Plans for a first gaming build -- need advice!

[Jennybuh]

Approximate Purchase Date: Within the next 2-3 months, as money is a tight issue.

Budget Range: Preferably under $700 ( it could increase depending on my circumstances )

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, internet surfing, and movies/videos.

Are you buying a monitor: Yes, this one.

Do you need to buy OS: Yes, I'm buying windows 7.

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg and Amazon

Location: San Jose, California

Parts Preferences: I don't have much of a preference, the parts have to be within my budget and at least from an acclaimed company.

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Your Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Additional Comments: I'm really new to the terms and such, so I tried my best in picking out the parts I have so far. I just need your advice on what goes best with what, and if everything is compatible (so far).

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Gaming is difficult on this computer, as it's not a top notch build and I get very low frames and a ton of lag playing.

The parts I've chosen:

AMD FX-6300 6-Core Processor

ASUS nVIDIA GTX 550 TI (tentative, and they're currently out of stock)

Corsair Builder Series CX 600 Watt

Corsair Vengeance 8 GB ( 2 x 4 GB ) DDR3 1600 MHz


Western Digital 1TB HDD 7.2RPM/6GBs SATA

LG 24X DVD Burner


As for the case and mobo, these are what I have in mind, but I'm not particularly sure what would be best.

Cases (ALL Mid-Towers):

CM Storm Enforcer

NXZT Phantom 410

NZXT Guardian Black SECC Steel Chassis


Mobos:

ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard


Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard


I'm looking for a case and that will allow me to upgrade in the future, so I tried to find a suitable mid-tower case with a fairly spacious interior as well as USB 3.0 support,mediocre/great cable management, and good ventilation.

As for a mobo, I'm not entirely sure what MAY be the best out there, but I found the above links that were compatible with my CPU.

Your suggestions, and advice?
Thank you!

 

[bigshootr8]

I'm a little confused the build you have there is that a build that you already have and are modifying or a build you are thinking about?

 

[Jennybuh]

I'm a little confused the build you have there is that a build that you already have and are modifying or a build you are thinking about?

Sorry, it's one I'm thinking about.

 

[bigshootr8]

I wouldn't pick up a GTX550Ti at this point its a older card and won't get you very far. Also the second number in a card series is important and a 5 is kind of a half HTPC card and half a Gaming Card.
IF you can stretch for a 7850 I feel you will be much happier. Plus you get free games in the process. FC 3 Blood Dragon, Bioshock Infinite & Tomb Raider.

Also do not pick up the regular 6300 I believe that is a bulldozer chip, piledriver made improvements that will make your choice more worth it.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($159.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($83.17 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $758.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-19 17:06 EDT-0400)

 

[Jennybuh]

Thanks for the advice! Is there another alteration you would recommend for the same performance but with the same budget?

 

[bigshootr8]

You could try with a i3 however you will lose in threaded applications which are becoming more common. I'd recommend a i5 but that is out of your budget as well.

 

[Jennybuh]

I think I'll most likely stick by your recommended build. Thank you for your time

 

[bigshootr8]

Yea no problem. What alterations would you have wanted made to your build maybe I can help placing it within your budget.

 

[Jennybuh]

Yea no problem. What alterations would you have wanted made to your build maybe I can help placing it within your budget.

It's alright, now that I think about it, I think it's fairly priced. It's just because of the OS that bumps it up.

 

[bigshootr8]

Yea often times it does that. It's not like the other items where you can go from 40-100 dollars its normally a flat rate 80-120 dollars for the os normally with windows.

 

[Jennybuh]

Yea no problem. What alterations would you have wanted made to your build maybe I can help placing it within your budget.

Actually, would you recommend any aftermarket coolers?

 

[bigshootr8]

Well on the cheap I would say the winner is the Cooler Master EVO.

If you were to spend more 50-100+ I would recommend others depending on taste. However for just keeping your system cooler and quieter the evo is the ticket the golden ticket.

 

[Jennybuh]

Well on the cheap I would say the winner is the Cooler Master EVO.

If you were to spend more 50-100+ I would recommend others depending on taste. However for just keeping your system cooler and quieter the evo is the ticket the golden ticket.

Awesome! I found this here, would it be correct?

 

[Hazzacanary]

Umm... The fx-6300 is a piledriver chip, just like the fx 6350. In fact, the only difference between the two is the clock speed, as far as I can tell.

 

[bigshootr8]

Umm... The fx-6300 is a piledriver chip, just like the fx 6350. In fact, the only difference between the two is the clock speed, as far as I can tell.

You are right I just checked through newegg they are both of the same core architecture. So its truly up to you if the 400 mhz stock increase is worth the extra 20 dollars.

I was confused with the 6100 which is the bulldozer core.

 

[bigshootr8]

Either way I believe you'll be happy with either solution. You could go with this one and then spend the money on the evo.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($159.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($83.17 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $755.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-19 20:32 EDT-0400)


with the evo
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($94.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($159.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($83.17 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $785.05
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-19 20:39 EDT-0400)

 

[Jennybuh]

I'm going to a little research on the performance of the two CPUs and see if the extra cash is worth it or not. I'm satisfied with the build!