APU Build 2015

[pemberton_h]

Hi,

 

Since the last question I asked was answered freakishly quickly (I'm new to LinusTechTips forums), I'm asking another one about my first upcoming PC build. 

 

Apparently APUs aren't that good for a gaming build except that they're cheap and as I'm under a budget...

 

I read somewhere online that high frequency memory drastically improves the frame rates when using an APU for gaming. 

... So I compiled a parts list on pcpartpicker (Australian because I'm Australian sorry) with one of AMD's better APUs, a cooler that has pretty good reviews and 2600 MHz ram (probably overkill but I'm new to this). 

 

Here is the link on pcpartpicker:

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/MfWkrH

 

If someone with experience in building PCs or, even better, has prior experience with APUs could advise me whether or not this PC is actually worth it or if there are other ways of cutting costs (those relatively new Intel Pentium dual-cores). 

 

Henry

[rafazafar]

At that budget, a non-apu works better. for 350usd and under, APU all the way. But since youre in AUD, not an APU friendly country due to costs, might be better of with a low spec intel.

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/YF3rQ7

[Goodman2265]

Whats you're budget in AUD

[Suffokation]

I know you are probably thinking "what is this muppet thinking? I said i'm under a budget".

But, the extra $100 will do a world of good for your system. Save just a little bit more to be able to afford this. The APU will not last long at all.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($152.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($63.00 @ Centre Com) 

Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($70.00 @ IJK) 

Video Card: MSI Radeon R9 270 2GB TWIN FROZR Video Card  ($195.00 @ Mwave Australia) 

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.00 @ Storm Computers) 

Power Supply: Silverstone 400W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply  ($65.00 @ CPL Online) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N15 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($23.00 @ CPL Online) 

Monitor: AOC e2250Swdn 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($155.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $827.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:10 AEST+1000

[Goodman2265]

Btw I own an APU and the higher the clock speed for ram the better after like 2100 Mhz its not even worth it

[Sir Asvald]

Hi,

 

Since the last question I asked was answered freakishly quickly (I'm new to LinusTechTips forums), I'm asking another one about my first upcoming PC build. 

 

Apparently APUs aren't that good for a gaming build except that they're cheap and as I'm under a budget...

 

I read somewhere online that high frequency memory drastically improves the frame rates when using an APU for gaming. 

... So I compiled a parts list on pcpartpicker (Australian because I'm Australian sorry) with one of AMD's better APUs, a cooler that has pretty good reviews and 2600 MHz ram (probably overkill but I'm new to this). 

 

Here is the link on pcpartpicker:

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/MfWkrH

 

If someone with experience in building PCs or, even better, has prior experience with APUs could advise me whether or not this PC is actually worth it or if there are other ways of cutting costs (those relatively new Intel Pentium dual-cores). 

 

Henry

What is your budget? 

[pemberton_h]

Okay so my budget is $850 Australian dollars (for monitor, computer but no OS or peripherals [except wifi if that's counted as a peripheral])

This (exactly) is $634.31 US Dollars

[pemberton_h]

What is your budget? 

 

 

Whats you're budget in AUD

Sorry, forgot to quote.

 

^ Check above please

 

Henry

[Catman007]

Looked it up on that CPL site and found this, their build with OS included.

 

http://cplonline.com.au/computer-systems/desktop-computers/cpl-260x-budget-gaming-system-code26.html

 

And if you do some research you can probably build it yourself or with help of someone who knows to do it and save money.

[Sir Asvald]

Okay so my budget is $850 Australian dollars (for monitor, computer but no OS or peripherals [except wifi if that's counted as a peripheral])

This (exactly) is $634.31 US Dollars

Well, I came up with this, $23 more, but better system.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($152.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($63.00 @ Centre Com) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($86.00 @ IJK) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($70.00 @ IJK) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270 2GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($209.00 @ CPL Online) 

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.00 @ Storm Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($77.00 @ Umart) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Edimax EW-7711MAC 802.11a/n/ac USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($22.00 @ CPL Online) 

Monitor: AOC e2250Swdn 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($155.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $873.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:28 AEST+1000

 

 

Or you could get this which has a R7 260X in stead of the the 270

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($152.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($63.00 @ Centre Com) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($86.00 @ IJK) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($70.00 @ IJK) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($149.00 @ Umart) 

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.00 @ Storm Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($77.00 @ Umart) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Edimax EW-7711MAC 802.11a/n/ac USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($22.00 @ CPL Online) 

Monitor: AOC e2250Swdn 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($155.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $813.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:30 AEST+1000

[Goodman2265]

Okay so my budget is $850 Australian dollars (for monitor, computer but no OS or peripherals [except wifi if that's counted as a peripheral])

This (exactly) is $634.31 US Dollars

I would do this for that budget

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4350 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($159.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($105.00 @ IJK) 

Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($179.00 @ Centre Com) 

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.00 @ Storm Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair VS 450W ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ Mwave Australia) 

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN822N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($23.00 @ CPL Online) 

Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($149.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $852.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:37 AEST+1000

[Goodman2265]

Okay so my budget is $850 Australian dollars (for monitor, computer but no OS or peripherals [except wifi if that's counted as a peripheral])

This (exactly) is $634.31 US Dollars

This is also another good build

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($145.00 @ Centre Com) 

Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($105.00 @ CPL Online) 

Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($179.00 @ Centre Com) 

Case: Inwin GT1 White ATX Mid Tower Case  ($58.00 @ CPL Online) 

Power Supply: Corsair VS 450W ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ Mwave Australia) 

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($19.00 @ Centre Com) 

Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($149.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $853.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:37 AEST+1000

[Delusional Phil]

@pemberton_h : @Suffokation build is the best out of all in my opinion ... So +1 to that ... 

[pemberton_h]

 

This is also another good build

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($145.00 @ Centre Com) 

Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($105.00 @ CPL Online) 

Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($179.00 @ Centre Com) 

Case: Inwin GT1 White ATX Mid Tower Case  ($58.00 @ CPL Online) 

Power Supply: Corsair VS 450W ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ Mwave Australia) 

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($19.00 @ Centre Com) 

Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($149.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $853.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:37 AEST+1000

 

 

 

 

I would do this for that budget

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4350 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($159.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI H97M-E35 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($105.00 @ IJK) 

Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($179.00 @ Centre Com) 

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.00 @ Storm Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair VS 450W ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ Mwave Australia) 

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN822N 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($23.00 @ CPL Online) 

Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($149.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $852.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:37 AEST+1000

 

 

 

 

Well, I came up with this, $23 more, but better system.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($152.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($63.00 @ Centre Com) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($86.00 @ IJK) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($70.00 @ IJK) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 270 2GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($209.00 @ CPL Online) 

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.00 @ Storm Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($77.00 @ Umart) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Edimax EW-7711MAC 802.11a/n/ac USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($22.00 @ CPL Online) 

Monitor: AOC e2250Swdn 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($155.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $873.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:28 AEST+1000

 

 

Or you could get this which has a R7 260X in stead of the the 270

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($152.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($63.00 @ Centre Com) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1866 Memory  ($86.00 @ IJK) 

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($70.00 @ IJK) 

Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB DirectCU II Video Card  ($149.00 @ Umart) 

Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.00 @ Storm Computers) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($77.00 @ Umart) 

Wireless Network Adapter: Edimax EW-7711MAC 802.11a/n/ac USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($22.00 @ CPL Online) 

Monitor: AOC e2250Swdn 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($155.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $813.00

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:30 AEST+1000

 

Okay here's another one with the fx-6300 (I like the idea of Directx12 and 6 cores )

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/CRX4Vn

[Goodman2265]

Okay here's another one with the fx-6300 (I like the idea of Directx12 and 6 cores )

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/CRX4Vn

The AM3+ Socket is kinda dead, I would go with an i3 and a Z97 board so in the future you have a bad ass motherboard already and then you can upgrade to an i7 or i5

[Sir Asvald]

Okay here's another one with the fx-6300 (I like the idea of Directx12 and 6 cores )

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/CRX4Vn

Oh god. Please don't got with AMD, the CPUs are old tech + there is no upgrade path, unless Zen shows some promises. Anyway go with Intel better upgrade path, better overall performance. 

[Catman007]

Whatever you do or buy from builds these guys recommended please buy this monitor its same money but IPS panel with 1080p. Dont spend money on AOC or Benq cause LG is way better.

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-22mp55hqp

[Goodman2265]

Okay here's another one with the fx-6300 (I like the idea of Directx12 and 6 cores )

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/p/CRX4Vn

I understand you have a budget but this is prob the best because in the future you can buy a i7 or i5 and slap it right in

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

 

CPU: Intel Core i3-4160 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor  ($152.00 @ CPL Online) 

Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($142.00 @ IJK) 

Memory: GeIL EVO Veloce Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($65.00 @ PLE Computers) 

Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($78.00 @ CPL Online) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 270 2GB WINDFORCE Video Card  ($179.00 @ Centre Com) 

Case: Inwin GT1 White ATX Mid Tower Case  ($58.00 @ CPL Online) 

Power Supply: Corsair VS 450W ATX Power Supply  ($55.99 @ Mwave Australia) 

Wireless Network Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN881ND 802.11b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($19.00 @ Centre Com) 

Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($149.00 @ CPL Online) 

Total: $897.99

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-15 22:49 AEST+1000

[Goodman2265]

Whatever you do or buy from builds these guys recommended please buy this monitor its same money but IPS panel with 1080p. Dont spend money on AOC or Benq cause LG is way better.

 

http://au.pcpartpicker.com/part/lg-monitor-22mp55hqp

Or you can be like me and buy this (My monitor)

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-29EA73-P-led-monitor

[Catman007]

Or you can be like me and buy this (My monitor)

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-29EA73-P-led-monitor

 

Gonna snap the neck turning his head left and right

[Goodman2265]

Gonna snap the neck turning his head left and right

In the picture it looks small but in person it is HELLA big wish I had the 34" version, Its the old one's so it has built in speakers, but I have 5.1 Surround Sound setup, That monitor at the time was $600.00+ when released but I got it opened box from best-buy for $275.00 (Owner used it for a month) 

[Guest trucker2]

I have built two apu systems, a 7850 and 7870k. Im still recovering from sticker shock by what you guys pay in AU.

My 7870k I went with an old 220 watt LiteON PSU I have around the house. Thats one advantage of the APU is I can go with a free PSU I had. The 7850k I went with a T2 cooler but the 7870k had a really nice twin heatpipe cooler with a copper base that was far superior and just as quite. I dont know what the 6790k comes with.

I should note that the one with the 220 watt psu will not get a dGPU anytime soon.

One guy here talked about getting an fx 6300 with MB for like 40 or 60 bucks on ebay. The 6300 is an awesome cpu and heres an article about it:

 

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2014-the-next-gen-digital-foundry-pc

 

I might give up on work and make a livin smugglin cpus to AU and the EU and none of the dope sniffin dogs are AMD haters:)

[pemberton_h]

Or you can be like me and buy this (My monitor)

http://www.lg.com/us/monitors/lg-29EA73-P-led-monitor

That monitor might be a bit too expensive for my budget but thanks anyway.