PC build for Gaming

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Unnak

Reputable
Apr 4, 2014
7
0
4,510
Hello,
As the title suggests, I'm aiming to build a PC for mid-highish games. (Skyrim, Borderlands 2, Crysis, Tomb Raider, Occasional FPS', etc.) Despite me already posting a thread seeking for a similar response, I only got two responses, 1 from a self professed "noob," and the other from a person recommending 2 dims of RAM over 1 dim. My budget has increased a bit from my previous intentions, moving up to $1000 NZD. I would like to buy all the parts from New Zealand, due to me preferring not to have to potentially screw around with warranties and sending defective parts oversees. My budget excludes peripherals, and includes Windows. Here are the parts I've currently selected:
[PCPartPicker part list](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3sAbp) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3sAbp/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3sAbp/benchmarks/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD A6-6400K 3.9GHz Dual-Core Processor](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-ad640kokhlbox) | $88.55 @ PB Technologies
**Motherboard** | [ASRock FM2A88M EXTREME4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-fm2a88mextreme4) | $116.00 @ Paradigm PCs
**Memory** | [Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/crucial-memory-ct102464ba160b) | $112.70 @ PB Technologies
**Storage** | [Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/western-digital-internal-hard-drive-wd10ezex) | $82.00 @ PC Force
**Video Card** | [EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-video-card-02gp42662kr) | $289.00 @ PC Force
**Case** | [NZXT Source 210 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210e001) | $96.00 @ Paradigm PCs
**Power Supply** | [Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-hcg520m) | $122.82 @ Aquila Technology
**Operating System** | [Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit)](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/microsoft-os-wn700403) | $141.55 @ PC Force
**Wireless Network Adapter** | [TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter](http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/part/tp-link-wireless-network-card-tlwn881nd) | $29.00 @ PC Force
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available. | $1077.62
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-21 21:55 NZST+1200 |
The same attentions apply to this thread as my previous one, I would appreciate any advice/help regarding better part choices, advising me of any potential problems they foresee, etc. As I've failed to mention prior to this, this will be my first build, however I will have help from other people that do have experience.
I periodically upgrade the components over time, if you have any advice regarding which components I would be better off upgrading first, I would highly appreciate it.

Thanks for your time.
 
Solution
Parthu Revanth
Get r9 270x it better then GTX 660 and get FX 6300(6 Cores)
Motherboard supports Crossfire. In future you can add another R9 270x.
If you want, you can add CPU cooler to overclock 6300 to 4.0Ghz

Without CPU cooler.
PCPartPicker part list: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEf2
Price breakdown by merchant: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEf2/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEf2/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($156.00 @ PC Force)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($152.94 @ PB Technologies)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($112.70 @ PB Technologies)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PC Force)
Video...
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U

Unnak

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Apr 4, 2014
7
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4,510

Thanks for your quick reply. - Do you foresee any potential issues with my chosen components, and what type of RAM do you recommend, keeping in mind the budget?
 
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SethJPC

SethJPC

Distinguished
Sep 14, 2013
641
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19,565
With a GPU i'd go with an am3+ socket mobo and CPU.
The CPU you have their is a dual core, fine for most games but with newer games starting to recommend more cores its only a matter of time before you'll need a minimum of a quad core CPU. Also it is an APU so you are paying for that even when you have a phisical GPU.
For upgrading go with intel, their i5s wipe the FX series

CPU: AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($145.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($145.00 @ PC Force)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.48 @ Aquila Technology)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PC Force)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB Video Card ($279.95 @ Computer Lounge)
Case: Fractal Design Arc XL ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.36 @ Ascent Technology)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($122.82 @ Aquila Technology)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.55 @ PC Force)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.00 @ PC Force)
Total: $1112.33

OR (CPU upgrade path)

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($156.00 @ PC Force)
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B5 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($162.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Memory: Kingston Fury White Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($114.48 @ Aquila Technology)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PC Force)
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 660 2GB Video Card ($280.00 @ Paradigm PCs)
Case: Fractal Design Arc XL ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.36 @ Ascent Technology)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($122.82 @ Aquila Technology)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.55 @ PC Force)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.00 @ PC Force)
Total: $1143.48
 
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Parthu Revanth

Parthu Revanth

Honorable
Apr 13, 2014
411
1
10,960
Get r9 270x it better then GTX 660 and get FX 6300(6 Cores)
Motherboard supports Crossfire. In future you can add another R9 270x.
If you want, you can add CPU cooler to overclock 6300 to 4.0Ghz

Without CPU cooler.
PCPartPicker part list: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEf2
Price breakdown by merchant: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEf2/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEf2/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($156.00 @ PC Force)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($152.94 @ PB Technologies)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($112.70 @ PB Technologies)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PC Force)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($297.84 @ PB Technologies)
Case: Fractal Design Arc XL ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.36 @ Ascent Technology)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($122.82 @ Aquila Technology)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.55 @ PC Force)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.00 @ PC Force)
Total: $1148.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-21 22:47 NZST+1200)

With CPU Cooler

PCPartPicker part list: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEkB
Price breakdown by merchant: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEkB/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vEkB/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($156.00 @ PC Force)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($62.69 @ Ascent Technology)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($152.94 @ PB Technologies)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($112.70 @ PB Technologies)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PC Force)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($297.84 @ PB Technologies)
Case: Fractal Design Arc XL ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.36 @ Ascent Technology)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($122.82 @ Aquila Technology)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.55 @ PC Force)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.00 @ PC Force)
Total: $1210.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-21 22:55 NZST+1200)
 
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Solution
U

Unnak

Reputable
Apr 4, 2014
7
0
4,510


Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it. In regards to the second build you've listed - the i3 is a dual core processor, and since I'll be upgrading in the forceable future, I believe that option would be best as it has the gtx 660 which outperforms the 260x in gaming. Also, what is the equivalent of an i5 from AMD, and is it difficult to upgrade the CPU once the cooler has been installed. TL;DR, if you were in my position, which build would you go with? Thanks again.
 
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U

Unnak

Reputable
Apr 4, 2014
7
0
4,510

Thanks for your response, I really appreciate it. If I were to go with this build, what processor would I upgrade to? As the SethJPC said, the i5s are superior to the FX series from AMD. Other than that, I'm really considering this build, but changing the RAM to 2x4gb. Thanks for your help.
 
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U

Unnak

Reputable
Apr 4, 2014
7
0
4,510


Okay, that's good to know. What do you think of the build proposed by Parthu Revanth, the one that doesn't feature a aftermarket CPU cooler? Also, I'm a bit a undecided on his choice of motherboard based on it's compatibility with Crossfire, isn't it more efficient to get one, significantly better video card over two of the same type? I wasn't really planing on featuring two graphics cards. Just some food for thought.
 
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Parthu Revanth

Parthu Revanth

Honorable
Apr 13, 2014
411
1
10,960
get FX 8350 in your build

PCPartPicker part list: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vIXD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vIXD/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://nz.pcpartpicker.com/p/3vIXD/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($266.00 @ PC Force)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($62.69 @ Ascent Technology)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($152.94 @ PB Technologies)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($122.55 @ PC Force)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($82.00 @ PC Force)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 270X 2GB Video Card ($297.84 @ PB Technologies)
Case: Fractal Design Arc XL ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.36 @ Ascent Technology)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($122.82 @ Aquila Technology)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($141.55 @ PC Force)
Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.00 @ PC Force)
Total: $1330.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-04-22 02:58 NZST+1200)
 
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