<$600 Gaming/Productivity build at best Price to Performance

[Chris Stout]

I have had a build in planing for a couple of months now (while I scrounge up the money for it). I will be using the PC for daily productivity (CAD, Word, Outlook, YouTube, and what ever the future holds), and gaming (The Division, Modded Skyrim, DayZ, Insurgency, and Witcher 3, Arma 3). Input on the build is appreciated

 

This is what I have so far.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

 

I chose this processor sense it's effectively a locked i7

 

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1241 V3 3.5GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($264.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

 

One of the best value coolers I could find.

 

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper T4 70.0 CFM Rifle Bearing CPU Cooler  ($19.99 @ NCIX US) 

 

I prefer ASUS's fan control and UEFI

 

Motherboard: Asus H97M-E/CSM Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($89.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

 

Cost effective memory, I hope to use higher XMP profiles when I acquire the build.

 

b]Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($56.99 @ Newegg) 

 

Good advertised read/writes.

 

Storage: Mushkin Chronos 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($54.98 @ OutletPC) 

 

I own this drive, it has an OS on it but I don't know if I can transfer it to another build with a different motherboard.

 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 250GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  (Purchased For $0.00) 

 

 

I own this GPU. I got it on Cyber Monday, Better deal than the 960 (IMO).

 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 280 3GB TurboDuo Video Card  (Purchased For $0.00) 

 

Cost effective, I will eventually add sound dampening foam.

 

Case: Silverstone PS07B MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($69.99 @ Amazon) 

 

Plenty of watts, ample 12+ volt rail.

 

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

 

Total: $599.88

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-03-15 15:16 EDT-0400

 

I want to keep the price lower than $600 if at all possible.

 

 

Thanks for your input, and your time.

[Aniallation]

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

No reason to get this when there's this http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-tp750c

[Chris Stout]

No reason to get this when there's this http://pcpartpicker.com/part/antec-power-supply-tp750c

No reason to increase cost for negligible efficiency increase either.

 

Thanks for your input.

[Aniallation]

No reason to increase cost for negligible efficiency increase either.

Not just efficiency, but performance and reliability. The TruePower Classic is based on the rock-solid Seasonic S12G platform, the HEC-made EVGA 500B doesn't even come close to it. Not to mention 750W, allowing you to add a second GPU for CrossFire later on

[GameDragon]

Not just efficiency, but performance and reliability. The TruePower Classic is based on the rock-solid Seasonic S12G platform, the HEC-made EVGA 500B doesn't even come close to it. Not to mention 750W, allowing you to add a second GPU for CrossFire later on

Never even heard of the company, never mind the model.

[Chris Stout]

Not just efficiency, but performance and reliability. The TruePower Classic is based on the rock-solid Seasonic S12G platform, the HEC-made EVGA 500B doesn't even come close to it. Not to mention 750W, allowing you to add a second GPU for CrossFire later on

The motherboard doesn't support Crossfire, and if I was attempt any GPU upgrades it would be to a single higher performing GPU.

[Aniallation]

Never even heard of the company, never mind the model.

[Aniallation]

The motherboard doesn't support Crossfire, and if I was attempt any GPU upgrades it would be to a single higher performing GPU.

That still doesn't negate the fact that it's well worth the extra $7 for a more reliable PSU

[Chris Stout]

Never even heard of the company, never mind the model.

Seasonic and Antec are very reputable companies. (I'm surprised you have never seen any of their products)

[Chris Stout]

That still doesn't negate the fact that it's well worth the extra $7 for a more reliable PSU

I'm not very fond of MIRs.