Looking for PC Build Suggestions

[GenericAssassin]

I'm helping a friend build a pc on a bit of a budget, with the target being $700-$800.  I'm not very familiar with parts at this price point, but i want to get the best performance possible while still keeping the price low.  He is starting from scratch, so this price includes peripherals.  He also used some of the budget already to buy a 380 before I got involved.  I have a build put together, but I'd appreciate if anyone could suggest how to get the price a bit lower without hurting performance too much.

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Hp7QsY

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Hp7QsY/by_merchant/

 

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor  ($164.99 @ NCIX US) 

Motherboard: MSI 760GMA-P34(FX) Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($49.95 @ OutletPC) 

Memory: Kingston HyperX Fury Blue 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($47.99 @ SuperBiiz) 

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.89 @ OutletPC) 

Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card  ($209.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($32.99 @ Mwave) 

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($69.99 @ Amazon) 

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($89.99 @ NCIX US) 

Monitor: Asus VX228H 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($118.99 @ Best Buy) 

Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($27.99 @ NCIX US) 

Total: $872.76

 

 

I also made a version with an Intel processor thats a bit more expensive.  Would this one be significantly better, worse, or the same as the AMD build? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nyG77P

[grayblizzard]

 

-snip-

 

 

here is a way better build for very close to the same price:

 

 http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6pXTgs

 

also if he can have him return that gpu and buy the 4gb version

[The_Mumbler]

1: Different CPU. The current CPU you have listed could be out done by a i3. With that a new mobo.

2: Different HDD. The barracuda is not good. I have had them fail numerous times. Get a western digital.

Everything else is good but those two things. I recommend a i3 4160, a compatible mobo, and 1tb WD Blue HDD. 

[The_Mumbler]

here is a way better build for very close to the same price:

 

 http://pcpartpicker.com/p/6pXTgs

 

also if he can have him return that gpu and buy the 4gb version

Or what this guy listed. 

[SImoHayha]

snip

The intel build is way more better. Besides it roughly only increased by 10$ or so. The AMD build would be extreme bad this time and age since it's a dead socket and no matter what the cores don't get stronger even if you wanted to upgrade.

[GenericAssassin]

Thanks for all the help. I mixed my intel build with grayblizzard's and used some of the suggestions to make this. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tbB823

 

Would the mobo he selected be a better option than the one I currently have picked?

[brob]

A different take on an Intel build. Essentially a much better, semi-modular psu.

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($176.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H81M-H Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($43.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Apotop 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card  ($209.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($61.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM (64-bit)  ($86.98 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: BenQ GW2255 60Hz 21.5" Monitor  ($103.99 @ NCIX US)
Keyboard: Cooler Master CM Storm Devastator Gaming Bundle Wired Gaming Keyboard w/Optical Mouse  ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $841.33
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-07-16 12:41 EDT-0400

[Starelementpoke]

Thanks for all the help. I mixed my intel build with grayblizzard's and used some of the suggestions to make this. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/tbB823

 

Would the mobo he selected be a better option than the one I currently have picked?

You still need to knock the price down $60ish dollars.

[GenericAssassin]

After talking to him he decided to raise the budget to 1000 dollars, and he can return the GPU. Thanks everyone for all your help with this build.