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Advice Needed.

G

gazzack

Junior Member
Hi, I've been looking to build a secondary computer for a friend of mine and I've gathered together the parts I would like include in the build. This PC would be used for gaming, I'm not looking to max out graphics, just something to get my friend going.
Currently with all of these parts the total comes to around 452$ I'm not looking to go past 600$
I don't have a preference on the vendor of the parts just as long as they're functional.
I don't plan on overclocking.
I'd like to run 1920X1080 Resolution.
I plan on building it when I get enough feedback to really motivate myself.
The Parts
Case
Motherboard
Processor
Power Source
Graphics Card
CPU Cooling Fan
Case Fans 120mm
RAM

I'm basically looking for input on whether these parts work together or not and suggestions on anything I should add or change.
I'm thankful for all and any input. Thanks.
 
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You didn't quite answer all the questions. Where are you? Your first link is to the UK, but the rest are for the US. Do you need Windows in that $600? (Or is it £600?) Do you have an extra hard drive you plan to use, or do you need one of those too?

I'm going to assume you're in the USA, you need a HDD, and need Windows.

CPU: FX-6100 $120 (combo with HDD)
Mobo: Gigabyte AM3+ $42 AR
RAM: PNY 8GB DDR3-1333 $55
GPU: PowerColor 7870 $155 AR
HDD : WD 1TB $57 (combo with CPU)
PSU: Corsair CX430 V2 $41
Case: NZXT Source 210 $40
OS: Win7 $91
Total: $601

You don't need extra case fans or a CPU fan - the CPU and case come with fans. You'd need to lend the machine a DVD drive temporarily to install Win7, or transfer it to a USB drive or something.
 
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Ken's build looks alright except for the power supply which doesn't support the 7870 out of the box. You would need to use a Molex->PCIe adapter. The PSU is technically powerful enough, but considering the mediocre capacitor quality of the CX series, I would buy a 500-550W unit.

I would also change the FX-6100 to the newer FX-6300 (FX-6300 is about 15% faster for the same cost), plus here are some other deals I found..

CPU+mobo: FX-6300 + Asrock 970 Extreme4 $180 (FAR better than the Gigabyte board)
RAM: Team Vulcan 2x4GB DDR3-2400 1.65V $60 (!!!)
GPU: Asus 7850 2GB DirectCu II $113 AR AP (!!!)
HDD+case: ST1000DM003 + Rosewill Galaxy-03 $90
PSU: Corsair CX500M $35 AR AP
OS: Win7 $91

= $569 AR AP + shipping ($609 before rebates)

With this setup it's possible to overclock quite well, just add an aftermarket cooler for the CPU. The memory supports nice clocks so it's not going to limit the CPU, and the PSU and motherboard have enough oomph for moderate overclocking. The Asus 7850 is also a damn nice overclocker - if you don't OC the CPU I suggest you at least OC the card, it'd be a waste not to. It only takes a few minutes to do some stock voltage overclocking (just set +20 power limit and overclock the MHz to 10-20% higher using MSI afterburner. If it crashes in-game, back down).
 
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That looks fantastic lehtv! I'll be using those parts for certain. I just have to ask; is there a case I could possibly get that also has a window? I wanted to install some lights to really give it some flare.
 
lehtv said:
Ken's build looks alright except for the power supply which doesn't support the 7870 out of the box. You would need to use a Molex->PCIe adapter. The PSU is technically powerful enough, but considering the mediocre capacitor quality of the CX series, I would buy a 500-550W unit.

I would also change the FX-6100 to the newer FX-6300 (FX-6300 is about 15% faster for the same cost), plus here are some other deals I found..

CPU+mobo: FX-6300 + Asrock 970 Extreme4 $180 (FAR better than the Gigabyte board)
RAM: Team Vulcan 2x4GB DDR3-2400 1.65V $60 (!!!)
GPU: Asus 7850 2GB DirectCu II $113 AR AP (!!!)
HDD+case: ST1000DM003 + Rosewill Galaxy-03 $90
PSU: Corsair CX500M $35 AR AP
OS: Win7 $91

= $569 AR AP + shipping ($609 before rebates)

With this setup it's possible to overclock quite well, just add an aftermarket cooler for the CPU. The memory supports nice clocks so it's not going to limit the CPU, and the PSU and motherboard have enough oomph for moderate overclocking. The Asus 7850 is also a damn nice overclocker - if you don't OC the CPU I suggest you at least OC the card, it'd be a waste not to. It only takes a few minutes to do some stock voltage overclocking (just set +20 power limit and overclock the MHz to 10-20% higher using MSI afterburner. If it crashes in-game, back down).
Click to expand...

Amazing deal on that 7850!!!
 
gazzack said:
That looks fantastic lehtv! I'll be using those parts for certain. I just have to ask; is there a case I could possibly get that also has a window? I wanted to install some lights to really give it some flare.
Click to expand...

Uh well, yes. There are windowed cases. Personally I would lean towards maximizing performance bang for buck on this budget, even if I didn't dislike bling in computers... but it's your call.

Elite 431 Plus $30 AR AP (supplied with only one fan, instead of three as in the Rosewill case)

Ends up costing $10 more when you add the full $70 for the HDD.

Do note the $10 off promo on the PSU ends tonight.
 
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