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Budget Gaming Build (Diablo 3)

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Approximate Purchase Date: ASAP

Budget Range: $400 - $500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: DIABLO 3, Skyrim, internet

Parts Not Required: OS, keyboard, mouse, monitor

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: microcenter, newegg, ncix, amazon

Country: U.S.A.

Parts Preferences: No preference

Overclocking: Probably

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: Helping a coworker build a budget PC mainly for upcoming D3 and Skyrim. We've found a pretty good deal at microcenter (http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/750770a3#/750770a3/...) on an CPU/mobo combo that I'll put below. Also, I realize the PSU is a little overboard but he will probably want to overclock and wants modular. Haven't bought any parts yet, certainly not set in stone. Advice appreciated.



CPU: AMD FX 4100 Black Edition 3.6GHz Quad-Core Socket AM3+ Boxed Processor: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml... - $100

Mobo: ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS Socket AM3+ 760G mATX AMD Motherboard: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml... - $0

RAM: Kingston HyperX blu 8GB DDR3-1600 (PC3-12800) CL9 Dual Channel Desktop Memory Kit (Two 4GB Memory modules): http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml... - $35

Case: Cooler Master HAF912 Mid Tower ATX Computer Case: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml... - $45

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... - $142 after MIR.

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... - $20 after MIR

HDD: WD Caviar Blue 250GB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive WD2500AAKX - OEM: http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml... - $80

PSU: Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... - $76

Thanks

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While I understand the budget I can't honestly suggest the 4100. Indeed, read the FX reviews here at Toms before pulling the trigger. An i3 blows them away and you can get a z68 Asrock mobo for the mid $80 range, 2x4gb 1.5v ram for less than $50. The blue hdd as the sole drive makes me uncomfortable and the small size may last for a while but...

erikalikesfire said:
I was about to say "i3-2100 or at least a G630" out of habit, but that cpu+mb combo is so good it actually makes sense. You've got a good build considering the painfully tight budget. You might be interested in this though: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168... $5 cheaper, twice the capacity.


Thanks for the HDD suggestion, that is a lot more for the money. A lot of people are saying i3 is so much better but is it really almost twice as good because that looks like what I'd be spending on i3 + mobo as opposed to the AMD deal.

Best solution

Low-end motherboard costs are about the same, processor costs are about the same, Intel has better performance. If you factor in overclocking, AMD can compete at the lower levels in terms of performance, but then the AMD setup needs an aftermarket cooler, and will consume a lot more power and be louder/hotter, so Intel still wins for most people. And then if you want to upgrade to a high-performance machine, the Intel guy knows he can get an i5-2400, or an i5-2500k, or an Ivy Bridge processor later and get a huge speed increase; the AMD guy knows there will probably be a processor he can use later since AMD is good with backwards-compatibility like that, but will that new processor actually be faster? Intel's performance improves consistently year after year, but AMD has stumbled recently.

AMD makes sense for you because that combo lets you get a cpu + mb + cooler for less than the usual cost of just a cpu + mb.
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