My First PC Build

[mfenn]

Okay, here is what I came up that costs about $608.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34Q9M

Intel Core i3-4130: $113
MSI Z87-G41 Motherboard: $70
8GB DDR3-1600 Crucial Ballistix Sport (2x 4GB): $70
Western Digital 1TB HDD: $60
Samsung 840EVO 120GB SSD: $90
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 750 1GB: $120
NZXT Source 210 Elite: $50
Corsair CX 430W: $30

A GTX 750 is not the same as a GTX 750 Ti. I don't think you can afford to get an SSD in a $600 gaming machine, it eats into the GPU budget too much.

It's also fairly pointless to get a Z87 motherboard with a Core i3 since you can't overclock the i3.

Take a look at my build for an example of what you can do with $600.

 

[Morbus]

- Z87 motherboard not needed for locked CPU. Get the H87 version instead and save some coin for no downside.
- at that CPU price range, you're really better off getting an FX6330 or 6350. Either get an i5 (which is a considerably better deal than that i3, consider performance per dollar) or go AMD.
- Don't buy an SSD for a budget build, you can buy it later when you have the money.
- that video card isn't really a gaming card, unless you don't plan on player newer games in, say, 1 or 2 years or something.
- that case is really nice, but it's a bit pricey for such a tight budget.

Take a look at my build for an example of what you can do with $600.

Or mine, which is pretty similar anyway.

 

[kidyankee764]

This PC goes a little over my budget, priced at about $630.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/35pJ6

AMD Athlon X4-760k
ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+
8GB Crucial Ballistic Sport 8GB (2x 4GB)
1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue
EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card
Corsair 200R
Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze

Thoughts?

 

[mfenn]

This PC goes a little over my budget, priced at about $630.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/35pJ6

AMD Athlon X4-760k
ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+
8GB Crucial Ballistic Sport 8GB (2x 4GB)
1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue
EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card
Corsair 200R
Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze

Thoughts?

I think that the build that I posted gives you more CPU power and the same GPU power for the around the same cost, and that the build that Morbus posted gives you more CPU power but less GPU power for around the same cost.

 

[Bobsy]

It's been said already by folks with powerful computers, but hear it from a guy that has real experience: I've been using an i3-530 and an nVidia GTX 460 for the last four years in my gaming computer:

1. Unless you plan to play a lot of Starcraft II, the i3 will be enough. I've never been limited by it.
2. Don't overspend on the motherboard, choose carefully.
3. I doubt you will ever upgrade your CPU. Four years ago, I thought I'd upgrade to the i5-750 at some point. Two years later, the socket had changed, the CPU price had not gone down... I just did not see the point anymore.
4. Don't skimp on the GPU.
5. Forget the SSD for now, that's the easiest upgrade of all. Contrary to a CPU or GPU upgrade when you remove the old part, you can add an SSD and keep your HDD for data. A net gain, no loss. The nice thing about not buying an SSD now is that it's somewhat expensive so you get some more cash for your GPU.

My two cents worth, from someone who's done just that during the last four years.

 

[Morbus]

This PC goes a little over my budget, priced at about $630.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/35pJ6

AMD Athlon X4-760k
ASRock FM2A75M Pro4+ Micro ATX FM2+
8GB Crucial Ballistic Sport 8GB (2x 4GB)
1TB Western Digital Caviar Blue
EVGA GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card
Corsair 200R
Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze

Thoughts?

I think that build is pretty great, to be honest.
That CPU won't allow you to upgrade it too much in, say, 5 years or something, but considering the budget, I'd say it's pretty awesome, to be honest.

Don't forget to get an SSD in there in a year or so!

Cheers.

 

[mvbighead]

http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i3-4130-vs-AMD-Athlon-X4-760K

MFenn's build with the i3 appears to be better, like he said. It's also cheaper. I would also go so far as to say the CPU upgrade option appears to be much better should you decide to do that.

From what I am seeing, your most recent build is not better than what he posted a while ago.

 

[gammaray]

good sale on newegg for 599$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...bo1585056-LM2A

AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz Six-Core CPU, ASUS 970 MOBO, SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7850 2 GB, G.SKILL Ripjaws X 8GB MEM, Seagate 1TB HDD, RAIDMAX RX 535W PSU, EZALMAN Z5 Case, Free BattleField 4

 

[Morbus]

That's not a good deal. You're paying like 50USD more, if you don't count the free game. Even if you want to buy the game at full price, it doesn't really save you any money...

 

[Torn Mind]

good sale on newegg for 599$

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...bo1585056-LM2A

AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz Six-Core CPU, ASUS 970 MOBO, SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7850 2 GB, G.SKILL Ripjaws X 8GB MEM, Seagate 1TB HDD, RAIDMAX RX 535W PSU, EZALMAN Z5 Case, Free BattleField 4

Raidmax PSUs are never worth using for computers because of the risk of destroying components when they do go belly up. 7850 are not worth $199, although they might be ok at $150. So, the "real" savings will be actually around $30 plus the $15 rebate, and that is assuming everything else is at market value.

A 7850 for $200 these days isn't that great either

 

[kidyankee764]

I have this build for $674...a lot over but is it worth it?

Intel Core i3-4130
MSI Z87-G41 PC Mate
8GB Corsair Vengeance
Western Digital 1TB
Gibabyte Radeon R9 270X with 4GB GDDR5 RAM
Corsair 200R
Corsair 430W Power Supply

 

[kidyankee764]

Another build for $637.

AMD Athlon X4-760k
ASRock FM2A75M PRO4+
8GB Corsair Vengeance
Western Digital 1TB
Gibabyte Radeon R9 270X with 4GB GDDR5 RAM
Corsair 200R
Corsair 430W Power Supply

WHich build is better? The AMD or Intel one?

 

[Morbus]

I'll say this again: Z series motherboards are for K series CPUs. Do not buy Z series motherboards for non-K CPUs.

Also, do not buy K CPUs for budget builds.

As for your builds, 4GB of VRAM in video cards bellow the 300USD price point is a total waste of money. I repeat: total waste of money.

Anyway, your i3 build has a worse CPU than you could get for the same money, and has a 4GB graphics card, which, as I said, is a waste of money. That's also the same problem of the second build, but the CPU is better for the price.

 

[kidyankee764]

I'll say this again: Z series motherboards are for K series CPUs. Do not buy Z series motherboards for non-K CPUs.

Also, do not buy K CPUs for budget builds.

As for your builds, 4GB of VRAM in video cards bellow the 300USD price point is a total waste of money. I repeat: total waste of money.

Anyway, your i3 build has a worse CPU than you could get for the same money, and has a 4GB graphics card, which, as I said, is a waste of money. That's also the same problem of the second build, but the CPU is better for the price.

i know...but the Z series motherboard was cheaper than the other motherboards.

 

[gammaray]

how much can you save a month? if you can save 50$ a month, wait 4 months and get a good gaming PC for 800$

 

[Torn Mind]

The extra vRAM is not going to really help you out since the R9 270X doesn't have enough compute power anyway and most games don't use over 2 GB at 1080p.

Mobo is a very good deal from Micro Center's web store. $70 AR (but before shipping) is not bad.

 

[mfenn]

i know...but the Z series motherboard was cheaper than the other motherboards.

Not really. If you consider the price of the i3-4130 to be constant at $125, the Z87-G41 costs you $87 AR. The GA-H81.Amp-UP in the combo deal that I recommended costs $55 AR. $55 is less than $87, ergo the Z series motherboard is not cheaper.