My friend wants me to build him a 600€ gaming PC and I would like someone to look at my selected parts. Don't want to disappoint him. [Germany]

[besuto]

Hi guys!

 

So, my friend suddenly said last week he is going to buy a pc. He was a semi-filthy peasant and uses his old laptop for League of Legends only, his daily driver was his PS3 and since christmas a PS4. His budget is 600€ and all the parts are going to be bought in Germany, but it shouldn't make that much of a difference in terms of pricing compared to other countries as long as we don't talk Canada. 

 

Another one of his friends also made a few lists and I am unsure which one will be the best. The first two lists are mine, however:

 

1 FX-6300 and Sapphire R9 280 Dual-X OC

CPU: FX-6300

GPU: Sapphire R9 280 Dual-X OC

RAM: some 8GB 1600MhZ (of course)

Motherboard: ASRock 970M Pro3

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 1TB 

Case: Cooler Master Silencio 352M (watched a review on this, seemed pretty decent, also for its price)

PSU: Corsair CX600M (600W)

CPU cooler: stock cooler

 

link: http://geizhals.eu/eu/?cat=WL-550342&wlkey=a85a6905876182e3219c5c800d9684a7

 

2 i3 4170 and Sapphire R9 280 Dual-X OC

CPU: i3 4170

GPU: Sapphire R9 280 Dual-X OC

RAM: some 8GB 1600MhZ (of course)

Motherboard: ASRock B85M Pro3

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 1TB 

Case: Cooler Master Silencio 352M

PSU: Corsair CX600M (600W)

CPU cooler: stock cooler

 

link: http://geizhals.eu/eu/?cat=WL-550144&wlkey=13f85bd7a86ca5814b2867eba9ef8756

 

3 i5 4460 and HIS R9 270X Mini IceQ

CPU: i5 4460

GPU HIS R9 270X Mini IceQ

RAM: some 8GB 1600MhZ (of course)

Motherboard: my friend forgot to send the link of that one

HDD: HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.14 1TB 

Case: Sharkoon VS3-S red

PSU: be quiet! System power 7 450W

CPU cooler: EKL Alpenföhn Sella 2011 just now I see this doesn't even fit..^^

 

link: http://geizhals.eu/?cat=WL-550339&wlkey=99e26c157e27756b643817318dcbc19d

 

4 FX-6300 and VTX3D R9 290 X-Edition V2

CPU: FX-6300

GPU: VTX3D R9 290 X-Edition V2              

RAM: some 8GB 1600MhZ (of course)

Motherboard: ASUS M5A78L-M LX3

HDD: WD Blue 1TB

Case: Tacens Mars MC0

PSU: Zallman ZM500-GLX 500W

CPU cooler: stock cooler

 

link: http://geizhals.de/eu/?cat=WL-550736&wlkey=21ca7bbfea0ab77d84f5d3df27a2a64a

 

In my opinion, he would "blow" his budget on a 290 and reeaally cheap out on the case. In addition, I think to remember that Zallman really wasn't the best PSU manufacturer to go for. I am unsure if the GPU will even fit in this case, which btw only has two USB front slots, only of them being USB 3.0. There seem to be no cable managemnet options, as far as I can tell from the images.

 

 

To be noted:

• He is aware of SSDs, but doesn't want them because they don't fit in the budget, which is true.
• As for RAM, I will probably choose Corsair Vengeance Low-Profile or Crucial Ballistix Sports.
• The optical drive which can be seen at geizhals.de is also the one I use and is pretty decent, no reason to be changed.
• I know that there is no difference between the Seagate Barracuda and the WD Blue for the 1TB variant, the fourth just happened to include the WD drive.
• The costs for Windows are not included in the budget.

 

 

As for games, he plays LoL and Call Of Duty, and will probably play Black Ops 3 too. But maybe he will discover new games once he switched but he looks forward to still be using the PS4 as his main machine. We'll see how this ends.

 

 

Major Questions:

1. Which cpu? Will the FX-6300 be a better choice as the i3? I am fairly sure he doesn't need an i5 4460, would be cutting the budget to much in my opinion.
2. Which gpu? Is the Sapphire R9 280 a good choice for him?
3. Will the stock cooler suffice, both the AMD and Intel cooler? Or does he need another one, because they are too loud? 
4. Imo, it is not worth it going with a 20€ case - which happens to be the case with the fourth case [pun definitely not intended] - in order to get a R9 290. Do you confirm?

 

Thanks in advance!

[AliveGhost13]

http://geizhals.de/super-flower-golden-green-hx-550w-atx-2-3-sf-550p14xe-hx-a1039303.html?hloc=at&hloc=de

 

This PSU is cheaper and better than the CX600M by FAR

 

 

 

So is this:

 

http://geizhals.de/sea-sonic-m12ii-520-bronze-evo-edition-520w-atx-2-3-ss-520gm2-a1097136.html?hloc=at&hloc=de

[Nexxus]

2 or 3, I dunno AMD video cards well enough to say if the 280 is worth it over the 270 to justify the weaker cpu. But a way to look at it is this a cpu is likely going to be a pain in the ass to replace in that once this socket is done that's that, where is a video card released 10 years from now will (likely) still work in that computer. Im not saying get the i5...but it is some food for thought on the matter.

[OnekillWalter]

scroll down to next-gen exterminator. a lil over 600$...

[besuto]

2 or 3, I dunno AMD video cards well enough to say if the 280 is worth it over the 270 to justify the weaker cpu. But a way to look at it is this a cpu is likely going to be a pain in the ass to replace in that once this socket is done that's that, where is a video card released 10 years from now will (likely) still work in that computer. Im not saying get the i5...but it is some food for thought on the matter.

 

But the i3 also uses an 1150 socket, so where is the difference replacement-wise?

[besuto]

http://geizhals.de/super-flower-golden-green-hx-550w-atx-2-3-sf-550p14xe-hx-a1039303.html?hloc=at&hloc=de

 

This PSU is cheaper and better than the CX600M by FAR

 

 

 

So is this:

 

http://geizhals.de/sea-sonic-m12ii-520-bronze-evo-edition-520w-atx-2-3-ss-520gm2-a1097136.html?hloc=at&hloc=de

 

The first one is only 7 bucks less and non-modular.. But thanks anyways, I will look into the second suggestion.

[besuto]

scroll down to next-gen exterminator. a lil over 600$...

 

yeah but he can't really stretch his budget I guess..

[Nexxus]

But the i3 also uses an 1150 socket, so where is the difference replacement-wise?

None. Once that socket is done intel will almost surely not be making anymore 1150 socket compatible cpus. So if he decides he wants a better cpu its either A) track down a used one B ) build a new machine. The fate of either chip is the same in the end but the i5 is going to go on longer/hes going to feel "this cpu is inadequate" further down the line with the i5 over the i3

[KamiKatze]

I would definiteley give him that i5. Chances are, he is not that much of a techy guy and he will never upgrade his computer except for maybe the GPU. So I would make sure toi give him a proper CPU, even if this means that the rest of the components will be compromised.

 

i5 4460 + R9 270X sounds good for 1080P gaming. He can play all of his midrange games and even install some triple A titles with reduced settings.

 

I'll be back with a full build recommendation soon.

[besuto]

None. Once that socket is done intel will almost surely not be making anymore 1150 socket compatible cpus. So if he decides he wants a better cpu its either A) track down a used one B ) build a new machine. The faith of either chip is the same in the end but the i5 is going to go on longer/hes going to feel "this cpu is inadequate" further down the line with the i5 over the i3

 

Ok, I see. Will ask him if he is willing to go this way. But would the i3 be a better choice than the FX-6300, if he doesn't want to (A) spend the money on a cpu and lose performance gpu-wise (R9 270) or (B) stretch the budget more?

[AliveGhost13]

The first one is only 7 bucks less and non-modular.. But thanks anyways, I will look into the second suggestion.

 

Certainly pick the second then, it is full modular, 2 more years warranty and far better internally in terms of quality

[Nexxus]

Ok, I see. Will ask him if he is willing to go this way. But would the i3 be a better choice than the FX-6300, if he doesn't want to (A) spend the money on a cpu and lose performance gpu-wise (R9 270) or ( B) stretch the budget more?

Yes, AMD is not viable for a gaming system as of today in regards to the cpu.

[SkilledRebuilds]

I would definiteley give him that i5. Chances are, he is not that much of a techy guy and he will never upgrade his computer except for maybe the GPU. So I would make sure toi give him a proper CPU, even if this means that the rest of the components will be compromised.

 

i5 4460 + R9 270X sounds good for 1080P gaming. He can play all of his midrange games and even install some triple A titles with reduced settings.

 

I'll be back with a full build recommendation soon.

THIS.

 

When the i3 is  getting a little slow, over time.. it will be harder to upgrade,......but he can easily replace the GPU, and paired with the non-limiting i5, I think this is better than having to find the i5 later on when their not sold and harder to find.

 

The 270x is still decent, even without any OC, and powers many 1080p titles with a GOOD amount of details enabled.

You wont be using 8xMSAA but you wouldn't with the 280x either.

The 280x is nice, but IMO I'd prefer a better CPU for the PC to last a hell of a lot longer, and he can suffice with the 270x for quite some time, by the time it is too slow, he could have saved for another GPU easily.

[besuto]

I would definiteley give him that i5. Chances are, he is not that much of a techy guy and he will never upgrade his computer except for maybe the GPU. So I would make sure toi give him a proper CPU, even if this means that the rest of the components will be compromised.

 

i5 4460 + R9 270X sounds good for 1080P gaming. He can play all of his midrange games and even install some triple A titles with reduced settings.

 

I'll be back with a full build recommendation soon.

 

Seems legit. Maybe he is even willing to wait a bit in order to get a better gpu. 

[AliveGhost13]

If the R9 270 is cheaper, get that. It is the same card but has a lower core clock, which you can change easily to R9 270X speeds.

[KamiKatze]

Seems legit. Maybe he is even willing to wait a bit in order to get a better gpu. 

 

This is about what i would get for that money.

 

The Motherboard is very solid in that price calss, i used it in a friend's build before. CPU will have to deal with the stock cooler. Case has a decent layout. HDD is from WD. PSU is modular and a decentz brand. RAM is RAM. The GTX 960 at this price is a steal! Alternativeley the R9 280 frm Sapphire would be good: http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/3072MB-Sapphire-Radeon-R9-280-Dual-X-OC-Aktiv-PCIe-3-0-x16--Lite-Retail-_956461.html

 

Edit: the case has only 1 fan included. So maybe an extra bequiet pure wings 2 120 mm wouldn't hurt. I know this will get ~30€ over budget but it's worth it. Maybe jsut choose another case, i personally just like the drive cage layout.

[SkilledRebuilds]

If the R9 270 is cheaper, get that. It is the same card but has a lower core clock, which you can change easily to R9 270X speeds.

This too, something to ponder over if he wants to put a bit of money into another area..

 

/To be fair if he wanted to save money and keep performance,.. a 2nd hand 7870 would do him justice, only carries the risk of no warranty, to which I say check local classifieds for a 7870 2Gb card, have it TESTED before you buy it, if it works fine, buy it. (7870=270x)

Would not use ebay, you cannot test an ebay card for mining issues, but a local seller you can.

 

 

 

This is about what i would get for that money.

 

The Motherboard is very solid in that price calss, i used it in a friend's build before. CPU will have to deal with the stock cooler. Case has a decent layout. HDD is from WD. PSU is modular and a decentz brand. RAM is RAM. The GTX 960 at this price is a steal! Alternativeley the R9 280 frm Sapphire would be good: http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/3072MB-Sapphire-Radeon-R9-280-Dual-X-OC-Aktiv-PCIe-3-0-x16--Lite-Retail-_956461.html

But this is better New, powerful,.... with warranty options. GPU features for recording & much more with no CPU overhead,... you can't do much better than this for your budget, in fact I'll put money on it that you can't... (bar selective specials)

[SkywardKkalox]

This is about what i would get for that money.

 

The Motherboard is very solid in that price calss, i used it in a friend's build before. CPU will have to deal with the stock cooler. Case has a decent layout. HDD is from WD. PSU is modular and a decentz brand. RAM is RAM. The GTX 960 at this price is a steal! Alternativeley the R9 280 frm Sapphire would be good: http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/3072MB-Sapphire-Radeon-R9-280-Dual-X-OC-Aktiv-PCIe-3-0-x16--Lite-Retail-_956461.html

 

Edit: the case has only 1 fan included. So maybe an extra bequiet pure wings 2 120 mm wouldn't hurt. I know this will get ~30€ over budget but it's worth it. Maybe jsut choose another case, i personally just like the drive cage layout.

^

Sweetspot.

[The_Daft_Punk]

R9 290 FTW

[besuto]

This is about what i would get for that money.

 

The Motherboard is very solid in that price calss, i used it in a friend's build before. CPU will have to deal with the stock cooler. Case has a decent layout. HDD is from WD. PSU is modular and a decentz brand. RAM is RAM. The GTX 960 at this price is a steal! Alternativeley the R9 280 frm Sapphire would be good: http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/3072MB-Sapphire-Radeon-R9-280-Dual-X-OC-Aktiv-PCIe-3-0-x16--Lite-Retail-_956461.html

 

Edit: the case has only 1 fan included. So maybe an extra bequiet pure wings 2 120 mm wouldn't hurt. I know this will get ~30€ over budget but it's worth it. Maybe jsut choose another case, i personally just like the drive cage layout.

 

THANK YOU!! 

werd einen auf dich mittrinken

[KamiKatze]

THANK YOU!! 

werd einen auf dich mittrinken

 

Läuft bei dir!  

[KamiKatze]

One last thing: If your friend doesn't want to invest into a SSD now but maybe wants to add one later, go ahead and create two partitions on your HDD when installing windows. One small partition and a big one. The small one will be treated as if it was the SSD, so you install the OS and all your programs there. And the big one will be the "HDD" with games music movies etc.

 

And once you get an SSD, cloning partitions will be much easier.

[besuto]

One last thing: If your friend doesn't want to invest into a SSD now but maybe wants to add one later, go ahead and create two partitions on your HDD when installing windows. One small partition and a big one. The small one will be treated as if it was the SSD, so you install the OS and all your programs there. And the big one will be the "HDD" with games music movies etc.

 

And once you get an SSD, cloning partitions will be much easier.

 

Can I just delete the partition after the partition and use that now free space normally? Or do I have free space and can create another partition, so he will always have two partitions on his HDD?