Building a budget PC, ~$600 budget

[pepsiwithcoke]

Approximate Purchase Date: Mid - Late March, 2013


Budget Range: Around 600, Can go up if need be.


System Usage from Most to Least Important: 3d Gaming, Strategy Gaming (Civilization, Europa Universalis, ect) Emulation (Mainly PS2, GCN/Wii and N64), General computer usage.


Are you buying a monitor: No


Parts to Upgrade: All new build


Do you need to buy OS: No


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg, Amazon, Anywhere that is reliable


Location: Milwaukee, WI


Parts Preferences: None really, I'm trying to get decent rig going.


Overclocking: Maybe


SLI or Crossfire: No


Your Monitor Resolution: 1440x900


Additional Comments: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC. Please also list specific software or games you're using)


And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Why am i upgrading?, Here is my current PC:
Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4400+ (2.3 GHz)
Memory : (RAM) 2.00 GB
Graphics : AMD RADEON HD 6450
Gaming graphics: 1791 MB Total available graphics memory
Primary hard disk: 25GB Free (145GB Total)

This is my first time trying to build a PC from scratch, But this will both be a learning experience and cheaper than a prebuilt.

I have 2 builds made on PCPartpicker that i had help with from Gamefaqs PCH, I'm leaning toward build A because i would be able to upgrade to an i5-i7 down the line, But B is better right now, Im just not sure what i want

Build A: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ASlX

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($123.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock Z75 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($47.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $587.68
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 00:35 EST-0500)

Build B:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($133.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($47.98 @ Outlet PC)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $597.68
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-02-03 00:35 EST-0500)

 

[DeusAres]

Do you plan on upgrading your monitor any time soon? If not, either of these builds would be great choices. Personally, I would go with the AMD build. More and more games are beginning to take advantage of extra cores. Furthermore, the AMD build has a great upgrade path. The FX 8350 is an excellent CPU for the money and can more than hold its own against the i5 3570k and occasionally the i7 3770k...depending on the application.

Personally, I would also go with this case instead of the CM Elite 430.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. Good luck!

 

[pepsiwithcoke]

I do have a 1080p HDTV, But the problem is that it only will display something like 1360x768 when i plug it in via HDMI.

And i know about the case, I just haven't upgraded the list yet

 

[johnsonjohnson]

Hi. If you're going to get the CX430, get the V2 here: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cmpsu430cxv2 It costs even less after rebate from Newegg currently.

Here's a building guide with videos: http://techreport.com/review/23624/how-to-build-a-pc-the-tech-report-guide

 

[DeusAres]

I do have a 1080p HDTV, But the problem is that it only will display something like 1360x768 when i plug it in via HDMI.

And i know about the case, I just haven't upgraded the list yet

Hm, that's weird. Can you link me to the TV that you have? I have a 1080p HDTV as well and mine doesn't do that. It has full support for 1080p... even for my consoles... granted that it is technically up-scaled and not native 1080p. Can't wait to build my own rig.

 

[pepsiwithcoke]

It's a Dynex 32''.

Anybody have any more advice/opinions?

 

[pepsiwithcoke]

Best answer selected by pepsiwithcoke.