Help with budget performance rig

[ragecloud]

I'm looking to basically make a poor man's hardcore gaming set up. (Slightly contradictory, I know). Here is my potential parts list, I was wondering if I could get input on what could be improved upon. The goal is to stay beneath $850 total. Around $620 for the actual computer(excluding speakers, monitor, cd drive).

Geforce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) VGA
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
Cooler Master Elite 430 RC Case
AMD FX-6100 Zambezi 3.3GHZ 6-core CPU
Gigabyte AM3+ 6Gb/s MoBo
8gb DDR3 1600 RAM
Raidmax Hybrid 530W PSU

Just so you are aware this would be my first build, and the only thing I really know about building computers is what I've read on Newegg.com

Any input appreciated.

[glo]

Something like this would yield tons more performance. AMD is a poor choice at the moment.

CPU: Intel Core i3-2130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($145.98 @ NCIX US)
GPU: EVGA 01G-P3-1464-KR GeForce GTX 560 SE (Fermi) 1GB ($136.97 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H61ICAFE ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($72.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: OCZ 600W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $625.46
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-04-30 02:34 EDT-0400)

[ragecloud]

My only question with your build is in the RAM/Motherboard combination. Your motherboard only shows it supports DDR3-1333, you have DDR3-1600 listed. I assume that 1600 RAM would be "faster?" than 1333 RAM.

The reason I chose the AMD Fx-6100 is because to me it appears to be the best processor for the price range I'm looking at.
I'm not able to post the link, but if you look at the benchmark tests on PCPartPicker you can see that the AMD Fx-6100 looks like it's the best overall for a price range of $125-$150 processors. This is just what I've read online, I have no experience with this or know anyone who does.

[hapylol]

Ragecloud,

1333 RAM will hardly be cheaper so that is probably why he linked it. It also gives you an easier upgrade path in the future if you don't have to replace RAM.

That said, this is what I would recommend.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H67M (B3) Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($87.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 560 Ti 1GB Video Card ($214.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ 550W ATX12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $622.49
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-04-30 10:11 EDT-0400)

[ragecloud]

Thanks, so far I've been recommended an Intel CPU instead of the AMD, which I found a little surprising because I thought the AMD CPU was good. What about Nvidia vs. AMD, I don't really wanna ditch $200+ on a GPU, I was looking at a Radeon HD 6850. For keeping in a lower price range would that be a decent increase over the GTX 550 Ti, or even the 560?

Glo, I was looking at the GPU you suggested, and one of the reviews said that the HDMI port was a bit of an issue even though the drive itself was good for the money. Since it's a mini HDMI port I would have to use an adapter, I don't know whether it would fit which is why I am looking towards Radeon for price range. Thoughts?

[Idrinkwhiterussians]

Here is a build I put together for you, in your price range, and also with room for upgrades when you can later. The 6870 in the build is quite a step up from a 550ti.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7x58
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7x58/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/7x58/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Pro3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($117.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($44.99 @ Newegg)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 6870 1GB Video Card ($159.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: OCZ 750W ATX12V Power Supply ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $602.49
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-04-30 12:07 EDT-0400)

[jmacphee9]

Thanks, so far I've been recommended an Intel CPU instead of the AMD, which I found a little surprising because I thought the AMD CPU was good. What about Nvidia vs. AMD, I don't really wanna ditch $200+ on a GPU, I was looking at a Radeon HD 6850. For keeping in a lower price range would that be a decent increase over the GTX 550 Ti, or even the 560?

Glo, I was looking at the GPU you suggested, and one of the reviews said that the HDMI port was a bit of an issue even though the drive itself was good for the money. Since it's a mini HDMI port I would have to use an adapter, I don't know whether it would fit which is why I am looking towards Radeon for price range. Thoughts?

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/434?vs=289
the i3 outperforms the top of the line amd fx in gaming benchmarks. a 6870 is about equal to the regular 560, and a little step below the 560ti.

[xdunpealx]

Thanks, so far I've been recommended an Intel CPU instead of the AMD, which I found a little surprising because I thought the AMD CPU was good. What about Nvidia vs. AMD, I don't really wanna ditch $200+ on a GPU, I was looking at a Radeon HD 6850. For keeping in a lower price range would that be a decent increase over the GTX 550 Ti, or even the 560?

Glo, I was looking at the GPU you suggested, and one of the reviews said that the HDMI port was a bit of an issue even though the drive itself was good for the money. Since it's a mini HDMI port I would have to use an adapter, I don't know whether it would fit which is why I am looking towards Radeon for price range. Thoughts?

I am actually building a rig for a friend with the same budget. The reason from my own perspective that even I, put the Intel ahead of the AMD is simply because it basically beats the AMD in all catagories. Plus if you have a socket 1155 motherboard upgrading the CPU in two or 3 years will be much easier, that is IF socket 1155 is still around

As far as video cards, personally i have a 6870 video card playing at 1920x1080 resolution. Playing WoW, SWTOR, Diablo3 beta, MoP beta, Dead Space 2, BattleField 3(slightly struggles) runs great. I do have a i5-2500k which I know helps. Personally I think if you go for a 6850 or 6870 since the prices are coming down you will not be dissappointed and you will be saving yourself some cash, which could go to a nicer looking case or nicer motherboard or nice power supply.. you catch my drift.

Here is a quick list of Perhaps what I would build. (i buy everything from newegg so.. there might be better deals somewhere else)

CPU: i3-2120 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115077 (notice the free shipping ) 125
Video Card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102948 ($10 mail in rebate and free shipping) 169
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138355 (free shipping) 119
Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817152035 50
Ram: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231428 47
Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129042 54 (really up to you lots of cases)
DVD/CD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289 17
hard drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136770 74 (only because this is big enough for games OS, 1 tb is nice and all, but do you really need it? I would save up for that later unless you need the storage, again storage is really subject to opinion)

total: 655 but its really up to you man

[ragecloud]

I failed to mention that I got a TB hard drive because I'm going to be getting into CAD for engineering courses soon. And if I have to do work on my computer I want to have plenty of space, I could always just see if the 500gb will hold me over till prices drop for hard drives. I noticed some of the suggestions for hard drives suggested were with the Caviar Blue. Western Digital suggested a Caviar Black for gaming performance, is there really much of a difference?

[Uggorthaholy]

I failed to mention that I got a TB hard drive because I'm going to be getting into CAD for engineering courses soon. And if I have to do work on my computer I want to have plenty of space, I could always just see if the 500gb will hold me over till prices drop for hard drives. I noticed some of the suggestions for hard drives suggested were with the Caviar Blue. Western Digital suggested a Caviar Black for gaming performance, is there really much of a difference?

Not really. You won't notice it. If you're rendering or recording video files, yes. Else, no.

I agree with what users above have posted. An i3 is a better choice than an AMD chip, and getting a stronger GPU like the 6870 is recommended. 1600 MHz ram is the "best" for Sandybridge chips. The mobo may say it only supports 1333 but with most mobos you can just set the ram to 1600 in the BIOS (I had to do so with my board as well).

I would recommend This PSU instead - cheaper and a great unit.