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Gaming Focused Build on a Student Budget

Lockinout
By Lockinout
in New Builds and Planning
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Hey everyone, looking for some advice for a new build with the main focus on gaming. My budget is pretty low but hopefully I will be able to make something with it. If I'm missing any info let me know!
 
Budget - $750
 
Location - Northeast US
 
Specific Uses - Web/Skype, Gaming (CoD, BF, Tomb Raider, CS:GO, Assassins Creed, TF2, DoTA, SC2, Payday 2, and many others), Minor Video Editing/Graphic Design, Streaming, and also virtual machines for classes.
 
Any preferred components?: I love ASUS everything but I am not picky on parts as long as they are reliable. I love Cooler Master products as well.

 

Any spare parts you can re-use?: I have an Intel Core i3-2120 but I am not sure it is good enough too be added in this build. I also have a WD 1TB 7200rpm hdd I am reusing. I also have a 19" monitor that I want as my secondary monitor but plan getting a 21-24" as my main.
 

Overclocking your processor?: Not planning on it but wouldn't mind being able to have that option.

Need an Operating System?: No

Need a Monitor? / Mouse? / Keyboard?: Yes/No/No

Need a Wireless Card or Adapter? No

Need Another Component? (Specify): No
 

Preferred Case Features (Ex: Color, Side Window, Flashy): No pref. on color. Side window would be nice but I just want a mid-tower with great cooling options.
 

Number of Monitors: 2
Other Info?: Needs to be SLI/CFx motherboard so I could add another gpu in the future. 

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

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https://linustechtips.com/topic/45739-gaming-focused-build-on-a-student-budget/
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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rKYp
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rKYp/by_merchant/
 
CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($102.10 @ TigerDirect) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.98 @ Outlet PC) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case  ($57.99 @ Microcenter) 
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor  ($128.87 @ Amazon) 
Total: $791.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-14 00:28 EDT-0400)

 

This but wait for 9XXX series.

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Hey everyone, looking for some advice for a new build with the main focus on gaming. My budget is pretty low but hopefully I will be able to make something with it. If I'm missing any info let me know!
 
Budget - $750
 
Location - Northeast US
 
Specific Uses - Web/Skype, Gaming (CoD, BF, Tomb Raider, CS:GO, Assassins Creed, TF2, DoTA, SC2, Payday 2, and many others), Minor Video Editing/Graphic Design, Streaming, and also virtual machines for classes.
 
Any preferred components?: I love ASUS everything but I am not picky on parts as long as they are reliable. I love Cooler Master products as well.

 

Any spare parts you can re-use?: I have an Intel Core i3-2120 but I am not sure it is good enough too be added in this build. I also have a WD 1TB 7200rpm hdd I am reusing. I also have a 19" monitor that I want as my secondary monitor but plan getting a 21-24" as my main.

 

Overclocking your processor?: Not planning on it but wouldn't mind being able to have that option.

Need an Operating System?: No

Need a Monitor? / Mouse? / Keyboard?: Yes/No/No

Need a Wireless Card or Adapter? No

Need Another Component? (Specify): No

 

Preferred Case Features (Ex: Color, Side Window, Flashy): No pref. on color. Side window would be nice but I just want a mid-tower with great cooling options.

 

Number of Monitors: 2

Other Info?: Needs to be SLI/CFx motherboard so I could add another gpu in the future. 

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

Do you want two monitors right now? Also what do you want in a monitor? 

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rKYp
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rKYp/by_merchant/
 
CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($102.10 @ TigerDirect) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.98 @ Outlet PC) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case  ($57.99 @ Microcenter) 
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor  ($128.87 @ Amazon) 
Total: $791.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-14 00:28 EDT-0400)

 

This but wait for 9XXX series.

 

Personally I would go for a bigger PSU since the OP wants to SLi/CFX in the future.

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rKYp
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rKYp/by_merchant/
 
CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor  ($117.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 ATX AM3+ Motherboard  ($102.10 @ TigerDirect) 
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($64.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($59.98 @ Outlet PC) 
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card  ($219.99 @ Newegg) 
Case: Antec Three Hundred Two ATX Mid Tower Case  ($57.99 @ Microcenter) 
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply  ($39.99 @ Newegg) 
Monitor: Asus VS228H-P 21.5" Monitor  ($128.87 @ Amazon) 
Total: $791.90
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-14 00:28 EDT-0400)

 

This but wait for 9XXX series.

 

430W PSU seems a bit low. Might go a bit higher to future proof like Night said in previous post, but this list is on point to what I was looking for. Not in a hurry too build either so I don't mind waiting on the 9XXX series

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PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rKYp

I have yet to see if a 7950 actually works on a cx430. It's is far from crossfire ready and I don't even know if the system is stable.

Please don't recommend builds that might actually fail--I doubt you'd do it yourself so don't do it on other people's systems.

 

Edits: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rPjs

Crossfire ready.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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I have yet to see if a 7950 actually works on a cx430. It's is far from crossfire ready and I don't even know if the system is stable.

Please don't recommend builds that might actually fail--I doubt you'd do it yourself so don't do it on other people's systems.

 

Edits: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rPjs

Crossfire ready.

Thanks for the list Wooden, actually has an SSD and a bit better monitor. Plus I read great things about extreme4 motherboards.

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I have yet to see if a 7950 actually works on a cx430. It's is far from crossfire ready and I don't even know if the system is stable.

Please don't recommend builds that might actually fail--I doubt you'd do it yourself so don't do it on other people's systems.

 

Edits: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1rPjs

Crossfire ready.

Yes I forgot about the crossfire but 430W is fine if you aren't overclocking.
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Yes I forgot about the crossfire but 430W is fine if you aren't overclocking.

Source for a 7950 working stable on a cx430? 

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Hey everyone, looking for some advice for a new build with the main focus on gaming. My budget is pretty low but hopefully I will be able to make something with it. If I'm missing any info let me know!
 
Budget - $750
 
Location - Northeast US
 
Specific Uses - Web/Skype, Gaming (CoD, BF, Tomb Raider, CS:GO, Assassins Creed, TF2, DoTA, SC2, Payday 2, and many others), Minor Video Editing/Graphic Design, Streaming, and also virtual machines for classes.
 
Any preferred components?: I love ASUS everything but I am not picky on parts as long as they are reliable. I love Cooler Master products as well.

 

Any spare parts you can re-use?: I have an Intel Core i3-2120 but I am not sure it is good enough too be added in this build. I also have a WD 1TB 7200rpm hdd I am reusing. I also have a 19" monitor that I want as my secondary monitor but plan getting a 21-24" as my main.

 

Overclocking your processor?: Not planning on it but wouldn't mind being able to have that option.

Need an Operating System?: No

Need a Monitor? / Mouse? / Keyboard?: Yes/No/No

Need a Wireless Card or Adapter? No

Need Another Component? (Specify): No

 

Preferred Case Features (Ex: Color, Side Window, Flashy): No pref. on color. Side window would be nice but I just want a mid-tower with great cooling options.

 

Number of Monitors: 2

Other Info?: Needs to be SLI/CFx motherboard so I could add another gpu in the future. 

 

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks

This is my suggestion for your build 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

        AMD BUILD

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1s7vH

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

           FRATAL DESIGN CORE 3000 -USB3post-30748-0-23946700-1376545190_thumb.jpost-30748-0-44070100-1376545192_thumb.jpost-30748-0-03021000-1376545194_thumb.jpost-30748-0-92095900-1376545195.jpgpost-30748-0-48976700-1376545315_thumb.j

 

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Sorry went 32 dollars over budget but let me know what you think

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Sorry went 32 dollars over budget but let me know what you think

I think: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/39354-spoilers/

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Before t forget congratulations on getting your award.  I would like to have a explanation for showing me that link

The pictures in your post take up a lot of space and it would be much neater and easier on the eyes/scroll wheel if you used spoilers for the images.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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Sorry went 32 dollars over budget but let me know what you think

 

I don't mind spending a little more if I know I am getting a few more fps and have a quality cpu/gpu/psu combination. Also your list has a cpu cooler which I forgot to mention that I would want. Thanks!

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I don't mind spending a little more if I know I am getting a few more fps and have a quality cpu/gpu/psu combination. Also your list has a cpu cooler which I forgot to mention that I would want. Thanks!

Your welcome if there is any other questions let me know

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I don't mind spending a little more if I know I am getting a few more fps and have a quality cpu/gpu/psu combination. Also your list has a cpu cooler which I forgot to mention that I would want. Thanks!

His build is missing a ssd which is essential to any modern pc build with a decent budget.

If you ever need help with a build, read the following before posting: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/3061-build-plan-thread-recommendations-please-read-before-posting/
Also, make sure to quote a post or tag a member when replying or else they won't get a notification that you replied to them.

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