So I wanted to build a small form factor for my second PC, so I started to build it with PC Part Picker. I wanted some GPU at least R9 280 or 285 or more. Below is a link to my virtual build.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/ZNwKMp
Tell me what you guys think and suggest. Is the CPU too weak or is the GPU too big for the case? Anything helps.
Mini ITX or Micro ATX? The thread title and your parts list don't match.
Is your budget $500? What you have listed is hurting in the CPU department. It might work, but I think AMD is a better route because they have more powerful CPUs in this price point.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cZy3Bm
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mtZvYJ
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/mtZvYJ/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD A10-7850K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($144.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A78M-ITX+ Mini ITX FM2+ Motherboard ($87.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Beast 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($81.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital BLACK SERIES 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.86 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon R7 250X 1GB Video Card ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec ISK600 Mini ITX Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.79
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-21 06:45 EST-0500
Or a modified version of the OP build
PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rZpMD3
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rZpMD3/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($83.46 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($25.49 @ Amazon)
Video Card: XFX Radeon R9 285 2GB Double Dissipation Video Card ($179.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: Fractal Design Core 1100 MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair CSM 450W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224DB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($15.58 @ NCIX US)
Total: $494.47
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-01-21 06:49 EST-0500
I thought about using AM3+ processors if I weren't going towards the Intel i3 ' s or i5 ' s. Should I go for the fx6300?
Also I'd like to have a case that's either mini or micro itx. Can't really decide which of the two though.
There are no good AM3+ motherboards in the mATX or mITX form factors. So rule it out.
You need to either go FM2 or Intel. However, Intel will be way more expensive and push it out of your budget. The GPU is more important always so FM2 with an 860k and a decent GPU will be fine. Don' look at the APUS. They are more money and slower.
Ok sounds good, thanks for the help guys!