Need help building a gaming pc for $500

[LucidDream]

This is my first time trying to build a pc. I'm trying not to spend anything past $500. The most graphic intensive that I'll play is FF14. Other games I play probably don't require as much power as that game. I've done a bit of lurking, but I think making a thread will be the best way to get a build for myself.

Approximate Purchase Date: Sometime in the month of August

Budget Range: $500~ After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, surfing, a little bit of editing

Are you buying a monitor: No

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg, but I'm fine with anything

Location: City, State/Region, Country - Georgia, USA

Overclocking: Most Likely

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

 

[tiny voices]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.32 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.94 @ Newegg)
Total: $492.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-31 16:09 EDT-0400)

 

[LucidDream]

Thank you for the build!
I had a question about the case. How much more do you think it would be to get a case with USB 3.0 ports? I've seen some that were cheap at around 30-40, but the reviews on them didn't seem good. Are USB 3.0 ports even worth it?

 

[tiny voices]

Personally, not worth it. I would just plug the USB 3.0 device into the back of the motherboard. The case I linked is a very good quality case and I wouldn't worry about not having USB 3.0.

 

[LucidDream]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.32 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($45.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($14.94 @ Newegg)
Total: $492.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-31 16:09 EDT-0400)

I don't mean to necro the thread, but as I was buying the parts, I noticed that there was a sale on Newegg for the Crucial Ballistix Tactical 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148655&nm_mc=AFC-C8JUNCTION&cm_mmc=AFC-C8JUNCTION-_-EMC-080913-Latest-_-DesktopMemory-_-20148655-L0E&PID=3938566&AID=10446076)

How is this one different from the Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 that was recommended in your build? Is one better than the other? Which should I stick with?

 

[tiny voices]

There will be likely no difference. the tactical RAM has lower voltage and a lower CAS latency so it can be overclocked. But stock for stock you will see no difference at all. Overclocking RAM is something most people don't do as it is tricky so unless you can get it cheaper, there is really no reason to get it.