New i3 build, tell me if my parts look good! :D

Hello, i just sold my xbox and ps3 and moving to pc! I have around 500-575 dollars to spend. So i'm deciding to use an i3 and buy the i5 4670k/New mobo by summer. I'm going to list the parts and i just want to know if everything looks good to all of you! :)

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UDV3

CPU: Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($114.99 @ Newegg) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-E33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($53.99 @ Mwave)

Memory: A-Data XPG V1.0 8GB (1 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda ES 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.94 @ Amazon)

Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg)

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: NZXT HALE82-N 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $569.88

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 01:29 EST-0500)

If you can afford it, it's best to get a solid motherboard upfront if you intend on upgrading the CPU down the road and overclocking it; it'll save money in the long run. Another thing I'd consider is just starting off with 4GB of RAM, and when you upgrade down the road, you can grab another 4GB stick to enable dual-channel. My system has almost never utilized more than 4GB of memory, and the only time I actually used all 8GB of my memory was from a memory leak in Waterfox.

I'd also opt for the newer generation of the Barracuda - it's much faster than that older generation for pretty much $4 more (sustained transfer rates: 105MB/s vs 210MB/s)

It's about $35 more upfront, but I think it's really worth it. Here is my modified version of your build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UGsr

So i was thinking if i didn't plan on overclocking a build like this could work out well.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UQuE
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UQuE/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UQuE/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($181.98 @ SuperBiiz) 

Motherboard: MSI H81M-P33 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($49.98 @ OutletPC)

Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($60.24 @ Amazon)

Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($169.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: NZXT HALE82-N 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Total: $568.16
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-02-17 13:07 EST-0500)

Well, I'd opt for a GTX 660 over a 7850 - the GTX 660 went toe to toe with the 7870, but 7870 was a bit cheaper, but thanks to the release of the GTX 700 series and price inflation the Radeon cards, the 660 ducks way below the $200 mark. It was on Tom's recommended GPU's for the money under the $200 mark. At $180, I think it's a solid deal

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UVOR

Obligatory AMD option: 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UWyf

This would give you an upgrade path to the 8 core CPUs.  You could then add a bigger PSU and a better GPU as well.

AMD is a great option for overclockers, which is really AMD's niche - value-oriented overclockers. If OP is not overclocking, there is little need to spend so much on a motherboard, and if OP is strictly gaming, there little need for 8-cores. There is also the consideration that there aren't any good options for smaller form factors with AMD's AM3+ socket, so if the OP wants an mATX form factor, Intel has much stronger motherboard lineup as AMD's lineup is littered with re-badged AM3 motherboards that weren't designed for FX series CPU's; I've had my fair share of issues with Gigabyte's GA-78LMT-USB3 paired with an FX-6300, which is probably the best mATX option AMD has. Last, but not least, you're over-budget by a significant margin, while sacrificing PSU (an expensive and very annoying upgrade), which would cost even more down the road.

If there is to be a gaming oriented AMD build at this price range, it would have to be on the FM2+ platform. While these may not be as powerful CPU-wise, the affordability of the platform would free up a lot budget for a better GPU, which would balance out gaming performance. Here is what I'd go with, if I were to recommend an AMD option:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2UXXu

It allows an upgrade to path to Kaveri/Steamroller, if/when they release a more value-oriented CPU option, such as an Athlon, or maybe a cheaper A8.

The new R7 265 actually BEATS the 650 ti Boost and matches the 660 in a lot of games.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/7754/the-amd-radeon-r7-265-r7-260-review-feat-sapphire-asus

Pricing remains to be seen but reviews of the 265 are quite positive, seeing it slot into the 7850 spot in performance/cost. 

 

While I agree that Intel has better options for mATX and mITX motherboards, OP never said anything about doing a microATX build.  Also, the build I posted is within the stated 500 - 575 budget if you include mail in rebates.  

Furthermore, with more and more games being optimized for multiple cores, the FX 6300 is arguably more future proof than a dual core i3, even if it does use a newer socket.

On top of that, you use the argument that there's no need to spend so much on a motherboard when you're not overclocking, then immediately include a $100+ Z87 chipset motherboard, which is commonly used for overclocking.  

If there are no plans for overclocking, an H81, B85, or H87 chipset motherboard would be fine, and the savings could be used towards a more powerful GPU or a bigger PSU.

what? did you just say 8 core amd is basically a bad idea? Even though its a goo improvement over the 6300? WHAT? And his build is perfectly in budget you nimrod, its under the posters original build price. Going FM2+ is idiotic when you can get double the cores on fx, FM2+ is limited to 4 cores, fx has 8 so just stfu. Kaveri is not as powerfull as the similarly priced 8350/8320. Those are 8 cores to quad cores. And steamroller is coming to AM4, not either AM3+ or FM2+. There are the quad core FM2+ steamrollers, but 8 threads is becoming the standard so just shut up.

Well, i'll give you guys this to help you out. The game i mainly play is WoW. I also play BF4, Cod:Ghosts, Ac: Black Flag, And will be playing newer fps' as well (when they come out). But as WoW is an ancient game i've heard it does favor stronger core to core performance and only uses two cores. Although my main game of choice will probably change because of new games always coming out, i just want something reliable that will be able to play most games i desire to play. Also, coming from a console/laptop area this pc will probably blow me away!

WoW is also not very hardware intensive being how old? Anyways the Fx-6300 build was the best build over all.  

I wouldn't say that. In 25 hc raids keeping a steady 60+ fps with addons running is a pretty big challenge for any pc. But that will be fixed with the number shrink in WoD.

But for most games, I'll agree that the FX-6300 is much, much better than an i3.

That may be true but you've checked above we've figured out how to fit an i5/gtx 660 in to my budget! :)

I think i'm pretty contempt with all of the answers and will be sticking with the i5 build. I won't be purchasing the parts for a week or two and if i happen to run into some extra cash i'll let you guys know!

I'd argue that the Core 1000 case implies mATX build, but you're right, OP never stated he was married to the form factor.

I also agree that it is more future proof; between the next gen consoles using 8 low power cores, and the fact Intel tends to kill sockets every other generation, it would be naive to say it isn't future proof. But today, and the foreseeable future, games still very much like stronger per-core performance as oppose many slower cores, and I suspect this won't change as long as Intel retains their dominant presence. However, if future proofing is a goal, the FM2+ platform is more so than the FX-6300 because of the true HSA architecture Kaveri offers, and that AMD is really pushing.

Again, I refer to OP's original build where he expressed planning to upgrade to a K series Core i5, which implies overclocking; hence I recommend the Z87, so the upgrade would be cheaper down the road. Otherwise, the MSI E33 isn't a bad board for the price, as I kept on my revised Core i3 build

Given that reply, I think your username suites you very well. ;)

But, seriously, when did I say the FX was bad ? I said it's better suited for the value-oriented overclocker, but also performs well in productivity. Logan and Pistol praise it because that's what they do in addition to games. If you're just gaming and don't care about overclocking and aren't editing video, the FX isn't the best choice. Intel is still pretty dominant in the gaming world, especially in games that can't properly utilize more than 4 cores, which quite frankly, is the bulk of them.

When I looked at the build, it was $660. That's over-budget, but it could have been changed. Prices do fluctuate. Also, I tend to discount MIR, as they aren't 100%, a company isn't obligated to fulfill it, it isn't always a check, and it doesn't help if you have a firm budget, as you still have to fork over the $660 up front.

AMD has no plans to release Steamroller on the AM3+ socket and there isn't any news I've heard of for AM4; it's FM2+ exclusive (for now as Kaveri). Same goes for the successor to Steamroller. Bulldozer proved that more cores aren't always better, and the APU's have a different philosophy for computing, focusing on utilizing the the on-die graphics for GPGPU computing. An example of this would be using the iGPU for physics calculations, while a discrete GPU focuses on graphics, and the CPU does other things. Futhermore, Steamroller has noticeable jump in IPC, making it quicker clock for clock compared to Piledriver. All of this is what AMD had in mind when they released Llano and Bulldozer. Also, it's fairly futile at this point for AMD to waste their limited resources trying to compete with the Goliath that is Intel in the high-end market. AMD is going for the much larger mainstream and mobile markets, which quite honestly, is the smart thing for them to do in their situation, so I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if AMD never releases Steamroller as an FX CPU, but I could be wrong. I don't pay much attention to rumors.

 

Hello wonderful people of the world of tech awesomeness! Somehow i predicted that i was going to get a little bit of extra cash. And i was right. My new budget is around $650. These are the parts i've chosen so far. http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2WrYr

I more or less like it. The only thing I would change is opting for an EVGA ACX version of the 760. Should be $250, which isn't too much of a premium. I have that card in my rig right now (SuperClocked though), and I love it. Without touching offsets, and pushing the power limit to the max (115%), my card is on a near constant boost state of 1203MHz, and that's with a temperature limit of 75c. If I allowed the card to go warmer, it would probably be in constant boost.

If you like that motherboard, I'd opt for a mATX case - not much point in paying extra for extra space you aren't going to use. The Fractal you had picked out before is a solid option. I would make a suggestion on mATX cases, but I'm on my phone and afraid PCPartPicker will bug out Firefox.

So, I got home, and got an updated build:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2Wy9Q

Things I changed:

  • Mobo to MSI P33 V2 - offers front panel USB 3, extra PCI-e x1, and a handful of other nifties for practically no extra premium
  • Changed RAM to G.Skill Sniper - About $10 cheaper, unless you live next to a MicroCenter
  • Changed GPU to EVGA GTX 760 ACX SC - $250, and that $13 premium gets you a sexy looking card, a very capable and quiet ACX cooler, and much higher stock clocks, being that it is a SuperClocked version. Not to mention you are gauranteed higher boost clocks than stated thanks to the ACX cooler.
  • Changed case to CM N200 - two fans, mATX, very well vented, $10 cheaper, looks nice.
  • Changed PSU to 430w EVGA - still 80+ (not bronze though), $20 cheaper, only loss of 4 amps (34 amps vs 38 amps) on 12v rail (which powers most components) compared to 550w, which essientially means it supplies ~48w less power max compared to the 550w (and think that rating is slightly inflated)

Hope you like. Shuffled retailers around to avoid unnecessary shipping costs and what not, so the end result is better components (imho) and a net savings of $16 exactly. :)

Would there be any way to get a storage drive in there. =/ Forgot about it. Its not as though i don't have an extra drive, its just that it happens to be an old 150gb HDD (7200 rpm), So, until i got more cash i'd be pretty squeezed on storage space.