Fumizuki : Build plan

[DigitalHermit]

Hey guys, I'm currently securing a budget for a low-cost build and this is what I'm planning:

 

Name: Fumizuki

Short Description: Entry level gaming rig with crossfirex graphics built around the FM2+ platform

 

Rationale:

Fumizuki is the sister rig to Mutsuki (who shall be reassigned to HTPC/Home-office duties, specs in sig). The build is for light gaming, light photo/video editing, and general usage. She is planned for 7-year life cycle as a daily-use rig. The budget is tight (sub 500USD), but some parts are already on hand. Overclocking capabilites are secondary to out-of-the-box performance. SSDs are also not necessary due to need of storage space, meaning HDDs are to be used. Another factor is intercompatibility with Mutsuki, hence using the FM2+ platform.

 

Other descriptions:

Black&blue color scheme preferred.

 

Plan: Some parts from Mutsuki are to be moved back to the old case and old PSU, a new aftermarket cooler will be provided. All purchases are to be made with cash, in physical shops due to unavailability of online shopping options in the region. Purchases may be made in waves depending on available cash on hand...

 

Parts(tentative) for Fumizuki:

Mobo: Gigabyte F2A88XM-xxx or MSI A88XM-Exx

CPU:   Ax-7xxxk (to be determined by budget)

Cooler: DeepCool Gammaxx S40 (or something else in the 20-25USD price range)

RAM:  Kingston HyperX Blue 16GB 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (may be replaced with anything cheaper)

GPU:  Sapphire R7 260X 2GB DDR5 OC 2xDVI (from Mutsuki)

PSU:   FSP Hexa 600W (from Mutsuki)

Case:  AeroCool PGS V3 (from Mutsuki)

HDD0: Seagate Barracuda 500GB 7200rpm SATA II (System Drive, from Mutsuki)

HDD1: WD Blue/Seagate 2TB 7200rpm SATAIII (Storage drive)

HDD2: WD Elements 1TB USB 2.0 desktop external HDD (may be reassigned to cold storage)

ODD: N/A

K/B: Dragonwar DarkSector (or whatever's the cheapest mechanical keyboard out there) (note: the DarkSector uses scissor-type switches like those found on low-mid-end laptops)

Mouse: Any USB optical mouse

 

Parts(tentative) for Mutsuki:

Mobo: Gigabyte F2A55M-DS2 rev 1.0

CPU:   A8-5600k 3.6GHz (may be underclocked to 3.2GHz if voltages and stability allow it)

RAM:   2x Kingston 4GB 1333MHz Low Profile RAM in Dual Channel configuration

Cooler: DeepCool Gammaxx S40

GPU:   IGP of the A8-5600k

PSU:   Dynamics 700W(?, 450W max estimate, will upgrade when budget is available... Unit tested to be good, but not great)

Case:  Dynamics 'Red Wine' mATX case (no plans on changing out this one)

HDD:   WD Blue 5600rpm 320GB 2.5" SATAII (former cold storage drive)

ODD:  Samsung DVD-RW combo drive

 

If the purchases of the parts are to be made in waves, this would be the plan to follow:

1: HDD (when cash becomes available)

2: Mobo + CPU + RAM (most likely after Christmas)

3: Peripherals + Cooler (probably April since I have a spare set of PS/2 keyboard and mouse)

 

Any suggestions on how/where I can cut some costs or get some better performance for the price range without losing the intercompatibility?

and which APU will be able to operate in dual graphics with the 260X?

[TheRunningOtaku]

Can you Hybrid Crossfire a 260x with an APU? I thought it was only the 240/250 that could crossfire

The stock cooler should do you fine, but otherwise get a Hyper 212 EVO

Other than that looks great

[DigitalHermit]

Can you Hybrid Crossfire a 260x with an APU? I thought it was only the 240/250 that could crossfire

The stock cooler should do you fine, but otherwise get a Hyper 212 EVO

Other than that looks great

 

If I can't confirm a 260X dual graphics mode, I might go get an Athlon 760k...

[TheRunningOtaku]

If I can't confirm a 260X dual graphics mode, I might go get an Athlon 760k...

I think a FX-6300 would be better, more threads and better price:performance

[DigitalHermit]

I think a FX-6300 would be better, more threads and better price:performance

 

But the intercompatibility...

 

I'll look into the FX-6300 when I get my new HDD...

Any ideas on a good, not-top-of-the-line mobo for that?

[DigitalHermit]

Looked into the FX-6300, it looks good enough for this build (6-cores because why the not?)...

 

Would a 970 based mobo be good enough for it?

[DigitalHermit]

A few more minutes into looking at an FX, and I just realized that it might be the mobo that will break the bank...

[TheRunningOtaku]

I'm sure there are a lot of mobos out there for cheap... I've seen a ton around ~$30

[DigitalHermit]

I'm sure there are a lot of mobos out there for cheap... I've seen a ton around ~$30

 

I'll see when I visit the shops...