$500-$600 build suggestions-First time pc builder

[gamerzr]

Hi,
I'm a first time Pc builder and would like to get some advice on some components. I would like to have a budget of 500-600 dollars. Here are my decisions so far:

Cpu: Amd FX-8350

An AMD Gpu

And at least a 500 gb hard drive

I would like some help on deciding some other components. Bear in mind that i would like to play most games and record, especially minecraft. Hopefully there will be some room for slight OC.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

 

[gamerzr]

Would an amd or nvidia graphics card be better for my rig?

 

[ckholt83]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.29 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($97.86 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($116.97 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z9 ATX Mid Tower Case ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($15.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $595.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-16 22:35 EST-0500)

That will give you a healthy amount of headroom for overclocking. The motherboard comes with a free 8GB G.skill Ripjaw RAM kit when you buy it on newegg while the promotion lasts.

 

[gamerzr]

Thanks for your reply, this sound like a pretty solid build for my needs.

 

[gamerzr]

If I want an intel build with about 200 fps on minecraft what parts should I use? I don't know much about intel CPUs.

 

[ckholt83]

Your framerate will be primarily determined by your GPU, not your CPU.

Nevertheless, if you want an overclockable intel build then swap your CPU for this:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80637i53570k

And your motherboard for this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128540


The intel CPUs are a bit better at handling single threaded apps (like games), the AMD chips are useful if you want to do productivity type stuff on a budget. Either CPU would be fine for you though, your system bottleneck will be in the GPU.

 

[gamerzr]

On the fx-8350, would the extra cores help when recording fraps without affecting fps much? Or would the I5 have enough power?

 

[ckholt83]

The i5 would be more than powerful enough.

 

[gamerzr]

Thanks for your help I think I've decided my build.

 

[aznshinobi]

Hi,
I'm a first time Pc builder and would like to get some advice on some components. I would like to have a budget of 500-600 dollars. Here are my decisions so far:

Cpu: Amd FX-8350

An AMD Gpu

And at least a 500 gb hard drive

I would like some help on deciding some other components. Bear in mind that i would like to play most games and record, especially minecraft. Hopefully there will be some room for slight OC.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Per what you want to do, you should be going with a better GPU, not a better CPU. The 7770 isn't going to be good enough to record and play games at a decent settings for common resolutions like 1680x1050 or 1080P.

Check out my $650 build here:
http://www.squidoo.com/electronicandmore#module146695821
The real total is only $620 but it gives you a MUCH MUCH better GPU, the 7870 and you still get a piledriver six core that is more than capable.

 

[gamerzr]

When recording with fraps is it better to have more cores or a better Gpu?

 

[aznshinobi]

GPU is more important than CPU. Always.

 

[gamerzr]

But is it better to have a better gnu or cpu if using fraps?

 

[aznshinobi]

.... A better GPU is always more important in any type of gaming, and recording is essentially putting an even larger strain on your GPU to try and record the video of the game.

 

[gamerzr]

I see, thank you!!

 

[Yellow Screaming Madness]

About a month ago, I had built myself a pretty good PC and if you replace the old HDD with the new HDD, the total price would be about $535.
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 black series (newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727)
$100
GPU: EVGA GTX 550 ti 1GB
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625)
$135
RAM: 8GB
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314)
$40
HDD: WD Caviar red 1TB
Got at Fry's Electronics
$110
Motherbord:ECS A780LM-M2
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135315)
$50
Power supply: Diaboltec 775W (I know, that's a bit much )
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822015)
$75
Case: Rosewill Challenger
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147060)
$75
This can run CSS at about 150- 200 FPS on high and with high res custom skins and can run APB Reloaded in high at about 80 fps (not including connection.) Not the best, but I'm not complaining.

 

[Yellow Screaming Madness]

About a month ago, I had built myself a pretty good PC and if you replace the old HDD with the new HDD, the total price would be about $535.
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 black series (newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727)
$100
GPU: EVGA GTX 550 ti 1GB
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625)
$135
RAM: 8GB
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314)
$40
HDD: WD Caviar red 1TB
Got at Fry's Electronics
$110
Motherbord:ECS A780LM-M2
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135315)
$50
Power supply: Diaboltec 775W (I know, that's a bit much )
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822015)
$75
Case: Rosewill Challenger
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147060)
$75
This can run CSS at about 150- 200 FPS on high and with high res custom skins and can run APB Reloaded in high at about 80 fps (not including connection.) Not the best, but I'm not complaining.

 

[Yellow Screaming Madness]

About a month ago, I had built myself a pretty good PC and if you replace the old HDD with the new HDD, the total price would be about $535.
CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 black series (newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727)
$100
GPU: EVGA GTX 550 ti 1GB
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625)
$135
RAM: 8GB
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314)
$40
HDD: WD Caviar red 1TB
Got at Fry's Electronics
$110
Motherbord:ECS A780LM-M2
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135315)
$50
Power supply: Diaboltec 775W (I know, that's a bit much )
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817822015)
$75
Case: Rosewill Challenger
(newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147060)
$75
This can run CSS at about 150- 200 FPS on high and with high res custom skins and can run APB Reloaded in high at about 80 fps (not including connection.) Not the best, but I'm not complaining.

 

[ckholt83]

Sorry to say, but that's not a great build.

The Phenoms are pretty dated by now, you can do better. The 550 Ti is a generation old as well, and a terrible value at $135. The 7770 performs better for less money.

That exact RAM can be had for free with either of the motherboards I linked. The HDD I linked is $60 cheaper for the same capacity.

ECS and Diablotek are both horrible brands, I wouldn't go near either one. 775W is also massive overkill for that build, assuming it can even provide its rated wattage without exploding.

The Rosewill challenger can be had for $40 pretty much all the time.

 

[aznshinobi]

^+1 exactly.

I also lol'd because the build is pretty much only $50 less than mine but has way worse performance.