Your Opinion Please :)

[Drackeo]

Hey guys i want for you to review my finalized parts list for my first EVER pc build. I had so much fun interacting with members of this community who helped me finalize my parts!! You guys are the best computing forum ive seen around, just saying. I want you guys (in your professional opionions) to rate this set up. I went for a cheaper build to start me off, that and not much $$$. I want to run SteamOS or Linux or some other free OS, any suggestions on that is welcome also!

 

Ill link a pcpartpicker link down below along with listing the parts and totals here. Costs are rounded.

 

Phantom Menace

 

CPU~   AMD FX-6300   $90

COOLER~   Arctic Cooling Freezer 7 Pro   $15

GPU~   MSI Radeon R9 270 Twin Frozr   $145

MB~   GigaByte GA-78LMT   $50

RAM~   G.Skill ECO Series 4GB (2 x 2GB)   $47

PSU~   CoolMax 600watt   $30

CASE~   NZXT Phantom 240 ATX Mid   $55

STORAGE~   Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB   $25

FAN~   NZXT FN-120RB 120mm   $6

 

TOTAL COST~   $463

 

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ShawnWilliams/saved/bjcV3C

 

 

 

 

This is ment to be a White and Black build. Kind of Storm-Trooper / Star Warsy build.

[KeelyKRFC9]

Looks like a nice first build!
I would not say any of these are a bad choice and if that's what you want then go for it!

However Personally I would change just a couple of things:
I think the coolermaster hyper 212 evo is a better cooler (and will match your build with a black fan) as it is larger and I think can not be beaten for the price http://pcpartpicker.com/part/cooler-master-cpu-cooler-rr212e20pkr2

Also if you can strectch that little bit further I would recommend adding a little more graphics power, maybe pushing to an r9 280 for an extra $20. Personally I am an Nvidia fan but for the price drops with AMD they're a good deal, if you can't afford the extra $20 the r9 270 is still good though. http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-video-card-r9280atdbd

Finally, I came across the Corsair XMS3 4GB 1333Mhz ram for only $23! That is crazy good and although it doesn't quite match the black and white theme, I think it's close enough and is a steal at that price, you can even get 8GB of it for less than the G.Skill ram or you can save that $20 and go for the better graphics card:) http://pcpartpicker.com/part/corsair-memory-cmx4gx3m1a1333c9

 

Other than that I really can't recommend anything and that looks like a great value build! And even without my recommendations I can't fault any of the products in this build, go for it!

Hope I helped,

Connor:)

[Drackeo]

Oh wow i never even saw that RAM on the site!! thats fantastic, the one thing i would change is to have 8gb of RAM. That is absolutely perfect and then some.

 

I dont bother getting into the whole RED vs GREEN thing. Just causes problems. I chose the card i did because it seamed to offer the best price to performance ratio i could find. Is the R9 280 that much of an improvement for $20 more? Also if you know of any green cards that offer similar performance and price ill take it lol. Im open to any suggestions.

 

The CPU cooler is something i have been wondering is necessary. Im not exactly planning on OCing this build (mostly because idk if the MB supports OCing). I only did an aftermarket one because it matched my color pallet.

 

Ill make sure and swap out that ram! Thats a great find. Thank you so much for your help and help again if you reply again!

[Drackeo]

WOW that Ram you suggested and my MB have a combo discount together!!!!!!!!! lol

[Imakuni]

I'll be honest, you can do better.

 

Let's start with the CPU+ mobo. Your build is going for 140$. With the same money, we can get an i3-4130 + h81 mobo for 140,84$. It'll do far better in most games, will draw less power and will generate less heat. In fact, you don't even need to add a CPU cooler!

 

For the Ram, you shouldn't get a 2x2 kit. Not only it costs way more than a single 4gb stick, it also blocks any future updates. So how about this: http://pcpartpicker.com/part/kingston-memory-hx316c10fb4

 

Cheap out on the case. If you had a higher budget, it would be fine. But given the constraints, an expensive case is out of question.

 

Don't use PSU that has no 80+ certification. They tend to be really low quality, as they waste a lot of the energy, and get hot. And noisy. And they don't provide a very clean energy to your system.

[Drackeo]

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ShawnWilliams/saved/PBrPxr

Slightly updated now. Better Ram.

 

The PSU has 80+Bronze certification, so thats all good. 

[stconquest]

What are you doing with this PC?  Just gaming?

 

Imakuni has good parts knowledge, talk with him (or her).

 

The FX line of CPU are not true cores.  What I mean is, the 6-core is really 3 modules with two cores each.  The performance from each singular core of the Haswell chips is much, much faster than any of the cores of the FX line of chips. 

[stconquest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($89.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($44.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $134.97
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 21:49 EST-0500

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($100.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($39.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $140.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 21:50 EST-0500

[Drackeo]

Im looking to do mostly gaming and programing on this computer. im not looking to be doing anything major like editing or things like that.

Could someone explain to me what that whole AMD CPU Vs Intel CPU thing is about? I havnt herd about that before>? Like highlight the main differences. i kinda want to know more about this please. 

 

Thanks for the feed back guys

[Drackeo]

If the Intel is that much better id defiantly go for it.

[stconquest]

Im looking to do mostly gaming and programing on this computer. im not looking to be doing anything major like editing or things like that.

Could someone explain to me what that whole AMD CPU Vs Intel CPU thing is about? I havnt herd about that before>? Like highlight the main differences. i kinda want to know more about this please. 

 

Thanks for the feed back guys

 

Think of it this way:  AMD "per clock" performance has not improved since the Phenom II line of their CPUs.  The Phenom II CPUs will beat the FX chips clock-for-clock (sometimes...depends on the CPU).  Now, those Phenom II chips are 5-6 years old. 

 

Intel has been steadily improving their CPU performance in all those years.  Even 5-6 years ago, the Phenoms had a hard time keeping up with the Intel 775 socket CPUs (i7 920). 

 

In today's CPU lineup, Intel is so far ahead in clock-per-clock performance, it is not funny.

[stconquest]

@Drackeo  You can do a little research if you want to.  Research IPC (instructions per clock), and do comparisons of different CPUs.

[Drackeo]

Okay but like in terms of performance in lower end gaming and the such? 

Sorry im still learning and am kinda of a noob about all of this so just bear with me lol 

[stconquest]

Okay but like in terms of performance in lower end gaming and the such? 

Sorry im still learning and am kinda of a noob about all of this so just bear with me lol 

 

Nothing to be sorry for.  What is lower end gaming?

 

We are all still learning.

[Imakuni]

Imakuni has good parts knowledge, talk with him (or her).

I'm a dude, ty. Still looking to do a pink mobo build, though :wub: .

 

 

Im looking to do mostly gaming and programing on this computer. im not looking to be doing anything major like editing or things like that.

Could someone explain to me what that whole AMD CPU Vs Intel CPU thing is about? I havnt herd about that before>? Like highlight the main differences. i kinda want to know more about this please. 

 

Thanks for the feed back guys

 

If the Intel is that much better id defiantly go for it.

The thing is, AMD's FX lineup, while they do have many cores, these cores share some of the resources in pairs. So we could say that it has only half the cores. Also, each core is much weaker than Intel's. And games only take advantage of 2~4 cores, so Intel ends up being better at that.

 

Plus, Intel has newer stuff, consumes less power, and generate less heat.

[Drackeo]

I'm a dude, ty. Still looking to do a pink mobo build, though :wub: .

 

 

 

The thing is, AMD's FX lineup, while they do have many cores, these cores share some of the resources in pairs. So we could say that it has only half the cores. Also, each core is much weaker than Intel's. And games only take advantage of 2~4 cores, so Intel ends up being better at that.

 

Plus, Intel has newer stuff, consumes less power, and generate less heat.

 

 

Yah okay that makes a little bit more sense to me. 

I was always under the impression that more cores equates to betterish (i know not a direct parallel but you know)  performance. 

That I3 is that much of a better CPU dispite being a 2(?) core?

 

 

Nothing to be sorry for.  What is lower end gaming?

 

We are all still learning.

Thanks for understanding man lol (or woman X) )

 By lower end i mean not many AAA titalls like BF4 and FFC4 and the alike. I actually prefer games that are slightly older and or Indie developed.

 

Though i do want to have the option to beable to do the AAA games (i mean i do want FC4 if it goes on sale lool) .Thats another reasion i did the "6" core FX CPU.

[stconquest]

This is the last "true" 6-core line (Phenom II X6) AMD made:  http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-1055T-Processor-HDT55TFBGRBOX/dp/B003FVNC0Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423105616&sr=8-3&keywords=phenom+ii+x6

 

Those were just okay 5-6 years ago, I have one.  As far as gaming went, my friends with i7 920's were way outperforming it even with a 1GHz overclock to 3.8 Ghz.

[Drackeo]

This is the last "true" 6-core line (Phenom II X6) AMD made:  http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-1055T-Processor-HDT55TFBGRBOX/dp/B003FVNC0Q/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1423105616&sr=8-3&keywords=phenom+ii+x6

 

Those were just okay 5-6 years ago, I have one.  As far as gaming went, my friends with i7 920's were way outperforming it even with a 1GHz overclock to 3.8 Ghz.

Okay so im basicly better off OCing the I3 then? Will it handle the AAA games and the lower end games i want to run?

[stconquest]

Yah okay that makes a little bit more sense to me. 

I was always under the impression that more cores equates to betterish (i know not a direct parallel but you know)  performance. 

That I3 is that much of a better CPU dispite being a 2(?) core?

 

 

Thanks for understanding man lol (or woman X) )

 By lower end i mean not many AAA titalls like BF4 and FFC4 and the alike. I actually prefer games that are slightly older and or Indie developed.

 

Though i do want to have the option to beable to do the AAA games (i mean i do want FC4 if it goes on sale lool) .Thats another reasion i did the "6" core FX CPU.

 

If you want some really good advice, save the $70 and go with the i5 4440 at 3.4 Ghz.  Just to have the extra 2 cores.  It will work with the H81 Motherboard I posted earlier.

[stconquest]

Okay so im basicly better off OCing the I3 then? Will it handle the AAA games and the lower end games i want to run?

 

 

That is the thing, you don't have to OC it to beat the FX 6300. 

 

I still run my i5 3570K (3.4 GHz) stock after two years, because it does so damn well in games.

[Drackeo]

If you want some really good advice, save the $70 and go with the i5 4440 at 3.4 Ghz.  Just to have the extra 2 cores.  It will work with the H81 Motherboard I posted earlier.

 

Its $170? the I5?

 

That is the thing, you don't have to OC it to beat the FX 6300. 

 

....wow okay lmao i guess ill go for that i3 then. 

[stconquest]

Its $170? the I5?

 

 

....wow okay lmao i guess ill go for that i3 then. 

 

Sorry, it is 3.1 GHz...  still very fast.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/intel-cpu-bx80646i54440

[Drackeo]

wow okay then lol. idk if id do that just yet, the i5 i mean. I like the CPU (my laptop runs a similar CPU slightly older). But for now slightly outside what id be wanting to spend on this for now you know>? 

Just out of cureocity do you have any ideas on the GPU i chose? or if i should go with the XFX R9 280? Or a green card?

[KeelyKRFC9]

I would stick with the 6300 for a lower end build, it's very cheap and has good performance while offering good multi-tasking performance especially for the price, I have 4 friends that use that cpu and they're more than happy, 2 with gtx 660's and one with a gtx 670 so this really won't hold you back gaming wise and you're not putting it under heavy workloads or stress either, you really don't need to go Intel unil you start going higher end getting towards the $1000+ mark. I'm amazed I spotted that ram too, what a buy!

You definitely want the aftermarket cooler on there with the 6300 as amd's stock coolers are like a guy with asthma blowing through a McDonald's straw haha, for the extra few dollars it will keep it cool and quiet like you won't believe compared to the stock cooler!

As for OC'ing, it's pretty much a given that you'll be able to OC, I didn't check but it's likely, either way get the cooler, it's well worth it!

And graphics cards: red vs green is personal really, Nvidia are ahead but do cost more and now amd's prices have gone down so it's even really, amd put out more heat and use more power, I'd say a gtx 960 is better than an r9 280 but it's around the $200 mark, you'll be able to get a second hand one in your price range though so that would be a nice buy, if you want to buy new then stick with the 270 or 280 if you can.

If there's anything else I'll try and help:)

[Imakuni]

Yo, Op. Here's my build. It got expensive due to Windows. Anyway, as far as improvements go, add a 2nd 4gb stick once you get the money. And maybe an SSD. Have fun!

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($100.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($39.89 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: Kingston Fury Black Series 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($29.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($43.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($152.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case  ($28.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Certified ATX Power Supply  ($31.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 - 64-bit (OEM) (64-bit)  ($92.00 @ B&H)
Case Fan: NZXT FN-120RB 47.3 CFM 120mm  Fan  ($5.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $526.77
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-02-04 22:24 EST-0500