Building my first computer, $650 budget, need some advice.

[deadby100cuts]

Ok so whats posted below is a $500 build I was looking at but I'm wanting some advice on what to change with it. The computer I'm building is mainly going to be used as a gaming computer but I will also be doing some audio productions stuff on it. The build below does not include optical drive or a monitor, I have NO idea what montior to get other than I want a fairly large 1080, but money IS a constraint so thats something I can upgrade next semster when I get more scholarship money in. If I upgrade the card I would it to be one that lets me have 2 screens hooked up (even if I don't actually put the game on 2 screens, I may one a wiki or something up on the other.

EDIT: UPDATED BUILD, I still need a monitor and optical drive, is it possible to harvest my laptops?

EDIT2: final build (unless you guys have something to say)

[PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($92.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $640.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 10:49 EDT-0400)

 

[EarthDog]

Well, some things I note...

*I certainly wouldn't overclock that CPU on that motherboard.
*The GPU you selected is kind of low end, especially with only have 1GB vram. You will want 2GB+. Most all GPUs like you are going for will handle 2 monitors.

 

[deadby100cuts]

lol I forgot to fix it, I'm looking at the 2gig version of that card, its only 6 bucks more.

Eventually will probably overclock but not immediately, why is that motherboard not so good and any suggestions on a better one?

 

[7RemMag]

Id get the 970 Extreme 3. I have one laying here and love it. The HD7850 requires a 500w min PSU so id step those two up since you have some room in the budget

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157394
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153166
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171065

 

[EarthDog]

I don't know AMD well so someone else will have to pick out something better. That said, it seems like it is only 4 phase power and that power delivery area to the left of the socket, doesnt have heatsinks on them... not a good idea to overclock on such a low end board.

If it is a gaming PC, you will want a better GPU...just not sure your budget can support it.

EDIT: I would get a QUALITY 500W PSU, but not because of the GPU.. it only needs like 125W. The 500W value the person listed above is for the SYSTEM (which that number is inflated). But since you plan to overclock both items, a 500W PSU would be best.

 

[deadby100cuts]

I don't know AMD well so someone else will have to pick out something better. That said, it seems like it is only 4 phase power and that power delivery area to the left of the socket, doesnt have heatsinks on them... not a good idea to overclock on such a low end board.

If it is a gaming PC, you will want a better GPU...just not sure your budget can support it.

EDIT: I would get a QUALITY 500W PSU, but not because of the GPU.. it only needs like 125W. The 500W value the person listed above is for the SYSTEM (which that number is inflated). But since you plan to overclock both items, a 500W PSU would be best.

all the reviews Ive looked at say this is a pretty good card, the guy I found the build from was getting 70+ fps on bf3 on high. I'm not looking to max out everything, but to get as close to maxing stuff out as I can on my budget, and my monitor has to be boutght within that 650 price range. Though If you have a suggestion for a better card by all means I'm open ears

 

[7RemMag]

With my extreme3 4 phase i was able to get 4.3 out of my fx6300 thats a pretty decent overclock

 

[deadby100cuts]

UPDATED BUILD:

ok the following is my updated build now, it still needs a monitor and optical drive so I need help downgrading something so those can fit into the the budget (650 INCLUDING monitor)

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($92.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99)
Power Supply: Rosewill Capstone 550W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($81.80 @ Amazon)
Total: $552.29
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 09:14 EDT-0400)

 

[||Console||]

Unless you burn thing a drive is no longer needed u can use a usb drive to in stall your os

 

[deadby100cuts]

Unless you burn thing a drive is no longer needed u can use a usb drive to in stall your os

well I have some software (hell and some games) that I only have in cd form, plus I huge into music and buy all my albums as ACTUAL ALBUMS, course all the ones I have are on my external (and will probably stay there) but in the future if i get one I will want to be able to stick it in.

What I MIGHT do, is just wait on that , my dad works at a college campus and they regurally throw away decent computers, i may just salvage a cd drive from one of those. Till then I guess I could just use a virtual drive and and make an image on my laptop that does have a cd drive for those few games/programs.

 

[deadby100cuts]

UPDATED BUILD


PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($92.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance LP 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($57.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Gamma Classic (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99)
Power Supply: OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VH238H 23.0" Monitor ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $640.47
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-08 10:49 EDT-0400)

 

[Hr.Soegaard]

Go for a 7870 XT card, very good for the price. What about a good cpu cooler så you can oc the 6300 as it like a lot.

 

[Theocnoob]

I would suggest saving a bit more money up and getting at least a two gig 7870. Regardless of what you may have heard, a 7850 is not a very powerful card. With things like bf4 coming out youre going to want a hell of a lot more power than the card you chose has to offer. Honestly id suggest saving up for a 7970 if that was realistic but i realize it isnt in this situation. I just want you to have the best possible performance.

 

[deadby100cuts]

I would suggest saving a bit more money up and getting at least a two gig 7870. Regardless of what you may have heard, a 7850 is not a very powerful card. With things like bf4 coming out youre going to want a hell of a lot more power than the card you chose has to offer. Honestly id suggest saving up for a 7970 if that was realistic but i realize it isnt in this situation. I just want you to have the best possible performance.

lol thats the one I AM getting, check the post before your last one.

Good to know I made the right choice

 

[pcgamer4life]

Before biting on a monitor online, check your local Office Depot or Staples or Best Buy for open box or clearance items. I picked up 2x LG 22" LED monitors for $37.50 each at Office Depot on clearance. Extremely rare find, but maybe you'll get lucky. They also had a 23" LED HP monitor for $24.. none in my area, but here's a list of the stores that still show to have them in stock.

I sold my ASUS VH232H 23" monitor just yesterday for $80 locally to pay for the two LG's I picked up.

Spoiler

HP 2311x 23" LED Backlit Monitor
SKU# 901-842
$24.00
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/ca...html?dnr=1
Here's a list of stores that show to have this monitor in stock:

17081 US HWY 441
US HWY 441 & EUDORA RD
MOUNT DORA, FL 32757
Phone# (352) 589-9900
Store# 2130
1 In Stock

1410 NE 23RD STREET
POMPANO CITI CENTRE
POMPANO BEACH, FL 33062
Phone# (954) 545-9948
Store# 2539
1 In Stock

6 SOUTH STATE STREET
MADISON ST. & STATE ST.
CHICAGO, IL 60603
Phone# (312) 781-0570
Store# 2377
1 In Stock

4515 SHELBYVILLE RD
WEST OF I-264 ON SHELBYVILLE RD.
LOUISVILLE, KY 40207
Phone# (502) 894-9204
Store# 2547
1 In Stock

2901 GALLOWS ROAD
LEE HWY. & GALLOWS RD.
FALLS CHURCH, VA 22042
Phone# (703) 560-5088
Store# 364
1 In Stock

46301 POTOMAC RUN PLAZA
BENEDICT DR & BARTHOLOMEW FAIR DR
STERLING, VA 20164
Phone# (571) 434-0425
Store# 3248
2 In Stock

3437 DENNY AVE
CHICOT CROSSING SHOPPING CENTER
PASCAGOULA, MS 39581
Phone# (228) 762-3440
Store# 2112
1 In Stock

2110 WAYNE MEMORIAL DRIVE
U.S. 13 & WAYNE MEMORIAL DR.
GOLDSBORO, NC 27534
Phone# (919) 739-9942
Store# 2685
1 In Stock

 

[Theocnoob]

lol thats the one I AM getting, check the post before your last one.

Good to know I made the right choice

You never said you were getting the 7870, somebody else suggested it.

 

[deadby100cuts]

You never said you were getting the 7870, somebody else suggested it.

hmm i thought I did, ive changed this buidl a lot in the last 2 days so its very possible

 

[GilbertC06]

Including the monitor in your budget is really hindering your build. You can spend that money on a better mobo and a better psu.

 

[NiHaoMike]

well I have some software (hell and some games) that I only have in cd form, plus I huge into music and buy all my albums as ACTUAL ALBUMS, course all the ones I have are on my external (and will probably stay there) but in the future if i get one I will want to be able to stick it in.

What I MIGHT do, is just wait on that , my dad works at a college campus and they regurally throw away decent computers, i may just salvage a cd drive from one of those. Till then I guess I could just use a virtual drive and and make an image on my laptop that does have a cd drive for those few games/programs.

Reusing a somewhat older drive is great advice if you can get it for free. Same goes for server cases and PSUs if you can find a 4U or larger that accepts an ATX board. (Actually, server cases are awesome for airflow. And keep the fans if they're still good.)

If you don't mind using an older monitor, you might be able to find an older LCD for free or super cheap. The ones that don't work often just need the caps to be replaced.

 

[EarthDog]

Because replacing caps are something the average user wants to do on a monitor? Maybe...I wouldnt bet on it though.