First Time Builder

Hi guys, I'm new to these forums and was directed here by a friend to post my build when I finished picking out parts. The computer I am making is a gaming rig, but something that can handle video rendering for short web videos. I am on a budget though, for now I want a decent rig around $800. So far I have gotten opinions from multiple people saying this is a pretty good build.

here's a link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mTtczy

  • gaming
  • no overclocking
  • $800
  • I do not need a monitor, mouse, or keyboard
  • I don't need an OS

Continuing the discussion from Check here first if you plan to Build a PC:

Go with the 280/X for the GPU, better bang for the buck at the moment, you can pick them up really cheap and save the extra money for a bit and get an SSD

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I was on the fence about an SDD. I decided to leave one out for now and ask for an SDD or get the money for one for christmas. What would you suggest?

Save up and get a badass ssd, nice big one, it will last you multiple builds

I second the choose 280x advice. It will give you better-or-equal performance when compared to 960. Also, that case is one of the ugliest things I have seen.

I personally would suggest adding few $$ and getting Fractal Design's Core 3500 (it should be at $60 range).

The case is just a place holder, I like the blue/white combo. Really all I want is a case with blue in it.

Onto the larger question. I'm looking at some 280Xs now. what brand would you suggest? Would a Sapphire Radeon R9 280 3GB Dual-X Video Card do?
https://pcpartpicker.com/part/sapphire-video-card-100373l

same money better video card and added a ssd...
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/MwXgyc
CPU: Intel Core i5-4590 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($189.95 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($26.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M Anniversary Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($64.89 @ OutletPC)
Memory: Apotop 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($51.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: A-Data Premier Pro SP600 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($53.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: HIS Radeon R9 290 4GB IceQ X² Video Card ($242.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master N200 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: EVGA SuperNOVA NEX 650W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($12.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $793.74

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Sapphire is one of the best brands for AMD video cards. So yeah, that's a good one.Thought I would go with 280X instead of 280.

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Thank you for the suggestion. One question, would I need another fan with this?

it comes with 2 fans but you can add extras if you whant.

Nah, try look around for an old 7970 or 7950 on ebay/craigslist if you want, its the same as the 280x/280. i picked mine up for really really cheap second hand, and it works exactly the same

I was talking with a friend. We had a few questions about this build
- Since its an intel based motherboard, how compatible is a radeon gpu. Would I be better off with a nvidia product?
- Reviews say the memory slots on that model are a bit finnicky. Is this a decent motherboard to get besides that?

Nope, it'll run fine, GPU and CPU combos don't matter in that sense. yeah the motherboard is fine, dont worry about the memory

Nice build.
Heres what I come up with - on budget. i5, 16gb ram (overkill - 8gb would probably suffice to your needs but up to you ~ save some $$$ and go to 8gb), r9 290 gpu, 1tb hdd, good psu (seasonic oem design), itx form factor w/ wifi. Quite the little powerhouse.
If you do the mail-in rebates grab a ssd.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/VKrzdC

A amd video card will work the same with any cpu dosent make any difernce.
As for the mobo it has everything you need i have not seen anyone complaining about bad dim slots memory problems are usually down to the actual sticks themselfs or user error (inseting in to wrong configurations,wrong bios setings or failed overclocking)