Is this a good build?

[SuprizeNinja]

So I'm building a gaming rig for a friend. This will be his first gaming PC. I normally don't bother asking others about good ideas because i like to find all the little problems myself. But i feel that since this is not my property, I'm compelled to ask you guys who have more experience than I to assess this theoretical build and give constructive criticism and also point out any ideas that would save money or possibly work better for him. He's not very tech-savvy either just throwing that out there. Anyway here's the build.

 

Target Price: $800( can go a little higher )

 

Cpu: FX-4300 or 6300                                           $110 to $120 Free shipping

Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-78LMT                                $ 68 Free shipping

Case:   Fractal design Arc MINI r2    w/ window      $ 110 with shipping

Gpu:   EVGA gtx 760 ACX cooler                           $ 255 with shipping

RAM: gskill sniper 8gb  1600                                 $70 Free shipping

Storage: Kingston 120gb 2.5' ssd                          $81 with shipping

Psu:  Corsair CX430M bronze 80                          $ 53 with shipping

Bling: NZXT hue                                                    $ 33 Free shipping

 

Total Price: $780 - $790

 

 I chose the parts because they are all black or dark and would look very well together in my opinion.

I've done three builds before and I am confident in my ability to put it together. I'm most concerned with the parts themselves.

 

So yeah if you guys could tell me how you think this would work and also give any critiques that cross your mind that would be most gracious of you. He doesn't even have a stand alone monitor yet so price is most important.

 

 

 

[Ryan Leech]

Go with the 6300. Do you live in the US?

[nsyedhasan]

You can do better.

 

Better CPU. Better GPU. Better PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  ($152.08 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard:  Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($94.79 @ Amazon)
Memory:  A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:  PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card  ($324.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Case:  NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($25.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $791.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-22 21:47 EST-0500)

Edited February 23, 2014 by nsyedhasan

[venturizhou]

What currency is this in?

[JoshM]

Not bad, I would highly recommend going an FX 6300 or jump to an 8320 and going a 990fx board or if you have to go a 970 to save money.

[Akolyte]

I would step down a bit on the graphics card, and would go with a r9 270 just because it supports mantle and with game starting to use more cpu power it might be a good idea to be future proof.  I would spend a bit more on the power supply, at least a 500w 80+ bronze.  I would also get a slightly higher motherboard, because I don't trust super cheap boards.   If your thinking of playing games with Mantle then the 4300 should be okay. 

[CCap]

What about a CPU cooler? I wouldn't advise using the stock cooler... at all... 

 

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is a solid choice if you ask me. A lot of people on the forum use it, and it only costs >$40 dollars if I remember correctly.

 

For your CPU, go with the 6300 over the 4300 if going for an 8320 is not an option.

 

Everything else looks good and you should be able to get pretty solid frames/second on 1080p games. A buddy of mine has close to, if not the same rig as this, and gets pretty solid frames on Triple A titles. 

 

Good luck on your build man.

[1823alex]

You might wanna bump up your psu wattage I have the same EVGA 760 w/ ACX cooler and noticed on the box it says reccomended power supply wattage of at least 500.

 

https://www.pccasegear.com/UserFiles/02G-P4-3765-KR-specs.gif Look at the requirements on the picture.

[MbV93]

Nope.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($117.12 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard:  MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($69.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory:  G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Storage:  Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($79.31 @ Amazon)
Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card  ($239.99 @ Newegg)
Case:  Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply:  Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $761.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-22 21:46 EST-0500)

[nsyedhasan]

Nope.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($117.12 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard:  MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($69.99 @ Microcenter)

Memory:  G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Storage:  Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($79.31 @ Amazon)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card  ($239.99 @ Newegg)

Case:  Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply:  Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $761.37

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-22 21:46 EST-0500)

Nope this is better.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  ($152.08 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard:  Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($94.79 @ Amazon)

Memory:  A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($68.99 @ Newegg)

Storage:  PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card  ($324.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Case:  NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($25.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $791.79

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-22 21:47 EST-0500)

[MbV93]

Nope this is better.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  ($152.08 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard:  Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($94.79 @ Amazon)

Memory:  A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($68.99 @ Newegg)

Storage:  PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card  ($324.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Case:  NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($25.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $791.79

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-22 21:47 EST-0500)

 

Agreed. Tried to stick with the case he wanted but yeah @SuprizeNinja you can do so much better with $800!

[SuprizeNinja]

I should have specified. He aksed specifically for a small computer. So no ATX. mATX at max.  In any case thanks for the quick feedback.

[SuprizeNinja]

Also i was hoping that one of you guys would have a cpu cooler in mind. One that looks good in a window and still has good performance.

[SuprizeNinja]

Nope.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($117.12 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard:  MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($69.99 @ Microcenter)

Memory:  G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Storage:  Crucial M500 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($79.31 @ Amazon)

Storage:  Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card  ($239.99 @ Newegg)

Case:  Fractal Design Arc Midi R2 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply:  Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $761.37

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-22 21:46 EST-0500)

 

 

You can do better.

 

Better CPU. Better GPU. Better PSU.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor  ($152.08 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($29.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard:  Asus M5A97 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($94.79 @ Amazon)

Memory:  A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($68.99 @ Newegg)

Storage:  PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card  ($324.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Case:  NZXT Source 210 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($29.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($25.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $791.79

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-22 21:47 EST-0500)

Sorry i didnt specify in my origional post. The rig needs to be small. The case is an arc MINI. not an arc MIDI. anyway i will use the XFX psu The Asus 760 and the PNY ssd anyway. Will add storage space later on. He wont use 120 gb for a few months. OH and i can get discounts on tigerdirect thanks to some other friends so I wont make any decisions final. I will chech out the cooler but it looks a little big to fit but hey i've been wrong before.

[SuprizeNinja]

@MbV93

@nsyedhasan

 

So after some thought, I do see why you would not want me to use 760g chipset. So changed some core things to the build. Please tell me what you guys think.

 

CPU: AMD A10-7700K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($150 @ Amazon)

CPU Cooler:Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard:ASRock FM2A75M PRO4+ Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($67.55 @ Newegg)

RAM: Kingston Beast 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($86.54 @ Amazon)

Storage: PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($65 @ Newegg)

GPU: Asus GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($240 @ Newegg)

Case: Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($100 @ Newegg)

PSU: XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($26@ Newegg)

Optical drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($17 @ OutletPC)

 

Total: $782.20

 

I understand that the a10 is only 4 cores but This needs to be a small case.

[nsyedhasan]

I understand that the a10 is only 4 cores but This needs to be a small case.

Yo dawg can go up to 920$?

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU:  Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($219.99 @ Newegg)

CPU Cooler:  Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($18.98 @ Best Buy)

Motherboard:  MSI Z87M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($94.97 @ OutletPC)

Memory:  A-Data XPG V2 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($68.99 @ Newegg)

Storage:  PNY XLR8 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk  ($64.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card:  Asus GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card  ($324.98 @ SuperBiiz)

Case:  Fractal Design Arc Mini R2 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($99.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply:  XFX 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($25.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $918.88

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

(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-23 14:46 EST-0500)

[SuprizeNinja]

@ nsyedhasan

No i really cant. I believe the absolute most that i can spend it $850. As my friend has no monitor that can fit on a desk right now.

[venturizhou]

Do you live within driving distance of a Microcenter?

And nysedhasan's build is still better. 

IF you want smaller then step down to a 

 

Motherboard

Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Rev 5.0 (it will be all black instead of the blue and black Rev 4.1)

 

Case

Rosewill Line-M

 

If you can get to a Microcenter then a Fractal Design 1000

[SuprizeNinja]

@venturizhou

No I do not. I have managed to drop the price down to $740 without monitor so with a cheapo  1920*1080 @60hz monitor I can get within the price range.

 

but in order to do this the ram is only 4gb @1333 will this severely impact performance?

[SuprizeNinja]

@

 

That board was in my origional build plan.

[SuprizeNinja]

@nsyedhasan

 

I dont think i can go $920 but if i use the gpu that i was origionally going for then that is within the price range. So thanks a bunch for the help.