Need input on this

[CosmicButterGuy]

So, I just *accidentally* broke my laptop, my only computer, and my brother showed me this build. I want to stay under $700 USD. Any suggestions on what I need to improve/edit. I really don't want to have to use my X-Box 360 all the time now, so I need feedback. Here it is:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($69.99 @ NCIX US)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-F2A88X-UP4 ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($84.98 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($64.64 @ Amazon)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.75 @ OutletPC)

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB SuperSC ACX 2.0+ Video Card ($199.99 @ Amazon)

Case: NZXT S340 (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($64.99 @ Micro Center)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($52.98 @ Newegg)

Other: Microsoft windows 8.1 pro for students ($69.99)

Other: Optical drive ($12.00)

Total: $695.25

I just pasted this from my iPhone.

[Interfectorem]

What will be your main usage on this system? Gaming? If so, I would recommend ditching the Athlon 860K, Hyper 212 EVO, and motherboard for an Intel Core i3-4160 and an MSI H97 PC Mate. The 860K, while being a decent processor, doesn't quite match up to the performance of an i3-4160 in gaming, due to the 860K having weaker single core performance. The stock cooler that comes with the i3 will suffice, since you can't overclock i3 CPUs. Other than that, it's a great system.

[CosmicButterGuy]

What will be your main usage on this system? Gaming? If so, I would recommend ditching the Athlon 860K, Hyper 212 EVO, and motherboard for an Intel Core i3-4160 and an MSI H97 PC Mate. The 860K, while being a decent processor, doesn't quite match up to the performance of an i3-4160 in gaming, due to the 860K having weaker single core performance. The stock cooler that comes with the i3 will suffice, since you can't overclock i3 CPUs. Other than that, it's a great system.

Yes, I use it for gaming (and occasionally typing papers for school). Thanks, I will take this into consideration when I pick this out.

[Neth]

Yes, I use it for gaming (and occasionally typing papers for school). Thanks, I will take this into consideration when I pick this out.

 

Check out the build below. You can get your OS from http://www.reddit.com/r/microsoftsoftwareswap/for $15.00

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($176.98 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($64.89 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($51.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R9 290 4GB PCS+ Video Card  ($238.98 @ Newegg) 

Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ NCIX US) 

Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA GS 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($64.99 @ NCIX US) 

Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer  ($12.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $700.80

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-10 00:07 EDT-0400

[SkywardKkalox]

-snip

I suggest you forgo the optical drive for now, you can add one later. And to buy windows from G2A or /r/microsoftsoftwareswap.

 

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($163.95 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($33.99 @ Newegg) 

Memory: G.Skill Value Series 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1333 Memory  ($48.99 @ Newegg) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($49.99 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 970 4GB SSC ACX 2.0 Video Card  ($314.99 @ Newegg) 

Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ Newegg) 

Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($35.00 @ Newegg) 

Total: $696.90

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-10 02:26 EDT-0400