Gaming Build for a friend, could use a look-over

I'm building a gaming PC for a friend of mine on a budget ($600ish). He's used to playing games on an old AMD single-core processor from the 20th century and integrated motherboard graphics, so I'm sure he'll be blown away by anything I build, but I want to make sure he gets the most for his money. He plays TF2, Skyrim, Terraria, and Call of Duty.

I also want to make sure that this build has no compatibility issues. PSU, motherboard sockets, etc. If you think I can save money, get away with a lower wattage PSU, etc., then please let me know (Also, if possible, I would like to get all parts from Newegg to simplify shipping).

Case - Rosewill REDBONE Black SECC ATX - $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147159

Mobo - ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 AM3+ ATX - $67
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157305

PSU - CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 - $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

CPU - AMD FX-6200 Zambezi 3.8GHz - $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106010

GPU - EVGA GeForce GTX 560 SE 1GB - $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130770

RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 - $27
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231425

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 7200RPM - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

CPU Cooler - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO - $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

Extra Case Fan - APEVIA CF12SL-BRD 120mm UV red LED - $9
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835228014

EDIT: LITEON CD/DVD Reader - $18
Also, Windows is included. Keyboard/mouse/monitor provided.

The RAM you listed is now out of stock. Why are you getting that case fan? The case you listed comes with 2 fans installed. I'd drop that case fan and put that $9 into more RAM or are you not going with a 64 bit OS?

This comes to about even after the MIRs. It'll probably game better, as the i3-2120 is a very capable CPU, and the 6870 is a bit better video card. However, the main advantage is that this is VERY upgradeable, if your friend ever has more intensive gaming pursuits, you can just toss in a 3570K and a 7850 and be on your way.

Is 8GB really necessary for a budget rig?

A better GPU could be nice though.. Hmm.

No, but RAM is so dirt cheap + combo deals, so there really isn't a reason why not.

If you want to go cheaper on the video card...I think you'd have to go used.

Instead of overclocking, you could drop the aftermarket cooler and the fan. That would free up $45 that you could put into a better graphics card or bump the 500gb HDD to a SSD.

I'd probably go the SSD route. It will make the entire system seem faster.

Ya, I'd have to overclock it for him.. Maybe I should plan on not OC'ing. I would like to go the SSD route (I recently made the SSD upgrade myself and I love it!), but he really will need the space. Perhaps, upgrade the GPU to a 6850 or 7770?

Oh shoot. I just forgot I need an optical drive also. That'll be about 18 bucks.

How big is his current HDD? Is it possible for him to keep that and use it for his media?

You could always go with the SSD now, sell his old computer for $100 on CL and buy a HDD with that.

I just bought that same mobo and paired it with an AMD Phenom II x4 BE, which I'd say is a better choice than an FX cpu, that or go intel. The Phenom will save you like $50 and can OC pretty solidly using the stock cooler, saving you another $35.

I agree with Knufire that an AMD 6870 is the card to go with, either the XFX version he listed, or amazon has one made by sapphire for $160 as a warehouse deal. The 6770 used to be the budget king but then the 6870 and 6850 dropped in price and it just doesn't make sense not to spend the extra $40 on like twice as much card.

Also, unless you really really want them, don't buy LED case fans, unlit ones are always better fans for the same price, purely because of manufacturing costs. For $9 a pop, I really like NZXT Performance 120mm's, good ratio of noise to performance.

WoodenKiwi said:

I just bought that same mobo and paired it with an AMD Phenom II x4 BE, which I'd say is a better choice than an FX cpu, that or go intel. The Phenom will save you like $50 and can OC pretty solidly using the stock cooler, saving you another $35.

I agree with Knufire that an AMD 6870 is the card to go with, either the XFX version he listed, or amazon has one made by sapphire for $160 as a warehouse deal. The 6770 used to be the budget king but then the 6870 and 6850 dropped in price and it just doesn't make sense not to spend the extra $40 on like twice as much card.

Also, unless you really really want them, don't buy LED case fans, unlit ones are always better fans for the same price, purely because of manufacturing costs. For $9 a pop, I really like NZXT Performance 120mm's, good ratio of noise to performance.

Click to expand...

I originally was trying to go with the PIIX4s, but Newegg doesn't seem to carry the 960T (which is actually a Thuban with two cores disabled), and so I didn't see a point in investing in such an old platform. Especially with most games only taking two cores, the i3-2120 ends up being slightly faster, but I agree, both are very good gaming CPUs for the money.

That sale on the Sapphire 6870 is gone. The only cheaper 6870s are HIS versions for $170, but with $7.87 shipping and a smaller MIR, so I figured the XFX would be a slightly better deal. XFX, AFAIK, also has a limited lifetime warranty on their cards.

I wish they did carry the 960T, if they did I'd have one lol. The Phenom is admittedly pretty aged at this point but I still say it is the right choice if you don't have the budget to go Intel, just pair it with an AM3+ mobo and pray they keep using that socket type hahaha.

The sale is still going, but you need to look under used because that's where they hide the warehouse deal prices for some reason. I believe it is a refurb? Either way, the XFX is probably the better choice anyways and is a few bucks cheaper after that rebate.

I was actually leaning toward Pheonom x4s at first too. I know that Piledriver will use AM3+ also. The phenom ii x4 965 outperforms the i3-2100 at the exact same price and is open to OC'ing, so I think I will stick to AMD CPUs (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html).

I'll drop the Hyper 212 cooler and the fan. Replace FX CPU with Phenom x4 965 Black Edition. Spend the savings in GPU. Sound good?

Gaming and benchmark performance is completely different. Benchmarks typically use all cores available, whereas games usually only use two, and the higher end ones (Witcher 2, BF3) use four.

I rather like Knufire's build. A better choice all up. AMD's current CPU lineup really isn't that great for overclocking unless you get something like a Corsair H100 to go with it. I'm not a big fan of the H100 due to my experience's with its reliabillity.

I'd stick with Intel, at least until Piledriver chips are released. I'd not wait for them as there's no guarantee that they'll become competitive with Intel even then, although I expect them to be.