The Student's First Build ($550)

[dialgarocksful]

Hi guys, I'm new to PC building. My first build (and currently building) is an FM2+ rig. I was supposedly gonna build a PC just for Litecoin mining, but on a second thought, why not combine mining and gaming? Though I will not mine for 24/7 (Around 3-5 hours would suffice, but I know its drawbacks). Since this is a budget build, I'll try not to reach $550 and at the same time, obtain a good performance on both gaming and mining:

 

(http://pcpartpicker.com/p/hw6pRB -- Just change N400 to N300) 
 

CPU - Athlon X4 760K ($78)
MOBO - MSI A78-G41 PCMate ($70) [bought]
GPU - Sapphire R9 270 2GB ($172)
RAM - Kingston Hyper-X 4GB 1600GHz ($45)
HDD - Seagate Barracuda 80GB ($10) [bought it as a used item]
PSU - EVGA-500B 500W [80+ Bronze] ($44)
Chassis - Cooler Master N300 ($50)
*Chassis Fan - 5x Deepcool XFan 120mm ($18) + 2 pre-installed Sickle Flow 120mm
 
*I'm expecting a maximum of 38C by summer, so I need to maximize airflow as well by that time.
 
TOTAL: $487
 
I'll be using the remaining for a used 1TB as my primary storage for apps. The 80GB will be for the OS (and updates), and I guess the mining software that I will use.
 
Feel free to suggest more.
 
Resources:
- Dynaquest PC Philippines
- Amazon (For CPU price)
- Litecoin wiki (For GPU hash power)
- Game Debate (For CPU-MOBO compatibility)
- Extreme Outervision PSU Calculator

[79wjd]

Lose the seidon 120v 

Get a regular 270, non-x and just overclock it 

Check out EVGA B1/B2, Corsair CX/CXM/CS/CSM series psus as they're probably cheaper 

[dialgarocksful]

Lose the seidon 120v 

Get a regular 270, non-x and just overclock it 

Check out EVGA B1/B2, Corsair CX/CXM/CS/CSM series psus as they're probably cheaper 

Should I use stock cooler for CPU?

 

I'm actually getting 970X because it is on sale. Getting the PH-market-available counterpart MSI 970 costs around $222

 

Corsair CX500 costs ~$12 more than TT SmartSE

[dialgarocksful]

EVGA 500B is my second option for a PSU, costs $5 less, but it isn't a modular PSU.

[Lotus]

Is there any chance you can return the motherboard? For $550, you can get an i5 build with an R9 270 (which is an underclocked 270x, which can be fixed by overclocking making the 270x rather silly to get) so long as you don't need a UPS (which IMO you don't).

[79wjd]

Is there any chance you can return the motherboard? For $550, you can get an i5 build with an R9 270 (which is an underclocked 270x, which can be fixed by overclocking making the 270x rather silly to get) so long as you don't need a UPS (which IMO you don't).

In the Phillipines he probably can't go with an i5 at $550. 

 

Although there probably (or maybe not...I don't know Phillipines pricing) was a cheaper board option. 

 

Should I use stock cooler for CPU?

 

I'm actually getting 970X because it is on sale. Getting the PH-market-available counterpart MSI 970 costs around $222

 

Corsair CX500 costs ~$12 more than TT SmartSE

I'd either just get a cheaper cpu cooler -- something like a Hyper 212 if you're going to overclock, otherwise stick with the stock cooler. 

[dialgarocksful]

Is there any chance you can return the motherboard? For $550, you can get an i5 build with an R9 270 (which is an underclocked 270x, which can be fixed by overclocking making the 270x rather silly to get) so long as you don't need a UPS (which IMO you don't).

I'm building an AMD-based rig just to try for a change after spending 10 years in Intel-based computers.. I can't return the board though as the SATA ports plastics have already been ripped.

 

I currently have no idea on that no-UPS case. I don't have any plugs for a PSU directly to a surge protector

[79wjd]

I'm building an AMD-based rig just to try for a change after spending 10 years in Intel-based computers..

Unfortunately AMD doesn't really offer anything truly compelling at this point to warrant the switch from Intel. Although, with Phillipines pricing the 760k might be significantly cheaper than an i3. Regardless, you already have the board...so AMD build it is. 

[dialgarocksful]

In the Phillipines he probably can't go with an i5 at $550. 

 

Although there probably (or maybe not...I don't know Phillipines pricing) was a cheaper board option. 

i5-3470 costs roughly $195

 

As far as my main board is an ATX, this is the cheapest I could get. There are $40-$45 options but those are the mini-ATX boards.

[Lotus]

Really? You have no way of hooking up a standard surge protector? Why not? Is the power in your area or house supremely shitty, not up to code, and from the '40s? That's about the only reason I can think of for a UPS.

 

$50 is a lot to waste when the budget is so small.

[79wjd]

i5-3470 costs roughly $195

 

As far as my main board is an ATX, this is the cheapest I could get. There are $40-$45 options but those are the mini-ATX boards.

ATX doesn't really offer anything over mITX/mATX. But anyway, you already have the board, so it doesnt really matter now. 

[dialgarocksful]

Really? You have no way of hooking up a standard surge protector? Why not? Is the power in your area or house supremely shitty, not up to code, and from the '40s? That's about the only reason I can think of for a UPS.

Well, power isn't a big problem. I just need to make sure my rig will not get cooked if there's a dip or a surge. 

 

 

 

ATX doesn't really offer anything over mITX/mATX. But anyway, you already have the board, so it doesnt really matter now. 

My only problem left is either risk myself to the sale'd 970X or overclock 970 but costs more because of branding stuffs...

[Lotus]

Well, power isn't a big problem. I just need to make sure my rig will not get cooked if there's a dip or a surge.

...so what's wrong with a surge protector? As I said, is the wiring in your house not up to code? The only reason you'd need a UPS would be if the electricity in your house is very shitty. I see you don't live in the US, so I don't know what it's like where you are, but if your house is anything like a majority of the ones here, you won't need it. A simple surge protector in case of lightning strike would do.

[dialgarocksful]

...so what's wrong with a surge protector? As I said, is the wiring in your house not up to code? The only reason you'd need a UPS would be if the electricity in your house is very shitty. I see you don't live in the US, so I don't know what it's like where you are, but if your house is anything like a majority of the ones here, you won't need it. A simple surge protector in case of lightning strike would do.

lightning strike isn't a big deal here though. hmm, how about using avr rather than ups?

[dialgarocksful]

*bump* removed what are needed to remove

 

*CPU cooler, UPS*

[Lotus]

lightning strike isn't a big deal here though. hmm, how about using avr rather than ups?

Well, considering that a PSU does a similar job as an AVR, it's usually redundant unless your wiring is complete shit. Also, the only reason you'd need a UPS over an AVR would be if you get regular power outages. You don't want to lose power when your reflashing your bios. If you're just using your computer, it's okay.

[dialgarocksful]

bump. feel free to suggest more

[dialgarocksful]

bumpity bump

[dialgarocksful]

i need more suggestions for CPU. Can't find an Athlon X4 here in Manila.