Friend wants computer on the cheap. AMD or Intel?

[BustinJustin]

My friend wants a cheap computer and he will play a few games. So I told him go w/ and AMD APU and a 6670 to crossfire. He seems to think that he should go with an i3 and a gtx 520. Which would be better?

[Helltech]

Tells him to get a 4300 or 6300. What is his budget? Not sure on his budget but this would way better than an i3 and a gtx 520, like way, WAY better. It would also be better than an APU and a 6670.

CPU: AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Newegg)

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($23.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: ASRock 970 PRO3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Value 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)

Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($239.99 @ Newegg)

Case: NZXT Tempest 410 Elite (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($69.99 @ Amazon)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $679.47

[BustinJustin]

No lol. When I say cheap, I mean CHEAP. Like $350 USD. Here's what I suggested:

Rosewill case with 450w psu

Whatever $20 dvd drive

WD Blue 500gb HDD

ASRock FM2A55M Mobo

Kingston DDR3 2x4gb

AMD A4-5300

Sapphire 6670

Told you it was cheap lol. He already has an OEM OS disk, so no expense for that.

[Colonel Mustard]

That's a tight budget. Forgo the case and the dvd drive if possible. Install windows via USB. Cut down to 4GB of RAM. Try and get a mobo and CPU bundle. I second the AMD FX-4300. Forget about an aftermarket cooler for the moment. Buy the best GPU possible with the remaining funds. It'll be a ghetto build but you'll get the best bang for your buck.

[BustinJustin]

I don't actually know how to setup windows to install from USB...

[Colonel Mustard]

I don't actually know how to setup windows to install from USB...

Perhaps this guide might help: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_install_windows_7_beta_a_usb_key

Or for windows 8: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/features/how_install_windows_8_flash_drive_31384

[Helltech]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GkAM

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)

Motherboard: ASRock 760GM-GS3 Micro ATX AM3 Motherboard ($50.97 @ Newegg)

Memory: Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.00 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($96.99 @ Microcenter)

Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $359.91

[BustinJustin]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GkAM

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)

Motherboard: ASRock 760GM-GS3 Micro ATX AM3 Motherboard ($50.97 @ Newegg)

Memory: Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.00 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($96.99 @ Microcenter)

Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $359.91

Is the 7770 really better than the APU/GPU combo?

[Glenwing]

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GkAM

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640 3.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($74.98 @ Outlet PC)

Motherboard: ASRock 760GM-GS3 Micro ATX AM3 Motherboard ($50.97 @ Newegg)

Memory: Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($19.00 @ Amazon)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)

Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($96.99 @ Microcenter)

Case: MSI TC- (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($27.99 @ Microcenter)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $359.91

Yes. It's around the level of a 7750 if even that.

[WitzTech]

The crossfire thing with the APU really isn't that great... You are much better off with an Phenom 2 X4 and a 7770 gHz. No need for the DVD drive either. HDD and case are probably fine for this build, as is 8 gigs of RAM, which is going to be a better value. 4 could start to cause bottlenecks down the line.

I would also consider convincing your friend to invest in a halfway decent PSU (Antec Neo, Corsair CX430), as the PSU that comes with a case is usually pretty awful. 400 bucks gets you a much more stable machine.

[url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GXek]http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GXek[/url=http://pcpartpicker.com/p/GXek]