First Build! Please critique! ~$500

[MushyMonkey]

This PC will not only be my first DIY computer, but my first gaming desktop as well. I would like to get good enough performance to play most games out there on at least high graphics. My knowledge of computers is very limited compared to most of the other members on these boards. So I was just looking to get some advice on where I could trim up efficiency/cost. Thanks a ton!

I will update the link as I get suggestions: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/20N1r

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/20N1r) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/20N1r/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/20N1r/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd6300wmhkbox) | $119.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [Asus M5A78L-M LX PLUS Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-motherboard-m5a78lmlxplus) | $44.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-bls8g3d169ds3) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $63.54 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/powercolor-video-card-ax78702gbd52dhppv3e) | $169.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/rosewill-case-challengeru3) | $39.99 @ Newegg
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CX 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx500m) | $34.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $523.48
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-11-11 14:46 EST-0500 |

 

[Eximo]

You'll want to find a 2x4GB memory kit to enable dual channel memory. Other than that it is fine.

 

[MushyMonkey]

You'll want to find a 2x4GB memory kit to enable dual channel memory. Other than that it is fine.

Sorry, I'm kind of new to this, but what does enabling dual channel memory do?

 

[Eximo]

Theoretically it doubles the bandwidth available to the ram by writing or reading the same information to both chips addresses simultaneously. In practice it is less effective but still increases the bandwidth.

 

[sora]

You'll want to find a 2x4GB memory kit to enable dual channel memory. Other than that it is fine.

Sorry, I'm kind of new to this, but what does enabling dual channel memory do?

Dual channel memory will enable you to increase bandwidth