First build.

[~Tommy]

I'm a newb but have done a fair bit of research (im sure all first-timers do). I am going to be using this computer for gaming and just daily use. I don't plan on upgrading to anything too ridiculous. I am only going to be using one monitor. I have to keep it under the ~650$ USD mark. I want suggestions for parts I can replace to get better ones. Here is the build plan [url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RdmP]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RdmP[/url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RdmP]

Also here

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RdmP

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RdmP/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RdmP/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($135.08 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($59.99 @ NCIX US)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($69.98 @ Outlet PC)

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.98 @ Newegg)

Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Cooler Master eXtreme Power 600W ATX12V Power Supply ($60.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Total: $615.98

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-17 01:56 EDT-0400)

[iTonyy]

You could do with a 500W psu instead and I would really recommend adding a ssd boot drive, it really improves day to day performance

If you cant a ssd into your build right now, I still definitely recommend picking one up whenever you can afford it

[~Tommy]

The 7850's minimum wattage is 500w. I've heard that cheap power supplies don't always give the advertised wattage and tend to lose wattage after running at 100% use for more than a week. People on tom's hardware forum said that for the 7850 you should get at lest a 600 watt PSU for sure.

I'm on a tight budget but am planning to get a ssd. They sound really nice.

[iTonyy]

The 7850's minimum wattage is 500w. I've heard that cheap power supplies don't always give the advertised wattage and tend to lose wattage after running at 100% use for more than a week. People on tom's hardware forum said that for the 7850 you should get at lest a 600 watt PSU for sure.

I'm on a tight budget but am planning to get a ssd. They sound really nice.

Actually no, it is technically possible to power a 7970 off of a 500W as long as the efficiency is high enough but as you said it is better to go a bit above to create a safety margin, though that is only if you have the budget to spare.

Also you are mistaken in what is considered as a cheap power supply. The one you chose isn't even rated for 80+ which means that in terms of efficiency it performs very poorly but there are 500W psu that are 80+ bronze and cost $10 less than the one you chose such as the Cx500 from Corsair

[~Tommy]

I kind of do want to upgrade my computer later, so I want at least a 600w. Are there any 600 watt power supplies you can recommend, that are rated 80+ bronze for the same price give or take a bit?

[~Tommy]

nevermind, I was reading around and I have decided to use a 500 watt power supply. I think i'm going to go with the cx500 like you suggested.

[BlackOutCrisis]

I wouldn't get anything less than a 990fx board, and you probably won't need a 1tb drive, so I would get something lower to save money. I would also suggest getting a different brand 7850. And as the others have said get a lower wattage higher quality psu like the cx500.

[Glenwing]

There's nothing wrong with a 970 board, you can stick with it. I also wouldn't recommend the Corsair CX series, they are not the greatest build quality and can have coil whine issues. This is a better choice.

[~Tommy]

Ok, I guess i'll go with a 500 watt PSU. I saw the seasonic s12II on logicalincrements.com so I trust it.

[~Tommy]

If I get a 500 gigabyte hard drive, is it easy to add another 1 tb drive in the future if I run out of room? I have a 500gb hard drive right now on my laptop and ive only filled it up about half way in a year.

[iTonyy]

If I get a 500 gigabyte hard drive, is it easy to add another 1 tb drive in the future if I run out of room? I have a 500gb hard drive right now on my laptop and ive only filled it up about half way in a year.

Yes its very simple or as Linus would say "Plug the thing into the other thing"

Just plug in your power and sata cables and you are good to go

But if you were wondering about data migration, there are plenty of tools out there for it

and for the none essential programs, you could literally just drag and drop