chadmanning222

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(hope this is technically right section) but im a first time builder about to order my parts for the desktop but i need some advice im kinda new to pc gaming aswell (obviously) and i needed a good opinion on good parts but id like to keep it cheap but spend a little more if i have to, so far i have found these:

Mobo- MSI AMD 9 series AM3+
CPU- AMD phenom X6
RAM- 8 gb crucial (2 x4gb)
GPU- (undecided ,depending) but i was thinking amd sapphire radeon 5450
PSU- 500 w coolmax
optical drive with dvd/rw+
500 gb hdd

once again i am new can you guys give me some advice for better specs for a game like minecraft(mainly minecraft) that will run fairly smoothly,

thanks
 
OK, a couple of suggestions.

First, MSI would not be my first choice of MB manufacturer. They have a very spotty history wrt quality control. Look at Gigabyte and Asus instead.

Second, the video card you spec'd is way underpowered for gaming. Look for a 6850 or 6870 model instead. You really don't want to cheap out on the video card, and 6850's are going for like 130 or so these days, which is quite inexpensive for a gaming video card.

Third, ditch the coolmax PSU. Coolmax is a really junky brand. Stick with Corsair, Antec, Seasonic, or XFX. The PSU is something you really don't want to cheap out on as it can take your whole system down with it.

Fourth, your hard drive. Make sure not to get a "green" series HDD as your primary storage device. You'll be sorely disappointed at the performance.
 
Try this PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($73.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Value Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($20.49 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($167.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $572.25
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-07 02:39 EDT-0400)
 
You prefer AMD here try this have any questions just ask. PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($106.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 560 1GB Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $581.91
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-07 02:47 EDT-0400)
 
Yeah you wrote the comment before i fixed that it was a build i did already for somebody who already that that mobo just give me a minute :kaola: :lol:
 

chadmanning222

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because im building this for my dad and im not going to build my computer until later on when i have the money (still young)
 

chadmanning222

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ok so i have made a few modifications. first thanks for the website you linked me its the first time ive seen it and it is very helpful and useful i love it!. second i changed my mobo to an ASUS due to reviews on MSI and i changed my GPU to an radeon 6850 due to an recommendation above (pricey but ill get over it). but i still one question how do you guys feel about the amd phenom X6 cpu i think its a great buy for the price but why isnt it a favored brand?. i know intel is reliable and kinda worth it but i wanted more than a dual core
 

chadmanning222

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ok actually i really like this set up but its going from my six core to a quad core will this prove any significant change in the working power. as in am i losing much by going down in cores.
 
your not going to lose any gaming performance
 
This would be a better build but it's a little over your limit PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($46.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($167.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($36.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Sony AD-7280S-0B DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $629.77
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-06-08 01:51 EDT-0400)