM with. I have a friend I might be able to get parts from, I'll just have to wait and see what I can get.
EDIT: How about this RAM http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-12800-CML8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B00569K7LM/ref=sr_1_30?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1324995367&sr=1-30 and a phenom ii x4 925 and corsair cx500 v2 psu at http://www.newegg.com/Store/ComboDeals.aspx?ComboStoreID=87&name=CPUs-Power-Supplies

 

[zooted]

^The 925 is an oem cpu, meaning that it doesnt come with a cooler. So you would have to buy an aftermarket one. I would look at the 960t zosma, as it is a hexacore with 2 disabled cores that have the possibility to unlock. Even if it doesn't it is a very solid quad core for 110$

 

[zooted]

Here's an idea '
optical
case
mobo
gpu
psu
cpu+ram
$452 ($442 AR)

The 6850 will most likely be overkill for that resolution, but will be good if you upgrade down the road.

 

[Joch730]

Now I am wondering if I should go intel now? hmmm.... can I have a few opinions on what would be best for a $500 budget

 

[Joch730]

I can buy the corsair ram I listed today, I'm going to stay away from combo deals as I won't be able to get them in time

 

[g-unit1111]

Now I am wondering if I should go intel now? hmmm.... can I have a few opinions on what would be best for a $500 budget

Not really sure you can do an Intel budget build for $500 without sacrificing a few things. You could go with an H61 motherboard and an i3-2120 (which is an excellent CPU itself).

Maybe try something like this:

Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 - $49.99
PSU: Corsair Builder Series CX500 - $59.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-D2H - $79.99
CPU: 3.20GHz Intel Core i3-2100 - $124.99
RAM: 8GB (2 x 4GB) G.Skill Ripjaw X 1600MHz 1.5V - $43.99
HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200RPM - $99.99
Optical: MSI DVD Burner - included in price of HD

Total: $458.99

 

[Joch730]

So which would perform better and last longer g-unit's build or zooted's with this RAM http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-12800-CML8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B00569K7LM/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325016878&sr=1-7 and a phenom ii x4 960T

 

[g-unit1111]

So which would perform better and last longer g-unit's build or zooted's with this RAM http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-12800-CML8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B00569K7LM/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325016878&sr=1-7 and a phenom ii x4 960T

Don't build a system around what RAM you choose - your RAM is chosen by what motherboard you pick, not the other way around. That RAM should be fine no matter what motherboard you choose as long as it's a dual channel system, which both the AMD 990FX, AMD 970, and Intel H61/H67/P67/Z68 support. What you should do when you get your motherboard is to go to the manufacturer's support site and they'll have a list of what RAM they've tested and what RAM they haven't.

The Intel will last longer with the fewest upgrades, but the AMD will support a wider range of CPUs and have room for future upgrades and expansion - it's pretty much take your pick.

 

[Joch730]

Final Build:
Mobo: ASRock 870 Extreme3 R2.0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157272&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=vqx0epefve5h
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=53f01ly6o37n
GPU: VisionTek Radeon 6850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129191&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1rfyl8xs2kov6
CPU: Phenom II x4 960T http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995&Tpk=Phenom%20960T
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8gb DDR3 1600mhz http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-12800-CML8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B00569K7LM/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325016878&sr=1-7
PSU: Corsair builder Series CX430 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1q2593b4yeg8f
Optical: LG 22x Optical Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=13g4v23il3axw
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HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500gb pretty much $100 darn floods
I would like your opinions on my build, if you see compatibility issues please tell me

 

[Joch730]

BUMP

 

[g-unit1111]

Final Build:
Mobo: ASRock 870 Extreme3 R2.0 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157272&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=vqx0epefve5h
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=53f01ly6o37n
GPU: VisionTek Radeon 6850 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129191&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1rfyl8xs2kov6
CPU: Phenom II x4 960T http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995&Tpk=Phenom%20960T
RAM: Corsair Vengeance Low Profile 8gb DDR3 1600mhz http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Vengeance-Profile-PC3-12800-CML8GX3M2A1600C9/dp/B00569K7LM/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1325016878&sr=1-7
PSU: Corsair builder Series CX430 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1q2593b4yeg8f
Optical: LG 22x Optical Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=13g4v23il3axw
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500gb pretty much $100 darn floods
I would like your opinions on my build, if you see compatibility issues please tell me

Yeah the HD prices right now are absolutely insane. :lol:

Much more improved build with a couple of suggestions:

The 970 would be better - it has better support for newer and future CPUs. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262

Sapphire would be a better brand of Radeon than Visiontek would - and the 6850 is a good choice for sure. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

And go with the CX600 - it's only an extra $20 and it will ensure your system will be able to handle newer video cards in the future.

 

[Joch730]

Best answer selected by Joch730.