Questions about a first build

[FourCorners]

So I've been planning on a first build under a $1000 (CAD)  for a while now but have a few questions before I decide to pull the trigger.

 

Note: The $1000 budget  includes a the monitor, mechanical keyboard and headphones. OS and a mouse is not needed and I live in Canada.

 

So here is what I have so far:

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/KJPMMp

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

 

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($119.99 @ Canada Computers) 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($27.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P ATX AM3+/AM3 Motherboard  ($99.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($82.98 @ Newegg Canada) 

Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 

Storage: Toshiba Product Series:DT01ACA 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ NCIX) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 280 3GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($215.99 @ NCIX) 

Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($54.99 @ Canada Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($58.99 @ NCIX) 

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($15.79 @ DirectCanada) 

Monitor: AOC i2367Fh 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($163.68 @ DirectCanada) 

Keyboard: Logitech G710 Wired Gaming Keyboard  ($104.99 @ NCIX) 

Headphones: Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Headphones 

Total: $995.36

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-01 22:05 EDT-0400

 

 

Now for questions:

 

• Is the 8-core FX 8320 worth it over the 6-core FX-6300? Will the extra 2 cores make that big of a difference in games or video editing?
• Is there a better bang for buck AM3+ MOBO other than the Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P that I found by sifting through pcpartpicker.com? If not, is this MOBO any good? And am I correct that both FX 8320 and FX-6300 will both work on the  Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P?
• For the PSU, should I go with 500W or 600W  if pcpartpicker rates my build for about 400W? And is the Corsair CX series a good power supply as I've read mixed reviews about it. If not, can anyone recommend a better PSU for about the same price range and is semi modular.
• The Corsair Carbide 200r has fan mounts like so: 
• Front: (x2) 120mm ld
  Top: (x2) 120/140mm 
  Rear: (x1) 120mm 
  Bottom: (x1) 120/140mm 
  Side: (x2) 120/140mm
• with one front and one rear 120mm included. So what are some cheap bang for buck case fans that you could recommend? ( The front one being a static pressure fan as the front panel and HDD cage blocks most of the the air flow. and the rest being air flow fans)
• And my last questions is whether or not "pro audio/ audiophile headphones" are worth the money as I'm looking into getting a pair of BeyerDynamic Custom One Pros or the DT770s

 

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestion. Any other comments or improvements are also welcome.

 

Edit: And is the windowed version of the 200r worth the extra $$$?

[PokémonTrainerFour]

1. No

Nope, the Gigabyte is a great board.

Just do 600W

You don't need extra case fans for now, honestly.

If you really enjoy music and save FLAC files and have a sound card, yes, it's worth it. If not, the Beyers are great cans anyway.

[vern021]

• Is the 8-core FX 8320 worth it over the 6-core FX-6300? Will the extra 2 cores make that big of a difference in games or video editing?
• Is there a better bang for buck AM3+ MOBO other than the Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P that I found by sifting through pcpartpicker.com? If not, is this MOBO any good? And am I correct that both FX 8320 and FX-6300 will both work on the  Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P?
• For the PSU, should I go with 500W or 600W  if pcpartpicker rates my build for about 400W? And is the Corsair CX series a good power supply as I've read mixed reviews about it. If not, can anyone recommend a better PSU for about the same price range and is semi modular.
• The Corsair Carbide 200r has fan mounts like so: 
• Front: (x2) 120mm ld

  Top: (x2) 120/140mm 

  Rear: (x1) 120mm 

  Bottom: (x1) 120/140mm 

  Side: (x2) 120/140mm

• with one front and one rear 120mm included. So what are some cheap bang for buck case fans that you could recommend? ( The front one being a static pressure fan as the front panel and HDD cage blocks most of the the air flow. and the rest being air flow fans)
• And my last questions is whether or not "pro audio/ audiophile headphones" are worth the money as I'm looking into getting a pair of BeyerDynamic Custom One Pros or the DT770s

 

Edit: And is the windowed version of the 200r worth the extra $$$?

1. Yes. Depending on workloads

2. Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 rev 4.0

3.600w

4. Change your case instead to a CM N600, Bitfenix Ronin, Phanteks Enthoo Pro

5. Worth it

6. HELL YEAH!!!!

[Deletive]

Now for questions:

• Is the 8-core FX 8320 worth it over the 6-core FX-6300? Will the extra 2 cores make that big of a difference in games or video editing?
• Is there a better bang for buck AM3+ MOBO other than the Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P that I found by sifting through pcpartpicker.com? If not, is this MOBO any good? And am I correct that both FX 8320 and FX-6300 will both work on the  Gigabyte GA-970A-D3P?
• For the PSU, should I go with 500W or 600W  if pcpartpicker rates my build for about 400W? And is the Corsair CX series a good power supply as I've read mixed reviews about it. If not, can anyone recommend a better PSU for about the same price range and is semi modular.
• with one front and one rear 120mm included. So what are some cheap bang for buck case fans that you could recommend? ( The front one being a static pressure fan as the front panel and HDD cage blocks most of the the air flow. and the rest being air flow fans)
• And my last questions is whether or not "pro audio/ audiophile headphones" are worth the money as I'm looking into getting a pair of BeyerDynamic Custom One Pros or the DT770s

Thanks in advance for your help and suggestion. Any other comments or improvements are also welcome.

 

Edit: And is the windowed version of the 200r worth the extra $$$?

 

Hey,

1. For video editing probably is worth it

2. That mb is pretty good for the price and you should be fine with it

3. Cx600(m)

4. anything really.

5.You might need a amp for the Dt770, the custom ones pro could get a bit out of an amp but not the biggest.

bonus: if you like the window than yeah

 

[dizmo]

I'd look at 2x4gb instead of 1x8gb.

I'd also suggest ditching the optical drive unless it's absolutely necessary. I had one in my last system, used it once and regretted having it ever since.

I believe the 8320 will be better at video editing, it won't make much of a difference in gaming. I'd consider an i5 if you're going that route.

Check out NCIX's Outlet page on eBay. You can pick up the 280x for $225 (US) which is a better card, and they probably have some deals on motherboards as well. I think it was $88 for a 990FX board.

I'd go with a Caviar Blue over that Toshiba.

Windowed cases are up to you. We can't say if that's worth your money or not.

As long as you go get nicer headphones, they'll sound better. Like anything better than the $30 bargain basements.

You should really try and test them out though. I got a pair of AKG Q701's and I actually prefer the sound of my much, much cheaper AudioTechnica M30's. Though that may be closed vs open.

 

Do you live close enough to the US to border hop for the parts?

[FourCorners]

I'd look at 2x4gb instead of 1x8gb.

I'd also suggest ditching the optical drive unless it's absolutely necessary. I had one in my last system, used it once and regretted having it ever since.

I believe the 8320 will be better at video editing, it won't make much of a difference in gaming. I'd consider an i5 if you're going that route.

Check out NCIX's Outlet page on eBay. You can pick up the 280x for $225 (US) which is a better card, and they probably have some deals on motherboards as well. I think it was $88 for a 990FX board.

I'd go with a Caviar Blue over that Toshiba.

Windowed cases are up to you. We can't say if that's worth your money or not.

As long as you go get nicer headphones, they'll sound better. Like anything better than the $30 bargain basements.

You should really try and test them out though. I got a pair of AKG Q701's and I actually prefer the sound of my much, much cheaper AudioTechnica M30's. Though that may be closed vs open.

 

Do you live close enough to the US to border hop for the parts?

 

For ram, I knew that a 2x4gb dual channel is faster, but that stick was the cheapest I could find and I thought that since it's 1866 rather that 1600, it would make up the speed

I need an optical drive to install my absolutely LEGIT copy of Windows 7 (sarcasm intended)

I was originally going to go for the Seagate Barracuda, But saw the Toshiba drive on sale at NCIX for less so I just listed it. (Is the toshiba drive that bad though?)

 

And that last part about border hopping just socked me in the face as I was literally down there this past weekend and it didn't even cross my mind.... and to make matters worse, it's unlikely I going down to the States anytime soon

[Frosty11]

For ram, I knew that a 2x4gb dual channel is faster, but that stick was the cheapest I could find and I thought that since it's 1866 rather that 1600, it would make up the speed

I need an optical drive to install my absolutely LEGIT copy of Windows 7 (sarcasm intended)

I was originally going to go for the Seagate Barracuda, But saw the Toshiba drive on sale at NCIX for less so I just listed it. (Is the toshiba drive that bad though?)

 

And that last part about border hopping just socked me in the face as I was literally down there this past weekend and it didn't even cross my mind.... and to make matters worse, it's unlikely I going down to the States anytime soon

 

1x8GB is alright. It doesn't make a huge difference. You can later add another 8GB RAM to your build. Also, you can install Windows 7 through a USB Drive. Go with the FX-8230 if its in your budget. You won't regret it.

[dizmo]

For ram, I knew that a 2x4gb dual channel is faster, but that stick was the cheapest I could find and I thought that since it's 1866 rather that 1600, it would make up the speed

I need an optical drive to install my absolutely LEGIT copy of Windows 7 (sarcasm intended)

I was originally going to go for the Seagate Barracuda, But saw the Toshiba drive on sale at NCIX for less so I just listed it. (Is the toshiba drive that bad though?)

 

And that last part about border hopping just socked me in the face as I was literally down there this past weekend and it didn't even cross my mind.... and to make matters worse, it's unlikely I going down to the States anytime soon

Haha, too bad you can save up to 25% on the entire build by buying from the US.

As already stated, you can install from USB.

You save $4 by going with the single DIMM. I'd just spend the $4.

If you live close enough why not just drive down? If you're in BC the Point Roberts crossing is usually pretty dead. Or you can walk across and walk back over.

[FourCorners]

Haha, too bad you can save up to 25% on the entire build by buying from the US.

As already stated, you can install from USB.

You save $4 by going with the single DIMM. I'd just spend the $4.

If you live close enough why not just drive down? If you're in BC the Point Roberts crossing is usually pretty dead. Or you can walk across and walk back over.

 

Unfortunately I live a solid 5+ plus hours from the closest border, and there are no computer parts around once I do get across

[dizmo]

Unfortunately I live a solid 5+ plus hours from the closest border, and there are no computer parts around once I do get across

Haha, how unfortunate. That's why I could never live that far from it.

Most border crossings have parcel receiving companies directly by them.

[tman05]

I like your ideas man but i wanted to know if my avermedia live gamer hd could fit on the top PCI-E slot?