Building Budget Gaming PC for my brother

I'm thinking about putting together a budget gaming/general use pc for my brother. He hasn't owned a computer before so basically anything is an upgrade for him

I'm specifically looking for any hardware incompatibilities I missed or other major screw ups like that!

Also if you have any general suggestions/critiques of my build please let me know and I'll look into it. Also keep in mind that I specifically want this case/I plan on using a "free" operating system if you know what I mean.

edit: If there is anywhere where I can comfortably go cheaper and not see much performance difference let me know, I'm interested in considering it.



Wireless Network Adapter: Encore ENUWI-G2 802.11b/g USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($2.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.44 @ TigerDirect)
Other: Hitachi GST Deskstar E7K500 HDS725050KLA360 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive ($34.99)
Other: CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply ($39.99)
Other: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model BLS8G3D1609DS1S00 ($57.99)
Other: E-3lue E-Blue Cobra II 1600DPI High Precision Pro Game Gaming Mouse for Windows Mac / RED ($16.00)
Other: Logitech MK120 Black USB Wired Slim Desktop ($19.99)
Other: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM ($17.99)
Other: MSI FM2-A75MA-E35 FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ($59.99)
Other: Hanns-G HE225DPB Black 21.5" 5ms Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 Active Contrast 40,000,000:1 (1,000:1) Built-in Speakers ($119.99)
Other: AMD A6-5400K Trinity 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 65W Dual-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7540D AD540KOKHJBOX ($69.99)
Other: Rosewill RCX-ZAIO-92 92mm Sleeve Bearing Fan CPU Cooler ($19.99)
Other: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G - OEM 5 out of 5 eggs (6,090) | Write a Review ($7.99)
Total: $516.33
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

edited build:
Wireless Network Adapter: Encore ENUWI-G2 802.11b/g USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($2.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.44 @ TigerDirect)
Other: Hitachi GST Deskstar E7K500 HDS725050KLA360 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive ($34.99)
Other: CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 430W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply ($39.99)
Other: E-3lue E-Blue Cobra II 1600DPI High Precision Pro Game Gaming Mouse for Windows Mac / RED ($16.00)
Other: Logitech MK120 Black USB Wired Slim Desktop ($19.99)
Other: ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS - OEM ($17.99)
Other: Hanns-G HE225DPB Black 21.5" 5ms Widescreen LED Backlight LCD Monitor 250 cd/m2 Active Contrast 40,000,000:1 (1,000:1) Built-in Speakers ($119.99)
Other: PNY - XLR8 2-Pack 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3 CAS 9 Dual-Channel Desktop Memory Kit ($57.99)
Other: AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 7660D AD580KWOHJBOX ($129.99)
Other: XIGMATEK Gaia SD1283 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler LGA1150 Haswell Compatible ($24.99)
Other: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G - OEM ($8.00)
Other: ECS A75F2-A2(1.0) FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard ($69.99)
Total: $591.34
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)


re-edited build:
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek GAIA SD1283 56.3 CFM CPU Cooler ($24.99)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($8.00)
Wireless Network Adapter: Encore ENUWI-G2 802.11b/g USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($2.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.44 @ TigerDirect)
Other: Hitachi GST Deskstar E7K500 HDS725050KLA360 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive ($34.99)
Other: PNY - XLR8 2-Pack 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3 CAS 9 Dual-Channel Desktop Memory Kit ($57.99)
Other: GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard ($109.99)
Other: AMD Phenom II X4 970 Black Edition Deneb 3.5GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Desktop Processor HDZ970FBGMBOX ($124.99)
Other: SAPPHIRE 100358L Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card ($89.99)
Other: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom ($59.99)
Total: $562.36
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

another build:
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Thermal Compound: Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver 3.5g Thermal Paste ($8.00)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($48.44 @ TigerDirect)
Other: Hitachi GST Deskstar E7K500 HDS725050KLA360 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive ($34.99)
Other: PNY - XLR8 2-Pack 4GB PC3-14900 DDR3 CAS 9 Dual-Channel Desktop Memory Kit ($57.99)
Other: SAPPHIRE 100358L Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card ($89.99)
Other: OCZ ModXStream Pro 700W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom ($59.99)
Other: AMD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Six-Core Desktop Processor FD6300WMHKBOX ($119.99)
Other: GIGABYTE GA-970A-UD3 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard ($99.99)
Total: $549.37
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)

 

drop cpu cooler & thermal paste not needed.
check local stores for monitors btw, probs get a 21.5 for 100

 

You really want to get two sticks to take advantage of dual channel memory. If you're going with an apu it's also a good idea at looking into getting 1866 or higher memory since the apus graphics scales VERY well with faster ram.

8GB 2 x 4GB) 1866 MHz for $58

Personally I would drop down to 4GB or ram and spend the money saved on a 4 core apu
2 x 2GB 1866 MHz $44

2 x 2GB 2000 MHz $55

Also here is a list of cheaper FM2 motherboards

 

Thanks for the advice on hte monitor, I'll check around and see if I can get a better deal. As far as the aftermaket cpu cooler goes initially I took your advice and took it out of my build, but then I decided to upgrade the apu plus I heard that it runs a little hot and could benefit from the thermal paste/aftermarket cooler + I like a little oc'ing headroom if I want it.

This is exactly the kind of advice that I was looking for, thanks so much! I've swapped out my ram for 2x 4gb sticks of ddr3 at 1866Mhz. I did a little bit of reading and read that this was an excellent suggestion on your part, seems like it really benefits from faster ram. I figured getting a bit cheaper monitor could at least help afforded me the apu upgrade that you suggested, I switched to a $129.00 quad core A10 apu instead. This brings up the price of my build a little bit but most of the reviews on the quad core apu a8's said just take the jump to the A10 because the $26 is more than worth it(+45% performance boost). Took a quick peek at those motherboards and I actually ended up going in the other direction, msi mobos were getting trash reviews so I'm going to opt to pay $10 more for the same motherboard from a higher rated manufacturer.

My build went up around ~$70 so I won't be spending anything above this because I've definitely hit my price roof. I haven't calculated in rebates, discounts, discounts for ordering all together, etc so I'm hoping that will bring down my price a bit. Still looking for suggestions though!

 

bump, want this to get exposure so I can hear a few more opinions.

 

The only thing I would suggest is bumping up your power supply so that you can accommodate future upgrades. My last pc had a 750 w psu and it worked like a dream. Just something to consider so you don't have to re buy a power supply.

 

Unfortunately I'm definitely at the roof of what I can afford for him right now. If I were to put anything else into it it'd be a cheap ssd just to boot off of or a little bit more of an hdd. Thanks for looking over my build though, I'm pretty confident that its
close to done.

edit: upgraded to 700W

 

i build pc's for profit so i maybe able to chip in with my two cents here we go:

APU's are great, but what you have to know about them is they are ok now. next year they will suck as gaming is forever evolving always demanding more.
Also it is note worthy that you DO need Fast Ram as its your ram and *apu* that *simulate* a graphics card so faster the ram, better fps.

HOWEVER not many cheap motherboards will allow you to go over 1333mhz you may get lucky and find one supporting 1600 mhz without an overclock in place, straining your apu to increase your ram speed. (you dont want to be doing that with your build)

So with all of that said, APU's are ok and an impressive feat i still recommend to anyone who asks me I want a apu build to seriously consider all of their options. Ask themselves what do they want from their computer.

so i would recomend this:

Remove the disc drive completely from your budget build. want to install windows? use one of the many usb sticks you no doubt have lying around watch a youtube vid your Good to go. (-18)

Check out your local store, i promise you they have an old ps2 keyboard around for $5 i use one, let me tell you its one of the best things for gaming and i wouldnt sell it for $50 (bought it for $7) (-10)

gaming mouses with adjustable dpi are very cheap on ebay so (-10) saved there (using one now, very cool looking and so good on value)

your monitor i recommend second hand too i wont mark a saving on this but if you look on ebay or craigslist you can pick up a monitor for around $50

Not sure what ram your looking at, but you can get 8gb ram on new egg
$55-$60 with a promo code

hope you can use this.

Good luck.

 

Sounds good

Yeah, that's true. My original thought was that I could always throw in a different gpu later...after thinking about it though I suppose I'll just bite the bullet and do it now.

I picked 8gb 1866Mhz DDR3 memory.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519

The motherboard that I had selected before supported 1866Mhz ddr3 but after your comment I changed to real cpu instead of an apu and needed to upgrade to a more expensive mobo. It also supports 1866Mhz ddr3 and should be a little more oc friendly =]

Changed from an APU to a cpu + gpu combo :3

Hmm...he will eventually want it if he wants to install any games from a cd(probably won't happen often but its a possibility). The one I picked out was crappy anyway so I removed it from the build, if he wants to later on I'll add it for him.

I just removed the peripherals from the build in general, I don't want to shell shock my dad when I ask him to help out. I'll get cheap ones that will do the job later.

See above, I removed them for now.

Mhm, I'll check around and see what I can come up with.

8gb 1866Mhz stuff, sounds like the one I found was priced correctly.

Thanks for your advice, I feel a lot better about the build now. Also I upgraded the PSU because the one I had was on the lower end of things.


edit: Now that I've really re-done things I'm looking for more opinions. Do I have too much motherboard right now? I feel like I do but everything cheaper seems to have really terrible reviews :/

 

the 430cx will get the job done bud. just dont expect to be able to overclock anything and i wouldnt recomend running your stress tests as most likely, if your system is at full 100% load your build will eat all the juice it can provide.

That being said, google: Power supply calculator.

its very accurate.

 

my build for your budget, i threw a case in there just so it adds up.

i kept it under $500 easy, also there is mail and rebates so you should be able to afford that monitor.

my build has a better processor, and a better gpu. for less money.
also since you seem to have a bigger budget than $470

it leaves you headway to throw in a six core (make sure the tdp is 95w)
a monitor and all the other stuff you probably thought would not go in budget.

http://gyazo.com/da6806799e4805c94b14f998b1e51754

sorry its not a direct link.

total cost is $470 bucks.

if you go amd go FX all the way.

(the only difference between mobo's is the northbridge which is not that important nowadays)(oh and the features they have too)

 

also worth noting, the stock FX fans are fairly decent. i wouldnt bother with a aftermarket cooler unless you want a minor overclock.

 

It came out to 500W without a second memory card or anything, I think I'll stick with the 700W PSU just to give myself a little bit of headroom.

Let me go through it:

NZXT Case: Think you just put that in there as a price placeholder, I like my case okay though.

HDD: Seems basically like what I have, I'll check on the refurbished end of things when I purchase and see what the best deal is at the time.

Asus mobo: significant savings but the reviews there sketch me out a lot, don't really want it bsod'ing constantly or having issues because I cheaped out :S I downgraded to a $99.99 board just to save a little bit, its still pretty well reviewed though unless you're running a raid configuration.

PSU: 430W just isn't going to be enough, sticking with 700W

RAM: For the same price I already have faster ram, is that a better brand or something?

CPU: Looks like a very good suggestion and well reviewed, I swapped them out and I'm pretty comfortable with that decision.

edit: I actually upgraded to the MD FX-6300 Vishera 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo)and its cheaper...LOL

Aftermarket CPU cooler: I'd atleast like to give myself the option of a light oc, its probably not necessary but I'd like to at least have it/I heard that the stock. I changed out the one that I had picked out for one that's a lot higher rated.

Thanks for the advice, I appreciate your time in reviewing it and the processor suggestion helped a lot. Feel free to check out my updated (again) build!

 

haha awesome bud, end of the day there is no
*ultimate pc*
its user preferred.
i love what you have done with the build, next step?

Buy buy buy!

 

Hell yeah, can't wait to sit down and teach him how to put it together ^^

Thanks again for your advice though, that processor upgrade was something I totally would have missed.