New Build!

[elsdonc]

Hey guys, I've never put together a homebuilt computer before, wondering if you could take a look at the build I'm currently thinking about.

CPU AMD FX-8120 3.1GHz 8-Core Processor
Motherboard ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard
Memory Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card Sapphire Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card
Case Antec Nine Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply Antec 650W ATX12V Power Supply

I'm trying to go for a really nice gaming computer that's easy on the wallet. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

 

[ohyouknow]

If you are going to go with an amd build I'd suggest you pick up this cpu to shave off $40 or so. Phenom 965.

Gaming wise, they perform practically the same. I like my 8120 but you need to overclock a good amount to get the performance going. Additionally, investing more money in the gpu is always better as long as you're not playing on an old monitor with like 1280x720 resolution capped.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

and pick up a HD6870 or HD6950

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987

Other than those suggestions everything looks good.

You can go with an intel build that some are going to suggest after me which would be a good idea to consider as well. Good luck

 

[elsdonc]

Looks good, thanks! Just wondering though, why don't you like the 7770?

 

[ohyouknow]

Honestly, it games well enough but it doesn't have the muscle and for only a little bit more you could pick up the 6950 which is almost 2 times faster than it.

 

[geofelt]

For gaming, the graphics card is the most important factor, more so than the cpu. Spend your budget there first.

For the cpu, realize that few games use more than 2 or 3 fast cores. That makes most of the 8 cores on a FX-8120 largely irrelevant.
Bulldozer was a disappointment for the gamer. Good for heavily threaded apps, but not for gaming.
On tom's list, best gaming cpu's for the money, there are no winning AMD chips on the list at any price point.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106.html

I think you might do well to revise your list.
Do you have a budget?

 

[elsdonc]

Yeah, I would like to spend around $700 or less. My current build was something like $650 which was perfect.

 

[geofelt]

Yeah, I would like to spend around $700 or less. My current build was something like $650 which was perfect.

You might start by looking at this Tom's $650 gaming build.
Prices will have changed, so adjust what you will:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-gaming-pc-overclock,3159.html

 

[elsdonc]

You're right. Looks like Tom's build will be easier to set up and with much better video card.

CPU Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor -
Motherboard Gigabyte GA-H61MA-D3V Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard
Memory G.Skill Value Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory
Hard Drive Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card XFX Radeon HD 6950 2GB Video Card
Case Rosewill FBM-01 MicroATX Mini Tower Case
Power Supply Rosewill 630W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply
Optical Drive LG GH22NS90B DVD/CD Writer

This is what I've got working from Tom's build, it's basically the same. What you think?

 

[geofelt]

It would be helpful to post some links and see how it adds up and compares to your budget.

The 6950 needs a 500w psu
http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6950/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6950-overview.aspx#3

I think Corsair is a better brand, and they have a cheaper 600w unit for $50 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028
Other good brands are Antec, Seasonic, XFX, and PC P&C.

Ram is cheap. I would prefer a 8gb kit of 2 x 4gb. @$40.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231422

But, 4gb is OK too.
A single stick of 4gb preserves your option to go to 8gb later.
But, at the expense of very slightly less performance. Not really a big deal.

The prices of hard drives have come down a bit, so you might be able to use those savings on something else.

Also, the graphics market has changed a bit. With a graphics budget of $240,
A better card might be a GTX560ti,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130623

or a 7850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161405

Be guided by the budget from the $650 build, and try to pick the best parts in that budget range.

 

[elsdonc]

Hmmm, you make good points. I think I'm going to go with your Corsair power supply and the 7850. I'll stick with the 4gb ram for now as you said it's only one stick so if I feel I need more I'll just get another 4gb stick later. This all adds up right now to $655 so that's pretty good. What are your thoughts on the case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147123&Tpk=rosewill%20case%20fbm-01

I think this build looks great for what I'm after. Thanks a lot!

 

[elsdonc]

I'm also wondering about keyboards...I'll be hooking the computer to my TV which is large and far from my couch. That means wireless keyboard, but are there any reliable wireless keyboards?

 

[elsdonc]

Also this is the driver I'm looking at but it's out of stock. Any suggestions?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136240&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-CD/DVD%20Burners%20(RW%20Drives)-_-LG%20ELECTRONICS-_-27136240&AID=10440897&PID=3938566&SID=

 

[geofelt]

The case will work.

I have used Samsung dvd burners, they are reasonably quiet. Asus is ok too. Both <$20.

No clue on wireless keyboards.
Do verify how far away from the reciever they will work.

 

[ohyouknow]

While the i3 will perform very well, I would suggest getting an i5 quad core if you plan on playing any games online which have lots of people on screen i.e. BF3. The higher it gets up the more the dual core will struggle. Benchmarks are for single player offline modes. Keep it in mind and good luck!