$750 Build - Is this any good?

Hey!

Not going to beat around the bush here—do you think this build actually justifies the $1667 price tag? I didn't put it together myself; I'm just following a recommendation, so I'm looking for a second opinion from you experts...

So, is it worth it:

1 x AMD X6 FX-6300
1 x XFX Pro Series CoreEdition 80 450 w pas 1 x
1 x Zalman Z3 Midi Tower case, black
1 x Zalman CNPS10X OPTIMA, AMD/Intel
1 x ASRock 970 EXTREME3, AM3
1 x Corsair 2X4GB DDR3 1600 Low Pr
1 x SSD disk Kingston 120GB, SSDNow V300 SATA 3
1 x Seagate HDD, 2TB, 7200rpm, SATA-6, 64M
1 x VTX3D HD7770 1GB DDR5 X-EDITION

The shop might be reliable, but nothing's set in stone...

Thanks in advance!

So, what’s the primary goal for this build?
The setup looks solid, but if you're planning on gaming, you could definitely squeeze in a more powerful graphics card. Also, do you really need a 2TB drive right out of the gate?

1 x AMD FX-Series X6 6300 3.5GHz,14MB,95W,AM3+, FD6300WMHK
1 x DDR3 8GB (2x4GB) Kingston, 1600MHz, CL9, HyperX Genesis, KHX1600
1 x Asrock 970 Extreme3 R2.0 - AMD 970, AMD SB950, ATX, Dura Caps
1 x Sapphire R7 260X 1GB GDDR5 OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x HDD WD 1TB, Caviar Blue 10EZEX, 1000 GB, SATA3,64 MB, 3,5", 24mj
1 x Samsung 120 GB 840 evo Basic, SSD disk, Kapacitet 120 GB, 2,5"
1 x XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology
1 x Zalman Z3 mid tower case. 192(W)x465(H)x430(D)mm. MB standard
1 x Samsung SH-224DB sat Bulk Black, SATA
1 x ZALMAN CNPS 5X, socket 775/1155/1156/AM2/AM2/AM3

$1646 These prices are from irs.gov, though you could probably find something cheaper at a local discount retailer. You might want to put the extra cash toward a better motherboard if you plan on overclocking, like an ASUS M5A97 R2.

Actually, an i5 would fit perfectly here too.

1 x Sapphire R7 260X 1GB GDDR5 OC, 1GB GDGD5 128bit, 28nm
1 x HDD WD 1TB, Caviar Blue 10EZEX, 1000 GB, SATA3,64 MB, 3,5", 24mj
1 x XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology
1 x Zalman Z3 mid tower case. 192(W)x465(H)x430(D)mm. MB standard
1 x Samsung SH-224DB sat Bulk Black, SATA
1 x Intel Core i5-4440 (3.10GHz,1MB,6MB,84 W,1150) Box
1 x Asrock s1150 H81M-HDS - Intel H81, M-ATX, dual Channel 2 xDDR3
1 x Kingston SSD 120GB V300, 2.5" 7mm, SATA 3 6G, 7mm to 9.5mm
1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Kingston, HyperX Blue, 1600MHz, CL10

$1687

If your budget is strictly $500, you should swap the motherboard and the CPU.
1 x Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz (Max Turbo FQ 3.3 GHz) ,6MB
1 x MSI B75MA-E31, Socket : 1155, microATX, Intel ® B75, 2xDDR3 1066

With the Intel route, you could also opt for a more budget-friendly mATX case.
1 x Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB

You can always grab an SSD later on and upgrade the rest of the components down the road.

XFX Pro Series 80+ 450W
AMD FX-Series X6 6300
Thermaltake Contac 30 Zalman Z3
Zalman ZM-T4 mid tower case
Transcend DDR3, 8GB, 1600Mhz
WD HDD Caviar Blue 3.5", 1TB
Transcend SSD TS 128GB SSD340 Series
SAPPHIRE R9 270 2
Asus M5A97 LE

$1664 Best Buy

Intel

Transcend DDR3, 8GB, 1600Mhz
WD HDD Caviar Blue 3.5", 1TB
Transcend SSD TS 128GB SSD340 Series
Intel Core i5-4440
MSI H81M-P33,1150
SAPPHIRE R9 270 2
Corsair CX430 PSU, 430 Watt
Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case

$1664 Best Buy

free assembly service included

My bad, forgot to mention what I actually need this for.

It's not for gaming, at least nothing hardcore.

I just need a solid setup that can handle Adobe software, especially After Effects. I'll need plenty of storage for video and lossless audio—specifically an SSD for working with those files when they're active in a project.

The priority is definitely on the RAM and the processor, not really the graphics card, though I'll probably end up upgrading the GPU down the road anyway.

Chicony HPA-400W, Advanced Highly HPA Series (Active PSU), ATX2.31, 12CM Fan, 20 4P, 3xSATA, 1x6P(PCI-E), 1x4P(CPU), HDD HDD HDD FDD(1pc), I O Switch, bulk package, no power cord
Transcend SSD TS 128GB SSD340 Series, TS128GSSD340 SSD TS128GSSD340, Capacity 128 GB, sučelje sat 3, MLC, Read speed 530 MB/s, Write speed 145 MB/s, 3.5" bracket included
MSI H81M-P33,1150,D3,S3,U3,DVI,VGA,mATX
TRANSCEND Transcend JetRAM DDR3 DIMM, 8GB, 1600Mhz,CL11, retail,
Zalman ZM-T4 micro tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB standard: Micro ATX MINI ITX. PSU standard: Standard ATX ATX12V. 5.2" external x 1. 3.5" internal x 2. 2,5" internal x 3. Fans: Front: 120mm Fan x1, Rear : 92mm Fan x
WESTERN DIGITAL WESTERN DIGITAL HDD Desktop Caviar Blue (3.5", 1TB, 64MB, SATA III-600).
SAPPHIRE VC SAPPHIRE AMD Radeon R7 250 1G GDDR5 PCI-E HDMI / DVI-D / VGA WITH BOOST, 1000MHz (1050MHz) / 1150Hz, 128-bit, 1.5 slot active, , LITE
INTEL INTEL Core i7-4770 (3.40GHz,1MB,8MB,84W,1150) Box, INTEL HD Graphics 4600

Price: $1674discount24.com

😬

Look at these i5 builds.

edit:
Now that I'm looking at this build from crimsonstag84, I see they sacrificed a few other components to make it work, but honestly, it’s a solid compromise—it has everything you actually need.
And instead of the R7 250, you could probably put down a little more for a GTX650 to get $33 better performance.

1 x MSI B75MA-E31, Socket : 1155, microATX, Intel ® B75, dual Channel 2 xDDR3 1066
1 x Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz (Max Turbo FQ 3.3 GHz) ,6MB
1 x Kingston DDR3 8GB (1x8GB), HyperX Genesis, 1600MHz, CL10
1 x Seagate 2TB, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, barracuda 7200
1 x Samsung 120 GB 840 evo Basic, SSD disk, Capacity 120 GB, 2.5"
1 x MSI GTX650 1024 GDDR5 128 bit, N650-1GD5/OCV1, Core Clock 1071 M
1 x Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case. 189(W) x 427.5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB
1 x Samsung SH-224DB sat Bulk Black, SATA
1 x XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology

$1688
irs.gov

Patriot Viper3 Blue Sapphire 1600 MHz, 16GB (2x8GB)...
Chicony HPA-400W, Advanced Highly...
MSI H81M-P33, 1150...
Intel Intel Core i7-4770... such a powerhouse...
Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case...
Just looking at the paliti GT630 2... honestly, it’s a bit dated now... but still holds its own for basic tasks!
SEAGATE HDD desktop SSHD 3.5... SEAGATE HDD desktop SSHD 3.5... 3.5" / 1TB / 64m...

$1660
I'm still looking into those specs... might need more info soon...

Patriot Viper3 Blue Sapphire 1600 MHz, 16GB (dual Channel 2 xDDR3)...
Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case...
Intel Core I5 4440... still holds up surprisingly well...
Transcend SSD TS 128GB SSD340 Series...
WD HDD Caviar Blue 3.5", 1TB
MSI H81M-P33, 1150...
GAINWARD GTX 650 GDDR5 1GB... It’s a solid little card... Truly impressive for its class!
Corsair CX430 PSU, 430 Watt...

$1661 Just checking in... hope everyone is having a good one!

I don't think the gt 630 is really worth it, since it's about as powerful as the integrated graphics on an Intel Core i7-4770 😉

Is that yours, or something like this? 😉

Intel Intel Core i7-4770
GAINWARD GTX 650 GDDR5 1GB
MSI H81M-P33,1150
Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case
WD HDD Caviar Blue 3.5, 1TB
Transcend SSD TS 128GB SSD340 Series
Transcend DDR3 DIMM, 8GB, 1600Mhz
Chicony HPA-400W, Advanced Highly

$1715 Walmart

I just feel bad that you can't fit 16GB of RAM in there...

Upgrading RAM is probably the easiest tweak you can make, which is why I just popped in a single 4GB stick to start with. Even when I have a couple of games running in the background along with Steam, Skype, Chrome with maybe 6 or 7 tabs open, plus some Office apps and C++, I barely hit 3GB of usage. In idle, it sits at around 18%, maybe 750MB. 🙂

Someone's got a solid processor and GPU for video editing, and upgrading the RAM should be a breeze... though I really wish it had 16GB...😢

So, I’ve been looking into the Intel Core I5 4570 lately—just one of those components that stays on your mind when you're weighing up your build options. It’s a solid little chip, really, though perhaps a bit "classic" depending on what kind of heavy lifting you're planning to do. For most everyday tasks, it holds its own quite nicely!
I was just looking over some specs for the ASRock B85M motherboard—honestly, it’s one of those reliable workhorses that really holds its own if you know what you're doing with it. It's a solid little board, especially when you're trying to balance performance and budget without feeling like you're sacrificing too much stability.
So, I finally decided to pull the trigger on some more memory—specifically that Kingston DDR3 8GB 1600MHz (2x4) kit with XMP support, the HyperX Black KIN version. Honestly, after staring at my system specs for what felt like an eternity, it just seemed like the right move to give everything a little breathing room. It’s funny how you don't realize how much you're leaning on your existing setup until you actually start looking for an upgrade!
So, I’ve been looking closely at the Asus GeForce GTX650 Ti-1GD5 lately—it’s one of those components that really makes you stop and think about how much hardware evolves over time. It’s a solid little card, honestly, and even though we're constantly chasing the next big thing in GPU power, there's something quite reliable about its performance profile. Whether you're trying to squeeze a bit more life out of an older build or just reminiscing about the era when this was the gold standard for mid-range gaming, it definitely holds its own. It’s funny how we get so attached to specific pieces of gear, isn't it? Just one of those things that keeps you tinkering!
WD HDD Caviar Blue 3.5
I've been looking at the LG DVDRW 24 x GH24NS95—specifically that SATA black bulk version—and I have to say, it’s one of those components that almost feels like a relic from a different era, isn't it? Even though we're living in an age where everything is cloud-based and streaming is king, there is still something incredibly satisfying about having a reliable, physical drive tucked away in a build. It’s that little bit of old-school utility that keeps things grounded.
So, I've been looking into the Thermaltake Slim X3, and honestly—it’s one of those components that really makes you stop and think about your thermal management strategy. It’s a compact little thing, which is great if you're working with a tighter setup, but you definitely want to weigh that against your cooling needs. If you're trying to keep things running smoothly without turning your PC into a space heater, it's worth a serious look!
So, I’ve been looking into the Fortron Raider sa pas 550 w lately—just one of those components you don't think too much about until you're actually mid-build—and I wanted to share a few thoughts on it. It’s a solid little unit, specifically that Raider sa pas 550 w, which sits right in that sweet spot for a mid-range setup if you aren't trying to break the bank. It carries that 80+ rating, which, let's be honest, is pretty much the baseline these days if you want to sleep soundly at night knowing your hardware isn't being fed inconsistent juice. It feels like a dependable workhorse for a standard build—nothing too flashy, nothing over-the-top, just a reliable source of power that gets the job done without making a massive fuss. If you're putting together something around the level of an AMD FX-Series X6 6300 or even something slightly more modern, it should handle the load quite gracefully. It's definitely one of those "set it and forget it" kind of parts!
So, I finally decided to pull the trigger on that Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case—you know, the black one—and honestly, it’s been quite the little journey getting everything settled inside. It’s a compact little thing, definitely leaning into that micro ATX Mini ITX vibe, which is great if you're trying to save some desk real estate, though I'll admit, it does make cable management a bit of a puzzle—kind of like trying to fold a fitted sheet, if you catch my drift! Still, for a ZAL-ZM-T4, it feels surprisingly solid once you get the components tucked away.

$4,978.64 via centro.hr (All components are in stock, plus they're throwing in free assembly and shipping!)

1 x GIGABYTE B75M-D3H, Socket : 1155, Intel ® B75, 4xDDR3 1066/1333/
1 x Procesor Intel Core i5-4440 (3.10GHz,1MB,6MB,84 W,1150) Box
1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Kingston, HyperX Blue, 1600MHz, CL10
1 x Kingston SSD 120GB V300, 2.5" 7mm, SATA 3 6G, 7mm to 9.5mm
1 x HDD Seagate 2TB, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, Barracuda 7200
1 x Napajanje XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology
1 x Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB
1 x Sapphire R7 260X 1GB GDDR5 OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm

$1728

1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Kingston, HyperX Blue, 1600MHz, CL10
1 x Kingston SSD 120GB V300, 2.5" 7mm, SATA 3 6G, 7mm to 9.5mm
1 x HDD Seagate 2TB, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, Barracuda 7200
1 x Napajanje XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology
1 x Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB
1 x Sapphire R7 260X 1GB GDDR5 OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x Procesor AMD FX-Series X8 8320 3.5GHz,16MB,125W,AM3+, FD8320FRHK
1 x ASUS M5A97 R2.0, AM3,AM3+, AMD 970, SB950, BUS 5200 MHz, DDR3
1 x ZALMAN CNPS 5X, socket 775/1155/1156/AM2/AM2/AM3

$1747

You’ve got an error in that Intel build

Robert Rodriguez2 said:1 x GIGABYTE B75M-D3H, Socket : 1155, Intel ® B75, 4xDDR3 1066/1333/
1 x Procesor Intel Core i5-4440 (3.10GHz,1MB,6MB,84 W,1150) Box
1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Kingston, HyperX Blue, 1600MHz, CL10
1 x Kingston SSD 120GB V300, 2.5" 7mm, SATA 3 6G, 7mm to 9.5mm
1 x HDD Seagate 2TB, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, Barracuda 7200
1 x Napajanje XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology
1 x Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB
1 x Sapphire R7 260X 1GB GDDR5 OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm

$1728

1 x DDR3 8GB (1x8GB) Kingston, HyperX Blue, 1600MHz, CL10
1 x Kingston SSD 120GB V300, 2.5" 7mm, SATA 3 6G, 7mm to 9.5mm
1 x HDD Seagate 2TB, Serial ATA III, 7200 rpm, Barracuda 7200
1 x Napajanje XFX Core edition 80 + 450 w pas - EasyRail Technology
1 x Zalman ZM-T4 micro Tower case. 189(W) x 427,5(H) x 364(D)mm. MB
1 x Sapphire R7 260X 1GB GDDR5 OC, 1GB GDDR5 128bit, 28nm
1 x Procesor AMD FX-Series X8 8320 3.5GHz,16MB,125W,AM3+, FD8320FRHK
1 x ASUS M5A97 R2.0, AM3,AM3+, AMD 970, SB950, BUS 5200 MHz, DDR3
1 x ZALMAN CNPS 5X, socket 775/1155/1156/AM2/AM2/AM3

$1747

By the way, guys, just a heads up that Discount24 and Centro both charge for shipping.

Kimberly Gomez34 said:You’ve got an error in that Intel build

By the way, guys, just a heads up that Discount24 and Centro both charge for shipping.

My bad, yeah, just gotta swap out the motherboard 😬

Anyway, you definitely pay for shipping at Discount24. I know because I've been there.☕

Thanks, everyone.

I haven't kept up with hardware in years, but it looks like the whole AMD vs. Intel debate just keeps going in circles.

I'm leaning toward the AMD x6 because of the overclocking potential, but plenty of you have already pointed out that an i5 is likely the smarter move—especially since I need this rig for Adobe. Just setting gaming aside for a second, how big is the actual performance gap between these processors when running those kinds of tools?

So, check this out:

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/product/699?vs=837

swiftstag66 said:Thanks, everyone.

I haven't kept up with hardware in years, but it looks like the whole AMD vs. Intel debate just keeps going in circles.

I'm leaning toward the AMD x6 because of the overclocking potential, but plenty of you have already pointed out that an i5 is likely the smarter move—especially since I need this rig for Adobe. Just setting gaming aside for a second, how big is the actual performance gap between these processors when running those kinds of tools?

Honestly, that AMD chip is basically a toy compared to an i5 when you're running Adobe programs.🤣

I mean, that comparison isn't exactly apples-to-apples... Anand's benchmark doesn't even include those low-end i5s, yet the 4670K still costs more than twice as much.

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/c...-CS6,3170.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/c...-CS6,3171.html

http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/c...CS-6,3169.html

Maybe check out the i5 4430 for a better comparison 🙂