Good Gaming Computer, Found Parts... Recommendations/Changes?

This is my Ideal Gaming Rig, I need to be reasonably priced but still play the new games smoothly. I just happened to find this parts from another thread and kind of pieced what I want together.

 

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor - 89.99

ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX  AM3+ Motherboard - 74.99

Crucial Ballistix sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory - 34.99

Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive - 64.99

EVGA GeForce GTX 660 3GB Video Card - 259.99

Apevia X-Master Black/Red HTPC Case w/500W Power Supply - 69.99 w/ power supply

Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply  - (Combo)

Total: 644.93 - $60 Mail-in Rebate

 

I looked at the video card and it should be fine playing newer games on ultra or high which is ideal. I don't mind going higher in price but it cant surpass about 650.

This is it altogether.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x0Ay

 

Each part I looked at for performance and whatnot, however, I prefer the opinion of people such as yourself whom know more than me.

The one thing that is going to be holding you back is that CPU, if I were you I would just save up for a little longer and buy an FX 6300.

This is my advice, you don't have to take notice of it but you wont be playing most modern games on Ultra / High with that CPU.

So the FX 6300 is more powerful than the Phenom II?

Is it compatible with my motherboard?

yes it is more powerful and yes it will work with that mobo but id go with a Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard and a 7870 ghz

Yes the FX6300 is more powerful, but to claim that a Phenom II is not going to play modern games on Ultra/High settings is incorrect. My 1100T does more then well in every game on Ultra, your graphics card will limit you far earlier then a 965 will.

The FX6300 would work on that motherboard after you updated the BIOS, which honestly it is far easier just to get a better motherboard and cut the headaches out.

For the price you are paying for that GTX660, a HD7950 is only $15 more and would do far better. Even a HD7870 would beat the GTX660 and cost you far less as well so it is worth a consideration.

I would never recomend a CX series power supply, but since you are getting a combo deal with it what can i say.

Why wouldn't you reccommend the CX series? Is there something in particular wrong with it? What power supply would you recommend?

 

 Also would the Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 ATX AM3+ mobo work with The HD7950?

 

 

 

Does anyone have a link to the HD7950? I'm only getting them 395. My video card was 239.

Here is a 7950 on Newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131478 It is $275, your GTX660 was $239? In that case get a HD7870, it should be in the low 200's and it performs better in gaming as well as saving you money.

The reason i do not recomend the CX series PSU's is i have had multiple CX series coil whine like stuck pigs. Check out the reviews on Newegg for more of the same coil whine issues that they bring(V2's included). XFX makes solid PSU's with much Amps and more warranty for equal prices.

Yes that mobo will work with the HD7950 or any card, you have to understand that folks are having issues with the FX based processors working on that board. Check out the reviews to see their issues, it might be something worth considering.

I'm trying to balance it out bewteen best buy and other stores. The reason is because I have a credit card; I don't mind spending as long as it's worth the cost. I'm trying to have a strong computer but can't spend too much.

 

Thank you for helping, I'll post result, I'm thinking 7950 with the gigabyte. I found RAM and a HD on bestbuy so I'm not too worried about that.

 

I'm mostly worried about the CPU, mobo and graphics and where I can get them.

I found this little guy while looking for the 7950. This one is different from the one you pointed out.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x5n8

 

This is the bones of it. I have the same CPU, RAM and HD on bestbuy so don't get too confused.

 

Does this look good?

What is your budget or your system? I recomend this PSU instead, it has a 5 year warranty, plenty of amps for your HD7950 :http://pcpartpicker.com/part/xfx-power-supply-p1550sxxb9

That case comes with a 500watt generic PSU, try to find the same case without the psu included and save some money that way. You wrote you already have the CPU ram and HDD right? What are their specs?

EDIT: That HD7950 you chose is fine.

AMD - FX - 8150 3.60 GHz Processor - Socket AM3+

WD 1 TB Internal Hard Drive

Corsair XMS3 2 -pack 4GB DDR3 DIMM

 

My budget is lower than 650 on pcpartbuilder but the bestbuy cannot go much higher than that.

You already have those? Heck then sir that first motherboard will do the job(asrock Extreme 3) just fine with the FX8150.

Here i adjusted your list just a bit: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x5Cy

Case, GPU and mobo are all the same just the PSU is different. Under $500, with the 8150 the HD7950 will do gaming very very well. Heck the 7950 overclocks very well also, if you want so save some money we can switch to a HD7870 and OC the heck out of it.

This is the build that I've followed. It's this plus the best buy items.

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x5uJ

 

Do you think this is a solid final build?

Yes definitely solid in my opinion, the HD7950 will do very well in gaming. Are you coming from console or a regular pc? If so, you will love the difference!

EDIT: Both lists look good and the same, here is the HD7950 in a bunch of different games at various resolutions: http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550

I don't mind spending some more on the graphics card if it will make a difference.

EDIT: new list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/x5HS

Well, I;m coming from both. My laptop was relatively weak and I'm going into 3D Engineering Design and my laptop wasn't cutting it. It also was slow on games and I don;t like the uncustomiability with a laptop. I also play alot of console, this will probably be my most proud build. With the help from mostly you and the few others.

I do not know what the requirements for 3D engineering design programs are, for gaming this is a solid build that will do well but for anything like you mentioned i do not know. Maybe someone can give their two cents if Nvidia card would give you more benefit in that type of program vs the AMD card.

I looked into the software and they both don't have problems but I think this should work. Honestly, I think the 3gb card should work. I don't know how much stronger you can get with the motherboard's compatibility.