Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Been a long time: $600 Build

Hey guys, guess who's back to writing. Today, we're gonna go right into a nice modest build, similar to the one I'm using, but actually even more powerful. Let's dive in.

CPU: AMD FX-6300
We're gonna start with a great CPU for any budget rig. I wish I lived in the US because this CPU is a still at the Amazon price of $109.99. If you're thinking of getting a new CPU for your current AM3 or AM3+ motherboard, I highly recommend getting this. Just make sure your mobo is compatible. Six cores, amazing power in game, it's a steal.

Mobo: ASUS M5A97 R2.0
Another reason I wish Canada's computer market wasn't taking a dump. I have the little brother to this Mobo, the LE R2.0, and the standard comes with something mine doesn't; a heatsink over the capacitors. Not only will this increase the life of your mobo, but when you're cleaning your rig, you don't need to be worried about damaging the capacitors. And at the offered price, it's a great motherboard.

GPU: CLUB3D Radeon R9 270
Yea, I know, it's an R9 270 again, but at least it's not an ASUS card, right? CLUB3D has a really nice line of cards, and even though it's only a single fan card, it'll still be great when gaming. I think CLUB3D will be a major player in the next few years, because unlike other brands, they aren't being eaten up by the Bitcoin buttholes.

RAM: Kingston 8GB DDR3
It's 8GB of DDR3. Can't ask for anything else in this day and age. If you want or need more for video editing, it's really cheap to get 16GB, but for gaming, 8GB is all you need.

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
Pretty much what you get in any store bought PC that isn't a Toshiba. They're sturdy, pretty fast, and have a lot of space.

PSU: Corsair CX500M
Hey look, another part from my rig. When I was upgrading my parents' computer 3 years ago, I hated the fact that there were so many unused cables dangling around inside. So with this semi-modular power supply, I got rid of that hassle, increased my airflow, and made the inside of my case look better. Get a semi-modular power supply, and you will be a happy chicken. I don't know where that came from.

Case: Cougar Solution
I like Cougar. They've been making fans and stuff for years, and now they're making cases. The case quality is really good, and almost all of them offer great potential for air and even water cooling with small rads. I recommend the Cougar Solution for people who want a cool but not outrageous looking case, but if you want something different, that's your prerogative.

PCPP Link: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/3gvSp
Cost on PCPP: $619.30

So, there you have it. The first rig in a VERY long time. I hope you enjoyed it.

Game recommendation: Saints Row IV
Just go play this game.