Ok then, I think I'll get the 7850 and just OC it on my own or get a pre-OC'd one. Also, I might get the ASUS/MSI mobo instead since it seems the free one doesn't support 1333Mhz RAM unless I OC it, and I plan to upgrade to 1600 Mhz RAM later on.
So, absolutely (almost?) final build! I might even buy some of the parts off of Newegg today!
GPU: Gigabyte/Sapphire HD7850 1GB $175 @Newegg -will OC this myself-
CPU: FX6300 $130 @ MC (bundle)
HSF: Hyper 212 $30 (or, might use my current CPU cooler, since I think it might already be a Hyper 212) @ Newegg
MOBO: ASUS M5A78L-M $15 @ MC (bundle)
PSU: CX500W $50
RAM: -will upgrade later to 2x4GB 1600Mhz DDR3-
HDD: 2TB Seagate 5400RPM
Case: **Diablo EVO ATX Mid-Tower $40
Optical Drive: Taken care of
OS: Taken care of
So, I like this case because it comes with 4x 120mm fans, and the PSU is at the bottom, and it seems like it has really good airflow. The problem is, it's out of stock if I go to pick it up, but if I get it shipped, it's an extra $20, which I could spend on RAM instead. So, can someone help me pick up something similar or find someone selling this case? Budget $50 for case, maybe $60.
Great eye on the ram speed issue with the mobo i completely missed that, my apologies for recomending that to you. You can wait about a week or two and see if Microcenter restocks that case, it is easier to wait and it can save you the money for the ram.
The list looks good so far, i am sure other folks will double and tripple check it and maybe recomend improvements as well.
Definitely get a CPU cooler; stock fans are terrible. Depending on how much you have to spend, a Cooler Master RR would work (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103176). If you have enough money, get the Phanteks PH-TC14PE (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835709001). It is the very best air cooler out there, save the Cooler Master V10. The Phanteks PH-TC14PE keeps my i7 3770k at 25 degrees C idle, and 35 degrees after 4 hours of gaming. However, given the cost of the rest of you build, these might be too expensive for you. But, they are worth it, in my opinion.
I was just pissed off by the same reccomandations for any budget and showing better alternatives, for the money of course. The 212 evo is good of course, but remember, there are others.
Or any quality brand fast memory. 8GB is not actually the norm, 4gb is, it's just that most gamers use x64 OSes and alt tab a lot, while playing a game, running other programs, also future-proofing.
AMD likes fast memory and lower timings, and this amazing for the price. You could get the 7850 but in newer games, you'd have an extra assurance. Plus the bandwidth is quite a little bigger due to more texture units and stream processors and higher clock speeds means more OC headroom, not that you will need to, so if you're building this mostly for gaming and video tasks, I would definitely consider a better GPU over everything else.
Ouch, just found out today that going to Microcenter is not an option; I live too far away (~100 mi.) to make the money saved negligible. No worries, still probably getting the same parts, though my uncle might sell me his different model CPU/MOBO for a hell-a cheap price. I'll update when he tells me what it is, because he's unsure what model it is. Oh, and I MIGHT get the HD7870 if my uncle sells his parts to me, and I save enough money after tax/shipping/rebates.
Question about the RAM: the description says "1600 (O.C.)"; apparently there's a chance I have to mess around w/ things to get the 1600 RAM to work?
Yes, the ASUS board you have on the list supports 1333, which means it will set the ram to that with no modifications. You will have to play with the ram to get it to the 1600/1800 speed but do not worry about that. It is not really that complicated of an issue, just make sure you get the ram that is tested at those speeds. For example, you want 1600, you buy ram at that speed , then you go into the BIOS and adjust it to match.
What motherboard and cpu does he have? Is it from a fairly old system?