AMD build under $750

So here's the deal, man. I'm looking to build an AMD-based rig specifically for gaming.

I just need the essentials: the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and a GPU. My budget tops out at $1667, though ideally, I’d love to stay closer to $1333.

Anthony Hayes82 said:So here's the deal, man. I'm looking to build an AMD-based rig specifically for gaming.

I just need the essentials: the CPU, motherboard, RAM, and a GPU. My budget tops out at $1667, though ideally, I’d love to stay closer to $1333.

What kind of case is he running? And what's the exact power supply model? We really need those details before we start throwing suggestions his way.

swiftfalcon89 said:What kind of case is he running? And what's the exact power supply model? We really need those details before we start throwing suggestions his way.

I tried asking, but he wouldn't give me a straight answer about the case—he just said it looks "sexy," which isn't exactly helpful. As for the PSU, he doesn't know the brand, just that it's some EVGA 600 W Gold plus.

EDIT: He still doesn't know the case model. He just mentioned the power supply is mounted at the top and it fits ATX boards. I have no idea what the max GPU length is, though he did say if it's too long, he'll just cut out the HDD bracket. Man, what kind of guy says there's a "Z" on the front and thinks that's an answer? Like, maybe a Cooler Master z1, but that doesn't help us build anything.

I’d say the power supply and the case are both solid enough:

1x AMD X8 FX-8300 processor
1x LC POWER LC-CC 120 CPU Cooler, Intel/AMD, 120mm, PWM
1x ASUS GA-970-Gaming, AM3+, R2.0, 4+1 Phase, 125W CPU
1x Corsair DDR3 HyperX Fury 8GB 1866MHz CL10 Red
1x ASUS Radeon R9 380 x G1 gaming GDDR5 4GB, 256bit

TOTAL: $1417

Free shipping

http://www.amazon.com/s?k=gtx+970+phoenix

Kimberly Gomez34 said:http://www.amazon.com/s?k=gtx+970+phoenix

http://www.bestbuy.com/product...&code=62469ADM

It’d be a shame not to grab this for $50 more, especially since it comes with an extra 12 months of warranty.

I ran an ASUS 280 for a while—it was actually a pretty solid card.

Chris Robinson25 said:http://www.bestbuy.com/product...&code=62469ADM

It’d be a shame not to grab this for $50 more, especially since it comes with an extra 12 months of warranty.

I ran an ASUS 280 for a while—it was actually a pretty solid card.

but that HDD platter is gonna bend under the weight, card's basically a ship XD

swiftfalcon89 said:I’d say the power supply and the case are both solid enough:

1x AMD X8 FX-8300 processor
1x LC POWER LC-CC 120 CPU Cooler, Intel/AMD, 120mm, PWM
1x ASUS GA-970-Gaming, AM3+, R2.0, 4+1 Phase, 125W CPU
1x Corsair DDR3 HyperX Fury 8GB 1866MHz CL10 Red
1x ASUS Radeon R9 380 x G1 gaming GDDR5 4GB, 256bit

TOTAL: $1417

Free shipping

I actually suggested a similar setup to him, except it had an XFX R9 380 4G card instead. I told him, "Look, I recommend this; I'm running the exact same CPU." I even offered to help him with some overclocking since he clearly doesn't have a clue how to do it.
His response? He goes, "But I don't want the same thing, I want something better." 😁 And honestly, you can't win with people like that. 😵

Anyway, here's what his case looks like.

Look, I don't have anything beefier than an FX8300 lying around. Honestly, most of those other FX83xx chips are just overclocked FX8300s anyway, which feels like a total waste of cash. You can easily bump up that 8300 clock speed to something like an 8350 yourself. You might as well pocket that extra 450-$167 or put it toward a decent SSD. If someone really wants to push the overclocking, they’re going to need a more expensive motherboard and maybe a better GPU, like a GTX970—though I wouldn't bet on that recommendation until we know what kind of power supply they're actually running...

So, if we're talking about an OC build, it could look something like this:

1x AMD X8 FX-8300 Processor
1x LC Power CC 120 CPU Cooler - 120mm Intel/AMD
1x ASUS GA-970-Gaming
1x Corsair DDR3 HyperX Fury, 1866MHz, 8GB Black HX318C10FB/8
1x ASUS Radeon R9 380 x G1 gaming, 4GB GDDR5

TOTAL: $1436

swiftfalcon89 said:Look, I don't have anything beefier than an FX8300 lying around. Honestly, most of those other FX83xx chips are just overclocked FX8300s anyway, which feels like a total waste of cash. You can easily bump up that 8300 clock speed to something like an 8350 yourself. You might as well pocket that extra 450-$167 or put it toward a decent SSD. If someone really wants to push the overclocking, they’re going to need a more expensive motherboard and maybe a better GPU, like a GTX970—though I wouldn't bet on that recommendation until we know what kind of power supply they're actually running...

So, if we're talking about an OC build, it could look something like this:

1x AMD X8 FX-8300 Processor
1x LC Power CC 120 CPU Cooler - 120mm Intel/AMD
1x ASUS GA-970-Gaming
1x Corsair DDR3 HyperX Fury, 1866MHz, 8GB Black HX318C10FB/8
1x ASUS Radeon R9 380 x G1 gaming, 4GB GDDR5

TOTAL: $1436

I could definitely make it happen if I could just talk him into it... Anyway, with that motherboard and a cooler like the CC 120, hitting 4.0GHz should be a breeze. I'm running mine at 1.27V without any issues on the exact same DS3P rev. 2.0 board. I checked the power supply and sent over a photo—it's an EVGA 600 W 80 plus bronze.

swiftfalcon89, just so you know, the GTX970 actually pulls less power than the 380X.

He says the GTX970 is way out of his budget, and honestly, looking at anything above $667, I can't say I blame him.

That case belongs in a scrap yard. I have the exact same one, and there’s zero way to cool it down—you can't mount a fan in the back, you can't mount a fan in the front.

It's basically a bucket. You can't get any bigger than that.

Honestly, if someone doesn't want to overthink this too much, they should just grab the last build I suggested: an FX8300 paired with a CC 120, an ASUS GA-970-Gaming, and an ASUS R9 380 x. Throw that together and you're good to go.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:That case belongs in a scrap yard. I have the exact same one, and there’s zero way to cool it down—you can't mount a fan in the back, you can't mount a fan in the front.

It's basically a bucket. You can't get any bigger than that.

Then he goes on about having four fans in the front, two in the back, and one on the side, claiming it blows like a hurricane... 🤦

I told him straight up: if budget is the issue, just pick up a Cooler Master z1 at the very least.

The Z3 plus only hits about 320W$110, but you’re getting extra fans, better GPU support, and all that good stuff...

Anthony Hayes82 said:Then he goes on about having four fans in the front, two in the back, and one on the side, claiming it blows like a hurricane... 🤦

I told him straight up: if budget is the issue, just pick up a Cooler Master z1 at the very least.

If you cut out that metal mesh in the front, maybe a single 120mm will fit
but otherwise, no way. The space out front is designed for 4x60mm fans
I'm just saying, lol

Maybe an 80mm fits in the back, but there's no chance he's packing that many fans.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:If you cut out that metal mesh in the front, maybe a single 120mm will fit
but otherwise, no way. The space out front is designed for 4x60mm fans
I'm just saying, lol

Maybe an 80mm fits in the back, but there's no chance he's packing that many fans.

Look, if he's that obsessed with this case, he can just buy some small, high-performance fans. They aren't exactly expensive. The damn thing will sound like a four-engine jet—loud as hell early on, but at least you'll have the airflow.

Robert Rodriguez2 said:If you cut out that metal mesh in the front, maybe a single 120mm will fit
but otherwise, no way. The space out front is designed for 4x60mm fans
I'm just saying, lol

Maybe an 80mm fits in the back, but there's no chance he's packing that many fans.

He's claiming they're all 80mm. Honestly, I might have to swing by his place once he picks up his parts because he isn't going to know how to put this thing together. My main worry right now is that the CC 120 liquid cooler probably won't fit in that case, so he might end up having to grab the LC 90 instead.

Look, just tell him this: if he actually cares about making these components last, he needs to stop playing around and pick up a decent case, something like a Cooler Master Hyper 212