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First Time Computer Builder: Seeking Advice

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1

11KristenNoel

New Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2014
Hello All,
I am a first time computer builder, I have some basic knowledge, as I have built, wired, and programmed a robot before. However, I have some questions and concerns.

1. Is everything I have chosen compatible?
I'm worried I may have missed something or messed this up.

2. Is my processor what I need?
I will be running Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere, Eclipse, and will also be compiling code. Obviously, not all at the same time, but still, these are a little but more of a workload than an average PC user. I'm not against overclocking, which is why I got an unlocked core, but I would like it to be able to do the things I need it to without pushing it just yet.

3. Is my power supply enough?
The current one I have picked out is 300W I have no idea how much I need, I estimated around 200W? Am I totally off?

4. I was planning on using my hard drive from my laptop for awhile until I can afford a new one and an operating system. Will this work with the parts I am planning on buying? Here is my current laptop: https://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-vaio/cat-vaiomobility...

5. Will everything work for what I need it to?
Do I have to much? To little? I want a powerful PC, but I don't need anything insane.
-I do a bit more than web browsing
-Photoshop
-Eclipse
-Premiere.
-I don't play any hardcore games, (which is why the video card is nothing fancy) but on occasion I enjoy Minecraft & Terraria which my laptop ran fine.
-I also watch quite a bit of movies and TV.
-Dual Monitors

I'm hoping to stay under $500 if that is an okay price range for what I need?

Here are the parts I have chosen:

Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Processor:
AMD FX-6300 Vishera 6-Core 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Desktop Processor FD6300WMHKBOX

RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


Graphics Card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Power Supply:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

Optical Drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...

I plan on just using some monitors I have, along with keyboard and mouse.

I am not opposed to upgrading things in the future, in fact, I plan on it. I just really want a computer to work efficiently and to last me a few years until I have some spare cash to update some things.

Thank you so much in advance for your assistance, it is very appreciated! :)
 
Welcome!!! But none of your links work..:(. They all go to newegg's front page. Please list the name of the item AND a link so we don't have to click on 10x things to see what it is you are talking about. :)
 
Ohkay, silly links wont work so let me try this again:

1. Case $35
DEEPCOOL TESSERACT SW Mid Tower Computer with Side Window and 2 Blue LED Fans CaseSGCC+PLASTIC+RUBBER COATING
2. Processor $120
AMD FX-6300 Vishera 6-Core 3.5GHz (4.1GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Desktop Processor FD6300WMHKBOX
3. Motherboard $90
ASUS M5A97 R2.0 AM3+ AMD 970 + SB950 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
4. Power supply $50
SeaSonic SS-300TGW 300W TFX12V (v2.31) 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Active PFC Power Supply
5. Ram $85
CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9B
6. Graphics Card $20
MSI N210-MD1G/D3 GeForce 210 1GB 64-Bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Ready Video Card
7. Hard Drive/s $?
Use Laptop one for now?
8. Optical Drive $23
LITE-ON Black 18X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM SATA DVD-ROM Drive Model iHDS118-04 - OEM
9. Fan $
4Pin PWM LED CPU Cooler Heatsink Ultra Silent Fan for Intel 775 AMD 754/939/AM2

Sorry about that!
 
Thanks!

A couple of things...
1. I wouldn't overclock that CPU on this board, but for stock purposes it should be fine.
2. The PSU will be fine at stock speeds with what you listed but leaves absolutely ZERO room for future upgrades.
3. That GPU won't be running much of anything but a monitor. I think the onboard GPU on the CPU is better...
4. Laptop HDD will be SLOW.
5. The stock heatsink is fine assume you are not overclocking.
 
Thank you so much for your help!
2. What wattage do you recommend I go up to?
3. Is there a mb that is similar to the one I have that has a better onboard GPU?
 
1. I would grab a quality 500-550W PSU.
2. The GPU is on the CPU now days. ;)

EDIT: My apologies, the FX line does not have integrated GPU on it... not sure which boards would... I think you are stuck with that combo, but that GPU is generations old and a budget GPU. Get something newer is my take...AMD r7 250x or r7 260 would be my suggestion.
 
The ASUS M5A97 R2.0 does not have integrated graphics.

I'd look at this build:
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/XmvvD3

It still needs an OS, but it leaves room to upgrade, gets you a LOT better motherboard, and a LOT better GPU.

If you have a Microcenter nearby you can get the CPU/Mobo/RAM in a combo for a great deal.
 
Also worth noting, you could use the laptop HDD you mentioned with the build I linked instead of buying one.
I would prefer a new drive though, as laptop HDDs aren't typically as fast as a normal 7200RPM 3.5" HDD.

Edit: The 750Ti will have no issues driving 1080p modern games on decent settings if you get into something besides Minecraft/Terraria :)
 
Witchdoctor said:
Gotcha, just thinking it had on chip graphics

Teammate of mine got 8+ Ghz with that board ........ :rofl:
Click to expand...

I pulled 4.8GHz 24/7 with my GA-970A-UD3/FX-6300/NH-D14
The board I listed is the new version of that, and equally solid.

8GHz is all kinds of fun, but daily application applies here ;)
 
Where are you located Kristen? Anywhere near a microcenter.com brick and mortar?

Its hard to squeeze an entire new machine with OS under $500 buying new parts and get something good. Often pre-builts are hard to beat as this price at they get components and OS so cheap.

Little more realistic price of what it will cost you getting everything from Egg since OutletPC charges for shipping.

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/cbQMMp

You could also consider this build to go Intel with the ability to get some good OC's and stick to the onboard for a while and get a discrete gpu later.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/sNVZXL

With what your doing, 16GB ram could be very nice to have. An SSD would also make things much faster. Some of your apps likely take advantage of Cuda core acceleration in which case the 750 Ti is definitely the gpu you want. All things you can upgrade to and add as you go.

You may be able to find Windows cheaper through other sources, depends on how comfortable you are. Since your not a seasoned builder use to dealing with issues and willing to eat a bad deal to try and get a good deal I don't recommend buying used or from grey market for you really.

These are quality systems that will do what you want now. Have some room for future upgrades. If you can swing it, try and go one of these routes even if it means maybe doing it over a month or two. If you can't we can find cheaper.
 
Last edited:
bump your board up to the 990fx fatal1ty killer. That board will do wonders on the fx 6300.
 
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