AMD Build

[blackfeet]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Mid June

BUDGET RANGE: $2300 AUD (This is already pushing the limits, so please don't suggest anything more expensive)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I'll be buying from www.pccasegear.com/msy.com but i'll link newegg.com since most of you guys will be more familiar with it.

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD/ATI

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: My first build and my first time overclocking.

Pricing will be Newegg Price (How much it costs me)

Case: CM Storm Scout - $110 ($150)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&Tpk=CM%20Storm%20Scout

CPU: Phenom II 720 BE - $140 ($220)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649&Tpk=amd%20720

CPU Cooler: Xigmatek HDT S1283 - $36 ($55)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

PSU: Corsair TX-750 - $120 ($230)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=corsair%20TX%20750

HDD: WD 640g Caviar Black - $75 ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

GFX: XFX 1GB 4890 - $260 ($390)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150360

GFX: XFX 1GB 4890 - $260 ($390)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150360

Sound Card: Auzentech Forte - $150 ($240)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156010&Tpk=auzentech%20forte

Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - $170? ($220)
Can't find these on new egg. I can link where i'll buy them from though.
http://www.headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=178


Optic drive: Any cheap one - $20? ($30)
*EDITED*
Going with DDR3.

Currently going with this MB.

MB: GA-MA790XT-UD4P $135 ($225)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

Thanks to Outlander_04

Can this board do all that? If not then any recommendations? If yes are there any similar priced/cheaper boards that can do it better? Remember, AM3 support, Crossfire and Sound Card.


Ram: 4gb (2x2g) 1333 G skill - $60?($100?)

Is this good enough? Btw what's the difference between G Skill NQ and G Skill PI. PI is about $20 more expensive


Total = $1535 ($2350)

So yea. Would this build be better than a Phenom II x4 955 BE/DDR3 setup with only 1 4890 for gaming? It's about the same price at the moment. Or would I be better off going with the 955 and waiting a few months for the 4890 to drop to about $100-150 before I crossfire? How much of an increase will I get using a 955 over a 720? I don't mind using 1 card for a while, the 4890 is a pretty beast card even on its own. But if the difference is minimal then I'd rather buy everything while I have the money.

Btw, would this all fit in a CM Storm Scout or any other similar priced case? Remember, 2 4890s and an Auzen Forte. How will temperatures be on the GPUs in Crossfire? Can it be done on only air cooling? Will I need to get aftermarket GPU coolers? I don't really mind case noise as I'll have my headphones on most of the time.

Is 750W enough? Should I get the TX-850 or even more maybe?

Sorry for all the questions lol. It's my first build and my first time overclocking so I need all the advice I can get.

Ps. For everyone who is going to recommend an i7 build then please don't. Although an i7 is a BEAST, the AMD BE chips are so much easier to OC, so I'd much rather stick with them.

 

[Outlander_04]

Just raising the multiplier will leave the ram clocks alone which makes life easy .

You have an awful lot of gfx power there . Have you considered buying a single 4890 and seeing if it gives you the frame rates you want . Apart from games like crysis [ which isnt good on any hardware really ] you will be fine .


If you are sticking with those 2 gfx cards then
GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-UD5P AM3/AM2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128391
is a better board because both pci-e x 16 slots work at full x16 speed

But I think the preferred option is to buy one gfx card , this DDR3 mb
GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378
and upgrade to DDR3 ram

I think that makes a system that will last longer because parts and upgrades will be around longer .
But if Aussie is anything like NZ then ddr3 is still way too expensive . 4 gig of decent DDR3 costs about $250 - 300 here

 

[blackfeet]

Yea I edited my post a little before your reply. Decided to go with DDR3.

But if Aussie is anything like NZ then ddr3 is still way too expensive . 4 gig of decent DDR3 costs about $250 - 300 here

I'm not sure what is considered 'decent'. But Msy sells 4gb G skill 1333 for $100. But some brands can go anywhere up to $180 for 1333 and $250 for 1600