$500 Custom PC Build

[crafteroftemines]

As I have gotten a job, I have been looking at buying potentially a gift for my upcoming birthday, but am limited to about 500 smackaroos before getting into shaky ground, what do y'all suggest?

 

[krylani]

I'd suggest reading the thread we already have about PC builds and asking there.

 

[DaGamer12345]

Alright, you have 2 choices here: AMD or Intel?

Here is the AMD build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7GHz Quad-Core Processor ($71.89 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Directron)
Motherboard: MSI A78M-E35 Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($54.19 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($132.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $497.52
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-12 08:02 EDT-0400

And here is the Intel build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-4150 3.5GHz Dual-Core Processor ($103.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H81M-HDS Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Mwave)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2GB Video Card ($132.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($57.99 @ Micro Center)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $500.43
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-05-12 08:03 EDT-0400

The only reason I suggest getting a cpu cooler on the AMD build is because AMD stock coolers are LOUD and HOT. But as far as choosing AMD vs Intel, it's all based on your needs. In this case, neither are more expensive than the other by a huge margin. If you need a true quad-core, go with the 860K. Want to emulate Gamecube/Wii games on your computer? Go with the i3. The i3 has a higher IPC (Instructions per Clock) than AMD, but the i3 is not a true quad core, with only 2 cores and 4 threads.

In the end, I can't make this choice for you, but I can help you make it.

 

[crafteroftemines]

Should I, if I change the mobo, change the AMD to a FX 6300

 

[thee_pro]

Should I, if I change the mobo, change the AMD to a FX 6300

Mobos are tricky in regards to the fact that if you change it to something different (especially when going with AMD) the CPU you're going for might be a different configuration than the one you need. (FM1, FM2, FM3, etc...) so make sure the CPU will work with whatever different mobo you try and swap to.

 

[crafteroftemines]

Mobos are tricky in regards to the fact that if you change it to something different (especially when going with AMD) the CPU you're going for might be a different configuration than the one you need. (FM1, FM2, FM3, etc...) so make sure the CPU will work with whatever different mobo you try and swap to.

I know that, but what I'm asking is "Is the FX 6300 superior to the Athlon X4 860K?"

 

[DaGamer12345]

I know that, but what I'm asking is "Is the FX 6300 superior to the Athlon X4 860K?"

Yes. It's a bit older, but it is generally more powerful than the 860k.

 

[crafteroftemines]

Sounds good, although this will be ready about a month from now