The Hardest Decision

Hardware Hub Build a PC
1

So you guys were helping a couple weeks ago with a build and since then I have increased my budget to $800 and so I have have come to a crossroads and need to decide between two builds. Its so hard. The games I will be playing are LoL, Guild Wars 2, Skyrim w/ Mods, The Witcher Series, Bioshock, Tomb Raider, and next gen titles that are releasing this year. So which build will be better for me to play these games at 1080p on Ultra at playable frame rates (45+). I would also like to record some game play, though idk how much of that I will do. Thanks for all of the help!! Here are the builds:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34Om9
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34Om9/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34Om9/benchmarks/

CPU: Intel Core i5-4570 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)

Motherboard: MSI B85M-G43 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($73.24 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($269.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($10.00)

Total: $787.17
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-07 00:50 EST-0500)

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34OoN
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34OoN/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/34OoN/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon)

Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($79.99 @ Amazon)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.99 @ NCIX US)

Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card ($319.99 @ NCIX US)

Case: NZXT Source 210 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($45.98 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair CX 600W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($79.99 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Pro (OEM) (64-bit) ($10.00)

Total: $783.92
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-03-07 00:51 EST-0500)

2

soo none of your links are working, may just be me. But on the parts you list, i would go with the 6300 build.

3

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/35zma

I swapped out the motherboard for a better one, added a coolermaster 212 evo. You can overclock the hell out of this CPU, and combined with a GTX770 it will perform really well. If you find yourself overbudget, just get windows from "somewhere" :P

4

Ya, I know I need a 212 Evo if I want to overclock, think I might get that for Christmas or something. Also, why is that motherboard so much better than the current one. Doesn't look much better based on the specs of both boards. Also, I can get Windows and Office from my school for $10 so I got that covered. 

5

I don't know why the links aren't working :(

6

New Links!!!

Intel - http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ttmars22/saved/3LbR

AMD - http://pcpartpicker.com/user/ttmars22/saved/3LoK

7

If would go with the 6300 build, the better graphics card benefits your more than the i5 for gaming.Also i would recommend nvidia shadow play to record game play.

8

Well, it's difficult to compare cross platforms, but here's a general gist.  I think he's comparing your AMD build with his.

Your motherboard has a cheap 4+1 power phase design.  It tries to advertise "125w CPU support" because MSI just slapped a larger heatsink(compared to the G43) onto it.  The one he picked has a 6+2 digital power phase design.  Your motherboard can't really handle an 8 core AMD, so it pretty much does not allow you to go higher than 6 cores.  The 6+2 power phase design will be able to support power hungry 8 core CPUs, and allow some overclocking.  The digital nature of them will also allow you to be more precise in your overclocks.

 The Asus M5A99X Evo has a 99fx chipset, which is a higher chipset than the 970 that is on the MSI 970A-G46.  The 99fx chipset natively has more PCIe lanes, which usually means more slots for expand-ability.

9

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/35C9G

Lowering the price, while maintaining quality parts.

Better motherboard than the G46.  Will support 8 core CPUs nicely.

Hyper 212 Plus performs pretty much the same and has no mail in rebate.

Cheaper RAM, but still good.  I use them in my own rig.

Source 210 black is cheaper after a mir, and is the same cost up front as the white one.

If you want to go SLI, you'll need around 750w.  I went for a lower wattage and slightly cheaper power supply as I find 600w too little for SLI and the extra 10 bucks you paid for it won't be of much usage anywhere.

10

mostly +1, just not a big fan of the case

11

What case would you recommend? I would really like to get a Fractal Define R4 but that is a bit expensive.

12

my go-to cheap case is the BitFenix Comrade at $49

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/bitfenix-case-bfccom100kkxs1rp

sexy, well-built, USB 3.0 ports... pretty much everything you need on a budget build

13

How is the longevity of the FX-6300? I don't want to be replacing it because of overheating problems. Will the aftermarket cooler, fix those problems completely?

14

AMD's stock coolers are coasters... at least get a Hyper 212 EVO... that's the cheap fix... if you want something better you can look into Enermax, Noctua, and Phanteks... if you want something better than that, you'll be looking at watercooling.... better than THAT you straight up can't afford :P

I think air overclocks fine, and there's no point in buying that processor if you're not going to overclock it... I got a very stable 4.3 GHz overclock on the one I use at work without really messing with voltage on a Hyper 212 EVO... max temps about 48C...

It's not going to overheat if you don't tell it to do something that makes it overheat... and in that case it'll just BSOD and you can fix it in BIOS... it's a good little budget processor