How's this for a 1st ever build?

[lolwut767]

Hello.
(bit new to this forum, so please don't hate ) I was once sitting at my PC, wondering "How can I make this better, by turning it into a gaming PC?"
I thought "Build a new one FROM SCRATCH!"
So, this is my build (I haven't bought any of these parts yet). Bear in mind that even this is a bit of a stretch for my budget, and that I am british, so UK monies please! I have a rough budget of £300. If you want any more descriptions, I'll give the links to amazon.
Cooler Master 500w PSU
CiT Vantage Midi Mesh Gaming Case
Asus M5A97 mobo (looking cool as anything!)
AMD "Bulldozer" FX-6100 @ 3.3GHz (6 core)
Cheap LiteOn Disk drive
Then, as a maybe:
HD6570 or 6670 GPU
More 4GB Corsair XMS3
This is the stuff I already have:
Corsair XMS3 (1300MHz?)
Samsung HDD (160GB)
NVIDIA GeForce GT520 (1GB DDR3)
EDIT: oh, and a Hitachi Deskstar 2TB 7200RPM drive.

Any ideas, tell me!

 

[maui67]

Not sure of the price difference in the UK, but if you can get the FX-6300 Vishera instead of Bulldozer. Much better cpu.
Also, I know you mention you have 4gb of RAM and want to add 4gb more. If the RAM you have is indeed the 1333MHz variety and you do decide to go with an AMD cpu, I would suggest getting 8GB of 1600 or 1866MHz RAM instead. The AMD procs are really fond of the faster RAM.

One last thought, you mention a Cooler Master PSU. They are not the best PSUs. Try to stick with Seasonic, Antec, Corsair, or PC Power & Cooling if possible. I know your budget is a concern, but you don't want to skimp on the PSU.

 

[glitch19]

1.get the i3 3220 or i3 2120 for the processor

2. change that memory to a 1600mz (since ram prices now are really low)

3. 7750 for the gpu

 

[lolwut767]

Thanks for the suggestions!

I had a look, the Corsair 600w it is.
The ram; I could keep the ram for my dad's machine (when he gets a new one) or as spare, or keep it in, but in the other slots (so dual channeling with the faster ram is possible) Corsair vengeance any good?
The cpu, well, don't know about that. I'll think about it, it's about £20-£30 more than the other just for another 200MHz. But hey, who knows.

EDIT: 7750 is the last thing to buy, I have a GT520 raring to go on the very computer this is being typed on. (this keyboard is useless!) RAM upgrade is a yes, and the i3 is a maybe! I had a look, same prices. Hint: MAYBE

 

[Wisecracker]

Be sure to snag the Asus M5A97 v2.

+1 on the Piledriver FX-6300

Recycle your Corsair XMS3s until you can afford 1866MHz or 2133MHz RAMs -- focus the remainder of your funds on your video card.

That sounds like a fancy cabinet -- if you can save some money there put it toward your video card.

 

[lolwut767]

Be sure to snag the Asus M5A97 v2.
+1 on the Piledriver FX-6300
Recycle your Corsair XMS3s until you can afford 1866MHz or 2133MHz RAMs
That sounds like a fancy cabinet "save some money, put it toward your video card".

Case is £30ish.
XMS3s'll stay until I get the new ones, £31 for 8GB and 1866MHz? DEAL.
Processor... actually, I retract my statement. Getting a boost of 19fps?! Defo on my wish list if I can't get the 6100, or if it goes cheap somewhere.
Asus: It is indeed the 2.0.

 

[lolwut767]

Hokay, £300.40. Not too bad, but I'm having to get the PSU on ebay, however it is brand new.

 

[Wisecracker]

The PhII 965BE will easily OC and may save you £20-30, but the FX-6300 would be sweet

The GT520 with GDDR3 is killin' yah. All things being equal, GDDR5 has roughly twice the bandwidth as GDDR3. An HD7770 would be nice, but with your cpu/mobo, the sky is the limit!

 

[lolwut767]

The PhII 965BE will easily OC and may save you £20-30, but the FX-6300 would be sweet

The GT520 with GDDR3 is killin' yah. All things being equal, GDDR5 has roughly twice the bandwidth as GDDR3. An HD7770 would be nice, but with your cpu/mobo, the sky is the limit!

That PhII is actually the cheapest! I'll keep an eye on it. The thing is, is there a difference between AM3 and AM3+?
Yes, the GT520 is absolute toss. I have it, it barely gets anything out of games, i.e. SR3. I get about 20 on minimum, but I surpass the minimum requirements.

 

[Wisecracker]

That PhII is actually the cheapest! I'll keep an eye on it. The thing is, is there a difference between AM3 and AM3+?
Yes, the GT520 is absolute toss. I have it, it barely gets anything out of games, i.e. SR3. I get about 20 on minimum, but I surpass the minimum requirements.

Motherboards? --- YES! AM3+ motherboards will run all current CPUs; AM3 motherboards will not run AM3+ CPUs.

As far as the *CPUs* there is a difference, but AM3 CPUs will work just dandy in AM3+ motherboards. FX-Piledriver CPUs will OC higher, but the PhIIs will work just dandy for you.

AMD will drop prices when new models come out. So next Fall, that FX-6300 will likely be 30-40% less in cost when the new CPUs come out. You may then decide if you want the newest CPU, or if something like the FX-8350 looks like a bargain!

 

[lolwut767]

Motherboards? --- YES! AM3+ motherboards will run all current CPUs; AM3 CPUs will work just dandy in AM3+ motherboards.
AMD will drop prices when new models come out. So next Fall, that FX-6300 will likely be 30-40% less in cost when the new CPUs come out.

Heh, to save up (£23 per month) for all of this (£226.10 (excluding mobo, i can get that for Christmas) is around 10 months! XD
That's good to know that the AM3'll fit in the 3+.

 

[lolwut767]

Anyone else got any suggestions?
Do you think I should get the Phenom II 965BE or the FX-6300?