BestConfigs: Budget AMD-Based Gaming PC

[jpishgar]

It's that time again! Time to update the Tom's Hardware BestConfigs! Once again, we are opening the field to user recommendations to get the best consensus for the absolute best of the best in each category. Post the best configuration you can put together for the following build category and our editorial and mod team will pick 5 of the best to be put up to a public vote right here in the Systems forum. The top-ranking build will go on to become one of Tom's Hardware BestConfigs and you'll get the credit for having put together a brilliant build with a special credit in the feature article.

Post your entries to this thread for the category of:
Budget AMD-Based Gaming PC

Stay within $1,000 (without shipping) and no need to include OS, monitor, mouse/keyboard. To keep things fair and level the playing field, we ask that you restrict your product links to Newegg or Amazon. Please be sure to format your list of components as follows:

Joe's "Barely Runs Crysis" Chug-along Rig
Processor: Component Name and Component Price
Motherboard: Component Name and Component Price
RAM: Component Name and Component Price
Graphics Card: Component Name and Component Price
Hard Drive: Component Name and Component Price
Case: Component Name and Component Price
Power Supply: Component Name and Component Price
Cooling: Component Name and Component Price
DVD Burner: Component Name and Component Price

See below for quick-copy/paste text of the BBcode.

[cpp]
Joe's "Barely Runs Crysis" Chug-along Rig
Processor: Component Name and Component Price
Motherboard: Component Name and Component Price
RAM: Component Name and Component Price
Graphics Card: Component Name and Component Price
Hard Drive: Component Name and Component Price
Case: Component Name and Component Price
Power Supply: Component Name and Component Price
Cooling: Component Name and Component Price
DVD Burner: Component Name and Component Price
[/cpp]

We encourage users to use PCPartPicker's System Build for speedy construction. Do not post a link to your build, but rather please be sure to export as BBCode for a quick copy/paste as a response here, so users can easily see your component selections.

Good luck, and may the best builds win!

 

[numanator]

Numanator's "Gets The Job Done" All AMD Build

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($148.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.50 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($66.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($309.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $991.67

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

VX "AGUA Cooled"

Ethyl ({2-[bis(propan-2-yl)amino]ethyl}sulfanyl)(methyl)phosphinate

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($169.00 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Killer ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($301.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 400R ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX 650W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $989.16
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-15 00:11 EDT-0400

 

[AMD Radeon]

AMD Radeon's FULL AMD R9 290 Budget Build

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.00 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 290 4GB Tri-X Video Card ($370.00 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 650W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $993.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

 

[charanjit1998]

Armored Demon

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($379.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Gunmetal/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($22.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $1000.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-13 23:38 EDT-0400)

 

[RazerZ]

RazerZ's Why Pay More Build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($148.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Fury Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($379.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT Source 220 ATX Mid Tower Case ($53.13 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $909.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-14 01:50 EDT-0400)

 

[juve9le]

juve9le's "Just Because Crossfire" ownage

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.84 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.79 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270X 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270X 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($199.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 (Black Pearl) ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $990.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-14 09:56 EDT-0400)

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

That board doesn't run true crossfire ^ x16 \ x4

 

[Vindaloovians]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3K2hN
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3K2hN/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3K2hN/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($118.49 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Viper 3 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280X 3GB IceQ X² Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280X 3GB IceQ X² Video Card (2-Way CrossFire) ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Galaxy-02 ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.00 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec HCG M 850W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $997.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-14 16:31 EDT-0400)

 

[juve9le]

That board doesn't run true crossfire ^ x16 \ x4

yes it does

 

[sadams04]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($148.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($33.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.79 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($71.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP900 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.69 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($379.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Chaser A31 Snow White ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.49 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($21.00 @ Amazon)
Total: $991.59
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-15 09:04 EDT-0400)

 

[sadams04]

That board doesn't run true crossfire ^ x16 \ x4

This is a very true statement. The M5A97 has two PCI Express 2.0 slots, but the second is "hobbled" at x4.

 

[g-unit1111]

G-Unit's "Unleash The Kraken" Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: NZXT Kraken X40 98.3 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($86.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($75.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($255.85 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 750W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.18 @ Amazon)
Total: $1014.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-15 17:16 EDT-0400)

Liquid cooled FX, SLI capable, *AND* an SSD for just a little over $1K.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.84 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Killer ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($119.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Constellation ES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 280X 3GB IceQ X² Video Card ($279.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Rosewill Challenger-U3 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.00 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $969.77
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-15 20:47 EDT-0400)

 

[shortstuff_mt]

shortstuff_mt's sleeper AMD gaming system

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($148.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($32.69 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($72.24 @ Amazon)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($83.98 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($339.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 300R ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($89.99 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $982.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-15 23:59 EDT-0400)

This AMD-based gaming system will provide great gaming performance at up to 1920x1080 resolutions. The CPU can easily be overclocked with the aftermarket CPU cooler. The system also includes 8GB of RAM, an SSD for overall system responsiveness, a fast GPU for gaming, and a high quality PSU for a stable system.

 

[ivanjacob]

Ivan's 500 dollar console crusher build

PCPartPicker part list /

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.94 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R7 260X 1GB Video Card ($115.38 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($32.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $500.24
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-18 08:29 EDT-0400)

 

[Azzy]

Got this myself for almost 1230 dollars cus im in sweden it's abit over 1000 but still this was for me and im gonna clock it hard like 4.3-5ghz

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-U12P SE2 54.4 CFM CPU Cooler ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($74.33 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280X 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($299.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Define R4 w/Window (Titanium Grey) ATX Mid Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX750B BRONZE 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($80.98 @ Amazon)
Total: $1015.25
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-19 13:36 EDT-0400)

 

[Joseph DeGarmo]

Joseph's "Purely AMD" Build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($189.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 990FX Extreme3 ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: AMD 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB Video Card ($301.20 @ Newegg)
Case: Apevia X-SNIPER2-BL ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.59 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($91.24 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/RSBS DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $997.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-23 10:32 EDT-0400)

 

[lp231]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($159.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($74.70 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB TurboDuo Video Card ($338.00 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 Elite (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 750W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $988.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-24 12:05 EDT-0400)

 

[Michael Perkins]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99X EVO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($72.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 290 4GB Black Edition Double Dissipation Video Card ($422.20 @ Amazon)
Case: Sentey CS1-1410 PLUS ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $981.57
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-23 23:14 EDT-0400)

 

[Th3Ghost]

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor (£104.72 @ Aria PC)
CPU Cooler: Arctic Cooling UCACO-AP60301-BUA01 Fluid Dynamic Bearing CPU Cooler (£8.62 @ Amazon UK)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard (£53.00 @ Amazon UK)
Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory (£98.98 @ Amazon UK)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (£40.00 @ Amazon UK)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB FTW ACX Video Card (£119.99 @ Ebuyer)
Case: Cooler Master K380 ATX Mid Tower Case (£29.98 @ Amazon UK)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply (£38.08 @ Amazon UK)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) (£68.69 @ Overclockers.co.uk)
Keyboard: Gigabyte GK-FORCE K7 Wired Gaming Keyboard (£31.99 @ Novatech)
Mouse: Gigabyte GM-M6900 Wired Optical Mouse (£14.50 @ Ebuyer)
Total: £608.55

 

[sonny8888]

Sonny's "Why is that motherboard blue?" AMD Based Budget Gaming Build

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($118.49 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($88.79 @ Newegg)
Memory: AMD 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.24 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 290X 4GB WINDFORCE Video Card ($549.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair SPEC-03 Orange ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $998.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-05-30 03:30 EDT-0400)

 

[raihan4]

raihan4's "Greenluma! 1080P Eater"

CPU: AMD FX-6350 3.9GHz 6-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($33.30 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Elite 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.44 @ Amazon)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 770 2GB Superclocked ACX Video Card ($375.91 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Shadow ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($66.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $972.89
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

[realchaos]

RealChaos's "Box of Different Colors"

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($71.75 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($78.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY XLR8 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($58.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 280X 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($259.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24F1ST DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $985.97
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-03 05:10 EDT-0400)

240gb SSD, one of the best air coolers, R9-280X, and a Seasonic psu under $1,000. Not bad at all.

 

[damric]

$600 AMD Budget Tweaker

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 760K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.74 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($21.55 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($59.49 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($74.70 @ Newegg)
Storage: Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI Radeon R7 265 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Amazon)
Case: NZXT H230 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 450W 80+ Gold Certified ATX Power Supply ($62.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $598.42
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-06-06 17:34 EDT-0400)

What you get is an overclockable piledriver quad-core with improved Richland memory controller that is even faster than those of Vishera that takes advantage of high speed RAM to make up for the lack of L3 cache since the system RAM latency will then be on par with the pathetic latency of Vishera's L3 cache. Next you have an overclockable GPU that can run games like BF3 and Skyrim on ultra settings at 1080p smooth and without hiccups. You also get the loading time advantage of SSD and a 1TB HDD for bulk storage. No need for an optical drive, as you download everything you need anyway. All of this is powered by the proven reliable Rosewill Capstone which is based on the accaimed Superflower Golden Green series. If you are building more expensive than this, than you should be building an Intel rig.