How is this?

[stardust2280]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kw83

vs

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxEP

I already have 18gb or DDR3 ram and a 800w PSU... with a alienware case. Im open to suggestions. i cant go above $400 though.

 

[obsama1]

1st build. The 6450 is very weak. Even weaker than HD 4000.

 

[obsama1]

But, one change I'd make is to get the Trinity A8. More powerful, and better graphics, but you need an FM2 board.

 

[stardust2280]

The problem is I wanted a qaud core intel CPU, And I simply could not fit one in there. Maybe one of you guys can, tweaking the HDD and maybe even the GPU.

 

[obsama1]

The i5 is $180 at bare minimum. That's a big chunk of your budget. The GPU is the #1 component for gaming. Getting a killer CPU while getting a weak GPU will do no good. For example, an i3 with a 670 will kill an i7 with a 640. If you want a good quad, get the AMD A10 and you can crossfire the built in GPU with the 6670.

 

[stardust2280]

How do I do a crossfire with integrated?

 

[obsama1]

You install the GPU drivers. Then, you enable Crossfire in Catalyst.

 

[stardust2280]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxXz

So this will play games? Is it over alll good?

 

[stardust2280]

What is Catalyst?

 

[Koreanmojo05]

Catalyst is the program from AMD that allows you to change settings for your radeon card, and monitors.

 

[stardust2280]

Oh ok. So what about the build above?

 

[Koreanmojo05]

Looks pretty good to me, budget wise. I think for the money, you've maximized your performance with that set of hardware.

 

[stardust2280]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ky27

vs

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/kxXz

 

[Koreanmojo05]

You're going to get better performance with the integrated graphics in the A10 APU chip than you will the i3 processor. Basically the APU is as good as the graphics card you picked out already, except you'll be able to crossfire it with the card.

Second option gives you about twice as much graphics power compared to the first.

 

[stardust2280]

Im not sure I know how to crossfire... Is it very difficult?

 

[obsama1]

It's very easy.
1) Install GPU.
2) Install drivers.
3) Enable Crossfire in Catalyst (which is included in the drivers).

It's incredibly simple.