Amd build, constraints of budget.

[Squidlorock]

Hey c3d:!:hello:

I've only just joined! Currently I have an age old rig (socket 775) and It has been not great recently... Currently I'm typing with on screen keyboard! And It's painful! Suffice to say my build has had to have been brought forward...:headscratch:

So after much reading for a long while I think Amd Is the only way I can go. With my budget quite tight (£500-550) and needing an os,aswell as a case I've been racking my brains.:freak:

Ok for now, I have an old ati/amd 5750, I will most prob have to use this in my build until I can get a gpu further down the line (6 months or so) Also, any thoughts are appreciated! Currently this Is what I've been looking at...

Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0
AMD FX8320 (or AMD6300)
Kingston HyperX DDR3 1600MHz CL9 8GB
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB SATAIII
Seasonic S12II-520 520W
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium with Service Pack 1, 64-bit

And for a case I had my heart set on an R4... but I was looking at the Arc midi v2 aswell, and the 300r (would want to go fractal really). But It's all about cost at the minute.

I would be running at stock, until I can get a hyper 212 evo, then Oc later on (If I can).

Some questions though...

Will the Seasonic be able to cope with an Oc'ed 8320 or 6300?(Some people have said It would be fine, with the quality of it... I was worried If It would be on the border)

Would It be better for the 8320 (read some, that the 8320 would be better for future games) Rather tan the 6300?(although that Is pushing my budget)

I really can't afford a gpu aswell currently, what are you're thoughts?

I had pretty much decided on Win7... but would Win8 be better now with 8.1 (dislike the sound of 8, with apps, cloud etc...)

This would be for me gaming/music/browsing, but probably cubase/fractal programs too...

Would the 8320 run ok with the stock cooler, at stock speeds until I can afford a cooler? Also, can the Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0 handle a decent Oc with the 8320/6300(had read it should be ok?)

I would have to use the 2 stock fans on the case for now...would that be enough?(will upgrade)

Sorry for the long post... just trying to make sure I have a solid build before I purchase...

And lastly I was even looking at FM2 and + with regards to the AMD Athlon X4 760k (would this compare to those cpu's...but a newer FM2+ board?) It might allow me a gpu, but at a cost.

This will be the First pc I actually built... (friends helped other older builds) So I'm excited but also nervous:crazy::blink:

Any thought/advice would be great! Sorry for the huge post and Thanks again.

 

[Wraith]

I could add comments and make changes but you've clearly done your shopping for your budget and from what I can see built a decent foundation for future upgrades.

Bare in mind the Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0 may need a little clocking the 1600Mhz ram you selected may need to be clocked upto the 1600 level as the board has native speeds of 1066 or 1333Mhz for the FX series as standard, but that's easily done in the Bios.

All the FX series cpus I've installed in customer rigs have been fine with the stock cooler, but you will benefit greatly from aftermarket ones once you can afford one. The Hyper 212 is a great air cooler but I've been converted to AIO liquids now.

As for clocking with your PSU you should be fine but if you do decide later you want a beefer GPU you'll regret getting it. I'd stretch a little more and get either a 600 - 700w.

 

[Squidlorock]

Hey Wraithguard!

Yeah, I've really been trying to piece together a new rig slowly (pretty broke atm) The gigabyte boards I would have considered, but read a few horror stories on the heatsinks with the fx chips.

I was hoping the Seasonic would be ok for the build for the 8320 and decent gpu, with the quality of the Psu/capacitors, but being 125tdp makes me a little worried. I'm not sue If i could get the 620, as costs with the 8320 mounting up (seen the 520 for about £60). Someone said It could be ok, Oc'ed even with a gpu such as an R9 280x, due to an overclocked I7 4960X computer total system load with R9 280X being less tn 400w (can I post links?) I wasn't sure, and/or how people rate the site, again confused

I was also slightly concerned If the amd6300 would be a wise purchase now or go for the 8320 (£30 more)With future games. It's a pain I can't wait much longer...(this on screen keyboard Is killing me :blink

Feel a bit guilty buying such a nice case, but It would hopefully last me years (my current one,Is old and bad) The gpu would hav to wait unless I went with FM2+ etc...

Anyhows, thanks for you're reply so far Wraithguard

 

[Tripp]

its just the Gigabye ud3 you need to say away from with amd the rest are fine

 

[Wraith]

To be honest it's about what you want when playing games I'm quite happy with my rig (see below) it runs all the latest games quite comfortably either on high or higher settings, and having just seen the official required specs for CoD GHOSTS I'm not worried about that either now.

I do like the FX-6300 it's a highly underrated CPU and clocks nicely, PSUs are always a nightmare to pick but you should take a look at the PSU threads on here I'm sure the rest of the community will point you in the right direction just don't mention "OCZ" :lol:

Not sure where you've seen horror stories about the Gigabyte boards I personally prefer them over all other manufacturers especially the GA-990FXA the only issue I have is that it looks as though they are dropping the AM3+ line at the end of the year and concentrating on the FM boards.

 

[Squidlorock]

its just the Gigabye ud3 you need to say away from with amd the rest are fine

Hey Tripp, ah ok cool that's good to know! I've had a few gigabyte boards before, but never asus... That board you have does look nice! I think I saw It briefly when looking up recently, alas It's a bit out of my price range (I've seen the asus evo for about £78)

To be honest it's about what you want when playing games I'm quite happy with my rig (see below) it runs all the latest games quite comfortably either on high or higher settings, and having just seen the official required specs for CoD GHOSTS I'm not worried about that either now.

I do like the FX-6300 it's a highly underrated CPU and clocks nicely, PSUs are always a nightmare to pick but you should take a look at the PSU threads on here I'm sure the rest of the community will point you in the right direction just don't mention "OCZ"

Not sure where you've seen horror stories about the Gigabyte boards I personally prefer them over all other manufacturers especially the GA-990FXA the only issue I have is that it looks as though they are dropping the AM3+ line at the end of the year and concentrating on the FM boards.

Hey Wraithguard, yea that's cool I'm not meaning to say I'll stuff a huge card in this rig I had to get on an even smaller budget a few years ago, It's a e2180,*shudders* (bad attempt at joke) I would be quite happy with a 7850 or 70 . My main concern was with the psu handling the cpu, If it was Oc'ed too (never overclocked before so kind of nervous about that too)

Yea I really liked the look of the 6300, and was what I was mostly going for, just I did read a few times about future games maybe running better with the 8320...but I could be wrong Was just thinking if trying for £30 more on a chip that *might* last me a bit longer, but I'm just torn between the 6300 and 8320 (It might be the 6300 depending on budget).

Ah, ok thanks I will try to have a look at the Psu threads

I could be wrong! Just remeber a while back reading about the vrms heatsink not coping too well on some of the boards, but that FXA does look very nice! I didn't know they were stopping production:wacko:

Also thanks for pointing out the ram! My plan was to see If I could get It running at the 1333, then try to oc It If I could(I spent ages trying to find out If It worked ok after reading some brands, or model numbers not working too well - probably me being over cautious/paranoid)

I swear this has taken me about 30 mins to write out

And after seeing the Arc midi 2, I'm trn between those(and £20 difference)

Though sorry guys for any typo's and me rambling on! And thanks for you're replies! It's 3am, I'd best pass out for now and check back tomorrow!

 

[NeverBackDown]

Better to spend that little extra more than not at all. Only thing you have to lose is performance if you do not go that little further.

Fractal Arc Mdi r2 is my case of choice.. and i have an R4(i deeply want to make the switch) due to far better looks and watercooling possibilities.

 

[Squidlorock]

Better to spend that little extra more than not at all. Only thing you have to lose is performance if you do not go that little further.

Fractal Arc Mdi r2 is my case of choice.. and i have an R4(i deeply want to make the switch) due to far better looks and watercooling possibilities.

Hey NeverBackDown!

Sorry for the late reply, had to be out the other night, and have to Gee myself up to clicking like a rabid ferret (insert crazy rabid animal) with this On screen keyboard

Yea, that's cool I had my heart set on the r4 when reading up this year, but this week I noticed the Arc midi 2 (not quite sure how I missed It) So a an r4 owner you would prefer the arc? Interesting! I am siding more towards It the more I read! I wanted the r4 for mainly the workings inside, but also the dust filters... woud you say the r4 has better filtering (the r4's front looked better for the filter-not sure!) It's mainly cos I smoke with the rig right next to me the sound deadening Is cool, but not the highest priority for me. I'd also be on air cooling, but that case does look nice (I love the filtered/mesh top

Yea, My first build was for the 6300, but after reading more some views were to go with the 8320 with the 2 extra cores, so was trying to see how I could budget for It... I might have to gt a 6300 depending on costs.

I'm still unsure If that Seasonic S12II-520 520W would be enough for an oc'ed 8320 and single/good gpu... the 620 Is £10 more atm, so not sure currently!

 

[NeverBackDown]

Sound foam makes a difference but not by much.. Dust filters for me are eh.. I live in a dusty area so i constantly have to keep cleaning them.. but in honesty the filters are always full of dust so they do catch a lot.

Smoking next to the rig? I wonder if that effects the PC somehow... oh well;p

I would get the 620 for the extra money. Only helps in the long run.

 

[Squidlorock]

Sound foam makes a difference but not by much.. Dust filters for me are eh.. I live in a dusty area so i constantly have to keep cleaning them.. but in honesty the filters are always full of dust so they do catch a lot.

Smoking next to the rig? I wonder if that effects the PC somehow... oh well;p

I would get the 620 for the extra money. Only helps in the long run.

I do like that r4, the sound proofing did look nice/add to weight nicely...and the layout and dust filters made me think,wow that's awesome!(and pretty sleek too) The arc Is tempting me (and being £20 cheaper) with a window and a fantastic layout, oh and filters My current case cost me £30 in like 2005/6(horrific lol) So this would be my first nice case! Yeah, smoking so close isn't too great:blink:,just can't help It...:crazy:

Yea, I think I should probably go for 620 If I can If with the 8320, just about costs atm (was saving up slowly, and then this going a bit fubar before Id saved )

 

[barnsley]

In terms of the psu I'd recommend the cx600w modular. I have an OC'D 8320 with a slightly overclocked 7870 on it currently and it hasn't had any issues. Probably would save for a better psu if you think you'd want to get more than one 'card but then again I guess you could just sell the psu when the time comes to upgrade.

For the record I know it will tempt you but I repeat DO NOT touch anything with the cpu in terms of a clock increase until you have that cooler. I enabled the clock boost thingy as an experiment on a 6350 using a stock cooler and it was a noisy, sweating mess.

 

[NeverBackDown]

Honestly for me an Arc Midi R2 is better than a R4

 

[Squidlorock]

In terms of the psu I'd recommend the cx600w modular. I have an OC'D 8320 with a slightly overclocked 7870 on it currently and it hasn't had any issues. Probably would save for a better psu if you think you'd want to get more than one 'card but then again I guess you could just sell the psu when the time comes to upgrade.

For the record I know it will tempt you but I repeat DO NOT touch anything with the cpu in terms of a clock increase until you have that cooler. I enabled the clock boost thingy as an experiment on a 6350 using a stock cooler and it was a noisy, sweating mess.

Hey barnsley!

Ah, yea that's cool In my mind I was thinking a 600w should be minimum, I shall check that one out too! You know I was looking at ht m5a97 evo and the one you have I think. I'd be definitely going just for a single gpu for now.

heh, that's cool, one question... Is the boost on from the get go? So I would have to disable It In he bios from the get go? Thanks for the warning And thanks to you and everyone offering advice!

For the cooler Id love to get a D14, but if I got a hyper evo, It would be faster... I might try to save possibly for he D14.

Honestly for me an Arc Midi R2 is better than a R4

That's cool man, the reviews, opinions view points and you're thoughts are edging me towards the midi. So when are you upgrading to one NeverBackDown?

 

[NeverBackDown]

I won't for a long time. Maybe never. I do not have the funds and quite hard to get money where i live unfortunately.

But if i could then i would! In my case(no pun intended) i will probably get the next version or the next XL version.. who knows

 

[barnsley]

Hey barnsley!

Ah, yea that's cool In my mind I was thinking a 600w should be minimum, I shall check that one out too! You know I was looking at ht m5a97 evo and the one you have I think. I'd be definitely going just for a single gpu for now.

heh, that's cool, one question... Is the boost on from the get go? So I would have to disable It In he bios from the get go? Thanks for the warning And thanks to you and everyone offering advice!

For the cooler Id love to get a D14, but if I got a hyper evo, It would be faster... I might try to save possibly for he D14.

The boost is disabled normally I believe. I actually got my motherboard as B stock from Aria ( it was £30something if I remember correctly!) and it is a good board, although you need to make sure it has good airflow as it can get warm although I am running a watercooler and the radiator covers the heatsinks. I've got a fan in the roof as an intake to combat it(normally a bad idea but it does help the mobo stay cool).

 

[Squidlorock]

I won't for a long time. Maybe never. I do not have the funds and quite hard to get money where i live unfortunately.

But if i could then i would! In my case(no pun intended) i will probably get the next version or the next XL version.. who knows

Ah bummer man Well at least the R4 Is a very nice case too. I hope you manage to get the next version NeverBackDown! I noticed on the mini arc the optical bays are removable? Pretty awesome!

The boost is disabled normally I believe. I actually got my motherboard as B stock from Aria ( it was £30something if I remember correctly!) and it is a good board, although you need to make sure it has good airflow as it can get warm although I am running a watercooler and the radiator covers the heatsinks. I've got a fan in the roof as an intake to combat it(normally a bad idea but it does help the mobo stay cool).

Ah, nice that's good to know! That's an awesome price for that mobo! Yea was reading a while back about the vrms getting slightly warm. I was reading about that D14 cooling vrms too?

Also guys i was reading/considering about the new FM2+ socket,

[youtube]DRmIkCadObg[/youtube] - I cant get this to work :S

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-G1...qid=1382974807&sr=8-1&keywords=G1.Sniper+A88X

If I paired it with say with an Athlon 760k?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/AMD-Process...2976097&sr=1-1&keywords=AMD+Athlon+II+X4+760K

Now, It would be less powerful than he 8320, but with Kaveri chips next year and replacing the cpu when they come out? This has made me really confused!

What would you're thoughts be? Coming from a e2180 any of these would be a huge upgrade for me.

Anyhows thanks for you're replies guys! Think It's time for lunch!

 

[NeverBackDown]

Kaveri is an APU not a CPU. 8320 will be faster still but you could always wait till xmas for big sales and maybe more choices on the CPU side along with a bigger budget?

 

[Squidlorock]

Kaveri is an APU not a CPU. 8320 will be faster still but you could always wait till xmas for big sales and maybe more choices on the CPU side along with a bigger budget?

Hey bud, Yea sorry my bad... numbers make squid go :crazy: I meant with the FM2+ new boards, they released the athlon 760k (they removed the apu/graphics part). Yea, before I was hoping to last til Jan/March time for the poss new amd releases, but with this rig going wrong has kind of hastened my choices. I was mainly questioning as amd are tightlipped atm about the future of am3+, while releasing new (and gaming) mobo's forthe FM2/+ platform. I might write down say 3 possible builds later on

 

[NeverBackDown]

From earlier rumors this year Kaveri was supposed to be released around Xmas time. But they are rumors and AMD has not given any indication if it will happen; in other words maybe just try and wait till end of november to make a CPU/APU choice?

 

[Squidlorock]

From earlier rumors this year Kaveri was supposed to be released around Xmas time. But they are rumors and AMD has not given any indication if it will happen; in other words maybe just try and wait till end of november to make a CPU/APU choice?

Hey bud, sorry I've been slow (was ill&slow typing with the clicky! Just a heads up as I got the case sent through (was on offer for £69.99) The arc midi v2 Is sat downstairs, whilst i finally decide on parts.

I was waiting on amd's comment on Fx/Kaveri, still no clue! But I will probably *have* to go with a amd 6300/m5a97 Evo (or i could go a88x mobo&athlon&upgrade cpu nxt year etc...) I would love to push for a 8320 but money, christmas&bdays(and then a gpu further down the line) Would be best for me I think (&any of these rigs will be a huuge step up for me

Anyways, apologies for slowness of reply... been reading loads!