$600 - $700 gaming build

[AtomsInMotion]

Budget Range: $600 but will go as high as $700 if its worth it

I already have a copy of windows. and an Optical drive

Just want opinions on my build and if anyone can suggest a better build within the price range that would be amazing as well.

CPU: AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996

MB: GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519

GPU: SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

PSU: SeaSonic M12II 620 Bronze 620W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151095

HDD: Western Digital 320GB IntelliPower 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236079

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Total: $629

Also I might go with Radeon 6850 and get maybe 8 gigs of RAM if thats better. I went AMD because people say they are the better budget choice but if an intel build works better then I have no problem going intel. Thanks in advance

 

[UVB076]

Do you live near a Microcenter?

 

[gamerkila57]

very solid build but FX processors are only worth the money if they are overclocked

 

[UVB076]

Actually even once they are overclocked, they are not worth it because they run hot, have high power draw and you still can't change the transistor count. An i3 games better than any AMD CPU.

 

[gamerkila57]

Actually even once they are overclocked, they are not worth it because they run hot, have high power draw and you still can't change the transistor count. An i3 games better than any AMD CPU.

they don't run hot because i have one on stock and it never gos over 50C when gaming. and for price / performance AMD is better

 

[UVB076]

they don't run hot because i have one on stock and it never gos over 50C when gaming. and for price / performance AMD is better

Zambezi transistors per core : 150 000 000
Ivy Bridge transistors per core : 350 000 000

 

[gamerkila57]

Zambezi transistors per core : 150 000 000
Ivy Bridge transistors per core : 350 000 000

all around FX processors are great for the price

 

[AtomsInMotion]

So if I were to go i3 instead of fx then what motherboard would you suggest?

 

[AtomsInMotion]

So if I were to go i3 instead of fx then what motherboard would you suggest?

 

[bigcyco1]

Despite what some people will tell you, I would not go with an AMD.8 core cpu AMD used to be nice because it was considered a cheaper alternative to Intel that would still get you pretty decent performance. That's not really the case anymore though, because their newest processors aren't much of an improvement over their last generation of processors. They're best 8-core cpu barely keeps up with the Intel i5 2500K, and it's more expensive.However i am no AMD hater and the AMD Phenom II X4 Black Editions series cpu are still a acceptable way to go for a custom mid range kick ass gaming rig but the rest are a lost cause no disrespect intended

 

[bigcyco1]

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.27 @ Compuvest)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($129.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Low Voltage Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($72.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($227.55 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($48.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($24.97 @ Newegg)
Total: $728.60
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker)

. The i3-2120 should be fine for gaming and won't bottleneck the 7850, but if you feel that you need more power you can get an i5-2500k for about $75 more.

 

[Star72]

Despite what some people will tell you, I would not go with an AMD.8 core cpu AMD used to be nice because it was considered a cheaper alternative to Intel that would still get you pretty decent performance. That's not really the case anymore though, because their newest processors aren't much of an improvement over their last generation of processors. They're best 8-core cpu barely keeps up with the Intel i5 2500K, and it's more expensive.However i am no AMD hater and the AMD Phenom II X4 Black Editions series cpu are still a acceptable way to go for a custom mid range kick ass gaming rig but the rest are a lost cause no disrespect intended

Actually right now on Newegg the 2500k is more expensive, $219.99 to $199.99 for the 8150. But he's not looking at the 8150 anyways so it doesn't really matter I guess.

 

[quilciri]

If gaming is your highest priority in this build, this is what I would suggest on that budget.

$70 ($50 after mail-in)
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

$90
i3 2100
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0359809

$105
ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279

$24
Crucial Ballistix sport 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148419

$250 ($230 after mail-in)
HIS H785F2G2M Radeon HD 7850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161406

$50
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

$80
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

$18
LG DVD Burner 24X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136236

$687 total before mail in, $647 after.

 

[bigcyco1]

That's a pretty solid build quilciri great job! another idea Update

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:Apollo BLACK NP
Item #:N82E16811146025
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$89.99 -$30.00 Instant $59.99


Update

ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Model #:Z68 PRO3 GEN3
Item #:N82E16813157279
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$114.99 -$10.00 Instant $104.99


Update

SAPPHIRE 11188-22-20G Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card (OC Edition)

SAPPHIRE 11188-22-20G Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card (OC Edition)
Model #:11188-22-20G
Item #:N82E16814102987
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$249.99 -$50.00 Instant $199.99


Update

SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

SeaSonic S12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V V2.3 / EPS 12V V2.91 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Model #:S12II 520 Bronze
Item #:N82E16817151094
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$84.99 -$15.00 Instant $69.99


Update

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120

Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 2000 BX80623I32120
Model #:BX80623I32120
Item #:N82E16819115077
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

$124.99 $124.99


Update

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996995

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model 996995
Model #:996995
Item #:N82E16820226191
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$44.99 $44.99


Update

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

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD5000AAKX
Item #:N82E16822136769
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$84.99 -$5.00 Instant $79.99


Update

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner SATA Model SH-222BB/BEBE - OEM
Model #:SH-222BB/BEBE
Item #:N82E16827151244
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$16.99 $16.99
Subtotal: $701.92
All @newegg also quilciri build has a better GPU but hope this helps mate good luck!

 

[azeem40]

Regarding FX 4100 vs i3-2100:

"What conclusions can we draw from all this? First of all, AMD’s FX-4100 isn't necessarily the disappointment it appeared to be in our sub-$200 gaming processor comparison if you match it up to a comparably entry-level graphics card. Equipped with anything slower than a Radeon HD 6950, you can set your resolution and detail settings as high as possible to maintain a 30 FPS minimum, and in most cases, the graphics card will emerge as your bottleneck. With a higher-end GPU installed (or a CrossFire/SLI arrangement), the CPU's limitations are more likely to be exposed. Oh, and take advantage of AMD's unlocked multiplier ratio to crank the clocks up as high as possible.

Zoom

The good news is that AMD fans can still enjoy games on a capable machine without spending a ton of cash. With that established, though, getting in the door with an LGA 1155-based platform costs about the same and yields a more consistently-good experience. We've seen enthusiasts throw blame all over the place: review sites aren't picking the right benchmarks, developers aren't spending enough time optimizing for AMD's architecture, and Intel is squelching innovation. But it comes down to this: when a new game you’ve been waiting for gets installed on your machine, finger-pointing won't help you enjoy it any more if it behaves like Metro 2033, demonstrating between 27% and 33% higher minimum frame rates on the Core i3-2100. Even a $200 FX-8120 won’t solve your problem; our tests show that chip acts just like the FX-4100 in gaming environments.

Today, Intel's LGA 1155 platform remains the best bet for a gaming rig. And not only for its budget-oriented performance, which is great, but also for its potential. Start with a cheap Core i3 and an inexpensive discrete GPU. Then, upgrade later to an Ivy Bridge-based chip and a faster graphics card without imposing any sort of bottleneck. SLI and CrossFire are both viable with a fast-enough CPU (even splitting PCI Express connectivity between two x8 slots), and the $180 Core i5-2400 is a gaming beast that AMD's overclocked processors cannot touch.

AMD simply cannot counter those advantages right now. We must look to the Piledriver architecture and hope that our current assessment can be reevaluated later this year."

According to http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=434 , the i3-2100 is faster than the FX 8150, which is about two notches better than the FX 4100, meaning the i3-2100 is also better than the FX 4100.

 

[AtomsInMotion]

Thanks for the build. I didn't think I could go past 6870 because of my budget. Good thing I can get a lift to the nearest Microcenter.. And thanks for the input from everyone else.

 

[AtomsInMotion]

Best answer selected by AtomsInMotion.