Mid-range AMD Build: Design and Gaming

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1

Hey all, just wanting a look-see at a build I've been playing around with to get the best initial value out of it for use with mainly gaming and some mild to moderate design work.

This is the build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Bc7r

These are the games I wish to be able to play at atleast 30+ frames per second for a smooth play experience:

The Witcher 2, Natural Selection II, Planetside 2, Star Conflict, Bioshock Infinite, and a slew of other games that currently work on my gaming laptop, but struggle with frame drops dew to overheating and a low-end CPU.

Note: I won't be gaming in anything beyond 1440x900 due to my monitor, so I'm not worried about getting the performance from HD resolutions beyond 720P.

These are the design applications I'll be using:

SketchUp 8, Unity, Blender 3D, Photoshop CS5, Premiere Elements 10, and Audacity

Note: I'm initially just working within SketchUp 8 learning and practicing. I plan to push that work into Unity and Blender eventually, but not anytime really soon. I also don't run multiple design apps at the same time, so I'm not worried about that either. Given all these programs run fair on my gaming laptop (Gateway FX-Series p-7805u), I'm sure they'll be better suited on this rig to a certain extent.

I'm really trying to keep this build around $700 dollars, and with my starting pieces I feel it's a good point to begin with. It even has room for some nice upgrades later. However, I would really enjoy the communities feedback on it, within financial reason of course. Thanks, all. :)

Shawn

2

buy a cheaper mobo and get a 7870 or a 660

3

Is there one that supports essentially the same features as the Sabertooth for less that will let me get the better video card?

4

you should spend $30 more, and get a GTX 660 or a 7780. that mobo might be a little much for a "moderate" build, maybe something a little cheaper, but still a good value.

card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127706

or gigabyte 660 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125443

mobo:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157281

great board for the price, not a sabertooth, but still great, im not into just one brand, although my last build was all MSI because it was on sale LOL

you even with these parts, you would still spend around the same amount, and have a WAY better GFX card

5

also, i have a twin frozr MSI card, 660 Ti, cant even tell its on... its so quiet, the gigabyte 660 i listed is OC'd pretty well from factory, something to consider if you're not going to be messing around with the card settings.

6

Yes, these seems to be the consesus on my build - Better video card! haha. So, I'll add in a 660 then, cause I'm a sucker for PhysX, and I dropped the mobo to a Gigabyte 990FXA UD3. The build is now nearly $25 less then my original build. Nice! Thanks for the pointers, and if you see anything else in it you would change per the budget of $700, please let me know!

New build: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BgpW

7

im glad you did the 660. evga is great, only issue with referance cards is that they get really hot. i had the evga for two days, playing games it got to like 75*C. when i switched to the MSI 660, the dual fans help it run at 30*C at idle and 55*C. asus,msi and gigabyte make the best cards with aftermarket cooling. just saying

8

I updated it with the Gigabyte 660 based on the overview from the Newegg.com video plus your recommendation on it. It sounds like it will be a winner of a card for a -mid-grade build. And I'm still under $700 with rebates at this point. Now, if those prices could just stay that way, or lower by the time I get money for this stuff. :-P

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BjUu

9

Eh.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BkbN

Galaxy cards look like ass but there's nothing wrong with'm. I wouldn't go that cheap on a PSU and it couldn't hurt spending 15$ more for a case that supports usb 3.

 

10

Well, I took the PSU thoughts into consideration as well as the memory, galaxy card, and case recommendation, and I was still able to bring it just under $700.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BshQ

Continue to let me know if there is something else that will work for my needs but within my budget! Thanks again, all!

11

i have a better rig for you take a look at this build and its well under budget just add what you need and enjoy

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BDAU 

Dont worry about the USB 3.0 if im not mistaken it comes with a back panel bracket with a couple of ports on it the mobo does

Btw sign up for Shop Runner and get free 2 day shipping on most of that from Newegg the case is cheapest at Amazon tho

12

Thanks for you input! I was trying to stick with an nVidia GPU since I'm a sucker for PhysX. As for everything else, it looks pretty good and definitely within budget! I will definitely be looking into your part choices though to make sure they all fit my needs! :-)

Also, I noticed Shop Runner is only free for 30 days. So what I will do is sign up for it when I have the money to buy the build, which should be in March, if not sooner if my luck keeps going well. That way I can cancel it before the 30 days, and after I use it, so that I'm not charged for the service. Hopefully.

Once again, I appreciate everyone's feedback on this build! It's quickly turning into a community built rig! :-D

13

lol for phys-x check this out

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/385095-33-physx#t2893520 and

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/nvidia-physx-hack-amd-radeon,2764.html

 

also you can sign up for shop runner at anytime that trial is always available. the 7870 out performs the GTX 660 and is only a few FPS slower then the GTX 660 ti plus logan has one lol :D

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http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BLDA

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Well i revamped my build in light of a better graphics card for only $10 more chea 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/BOZl

enjoy

here is the review about the card now if only we can get logan to do REAL Benchmarks

http://www.kitguru.net/components/graphic-cards/zardon/sapphire-hd7870-w-boost-tahiti-le-review/

16

Sorry, Akira, but an SSD is going to be out of the question for now. I do plan to get one down the road, however. I need atleast a 500GB HD along with my 250GB external flash drive (for finished projects). Otherwise, a good build, sir!

17

This build is fairly nice, dex! I'll have to consider something like this. And for just 10 dollars more (in addition to the 500GB HD and optical drive) for 8gb memory, it would only put me at $714. It isn't terribly far over my budget, however, I only question the PSU at just 430W. I know the build says its only going to be using 384w, but should I consider atleast a 450 or 500w PSU instead? Incase any sort of OC is done on the rig? 

18

you can up the power supply i just found the best even with overclocking you shouldnt go over 450 but i would recommend a 500 i was looking for a better one i have a budget of 650 but i dont need a HDD and screw optical you dont need it i posted a tut on how to put windows 7/8 on a usb stick so all you need is a another windows machine cmd prompt access and and iso let me link you :D

http://teksyndicate.com/forum/build-pc/500-pc-w-os-bf3/131797

look for my long post save that 20 for the higher power psu

19

I looked up a guide on doing the USB install of Windows 7 - seems legit (being serious, lol). But, I am wondering; is there a way to partitiion a USB drive? With my 250GB drive, if I am capable, I would love to have 4gb or so for Windows 7, and the rest be capable of saving my backup files. If not, I'm sure I could find a 4gb+ USB drive for cheap.

20

I actually like the design of Galaxy cards.