New Budget Build (<$750)

[DBRider251]

Hey guys, been looking around for a while, and decided to sell my laptop (complete POS. Useless IMO) and build a desktop. I'll probably only use this for Sim, Minecraft, some minor video editing, and some minor modeling once I get into CAD this fall. I don't want to spend money out the butt for an extremely pointless CPU and not get a good GPU. SOOO basically what I want FOR SURE in this PC is:
Dual Core CPU at 3.0ghz or higher
2 sticks of 4gb DDR3-1866 or higher RAM
4 Memory slots in the MOBO (upgrade later)
GTX 760 or higher (Radeon equivalent and up)
The BitFenix Comrade case

I am willing to ditch the SSD's in the AMD builds for a cheaper build, or better performance.

This is all I have so far.
Intel build
CPU: Intel Core i5-3570 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($209.96 @ OutletPC)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Biostar B75MU3+ Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.51 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: PNY GeForce GTX 760 2GB Enthusiast Edition Video Card ($235.98 @ Amazon)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.91 @ Amazon)
Total: $742.57

AMD Build
For this build, I was going to either buy an A-10, and buy the GPU later, or just get an FX and GPU same time. So tell me which would be better.
FX
CPU: AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz 6-Core Processor ($108.99 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-78LMT-USB3 Micro ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($54.99 @ Micro Center)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($269.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.91 @ Amazon)
Total: $723.07

APU
CPU: AMD A10-6790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($119.98 @ SuperBiiz)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($18.24 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus A88XM-A Micro ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($66.68 @ Amazon)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($79.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Sandisk Solid State Drive 64GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($51.98 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($49.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon R9 280X 3GB Dual-X Video Card ($269.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: EVGA 500W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($48.91 @ Amazon)
Total: $745.75

[760Liam]

If you're doing a lot of modeling and rendering an Intel build will benefit you greatly.

[KTM57]

If you're doing a lot of modeling and rendering an Intel build will benefit you greatly.

This is not necessarily true, and notably not in this case. The reason something like an i7 is better for that stuff in comparison to an i5 is the hyperthreading - single core performance between the two isn't going to be much different. The i5 has 4 real cores; i7 has 4 real cores and 4 virtual cores. Basically, more cores translates to better performance with applications that are especially taxing, like rendering and editing videos or working with 3D models. You can probably guess which option between the i5 3570 and FX6300 is going to be better for video editing and modeling, but I'll give you a hint - it's over $100 cheaper.

The A10 is an APU, meaning that it's got a graphics processor built into the CPU. It's pretty cool, but if you're getting a solid GPU anyway, there's no real reason to get one over something like an FX8xxx. I don't know that I would suggest it on your budget, but there is a way to utilize both the APU graphics processing and a discrete GPU at once.

An i5 3570 is a great CPU, and you'll probably be happy with your purchase, but you can't overclock it, and it's obviously more expensive than the FX. For people building a PC with MXS in mind, I generally recommend an FX6300 because it's a great CPU for the price that, from what I understand, performs overall on the same level as an i5 3570k. The ultimate midrange consumer level CPU really is an i7, but unless you're really into computers, you might never notice or even care about the benefits over its cheaper competitors.

I would suggest looking into a WD Black HDD over a Seagate Barracuda. I have both, and I find the WD to be quicker, plus the sticker doesn't have that ugly teal color on it. The internet's general consensus is also that WD drives last longer than competitors and that the company provides better support than Seagate.

Make sure your PSU wattage is high enough to where you're using 90% or less at full load. Your AMD processors and ATI GPUs are all power hogs. I might suggest 650-700W just so you have a nice ceiling for upgrades. EVGA is a great brand with an awesome 10 year warranty on their power supplies.

SSDs are great to have, and if you can justify spending another $50-60, you should get a 256GB Crucial MX100 for about $110 so you can fit more than just your operating system on it. If you want to stick to the $50 range for your SSD, you definitely should look into the 128GB equivalent for about $70.

Go with the R9 280X over the GTX760 all day. ALL DAY.

FEEL FREE TO USE THE "WHAT'S YOUR PC" THREAD THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE OFF-TOPIC SUBFORUM FOR ABOUT AN ETERNITY, WHERE A WEALTH OF INFORMATION AND PC PARTS LISTS CAN BE FOUND FROM EXPERIENCED PC-BUILDING TECHY USERS SUCH AS PUMAXCS AND MYSELF, AMONG OTHERS.

[DBRider251]

If you're doing a lot of modeling and rendering an Intel build will benefit you greatly.

Bunch of computer stuff

Thanks alot for the info August! I'll definatelyput that into my build. I was thinking about getting an i7, but they are so damn expensive. I'll have to catch one on sale to get one.

[760Liam]

This will also help you with your final decision.

[760Liam]

Sorry, I forgot the other link. These videos are a little old, but they will really help you get an idea of which build you want.

[FlyinHigh]

Go with the intel build, not only will it be better in the long run, but it will currently probably do better than all the rest of the builds. Now the 280x is a great card, about the gtx770 SC equivalent but the amd cpu's you have are nearing a bottleneck for the card) So in other words, if you want to upgrade your graphics down the road, you're going to HAVE to upgrade your cpu, which is not so much the case with the i5. Now if you can go with a 280x or 770 and the i5 that would be the way to go imo.