Help with first gaming computer

[jtwilson3]

Hello all,

I am going to build my first computer coming up this week. I am doing an AMD build (to be a little cheaper). I am basically going to be playing games like Heroes of the Storm, League of Legends, H1Z1, Warcraft, etc. on this computer. I am currently playing on my macbook pro (with integrated graphics) and it sucks royally. I am not going to be playing battlefield or anything like that (as I play it on my PS4). The main problems that I am having is deciding a motherboard/processor combo. I might overclock but honestly do not know how to yet. I just need to know how the computer will run and make sure that I can play games on medium to high settings. The main parts that are going in the computer regardless are:

8gb (2x4GB) Hyper X Fury Ram
Geoforce GTX960 Graphics Card
1TB Hard Drive (might do 128GB SSD for OS)
Probably Thermaltake V3 AMD Case
600W Power Supply

The main issue that I am having problems with is between the AMD Fx6300 and FX8320 Processor and between these three boards:
MSI 970
Asus m5a78L-M (with 3.0 ports)
Asus m5a97

I wouldnt mind doing FX 8320 and spending the extra money but I don't know what board would go best with it. If I did the FX6300 I would combine it with the MSI970 or Asus m5a78L-M.

ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The only requirements that I have are that I want to go AMD. I don't want to spend more than $140 on the processor and more than $100 on the board. Any suggestions on the case would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for everything,
Josh

 

[mfenn]

Welcome Josh! Can you update your post with the answers to these questions? They may help shed some light on a few of the more peculiar decisions in your build (AMD CPU and GTX 960 for example).

 

[jtwilson3]

Yeah no problem:

1) PC will be used for gaming almost exclusively. Mainly playing games that were listed and a few others on Steam.
2) Budget is about $550 or so. I would like to save a little money as this is my first build and I am probably gonna screw something up lol
3) United States
4) Not buying outside of US unless it is on ebay.
5) I like AMD and ASUS by what I have read on the internet. I only use macbook pro's so only have personal experience with Intel and prebuilt so I honestly don't know whats best. Just by the reviews, it seems that ASUS is a favorite of many people. AMD is just because it is a cheaper option than Intel.
6) Nope, don't have any parts
7) I don't know how to overclock. Might do it so long as it is safe and will not hurt the computer.
8) I might get a monitor but I plan on using my 4k tv as a monitor for now. (55" Sony SBR55X850B).
9) I plan on building it over the next two months. Buying the motherboard and CPU this week.
10) Don't need to purchase any software. I can get windows 7 and plan on using it as the OS.

 

[mvbighead]

If you're spending nearly $250 on board and CPU, there is absolutely no reason NOT to consider Intel:

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock B85 Anniversary ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($59.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $249.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-18 21:03 EDT-0400

You mention cost being your motivating factor for AMD, so using your price guidelines I found the above. You may still be inclined to look at AMD, but I strongly suggest you consider Intel. They are simply the best you can get for your $$$ at this time.

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-4590-vs-AMD-FX-6300

http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/365/AMD_FX-Series_FX-6300_vs_Intel_Core_i5_i5-4590.html

 

[jtwilson3]

Thats why I was looking at the FX 6300. If I do that with the ASUS m5a78L-M, it only is about $150...This was the cheaper alternative. Thats why I was curious about it.

 

[mvbighead]

And along the same lines, an i3 performs better than the FX6300 at a similar price point:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wZWst6
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/wZWst6/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.88 @ Newegg)
Total: $158.83
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-18 21:39 EDT-0400

http://cpu.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Intel-Core-i3-4160-vs-AMD-FX-6300/2816vs1555

A lot of people come here thinking AMD will suit them best, but the plain fact is that AMD is a good ways behind Intel in the CPU market currently.

 

[mvbighead]

Simply aiming for your price point, I came up with the following (a hair over):

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

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($177.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.88 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.69 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: PNY CS1111 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270 2GB DirectCU II Video Card ($142.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $567.51
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-18 21:51 EDT-0400

I opted for a single stick of RAM to allow for a memory upgrade (board only has two slots).

Included both SSD and HDD as NO system built for any purpose should not have an SSD in it.

I would encourage you to NOT aim for buying a particular part in any given order, but rather look for any parts that are a CONSIDERABLE discount. IE - An R9 270 for $115 instead of 140, an i5 4460 for 160. Unless you can actually put a board and CPU to use now, it makes no sense to buy them first.

Personally, I would wait till you have the funds to buy it all, but I have in the past taken the approach of buying considerably discounted items here and there along the way to build a system. All in all, with your budget I would definitely consider something like the above. Supremely quick in day to day stuff, and should handle pretty much any game with ease.

For better gaming performance and slightly less general performance (much better graphics card):

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QpKf4D
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/QpKf4D/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4330 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Asus H81M-D PLUS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($48.88 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.69 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: PNY CS1111 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($49.99 @ Micro Center)
Storage: Hitachi Deskstar 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($44.00 @ Amazon)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 960 2GB Video Card ($179.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($33.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $556.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-18 22:01 EDT-0400

 

[MongGrel]

I'd say just go Intel.

I wasn't going to rain on your parade earlier till a few others posted, but there it is.

 

[mvbighead]

The other thing that could be mentioned here is future CPU upgrade...

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i7-4790K-vs-AMD-FX-9590

In the future, you could drop in a MUCH better Intel chip. With the AMD, you are getting an older platform. Granted, with the above board you'd be looking at a 4790 (non K), but the upgrade options are better as well on the Intel platform.