help finishing off my build

[builder-inator]

So I nailed down which build might be good for me. I'm going to play games like MineCraft, Crysis 3, Skyrim etc, I'm going to be browsing and just normal working.

So this is what I found(the parts that aren't there are the parts that I don't need):

CPU:*AMD FX 4170 Bulldozer Series CPU - 4.2GHz Quad(4) Core, AM3+ Socket,12MB, HyperTran

Motherboard:*Asus M5A97 Pro AMD 970/SB950 ATX Desktop Motherboard

Memory:*Kingston HyperX DDR3 1866MHz CL9 Desktop Memory Module - 4GB

Video Card:*need help with this one

Power Supply:*Corsair*CX600


Now my budget is under $500. I need a graphics card with a VGA port(obviously as the motherboard doesn't have one, no I don't need HDMI). It totals up to $430 in South Africa (where I am, I don't want international items) I found all these parts outside South Africa, then looked for them.

 

[lehtv]

Do you already have an existing thread for this build? If so, please keep to one thread.

Also http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

 

[builder-inator]

Do you already have an existing thread for this build? If so, please keep to one thread.

Also http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=80121

Oh sorry, no I do not have another thread for this build.

1. Gaming, browsing and learning to develop etc
2. $500
3. South Africa
4. Wootware.co.za and bidorbuy.co.za
5. I kinda prefer AMD because I read people saying it's better for gaming but please if anything is better then tell me
6. Yes I'm using some of my own parts i.e DVD drive, Storage device and case
7. I want the default speed
8. 1366x768
9. Would like it to be this month but it's doesn't really matter
10. No I don't

Really sorry again for not posting this before

 

[Termie]

I'd recommend the FX-6300 in place of the FX-4170. You'll need the extra cores in upcoming games, and even Crysis 3 performs much better on the 6300: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/piledriver-k10-cpu-overclocking,3584-10.html

You don't need DDR3-1866. In fact, you could even get by with DDR3-1333. Check your local stores to see if that saves you some money. By the way, 4GB is definitely enough if you're on a tight budget.

Regarding the graphics card, not knowing how much you have left in your budget, it's hard to guess. Perhaps you can do that math and let us know what remains. Some good choices would be the 650 Ti, HD 7790, and 7850, in order of processing power - pick whichever one fits within your budget.

 

[builder-inator]

I'd recommend the FX-6300 in place of the FX-4170. You'll need the extra cores in upcoming games, and even Crysis 3 performs much better on the 6300: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/piledriver-k10-cpu-overclocking,3584-10.html

You don't need DDR3-1866. In fact, you could even get by with DDR3-1333. Check your local stores to see if that saves you some money. By the way, 4GB is definitely enough if you're on a tight budget.

Regarding the graphics card, not knowing how much you have left in your budget, it's hard to guess. Perhaps you can do that math and let us know what remains. Some good choices would be the 650 Ti, HD 7790, and 7850, in order of processing power - pick whichever one fits within your budget.

I did what you said, I checked the prices here and I'm down to $50 so I can't get any of the video cards you recommended

 

[Termie]

I did what you said, I checked the prices here and I'm down to $50 so I can't get any of the video cards you recommended

Just to be clear, do you mean your remaining budget for the video card is $50? OK, we need to start saving money somehow.

(1) drop the power supply from the CX600 to the CX430
(2) consider a less expensive motherboard, such as the MSI 970A-G46. It should save you about $20 if it's available to you.
(3) definitely do not buy DDR3-1866 memory. Buy the cheapest DDR3 you can, probably 1333.

Assuming you save up another $50 with these changes, you can afford the HD7770, which is the lowest end video card that will be able to play modern games.

By the way, if the AMD FX-4300 is available where you are, check if it's around the same price as the FX-4170, because it's a better CPU.

 

[builder-inator]

Both 1) and 2) don't really have good reviews at Newegg(I'm told to check there if the reviews are good)

 

[Termie]

Both 1) and 2) don't really have good reviews at Newegg(I'm told to check there if the reviews are good)

All motherboards get bad reviews by users. Most of the time it's probably because they did something wrong. Only when you see a pattern of the same problem occurring is there reason for concern.

Also, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the CX430. The CX600 actually has worse reviews. Again, a lot of this is probably user error, but either way, they are covered by 3-year warranties.

Basically, you really don't have the luxury of picking only products that get exceptional reviews on Newegg. With a budget of $500, it's extremely hard to build a true gaming system, so you're going to have to buy some lower-end gear. That doesn't mean it's bad, but it probably does mean the user reviews aren't accurate because there are a lot of new builders using the gear.

 

[builder-inator]

Alright I trust you, also I'd like to record while I play

 

[builder-inator]

Right so I'm left with $136 for the video card and thanks a lot for the quick replies. I really do appreciate it, you're helping a newbie at this.

 

[builder-inator]

By the way, if the AMD FX-4300 is available where you are, check if it's around the same price as the FX-4170, because it's a better CPU.

The FX 4300 is $20-$30 higher than the FX 4170

 

[builder-inator]

So my current parts list is(with your recommended parts):

CPU: AMD FX-6300 Vishera Black Edition 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ Desktop CPU

Motherboard: MSI AMD 970A-G46 970 Chipset

Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu DDR3 1333MHz CL9 Desktop Memory Modules - 4GB

Video Card:*

Power Supply: Corsair Builder Series CX430 V2 430W Power Supply - 80PLUS Certified

 

[Termie]

So how much do you have left over after upgrading the CPU and downgrading the RAM, MB, and PSU?

By the way, I believe that RAM you found operates at 1.65V. That is not ideal for Intel chips, but I believe it's fine for AMD. Others may be able to weigh in on that.

 

[builder-inator]

$136. Why is it not ideal? What's wrong with that?

 

[Termie]

$136. Why is it not ideal? What's wrong with that?

The RAM you found, if it operates at 1.65V, may put additional wear on Intel chipsets. As I noted, however, I don't believe AMD chipsets have this issue.

With $136, you should be able to get at least a GTX650 Ti, which will run most games reasonably-well. If an HD7790 is available at that price where you are, it would be a bit faster and thus a better pick. The next step up would be a GTX 650 Ti Boost, but I assume it is above $136 where you are.

If you want help picking a model, just list out the ones that are available to you from the product lines I listed, which are under $136.

 

[builder-inator]

Right, for the GTX650 Ti I found: nothing
The HD7790: nothing
And the GTX 650 Ti Boost: nothing. Everything was very, very expensive.
So what I did is I downgraded.
I found one HD770: PowerColor AX7770 1GBD5-PP2DH.

And many HD7750:

1. Sapphire 11202-00-20G AMD Radeon HD 7750
2. Asus HD7750-1GD5 AMD Radeon HD7750
3. MSI R7750-PMD2GD3 AMD Radeon HD 7750
4.Gigabyte GV-R775OC-1GI AMD Radeon HD 7750
5. XFX FX-775A-ZNP4 AMD Radeon HD 7750

None of these have VGA support so I'm not sure how it would work, hopefully it has an adapter

 

[Termie]

Among those, I'd definitely choose the PowerColor HD7770. It will be quite a bit faster than the HD7750, and is a great entry-level gaming card.

You're getting a very decent system for $500, with room to grow.

 

[Sleepingforest]

I found a 7790 for $115 after a $15 MIR. That's a bit better than a 7770. I forgot you were in South Africa. D'oh!

 

[builder-inator]

Among those, I'd definitely choose the PowerColor HD7770. It will be quite a bit faster than the HD7750, and is a great entry-level gaming card.

You're getting a very decent system for $500, with room to grow.

Seriously?? Thanks a load!!

So to confirm:

CPU: AMD FX-6300 Vishera Black Edition 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ Desktop CPU

Motherboard: MSI AMD 970A-G46 970 Chipset

Memory: Kingston HyperX Blu DDR3 1333MHz CL9 Desktop Memory Modules - 4GB*

Video Card: PowerColor AX7770 1GBD5-PP2DH Radeon HD7770

Power Supply: Corsair Builder Series CX430 V2 430W Power Supply - 80PLUS Certified

 

[builder-inator]

Can you confirm that this build will be able to play MineCraft online or any modern or future game nicely with good graphics?

 

[Sleepingforest]

It depends on your definition of good. It will play it at least as well as an Xbox 360/PS3, probably better. It will definitely be able to handle Minecraft (you may even be able to put in an HD texture pack).

 

[builder-inator]

It depends on your definition of good. It will play it at least as well as an Xbox 360/PS3, probably better. It will definitely be able to handle Minecraft (you may even be able to put in an HD texture pack).

Awesome!! What about Crysis 3? I heard that game punishes PCs. How about running game engines for developing?

 

[Termie]

Awesome!! What about Crysis 3? I heard that game punishes PCs. How about running game engines for developing? See as a very young person, I get very excited

You'll have plenty of CPU for Crysis 3. As for the video card, well, you should be able to play at medium settings: http://www.techspot.com/review/642-crysis-3-performance/page3.html

If you want a bit more gaming performance, you might go with the FX-4170 combined with the HD7790. Does that come out to about the same price for you?

 

[builder-inator]

If you want a bit more gaming performance, you might go with the FX-4170 combined with the HD7790. Does that come out to about the same price for you?

That does cost less. Alright so this is better than the previous, right?
Also will this have no lag while recording gameplay?

 

[Termie]

That does cost less. Alright so this is better than the previous, right?
Also will this have no lag while recording gameplay?

I think "no lag" may be an overstatement depending on the game. Recording video depends entirely on the CPU, and having the FX-6300 would help a lot there. For most games, however, the GPU will matter much more, especially when you're talking about $100-$150 GPUs.

Honestly, you won't be able to do everything you want without slowdowns on a $500 budget. If gaming is more important, go with the FX-4170/HD7790, if recording is more important, go with the FX-6300/HD7770.