Hardware Help with a budget pc build.

[Edgarska]

I want to build a mid-range pc without upgrading my GPU (Nvidia GTX 550 ti), using an AMD FX-4350 CPU.
My question is, what would be the cheapest motherboard and PSU that I could get for that, and if anyone knows of a cheap case that comes with front USB 3.0 and SD card reader.
I don't really care about the case aesthetics, but a black case would be preferred.
Keeping in mind that at most I can spend around $650 on everything minus the GPU which I already own.
And while I prefer AMD CPUs and specifically the one this post, I'm open to suggestions.

Edit: Everything meaning case, PSU, motherboard, RAM, and peripherals.

 

[ilman]

Just a quick comment:
AMD CPU + Nvidia graphics card is usually a bad combination. It's usually an Intel CPU + Nvidia GPU or AMD CPU + AMD GPU. I'd suggest you get a Core i3/5/7 instead (a Core i5-2500k, I can recommend).

 

[Originality]

Just a quick comment:
AMD CPU + Nvidia graphics card is usually a bad combination. It's usually an Intel CPU + Nvidia GPU or AMD CPU + AMD GPU. I'd suggest you get a Core i3/5/7 instead (a Core i5-2500k, I can recommend).

First I've heard of this. Source?

Anyway, I'll scratch up a basic build... but does that "and peripherals" part include a monitor?

 

[Thanatos Telos]

Just a quick comment:
AMD CPU + Nvidia graphics card is usually a bad combination. It's usually an Intel CPU + Nvidia GPU or AMD CPU + AMD GPU. I'd suggest you get a Core i3/5/7 instead (a Core i5-2500k, I can recommend).

Yeah, no. The CPU brand really doesn't matter when it comes to picking out the GPU. (Bottlenecks excepted, of course). Also, my GTX 760 and FX-8320 are currently flipping you off, considering I'm running every game I've tried on Ultra. (60 fps, too.)

 

[Edgarska]

First I've heard of this. Source?

Anyway, I'll scratch up a basic build... but does that "and peripherals" part include a monitor?

Should have specified. No, I already have a monitor.

 

[Thanatos Telos]

Do you need to buy an OS or are do you already have one/have means to acquire one?

 

[Originality]

Alright, here's a very basic build that covers all the stops except for Windows and a Monitor. $481. Click to expand (better than posting the big picture).
EDIT: Using the CPU you wanted in the first post. Plenty of room to upgrade parts if necessary.
EDIT2 (since hindsight is a b****): If you want me to pick better parts to fall within your budget, just say what exactly it is you want (since you've only mentioned black case, USB3 + card reader on front, AMD CPU, no monitor and no graphics card).

EDIT3 (because I feel like it):

Yeah, no. The CPU brand really doesn't matter when it comes to picking out the GPU. (Bottlenecks excepted, of course). Also, my GTX 760 and FX-8320 are currently flipping you off, considering I'm running every game I've tried on Ultra. (60 fps, too.)

My Core i5-2550K and GTX 770 does not feel intimidated by your presence <3

 

[Edgarska]

Alright, here's a very basic build that covers all the stops except for Windows and a Monitor. $481. Click to expand (better than posting the big picture).
EDIT: Using the CPU you wanted in the first post. Plenty of room to upgrade parts if necessary.
View attachment 4078

Wow, thanks, and I already have a Windows disc, so that's not a problem.

 

[Thanatos Telos]

Wow, thanks, and I already have a Windows disc, so that's not a problem.

The important thing is the key, not the disk.

Anyway, tips for the build:

1. Get 2x4GB for the RAM.
2. Upgrade to a 6300 at the very least.
3. Get a better mobo. I've seen a few problems with MSI on the 970 chipset. I can personally recommend the Asus M5897 over it.

Originality, at least I know how to officially pronounce Asus. (They had an AMA!)

 

[Originality]

What's wrong with pronouncing it Ay-SOOS?

Anyway, you're right in your suggestions. The aim of my build was simply a cheap system that met his requests, and to see if he wanted to improve any parts to fill his budget. There are many more ways to improve the build (including, on top your your suggestions, getting a better cooler and PSU).

 

[Edgarska]

The important thing is the key, not the disk.

Anyway, tips for the build:

1. Get 2x4GB for the RAM.
2. Upgrade to a 6300 at the very least.
3. Get a better mobo. I've seen a few problems with MSI on the 970 chipset. I can personally recommend the Asus M5897 over it.

Originality, at least I know how to officially pronounce Asus. (They had an AMA!)

I meant I have a sealed disc with the key.
Since the 6000 and the 6350 cost the same wouldn't that be better? And do games even make use of 6 cores right now?
As for the motherboard, I'll look into that.

 

[Edgarska]

What's wrong with pronouncing it Ay-SOOS?

Anyway, you're right in your suggestions. The aim of my build was simply a cheap system that met his requests, and to see if he wanted to improve any parts to fill his budget. There are many more ways to improve the build (including, on top your your suggestions, getting a better cooler and PSU).

Yeah, I was wondering if a 430W PSU is a good idea in the long run.
But this is a good basis to build on.

 

[Thanatos Telos]

I meant I have a sealed disc with the key.
Since the 6000 and the 6500 cost the same wouldn't that be better? And do games even make use of 6 cores right now?
As for the motherboard, I'll look into that.

The 4350 has two physical cores, but four threads. (Those extra two threads are a bit better than hyperthreaded threads because of them being more physical or shit.)
The 6300 series has 3 physical cores.
The 8300 series has 4 physical cores.
Get what I'm saying?
If they're the same price, get the 6350 instead.

 

[Originality]

Some games do make use of more-than-two-cores. Most don't. I only used the mentioned CPU, but there's plenty of budget left for a better one.
Motherboard was simply the cheapest in the "recommended" pile. I didn't put any thought into it, so mostly anything will be better (at a higher price).
430W is enough for the build, however I personally would not feel comfortable with any less than 550W. Then again, I could easily fill my PC with a dozen drives, which makes my system's power consumption higher than average. Most never have more than 3 in their system (ODD, HDD and maybe SSD).

Anyway, play around with the build. Try picking different parts and post it back to us for comments.

 

[Edgarska]

Well, the first motherboard I'd picked was the Asus M5A97, which is affordable and looked good, and seeing how the difference between the 4350 and 6350 is $20, I'll go with the 6350.
I may change the case too, since there's still some wiggle room with the budget.
Are Xion PSU any good?

 

[Thanatos Telos]

Well, the first motherboard I'd picked was the Asus M5A97, which is affordable and looked good, and seeing how the difference between the 4350 and 6350 is $20, I'll go with the 6350.
I may change the case too, since there's still some wiggle room with the budget.
Are Xion PSU any good?

Nah, Corsair, Antec, XFX, and Seasonic are all good.

 

[Edgarska]

How about the Seasonic M12II 620 Bronze?

 

[Originality]

Corsair are rebranded Seasonic PSUs anyway, so either way is good.

 

[Edgarska]

Ok, so far this is what I have, what are your thoughts?

 

[Originality]

Looks alright to me. The case is certainly better than the one I picked and extra RAM and CPU power can only help. You lost the card reader, but that's not important anyway.

EDIT: You may also want to find a thermal paste cleaner to make it easier on you if you need to replace the thermal paste in future.