Will this be good enough for gaming at 720p?/1280x1024?

Hardware Build a PC
1

I have put together a computer on PcPartMaker.com

It runs on an AMD A10 APU 5800k, has 8 GB of 1600 MHz Ram, and Has a 120 GB SSD.

Take a look! :D

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1238v 

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1238v/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/1238v/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($143.40 @ NCIX US)  

Motherboard: Asus F2A55-M LE Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($0.00 @ NCIX US)


Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ NCIX US)


Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Microcenter)


Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.75 @ Newegg)


Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)


Total: $380.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-02 02:32 EDT-0400)

 

I hope to play Crysis 2, BF3, and Ghost Recon: Future Soldier.

I couldn't give less of a crap about details, so the game doesn't have to look good at all :)

 

My budget is $400, because I cannot go above that for a computer.

I also use this for work/classes, so it should be fast enough for that sort of thing too.

Last but not least, I'm an avid musician, so it should be fast enough for music software (composing)

 

So any thoughts?

See any bottlenecks/things you think i can improve in the same price-range?

I live in the US, so $400 is a lot for me :)

 

Cooling doesn't matter, as I'm not overclocking so the stock coolers should work fine (I hope). I may add fans into the case though, so that is a factor.

For space, I have 2 160 GB 7200 RPM HDDs, so that will be my bulk storage drive. I think 320 HDD + 120 SSD is good for a budget build.

I have a cheap keyboard and mouse already, and my monitor is an 18" 1280x1024 Native Resolution monitor. 720p is too small for the screen, so i need one that will fit the screen wholly.

Windows 7 Ultimate x64 - Covered

The SSD needs to stay, so that cannot change. If you find a cheaper one let me know ;) It should be 120 GB though, as I need a lot of space for everything.

 

2

Get some higher clocked ram for that APU.

3

Give this a look-->http://pcpartpicker.com/user/GhostMistSniper/saved/1GEZ

If you can pay $53 over $400 get a 256gb ssd over the 120g--->

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/GhostMistSniper/saved/1GEY

And btw yes you can play any game with its at 720p low to mid settings just fine.

4

I only can recommend the A10 5800K for very good price/performance gaming. I built one for my mother/family and it's really good for integrated graphics.

To be clear: do not expect to run pretty much anything to run beyond 720p mid settings at more than 30-40 fps. But if you say details don't matter for you totally go for it.

One thing to care about is (as mentioned before) to get fast memory for that guy (since there is no graphics memory because there is no graphics card). I went with 8GB 2133GHz GEIL Evo for 45€ but since your motherboard (and the one suggested by ShawnHoag) only supports 1866, go for that. /edit: just noticed Shawn's actually supports 2133 but 1866 should be fine - esp considering you wanna go budget.

For the motherboard, keep in mind that those two do not have USB 3.0 - neither on the backpanel nor onboard. Not that important and only useful if you have a decent USB 3.0 stick, afaik there is nothing else that benefits from 3.0 - just FYI if you need it.

5

but the mobo comes free with the CPU :3

6

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12cjz

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12cjz/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12cjz/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($143.40 @ NCIX US)

Motherboard: Asus F2A55-M LE Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($0.00 @ NCIX US) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($62.10 @ Newegg)

Storage: Kingston SSDNow V300 Series 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Microcenter)

Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.75 @ Newegg)

Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $387.22

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-02 14:04 EDT-0400)

7

Will that build be better?

I upgraded the memory.

8

do you live near a micro center?

 

9

You can also, you know, NOT GET AN SSD. You said you already had storage, so just use that drive and get some better stuff or save yourself 85 dollars...

10

You could also, if you don't get the SSD, get the Antec Three Hundred Illusion. It's 65 dollars, but keep in mind you get 4 FANS included. (and on top of that, they have blue LEDs) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

11

if so look at there amd motherboard bundles and get a fx 4 core and a free motherboard and also get a hd 7770 and all the other things you put in you build list it will cost about $50 more but the performace will be much higher

12

What about this?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/shadwblade2652/saved/1H2h

 

Which of these two builds will be better?

http://pcpartpicker.com/user/shadwblade2652/saved/1Fmz

13

I'm not going to drive 6 hours to save $40 when i spend $200 in gas :P

No, the nearest microcenter is very far and i have to shop online.

14

This is what I'd look at for your budget (assuming it's less than $400):

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pbF) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pbF/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pbF/benchmarks/)

  • CPU | [AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor] $84.99 @ Amazon 
  • Motherboard | [MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard] $59.99 @ Newegg 
  • Memory | [G.Skill 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory] $37.99 @ Newegg 
  • Video Card | [MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card] $79.99 @ Newegg 
  • Case | [Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case] $49.99 @ Newegg 
  • Power Supply | [Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply] $29.99 @ Newegg 
  • Total $342.94
15

400 is the max, but the lower the better.

If i get that, i won't have headroom for upgrading though.

Will the Phenom II X4 last me the next 3 - 4 years gaming wise?

And will the 7770 last me that long also?

(I just want to be able to play the latest and greatest games.

16

[PCPartPicker part list](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pvl) / [Price breakdown by merchant](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pvl/by_merchant/) / [Benchmarks](http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pvl/benchmarks/)

  • CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.98 @ Outlet PC) 
  • Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($79.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
  • Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $370.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-03 00:26 EDT-0400)

Eh?

Will this be good?

Im worried about upgradeability for the processor. Isn't AM3 Done? The FX chips being the last AM3(+) Processors? 

17

Okay,

Here are the three builds im considering. Each has its own strong point, but they are all $350 - $400. That is my max budget.

Build 1:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pNI

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pNI/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pNI/benchmarks/

  • CPU: AMD A10-5800K 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($143.40 @ NCIX US) 
  • Motherboard: Asus F2A55-M LE Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($0.00 @ NCIX US) 
  • Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ NCIX US) 
  • Video Card: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6670 2GB Video Card ($69.99 @ Amazon) 
  • Case: Thermaltake Commander MS/I Snow Edition (White/Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($36.75 @ Newegg) 
  • Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $365.11
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-03 00:39 EDT-0400)

Build 2:

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12oHZ

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12oHZ/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12oHZ/benchmarks/

  • CPU: Intel Core i3-2100 3.1GHz Dual-Core Processor ($119.17 @ Amazon) 
  • Motherboard: ASRock H61M-DGS Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($44.99 @ Amazon) 
  • Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($79.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
  • Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $389.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-03 00:42 EDT-0400)

Build 3:

 

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pRk

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pRk/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12pRk/benchmarks/

  • CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($84.98 @ Outlet PC) 
  • Motherboard: MSI 970A-G43 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($50.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($79.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
  • Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Total: $375.93

(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-03 00:43 EDT-0400)


Which one of these 3 builds will be best?

I have some criteria:

1. Should be upgradeable to more recent hardware (or at least decent hardware upgradeability) (The i3 build is exempt because i may get an i5 later or an i7, and those are good compared to the new haswell CPUs)

2. Shouldn't overheat - Should have good airflow/coolers

3. Should last me 3 - 4 years (Getting a laptop for college in 4 years)

4. Should play games fairly well (30+ FPS in all recent titles, and should be playable at 1280x1024 at low/medium details settings)

5. Shouldn't break the bank

6. Should be fast for schoolwork/business work as well

Which build will meet these criteria? (If not all, which build will meet most, and which ones will it meet?)

 

Thanks :)

18

Build 3 is the better one of the three builds. My build above has:

  • A better Case (supports front USB 3.0 ports x 2, built well, and comes w/2 x 120 mm fans).
  • Fast enough RAM at stock voltage (1.5v).
  • PSU is 500w and will last longer and allow more upgrade path than the 430w CX that you have listed. The Corsair CX 430w PSU is good, so it'll do fine, but for the same $ the 500w PSU makes more sense,
19

but i want to have a modular psu so Cable Management isn't an issue.

20

What about this? I think this would be faster than the i3 2100 Build, and is about the same price.

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12qWC

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12qWC/by_merchant/

Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/12qWC/benchmarks/

  • CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($109.99 @ Amazon) 
  • Motherboard: MSI B75MA-E33 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.98 @ Outlet PC) 
  • Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($79.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Case: BitFenix Merc Beta (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.99 @ NCIX US) 
  • Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ Newegg) 

Total: $399.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-06-03 02:06 EDT-0400)