400$-500$ AMD Gaming Build

[Dedicated_Blade]

Approximate Purchase Date: e.g.: Looking at early May, late February after Tax Returns


Budget Range: (e.g.: 300-400) I want to try to keep it under 500$ if possible, but I am flexible and could go up to 520-530$

System Usage from Most to Least Important: (e.g.: Gaming, Live Streaming, Video Capture(Light Capturing), Surfing, Homework etc.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade: Basically I am building from the ground up with this build. It will be my very first brand new gaming build from my own pocket.
I have a 500W PSU from Antec, as for what model I will post that later, I am also reusing a DvD-RW Combo Drive and I have 2 Seagate 7200 RPM Sata Drives

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: microcenter.com newegg.com bestbuy.com

Location: Colorado, United States

Parts Preferences: by brand or type (e.g.: AMD, I really do like AMD, I know intel has the power today but I don't want anything fancy until I get out of college

Overclocking: Maybe, maybe some minor overclocking for example just to bump up from 3.8Ghz to 4.0 or 3.6 to 4.0 etc

SLI or Crossfire: Very small chance. But probably not till after college

Your Monitor Resolution: 1024x768

Additional Comments: PCI Wireless Card, they work just fine for me. I do want probably 2 extra 120mm fans for the case to cool things down more. LED on the fans I might not like at night but I can always cut the power to them and solder them back together later.

I basically need everything in the case ram, mobo, video card, cpu, the works. I want to be able to play Black Ops 2 or BF3 on decent graphical settings while live streaming to TwitchTV or wherever it might be. I also might be doing some light video capture like 15 second clips that I put together in montages. But overall I just want this to be a nice balance between cost and power that I can take along to college with me.

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: I've used a 10 year old dual core piece of junk and I am tired of using it.

If you have questions, shoot me back an answer

 

[djangoringo]

Get the FX-6300 in microcenter if you want an amd build + asrock 970DE/USB3(it's just 20$ there with the fx) which totals 140$.
You can also if you can afford, get the asus one, for 45$, it's a better motherboard.
See here : http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/c0a7cbf9#/c0a7cbf9/34
Get this ram there too : http://microcenter.com/product/382101/Ballistix_Sport_8GB_DDR3-1600_(PC3-12800)_CL9_Dual_Channel_Desktop_Memory_Kit_(Two_4GB_Memory_Modules)

This case in newegg : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=haf%20912

And the gpu : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131484

Or if your monitor resolution is really that low : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161426

 

[nokiddingboss]

djangoringo is just about right. also, you might want to change your monitor. 1024x768 is not exactly very "tantalizing" to look at. a 1600x900 led will definitely put that build to good use.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

But I am also going to need case and everything. I know some people don't have the time, but a complete build would be great but definitely thanks for the input.

 

[djangoringo]

There's the case, the haf 912, what are the parts that you need ?
It's only the cpu+mobo+ram+case+gpu ?
Because you can fit in there all the parts mention(except the gpu, the 7850 is cheaper)

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

So basically take this as a brand new build I need every single thing except the PSU and the DVD-RW/CD-RW Combo.

 

[djangoringo]

Well then it's what i just said, if you don't need an os, nor psu, dvd drive or hdd, what you need is the cpu+motherboard+ram+case+gpu.
And if you want to overclock the FX-6300, get an aftermarket cooler, this one is cheap and efficient : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ICA49G/

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/383014/Commander_MS-I_Snow_ATX_Mid-Tower

I think this case is better then the one you posted, and I can get a nice rebate on it.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

Well then it's what i just said, if you don't need an os, nor psu, dvd drive or hdd, what you need is the cpu+motherboard+ram+case+gpu.
And if you want to overclock the FX-6300, get an aftermarket cooler, this one is cheap and efficient : http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006ICA49G/

Now are most aftermarket cooler fans replaceable?

 

[djangoringo]

Well you can get that case, cases are a matter of individual preference, and it's always subjective.
The haf 912 is known to be a good case, but if you want something cheaper, that one is also decent.
And yes most aftermarket coolers have that option.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

Thanks for the help! I will see what I can get priced out for this and report back. If I do end up having enough I might just be willing to go 550$ for a nice 20" LED screen.

 

[djangoringo]

With the FX-6300+asrock motherboard it's 140$.
With the ram 42$ on microcenter, the case you like it's 35$ after mir, the 7850 is 165$ in newegg, the cooler is 20$ in amazon.
The total goes for 402$.
For a cheap, but good led backlit monitor there's this one : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254091

It goes for 502$.
You might want a 7850 2GB if you can raise the budget for those 550$ or even a 7870.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

So I have been reading a lot of reviews on the AMD video cards and a lot of them have driver issues and what not. Is this common with AMD? Should I get an nvidia card since I wouldn't be doing SLI?

 

[djangoringo]

The amd cards have decent drivers, but nvidia has better ones, the amd offers two games now with the 7800 series, bioshock infinite and tomb raider, so it might be worth it for you.
If not get a 660 GTX from nvidia.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

Lol 600 series is so expensive, but sometimes worth the penny.

 

[goonbar79]

I agree that the FX-6300 microcenter deal is the best, but instead of the ASRock 970DE3/U3S3, I would go with BIOSTAR Overclocker TA970XE (better chipset, better features, better ratings) for the same price after rebate.

newegg link comparison:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157305&Tpk=ASRock%20970DE3%2fU3S3%20770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138348&Tpk=biostar%20TA970XE

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

I agree that the FX-6300 microcenter deal is the best, but instead of the ASRock 970DE3/U3S3, I would go with BIOSTAR Overclocker TA970XE (better chipset, better features, better ratings) for the same price after rebate.

newegg link comparison:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157305&Tpk=ASRock%20970DE3%2fU3S3%20770
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138348&Tpk=biostar%20TA970XE

I dont see the rebate anywhere for that board you showed me, and Im just hesitant on buying video cards cause of all the DoA cards and bad reviews they have received. I just don't want mine to be dead on me when I get it. It would be a sad ending for me.

 

[goonbar79]

I dont see the rebate anywhere for that board you showed me, and Im just hesitant on buying video cards cause of all the DoA cards and bad reviews they have received. I just don't want mine to be dead on me when I get it. It would be a sad ending for me.

No, the price I was referring to is Microcenter's mobo & cpu bundle price. The newegg link is only for reference. If you don't have a Microcenter nearby, then this isn't much help to you.

here are the links:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/401797/FX_6300_Black_Edition_35GHz_Six-Core_Socket_AM3_Boxed_Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/product/385571/T_Overclocker_TA970XE_Socket_AM3_970_ATX_AMD_Motherboard

As for the GPU, I like djangoringo's recommended HD 7850 for around $170. And right now, newegg.com includes 2 games for free. I think SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7850 for $170 would be great for you. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

The cpu, mobo, & gpu above will cost you about $320. After that, you can decide to buy other components with the rest of your budget.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

No, the price I was referring to is Microcenter's mobo & cpu bundle price. The newegg link is only for reference. If you don't have a Microcenter nearby, then this isn't much help to you.

here are the links:
http://www.microcenter.com/product/401797/FX_6300_Black_Edition_35GHz_Six-Core_Socket_AM3_Boxed_Processor
http://www.microcenter.com/product/385571/T_Overclocker_TA970XE_Socket_AM3_970_ATX_AMD_Motherboard

As for the GPU, I like djangoringo's recommended HD 7850 for around $170. And right now, newegg.com includes 2 games for free. I think SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7850 for $170 would be great for you. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202004

The cpu, mobo, & gpu above will cost you about $320. After that, you can decide to buy other components with the rest of your budget.

Ok, I so with a rebate I can get that board very nicely at $19. That is simply brilliant, but what makes the two mobo's differently in quality & performance?

Is there a cheaper alternative for the video card? I know it is a good deal, but I have a 500W power supply and the video card requires a 500W power supply so I didn't want to push things too hard and heavy on my psu? So maybe an HIS iCooler Radeon HD 7770?

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

http://www.microcenter.com/product/385422/R77702PMD1GD5OC_AMD_Radeon_HD_7770_OC_1024MB_GDDR5_PCIe_30_x16_Video_Card

How does this compare to the newegg card you showed me? I couldn't find any decent reviews on newegg but it has a great price tag on it.

 

[goonbar79]

Ok, I so with a rebate I can get that board very nicely at $19. That is simply brilliant, but what makes the two mobo's differently in quality & performance?

Is there a cheaper alternative for the video card? I know it is a good deal, but I have a 500W power supply and the video card requires a 500W power supply so I didn't want to push things too hard and heavy on my psu? So maybe an HIS iCooler Radeon HD 7770?

Well, usually I would go for ASrock over Biostar when just looking at the brand (ASRock mfg factories are the sames ones that make ASUS). But this time, I like the Biostar:

1. It has higher MSRP at $100 vs $70, as every $20~30 makes huge differences in the low price point.
2. It has higher overall rating @ newegg.com.
3. It has a higher end AMD chipset AMD 970 vs 770, which means it will have better overall features & bandwidth, examples including higher top RAM clock support, 2 slots of PCI-E2 x16 (although 2nd slot runs like a snail), more SATA 6Gb ports, more audio channels, firewire & esata ports, etc etc.
4. Probably overclocks better too (just a guess).

500W psu should be sufficient for HD7850, as long as the psu is a reliable brand. But if you want to bring overall costs down, your choice of HD 7770 microcenter one is a great choice. I think that would be sufficient for 95% of current games at medium setting on 1080p or lower display. So I think it would be a better choice for you.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

Well, usually I would go for ASrock over Biostar when just looking at the brand (ASRock mfg factories are the sames ones that make ASUS). But this time, I like the Biostar:

1. It has higher MSRP at $100 vs $70, as every $20~30 makes huge differences in the low price point.
2. It has higher overall rating @ newegg.com.
3. It has a higher end AMD chipset AMD 970 vs 770, which means it will have better overall features & bandwidth, examples including higher top RAM clock support, 2 slots of PCI-E2 x16 (although 2nd slot runs like a snail), more SATA 6Gb ports, more audio channels, firewire & esata ports, etc etc.
4. Probably overclocks better too (just a guess).

500W psu should be sufficient for HD7850, as long as the psu is a reliable brand. But if you want to bring overall costs down, your choice of HD 7770 microcenter one is a great choice. I think that would be sufficient for 95% of current games at medium setting on 1080p or lower display. So I think it would be a better choice for you.

The only thing I really fear about buying some of these video cards is some of the horrid reviews they have received but they have great specs on them. It's always been hard to find a good video card with good reviews besides the one you showed me.

 

[goonbar79]

The only thing I really fear about buying some of these video cards is some of the horrid reviews they have received but they have great specs on them. It's always been hard to find a good video card with good reviews besides the one you showed me.

You will always have to deals with a chance of getting a bad gpu (or bad anything, actually), no matter the brand, no matter the price (expensive ones are expensive for a reason, though). I recommend to test the reliability of the new build the first few days, so that if you had to return it you could within the return period. If you stick with well known brands, with better then decent reviews, you should be okay.

Ex: After building a new pc, I focus the first few days just testing the crap out of the pc. First, I only install the essentials (case, psu, cpu, mobo, ram, 1 odd, & 1 boot drive), test cpu, mobo, ram, & boot drive (run prime95, memtest86, etc). AFTERWARD, i install the non-essentials (gpu, wlan, additional storage hdd, etc), and test gpu with some gaming benchmark tools (i.e. 3dmark, Unique heaven). Rune prime95 overnight (disable auto-sleep), and run gaming benckmark overnight.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

Best answer selected by Dedicated_Blade.

 

[Dedicated_Blade]

You will always have to deals with a chance of getting a bad gpu (or bad anything, actually), no matter the brand, no matter the price (expensive ones are expensive for a reason, though). I recommend to test the reliability of the new build the first few days, so that if you had to return it you could within the return period. If you stick with well known brands, with better then decent reviews, you should be okay.

Ex: After building a new pc, I focus the first few days just testing the crap out of the pc. First, I only install the essentials (case, psu, cpu, mobo, ram, 1 odd, & 1 boot drive), test cpu, mobo, ram, & boot drive (run prime95, memtest86, etc). AFTERWARD, i install the non-essentials (gpu, wlan, additional storage hdd, etc), and test gpu with some gaming benchmark tools (i.e. 3dmark, Unique heaven). Rune prime95 overnight (disable auto-sleep), and run gaming benckmark overnight.

Well definitely thanks for your help in finding that great mobo! I definitely will pick that up at the end of February and managed to find an open box MSI Radeon HD 7770 for $100 and $85 with the rebate So I managed to squeeze in some speakers and the overall cost with 0 rebates comes to $504. But if I get in all my rebate stuff it is a total of 455$! You my friend are simply amazing!