BestConfigs Poll: Budget AMD-Based Gaming PC

[jpishgar]

AMD Radeon's FULL AMD R9 290 Budget Build

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 ($32.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($115.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.70 @ Newegg)
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: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $994.18
========================================

ScrewySqrl's Build

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
===================================

shortstuff_mt's sleeper AMD gaming system

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
=====================================

damric's $600 AMD Budget Tweaker

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
===============================================

SR-71 Blackbird's VX "AGUA Cooled"

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

 

[Onus]

Damric's is a lot closer to what I think of as "budget," but it isn't something I think I'd build myself (I'd probably look at a G3258 on this budget). SR-71 most likely offers the best "in-game" performance, but I'd give up some of that for a SSD because I'm not a pure gamer. I would choose ScrewySqrl over Shortstuff on the merits of the better mobo and larger SSD; my games aren't sufficiently demanding to need a stronger card.

 

[damric]

I think it's cool that I was even nominated. Good luck guys.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Budget Gaming builds don't need SSD's , they offer no Gaming performance boost.

 

[damric]

Budget Gaming builds don't need SSD's , they offer no Gaming performance boost.

I guess it depends on what game you play, but for games with long level loading times like Dragon Age, Far Cry, or Elder Scrolls, cutting 90% of that time off is worth my sanity.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

True about the levels , but in general you know.

 

[damric]

I agree it certainly won't increase your FPS if that's what you mean, Blackbird. Level loading times are important to me, maybe not everyone though. Having lots of RAM helps too, but I digress.

HOLY CRAP IT'S A DEAD HEAT IN THE POLL!!!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

I won it last year but went with a real budget build.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1868129/bestconfigs-poll-budget-amd-based-gaming.html

Crushed the field.

 

[kGius]

Hi all,

I have a Crucial M4 256GB and Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2x 4GB) ddr3 1600MH that I used in the last upgrade for my PC. Thinking of doing the
"AMD Radeon's FULL AMD R9 290 Budget Build".

I would sub the G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.70 @ Newegg) with my Corsair Vengeance, add the Crucial M4 and just use my old optical as I don't really use it that much anyway.

What do you guys think? Should I dish out the 75 Bucks for the Ripjaws or run with the Vengeance? Any other remarks on this system?

Cheers!

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Vengeance ram is all show the heatsinks only get in the way don't help.

Cruicial MX100 is a better value.

 

[kGius]

Vengeance ram is all show the heatsinks only get in the way don't help.

Cruicial MX100 is a better value.

Thing is, I already have these items. Not going to buy a new SSD. Might dish out for the Ripjaws, am I right to assume that you believe this to be a good idea?

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

The Vengeance ram is all show , I use Gskill Sniper.

 

[kGius]

Gskill Sniper is a bit more expensive though...

My current thoughts / options:

- Spend no extra moneyz and keep the Vengeance - wandering if this will bottleneck my system.

- Spend 75$ / 60 Euro's for G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 MHz
- Spend 80 Euro's for G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2x 4GB) DDR3-1866 MHz

In the last options, will I notice the diff between the Snipers and the Ripjaws even?

Any other thoughts on the system are still very welcome also!

Cheers

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Get the X.

 

[Try87]

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x9xJgs) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x9xJgs/by_merchant/)

Type|Item|Price
:----|:----|:----
**CPU** | [AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/amd-cpu-fd6300wmhkbox) | $108.99 @ SuperBiiz
**CPU Cooler** | [Cooler Master Seidon 120M 86.2 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rls12m24pkr1) | $39.99 @ Newegg
**Motherboard** | [ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asrock-motherboard-970pro3r20) | $59.99 @ Newegg
**Memory** | [Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/team-memory-tld38g1600hc9dc01) | $68.99 @ Newegg
**Storage** | [A-Data Premier Pro SP600 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/a-data-internal-hard-drive-asp600s364gmc) | $44.99 @ TigerDirect
**Storage** | [Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/seagate-internal-hard-drive-st1000dm003) | $50.40 @ Amazon
**Video Card** | [XFX Radeon R9 280 3GB Double Dissipation Video Card](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-video-card-r9280atdfd) | $199.99 @ Newegg
**Case** | [NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/nzxt-case-s210001) | $37.99 @ Micro Center
**Power Supply** | [Corsair CX 500W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply](http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-power-supply-cx500m) | $34.99 @ Newegg
| | **Total**
| Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available | $646.32
| Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-07-27 14:55 EDT-0400 |

 

[Onus]

The SSD is too small; get 120GB or bigger.
The Corsair "CX" is not a good PSU; made with inferior Samxon capacitors that don't like heat and fail early.

 

[IndyAJD]

The budget build is good, but since loading times aren't a factor in games I play, I would've dropped the SSD and gone with something more like this.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QPFgQ7
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QPFgQ7/by_merchant/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($105.99)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3P ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($83.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Team Xtreem Dark Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.92 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 270 2GB TurboDuo Video Card ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($60.74 @ Amazon)
Optical Drive: Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer ($19.98 @ OutletPC)
Other: Premiertek POWERLINK PL-U15010N IEEE 802.11n USB - Wi-Fi Adapter ($27.00)
Total: $635.58
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-08-05 00:01 EDT-0400

 

[VaBhodi]

Just wanted to pipe in here and give the stats on my build (which SR-71 gave sound advice on) that I did about 6 months ago. Cost around $650 before the OS, and I am very pleased with it. I purchased everything via newegg over the course of a month and a half when they would run specials or combo deals on specific components. Like the CPU and MEM, then the HDD and CD/RW. Probably knocked $80-$100 off going that method.

BF4 multiplayer on mostly medium settings with ultra distance drawing, I get 100-120 FPS consistently. With everything maxed out, I get a solid 60-80 FPS so long as my latency is under 100ms.

Skyrim with ENBoost full graphics and effects, modded to heck and back with 2k textures, with moderate additional scripting, I never fall below 70FPS. Even in areas like the Morthal swamps.

All without overclocking. I have checked to see where I could push my machine, BUT I DON'T HAVE TO. I install those two games on the SSD and have the OS on the HDD.

CPU: FX-6300 (overclocks to 4.3 ghz in CCC) stock cooler.
RAM: Gskill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4gb) DDR3-1600 9-9-9-24
MB: ASrock 990fx Killer Fatal!ty AM3+ (SOLID MB)
HDD: WD Blue 1 TB
SSD: Kingston V300 120GB (for BF4 and Skyrim)
Case: Rosewill Challenger Tower with Thermaltake 600W PSU. Great case BTW. Tom's H Recommended for good reason.
Optical: LG DVD/CD writer
GPU: XFX-Double Dissapation R7-260X 2GB DDR5 PCI express 3.0

If I would change anything with the build, I would have gone with the 240GB SSD instead of the 120GB to install the OS on it, and with the FX-8320 instead of the 6300. Add about $100.

The machine I have is still more than enough for my needs. Moral to the story being that I didn't NEED a R9 card or an 8350.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

Thanks for the kind words about my build advice , much appreciated!

 

[Urbanengineer]

AMD Radeon's FULL AMD R9 290 Budget Build

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 ($32.79 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A99FX PRO R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($115.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($74.70 @ Newegg)
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: Corsair Carbide Series 300R Windowed ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 620W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($71.30 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-14 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $994.18
========================================

I have this pretty much the same except I am using the AMD FX-8320 8 core, 750 PSU and one extra R9 290 (Crossfire).

My wonder was why is my frame rates so poor in some games? There are some games where I can barely keep 35 fps (AC4) with crossfire... I feel these two cards should have absolutely no problem chugging out max settings 50 fps..!?! Up to date with the latest beta drivers even :/. Maybe it is OC time? What do you all think... I think the system should be perfect together.

Another example is league, which will run at 200 fps, Hitman Blood Money at 120 fps. Trials Fusion 120 fps, etc...


**update: I wonder if my low physics score (from 8320) is seriously throttling the abilities of the computer? Please Advise.
***UPDATE: 8320 was a major throttle. Doubled scores after upgrading to Intel 4760K I5.
******** Update #3: One of the two R9's was damaged internally and replaced by AMD completely. Figured out I had two of the first 100 cards originally made.

 

[jasonite]

Here's my shot, I think it's quite a good one:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3wB88d

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 ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($112.98 @ OutletPC)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($76.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($118.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($53.98 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Zotac GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($274.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower Case ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 750W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($56.50 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($13.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $999.90

 

[NeCro92]

Here's my 2 cents:

Motherboard: MSI AMD 970A-G43
CPU: AMD FX-6300
CPU Cooler: Stock
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 4GB x 2 (1600)
GPU: MSI AMD Radeon R9 270X Hawk 2GB
Storage: Transcend SSD370 256GB
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS-III Gaming Chassis (with 550W PSU)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD Writer

 

[Babis Trabakoulas]

Here's my 2 cents:

Motherboard: MSI AMD 970A-G43
CPU: AMD FX-6300
CPU Cooler: Stock
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 4GB x 2 (1600)
GPU: MSI AMD Radeon R9 270X Hawk 2GB
Storage: Transcend SSD370 256GB
Case: Thermaltake Commander MS-III Gaming Chassis (with 550W PSU)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD Writer

very bad case. CPU high limitation 155mm. Not good for OC Heatsinks