Description

This is for my office (sitting at my desk right now) it is used primarily for creating proposals, bids & presentations. On occasion we need to put up YouTube video and use Skype. I also use Google docs and cloud storage so I can access what I need from my home build (http://pcpartpicker.com/b/Vv8dnQ). However, like the title says I have to take a break now and then get some gaming in, nothing to intense since I would end up disrupting the entire office if that happened. I play portal, some sand lot games, ect.

I had to update the bios to get the 860k to work which is why a board that had flashback is so nice. The first couple pictures show how easy it is to do. Dont even need the chip or gpu just power and a usb thumb drive.

I had my 8 year old help me with this just like he helped on my first build. It is a great to connect with your kid and teach them something useful as well. We now talk at bedtime about what rigs we want and color schemes.

I originally was going to get A10-7850 but the 860k plus the 260x came out so close I couldn't turn away a separate GPU. I and happy I did because this chip is the best. I think this is the future of AMD the FM2+, you can go the APU route or use a solid chip like the 860K. Keep building off this concept AMD!

Part Reviews

CPU

AMD Athlon X4 860K 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Processor

OMG this thing is great! Easy to overclock and just feels so smooth. I cant say enough about it. Want to build another system with it and really see what I can get it up too.

CPU Cooler

Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler

it is the 212

Motherboard

Asus A88X-PRO ATX FM2+ Motherboard

Best mobo I have ever used. Asus suit 3, actually is useful for once. This board is also great for overclocking the FM2+ line. However, the normal heat monitors HWmonitor, Speccy, Coretemp do not accurately read the cpu temps?? So I just use the bios.

Bios flashback was useful as I had to update the bios for the 860k

Memory

G.Skill Ares Series 8 GB (2 x 4 GB) DDR3-1866 CL9 Memory

G.Skill

Storage

Crucial MX100 256 GB 2.5" Solid State Drive

Not the fastest but a great price for the space.

Video Card

Sapphire Radeon R7 260X 2 GB Video Card

It is a 260x so dont expect killer stats but it is a pretty powerful starter card.

Case

Antec One ATX Mid Tower Case

It is a good looking case and looks like it belongs in an office, which is good cause it is. I has room inside to build but yet is one of the smaller mid towers which is what I wanted. They only draw back is the back side cable management is hard even with that bulge on the side. The 20 pin cable is wider than the gap so you have to get it placed just right to fit. Once you get that your good to go.

Power Supply

Corsair CX 500 W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply

reliable & semi-modular

Optical Drive

Asus DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS DVD/CD Writer

used it to load windows, it did that so 5 stars

Operating System

Microsoft Windows 8.1 OEM 64-bit

i like it but want 10 to come out (got free from work)

Wireless Network Adapter

TP-Link TL-WDN4800 PCIe x1 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Adapter

this thing works very well

Case Fan

Cooler Master SickleFlow (Blue) 69 CFM 120 mm Fan

they are $9 bucks but the case is small and they move air

Monitor

Acer H226HQLbid 21.5" 1920x1080 60 Hz Monitor

Already had from office - I have the 23 inch one at home ---- love it.

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Comments

  • 61 months ago
  • 2 points

love seeing builds with the 860k

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

It is becoming my favorite chip. I think once people try this they will love it!!

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Nice build, great cable management what did you think of the case? I'm thinking of using it in an upcoming build

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Love the way it looks but it is tight in back so cable management is not as easy as I thought it would be with that big bulge on the side. However, I can be done and is one of the more compact mid towers which I needed. Overall as long as you do not try to stuff to much into it it is a good case.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

sounds good thanks for the reply

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Nice colour scheme and cable management +1

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Thank you

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

How is the CPU treating you? All I see is either bashing it (from Intel lovers) and loving it (for AMD lovers), so I can't really find any honest opinions.

  • 61 months ago
  • 3 points

Honestly it is a good chip. The price to performance ratio is up there with the FX 6300. It is easy to overclock and mutitasks smooth. I like AMD but know Intel has overall better chips. However, I will put this 4 core up against their G3220 dual core any day.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

How many frames are you getting for skyrim?

  • 61 months ago
  • 2 points

I have not tested Skyrim since it is at my office but I will on Monday.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

oh ok thanks

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

+1 for flashing the BIOS without the CPU installed. That would send me straight to the Xanax bottle!! I do want to build a 860k build though. You say its on par with the 6300?

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Yes it is and it is better in single core. Obviously multi 6 beats 4. The cost is less as well. You will enjoy it.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Yeah first time flashing & I was shocked it worked.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Great Son, Better PC, Nice Build Dude!

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Thanks

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

1+ Great to see that your a parent that lets the kids get involved.Overall nice build!

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Thanks, It is amazing how fast kids can pick things up, I try to encourage anything he shows interest in, cause once the teen years hit I instantly become an old fart and not the cool dad who lets him help build computers.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Lol yeah

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Hey Dam, I have this CPU and I love it as well. I think you will also find this article about AMD CPU temps as useful as I did: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2122665/understanding-temperature-amd-cpus-apus.html

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Couldn't you use a flash drive to boot Windows and save 20$?

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Yes, but I still use a CD player at the office. For example Quicken CD version will let you boot onto 3 computer but the download will only work on one. We have many clients who store their inventories on discs or like us to burn their contracts on discs. However, If it was up to me your right.

My home PC has a CD this was only to load my 300+ music cds onto the system, they are now stored in the cloud and the cd has been replaced by a storage drawer.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

ohh ok just trying to help :D

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

I appreciate it and agree they are becoming obsolete.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

How easy was it to overclock the 860k?

  • 61 months ago
  • 2 points

Very easy and think I can get more out of it. I just stopped because I don't have water cooling and it is current idling at 30 (it was 34-35 prior to setting the 212 up on push pull). This chip is easy to OC than my FX-8320 that is for sure.

  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Thanks Dam5668

  • 59 months ago
  • 1 point

I was wondering if this processor would be better than intels i3 400 series. I'm in between a rock and a hard place. I'm considering intel so that when I upgrade to an i7 I won't have to change mobo too, but aren't too sure if the i3 is that great compared to this processor. (P.s. This is for a primarily gaming rig and will upgrade to i7 in the future to stream.)

  • 59 months ago
  • 1 point

Yes, it would be better than the i3 400 series. However, if your intention is to upgrade to a i7 in the future it doesnt make any sense to get the 860k. The i3 is still decent and most games right now are not using multi-cores (this is changing). So if it were me I would get an i3 or the Intel G3258 and overclock the hell out of it, then upgrade when you can. If not you will have to save for a new mobo amd cpu.

  • 55 months ago
  • 1 point

Nice build, although I put together a way better 670 dollar build. Ask me if you want it.

  • 55 months ago
  • 1 point

Ok, I asking.

  • 52 months ago
  • 1 point

I heard that there are reliability issues with this mobo, but don't all motherboards have reliability issues?

  • 51 months ago
  • 1 point

It has been almost a year, pc is on 24/7 and no issues so far.....I better not have jinx myself!

  • 51 months ago
  • 1 point

This looks like an amazing build and I'm even using the same motherboard and CPU for my own build but PC part picker says I may need a BIOS update and I don't know if I need to buy an older CPU that's compatible with the boards BIOS in order to update it or something else and I don't really know how to update it without an older CPU. Help is greatly appreciated.

  • 46 months ago
  • 1 point

how did u update bios

  • 46 months ago
  • 1 point

I downloaded the new bios on a flash. The motherboard has a dedicated usb for bios updates so all I had to do was plug it in and wait for the indicator light to flash that it was done. Very easy.

  • 61 months ago
  • 0 points

I see you've oriented your PSU with the fan side on the bottom, allowing your PSU to intake carpet fibers, I'm certain it won't do your PSU any good.

  • 61 months ago
  • 2 points

The fan has a microfiber filter, did you look at the last picture? the system is sitting 12 inches foot off the ground on couch lifters and finally under the entire CPU is a piece of rectangle Plexiglas. My PSU is doing just fine and sucking up nice clean cool air. However, I do understand your point which is why the precautions were made - very simple ones that anyone can do.

  • 61 months ago
  • 0 points

Wow I'm blind.

  • 61 months ago
  • 2 points

It's all good. If I had it on the carpet I would want someone to call me out so I could flip it cause that would kill it fast.

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  • 61 months ago
  • 1 point

Yes, they are great and reasonably priced.

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