New Build - Cheap Entry-Level Gaming/Productivity PC

[BarbaricSoul]

if you are going to OC, you do need a aftermarket heat sink. I suggest the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Comp...+CPU+Cooler+?productId=47248&source=skinflint

 

[RCoon]

if you are going to OC, you do need a aftermarket heat sink. I suggest the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans & Cooling/Air/Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Quiet CPU Cooler ?productId=47248&source=skinflint

Sound advice for a cooler, probably the best budget cooler available, I had one for my old media server while it was overclocked parsing files 24/7.

I know you're on a budget, but the new MSI A88X Gaming motherboard has shown it's metal with OC'ing, you can see the news item on the front page. That, and it looks super shiny. Dragons, son.

 

[dylricho]

if you are going to OC, you do need a aftermarket heat sink. I suggest the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Fans & Cooling/Air/Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO Quiet CPU Cooler ?productId=47248&source=skinflint

Awesome. Do I need to replace the chassis fans of the Define R4 as well?

I know you're on a budget, but the new MSI A88X Gaming motherboard has shown it's metal with OC'ing, you can see the news item on the front page. That, and it looks super shiny. Dragons, son.

The A88X-G45 does look nice, but ASUS really wins me over.

 

[HalfAHertz]

The other advantage to the setup is you can always do crossfire x with 250s and up

I think it's just the 250 and nothing above. So if you're planning to get a decent dedicated gpu, the apu is pointless.

 

[RCoon]

I think it's just the 250 and nothing above. So if you're planning to get a decent dedicated gpu, the apu is pointless.

Anandtech got information from AMD that it was any R7 GPU with GDDR3 memory. Also the APU by itself is not pointless with dedicated GPU's, it's just not as strong at RTS games(or CPU bound titles) as the more expensive contenders.

 

[ne6togadno]

i am a bit late but i kind of missed taging. sorry
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/355LM

 

[dylricho]

... it was any R7 GPU with GDDR3 memory. ...

Does this mean that it can't work together with the 260X? The TPU database says GDDR5.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

i am a bit late but i kind of missed taging. sorry
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/355LM

Damn, that like totally screws my build over. dylricho, forget the APU, go with ne6togadno's build. It's stronger in every way.

 

[RCoon]

Does this mean that it can't work together with the 260X? The TPU database says GDDR5.

i am a bit late but i kind of missed taging. sorry
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/355LM

Damn son. That RAM price is insanely cheap. I mean there's no ODD, and the case isn't what the OP had in mind for silence, but yeah, that's an awesome build. Would play games way better too.

 

[dylricho]

i am a bit late but i kind of missed taging. sorry
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/355LM

Sweet! Thanks for the suggestion. Now it's time to rethink all over again.

Damn, that like totally screws my build over. dylricho, forget the APU, go with ne6togadno's build. It's stronger in every way.

I'm assuming the FX-6xxx and FX-8xxx series are higher end processors? Dual Graphics won't be possible with this configuration, but it does allow me to get a more powerful processor. In comparison to the IGPU R7 + R7 260X, will I notice any difference in graphics performance?

Damn son. That RAM price is insanely cheap. I mean there's no ODD, and the case isn't what the OP had in mind for silence, but yeah, that's an awesome build. Would play games way better too.

AMD suggested G/DDR3. I assumed that GDDR5 was newer and better, and therefore incompatible?

I must seriously thank you guys for all the help in configuration ideas and suggestions. This is my first build, and my first desktop (having owned two laptops in the past 7 years), so it'll be a fun experience. I'm excited to be building my own computer. Who knows, maybe I'll offer the service out to people in my area that need it! Once again, thank you!

 

[ne6togadno]

Damn son. That RAM price is insanely cheap. I mean there's no ODD, and the case isn't what the OP had in mind for silence, but yeah, that's an awesome build. Would play games way better too.

i colleague of mine bought this case resently and he classify it as mid lvl noisy with stock cooler (with 2 additional fans added on case). my first choice was corsair 200r but it is 20gbp more. if that isnt big deal or if op can add 30-40 more buy the time he is ready to purchase 200r will be better (with additional fans so good airflow is assured inside case)

I'm assuming the FX-6xxx and FX-8xxx series are higher end processors? Dual Graphics won't be possible with this configuration, but it does allow me to get a more powerful processor. In comparison to the IGPU R7 + R7 260X, will I notice any difference in graphics performance?

dual graphics between cpu and gpu no cause fx are dedecated cpus but mobo is cf capable and you will be able to add 2nd vga later when you need more gpu power if you need ever.
fx6XXX is mid range line of cpus and will give you better performance in video edit and gaming+streaming. you have to dig more in minecraft specs what it demands more cpu or gpu power

 

[BarbaricSoul]

I'm assuming the FX-6xxx and FX-8xxx series are higher end processors? Dual Graphics won't be possible with this configuration, but it does allow me to get a more powerful processor. In comparison to the IGPU R7 + R7 260X, will I notice any difference in graphics performance?

The FX processors are AMD's "performance" processors. These are the CPU's made for gamings and work station computers. While the FX cpus may not have integrated video, they are much more powerful in the CPU department. The FX 6300 paired with a decent video card would make a nice performing gaming computer/work station.

a little edit to ne6togadno's build- http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/356Ak

 

[RCoon]

I assumed that GDDR5 was newer and better, and therefore incompatible?

correct sir!

This is my first build, and my first desktop (having owned two laptops in the past 7 years), so it'll be a fun experience. I'm excited to be building my own computer

I live in Lincolnshire (bloody Northerners), so if you live within a few dozen miles, you can always give me a call if you're seriously stuck. Don't pay a cent to your local ripoff merchant.

 

[dylricho]

dual graphics between cpu and gpu no cause fx are dedecated cpus but mobo is cf capable and you will be able to add 2nd vga later when you need more gpu power if you need ever.
fx6XXX is mid range line of cpus and will give you better performance in video edit and gaming+streaming. you have to dig more in minecraft specs what it demands more cpu or gpu power

Minecraft is primarily all about the CPU as it's [stupidly] written in Java, however I was reading this morning that future AMD architectures are going to be processing Java in the GPU, which will certainly make Minecraft run much better.

Thank you for the FX-6xxx configuration, I think I'm almost certainly going to utilize an FX processor now.

The FX processors are AMD's "performance" processors. These are the CPU's made for gamings and work station computers. While the FX cpus may not have integrated video, they are much more powerful in the CPU department. The FX 6300 paired with a decent video card would make a nice performing gaming computer/work station.

In comparison to an Intel Core ix processor, where would an FX-8350 sit, fully acknowledging of course that the AMD solution is a third of the price?

I live in Lincolnshire (bloody Northerners), so if you live within a few dozen miles, you can always give me a call if you're seriously stuck. Don't pay a cent to your local ripoff merchant.

I'm in Leicestershire, which is around 90-ish miles from Skegness.

 

[BarbaricSoul]

In comparison to an Intel Core ix processor, where would an FX-8350 sit, fully acknowledging of course that the AMD solution is a third of the price?

Depending on the application, the 8350 trades blows with the 4770k.

 

[ne6togadno]

a little edit to ne6togadno's build- http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/356Ak

ya i saw that ~89gbp offer for 1gb card but i've decided to go for 2gb at +15 price cause cpu cooler can be added next pay day.
this is matter of personal preferences. can you live for one month with audible pc and get more capable cpu cooler later or you will sacrifice some comfort but will get better performance. also i saw that dylricho wont purchase tomorrow so things may change till shopping time and 20-30+ wouldnt be problem.
my original intent was to go with r9 270x but it is about 40gbp more expensive and this goes too far from 400 target.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/355Gy this is with cm k280 case
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/35d0r this is with corsair's 200r.
odd it isnt mandatory. win install can be done from flash stick and it will be faster then from optical. there are plenty guides online about how to prepare the stick but you will need working pc with odd so you can make image of install dvd so dont trow asus thing in the bin yet.
when time is right dvd combo is about 20gbp for about 40 you can have blueray reader with dvd combo.

@dylricho
keep all builds we have offered. as rcoon said uk online dealers make pretty good sales so at the time you are ready with cash you may find better prices for parts that currently are out of range (i got my ram from ebuyer for 108gbp last year).
as for the amd vs intel question have a look on those

and opposite opinion

decide by yourself to who you will put your trust on.
from my personal exp with fx i can assure you that with pc from my specs i dont have problems to run teso beta, neverwinter (both on max), steam, opera with 35-40 tabs, raptr and trillian and switching between all of those is as snappy as i am moving icons on desktop. cant say anything about intel thou cause i never owned intel cpu (i dont count p6800 in my laptop cause comparison between desktop and laptop parts is incorrect).

 

[RCoon]

from my personal exp with fx i can assure you that with pc from my specs i dont have problems to run teso beta, neverwinter (both on max), steam, opera with 35-40 tabs, raptr and trillian and switching between all of those is as snappy as i am moving icons on desktop.

In addition to this, OP can see I own both an 8350 and an i5 4670 (the supposed king of gaming besides the 4770). Both are equally good for my gaming needs, and I would choose either or given the question, neither make any difference to me. Some people have however said that windows feels a little snappier on the 8350 for some reason, even Dave and Btarunr have said they noticed this weird phenomenon. Either way, your choice. Building a new PC is going to be awesome, and regardless of what you choose, you're gonna be stoked for the first few weeks, then become like the rest of us, and serial upgrade to get your hardware fix once in a while. I have a list up to my eyeballs of what I want to do to one of my many rigs.

 

[dylricho]

In all fairness, I sometimes run 20-30 tabs in Chrome with my current machine and it doesn't slow down.

My main concerns are once again Minecraft, Photoshop and Premiere Pro (both are CS5).

Videos on YouTube have proven Minecraft to be a walk in the park (80~ fps when recording with Fraps; 150-400~ fps without recording), but this guy had 16 GB RAM (unspecified frequency) and a GTX 660 Ti, coupled with his FX-8350.

 

[dylricho]

ya i saw that ~89gbp offer for 1gb card but i've decided to go for 2gb at +15 price cause cpu cooler can be added next pay day.
this is matter of personal preferences. can you live for one month with audible pc and get more capable cpu cooler later or you will sacrifice some comfort but will get better performance. also i saw that dylricho wont purchase tomorrow so things may change till shopping time and 20-30+ wouldnt be problem.
my original intent was to go with r9 270x but it is about 40gbp more expensive and this goes too far from 400 target.
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/355Gy this is with cm k280 case
http://uk.pcpartpicker.com/p/35d0r this is with corsair's 200r.
odd it isnt mandatory. win install can be done from flash stick and it will be faster then from optical. there are plenty guides online about how to prepare the stick but you will need working pc with odd so you can make image of install dvd so dont trow asus thing in the bin yet.
when time is right dvd combo is about 20gbp for about 40 you can have blueray reader with dvd combo.

@dylricho
keep all builds we have offered. as rcoon said uk online dealers make pretty good sales so at the time you are ready with cash you may find better prices for parts that currently are out of range (i got my ram from ebuyer for 108gbp last year).
as for the amd vs intel question have a look on those

and opposite opinion

decide by yourself to who you will put your trust on.
from my personal exp with fx i can assure you that with pc from my specs i dont have problems to run teso beta, neverwinter (both on max), steam, opera with 35-40 tabs, raptr and trillian and switching between all of those is as snappy as i am moving icons on desktop. cant say anything about intel thou cause i never owned intel cpu (i dont count p6800 in my laptop cause comparison between desktop and laptop parts is incorrect).

I appreciate your help. I'll watch all the videos, and don't worry; I've saved all configurations into a database on my web server, as well as bookmarked the links. By the time I do get to buying the parts, I would imagine a Blu-ray drive would be a viable option.

Just out of curiosity, what sort of performance advantage would the R9 270X offer over the R7 260X? Perhaps it may be within budget by the time I get around to the build.

 

[eidairaman1]

I think it's just the 250 and nothing above. So if you're planning to get a decent dedicated gpu, the apu is pointless.

Hybrid crossfire/dual graphics(Apu+ discreet vid card)is what youre talking about. Im talking about Crossfire X (2 or more discreet vid cards)

Also the weapons of most amd users are 6300 or the 8320. At minimum id go with a 4350.

 

[ne6togadno]

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/R9_270X_PCS_Plus/24.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/R9_270X_Direct_Cu_II_TOP/26.html
first 2 reviews i met in tpu database. about 36% better performance with r9 at all tested resolutions.
there is drop down menu at the bottom of the page if you wont to start from the begging,

In all fairness, I sometimes run 20-30 tabs in Chrome with my current machine and it doesn't slow down.

My main concerns are once again Minecraft, Photoshop and Premiere Pro (both are CS5).

Videos on YouTube have proven Minecraft to be a walk in the park (80~ fps when recording with Fraps; 150-400~ fps without recording), but this guy had 16 GB RAM (unspecified frequency) and a GTX 660 Ti, coupled with his FX-8350.

ofc you cant compare his system with your future build. he is comparing top cpus of intel and amd. your budget is for up to mid range and you will get according performance.
in next video from tech syndicate they build amd gaming system for 1.2k $. your pc will be abut 500$
my point is that despite that most ppl here and there recommend intel in real life gaming situations amd are as capable as intel.
you shouldnt worry about ram amount. pc can run with from 1gb up to 32gb. if you now can afford only 8gb (pretty decent for needs you have described) after few month when you have more $$$ you can buy 2nd 2x4gb kit and you will have 16gb. 10 mins to install em and you are good to go.

 

[dylricho]

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Powercolor/R9_270X_PCS_Plus/24.html
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/ASUS/R9_270X_Direct_Cu_II_TOP/26.html
first 2 reviews i met in tpu database. about 36% better performance with r9 at all tested resolutions.
there is drop down menu at the bottom of the page if you wont to start from the begging,


ofc you cant compare his system with your future build. he is comparing top cpus of intel and amd. your budget is for up to mid range and you will get according performance.
in next video from tech syndicate they build amd gaming system for 1.2k $. your pc will be abut 500$
my point is that despite that most ppl here and there recommend intel in real life gaming situations amd are as capable as intel.
you shouldnt worry about ram amount. pc can run with from 1gb up to 32gb. if you now can afford only 8gb (pretty decent for needs you have described) after few month when you have more $$$ you can buy 2nd 2x4gb kit and you will have 16gb. 10 mins to install em and you are good to go.

I'm a subscriber of Tek Syndicate and I wish Logan would cover the AM3+ ASUS motherboards in more detail.

As I will be purchasing to keep the system future-proof, I'm going with an FX-8350. In all fairness, the budget isn't really that much of a deal, since I will be getting the parts each time I get my paycheck, and gradually, I'll have everything I need.

I was originally going to work to a budget, but then I realize that this machine must last years before an upgrade to the motherboard. So, I think buying bit-by-bit is an easier way to manage a machine cost of around £800, than to grab everything in one go. Therefore, I'm going to scrap the budget and just work with whatever money I have to spend each passing week, month or whatever - however long it takes, the end result will be amazing.

I want to thank you all once again. With your considerations and my intentions, I've came up with a configuration that I think is what I'm going for. What do you guys think?

Case - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window (Black Pearl)
Motherboard - ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0
CPU - AMD FX-8350
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Thermal Compound - Antec Formula 7 Nanodiamond (I'm using this right now with my T9300 and it's great)
RAM - 2 x 4 GB G.Skill Ripjaws X Series DDR3-2133 (I'll get another pair in the future)
SSD - Kingston SSDNow V300 120 GB (for Windows, Minecraft, Photoshop and Premiere Pro)
HDD 1 - Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200 rpm
HDD 2 - Western Digital Black Series 1 TB 7200 rpm
GPU - Gigabyte R7 260X 2 GB (I may get another down the road and make use of Crossfire)
WLAN - TP-Link TL-WN722N 802.11 b/g/n (I rely on Wi-Fi due to no Ethernet in my room)
ODD - LG GH24NS95 CD/DVD
Monitor - ASUS VE248H 24" 1080p
PSU - EVGA SuperNOVA 650 W Gold

I have tried to stay reasonable, but at the same time, future-proof the system for many years to come.

 

[eidairaman1]

You might want to go with a Seasonic, Enermax or corsair Psu.

QUOTE="dylricho, post: 3076125, member: 135479"]I'm a subscriber of Tek Syndicate and I wish Logan would cover the AM3+ ASUS motherboards in more detail.

As I will be purchasing to keep the system future-proof, I'm going with an FX-8350. In all fairness, the budget isn't really that much of a deal, since I will be getting the parts each time I get my paycheck, and gradually, I'll have everything I need.

I was originally going to work to a budget, but then I realize that this machine must last years before an upgrade to the motherboard. So, I think buying bit-by-bit is an easier way to manage a machine cost of around £800, than to grab everything in one go. Therefore, I'm going to scrap the budget and just work with whatever money I have to spend each passing week, month or whatever - however long it takes, the end result will be amazing.

I want to thank you all once again. With your considerations and my intentions, I've came up with a configuration that I think is what I'm going for. What do you guys think?

Case - Fractal Design Define R4 with Window (Black Pearl)
Motherboard - ASUS M5A99FX PRO R2.0
CPU - AMD FX-8350
CPU Cooler - Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
Thermal Compound - Antec Formula 7 Nanodiamond (I'm using this right now with my T9300 and it's great)
RAM - 2 x 4 GB G.Skill Ripjaws X Series DDR3-2133 (I'll get another pair in the future)
SSD - Kingston SSDNow V300 120 GB (for Windows, Minecraft, Photoshop and Premiere Pro)
HDD 1 - Seagate Barracuda 1 TB 7200 rpm
HDD 2 - Western Digital Black Series 1 TB 7200 rpm
GPU - Gigabyte R7 260X 2 GB (I may get another down the road and make use of Crossfire)
WLAN - TP-Link TL-WN722N 802.11 b/g/n (I rely on Wi-Fi due to no Ethernet in my room)
ODD - LG GH24NS95 CD/DVD
Monitor - ASUS VE248H 24" 1080p
PSU - EVGA SuperNOVA 650 W Gold

I have tried to stay reasonable, but at the same time, future-proof the system for many years to come.[/QUOTE]

 

[dylricho]

You might want to go with a Seasonic, Enermax or corsair Psu.

I have created a PCPP link. The end price is around £800, excluding the monitor.

Is there any specific Corsair PSU that you recommend, and have I got the power range correct at 650 W?

 

[eidairaman1]

Without overclocking id say 650 at minimum. Corsair does have top end 650-850 units.