AMD gaming rig

[Squadfer]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: starting to buy the stuff on tuesday. BUDGET RANGE: 1000-1300

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Coding, video's, internet, slight video editing.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: mouse, headphones, keyboard, speakers, DVD/CD

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: any good vendors

OVERCLOCKING: yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes later on (buy one GPU now and get a 2nd one later)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080


Monitor:
Dell S2309W Full HD Widescreen flat panel (I heard there is a one day special on this monitor on tuesday for $150)
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Displays/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-7339
$150

Video:
SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830
$210 ($200 after rebate)

Heatsink:
ZALMAN CNPS10X Extreme 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118051
$80

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009
$140

HDD:
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136320
$70 X 2 = $140

Case:
COOLER MASTER COSMOS 1000 RC-1000-KSN1-GP Black/ Silver Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138
$190

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 810 2.6GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 4MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103650
$170

Motherboard:
ASUS M4A79 Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131361
$180

Ram:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166
$55

OR

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103471
$190

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128377
$180

Ram:
G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9T-6GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231223
$90


Right now i'm sitting at about $1200. If anyone can point me in a direction that cost less or point me to better hardware that is within this price range that would be appreciative. I can't decide if I should stay AM2+ with DDR2 or go with the AM3 and DDR3. With both setups I'm only looking at a 100-150 price difference.

 

[computabug]

Go with the 940 or 720 and ddr3 imho. Get 2x640gb caviar blacks in stripped raid.
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=38883&promoid=1004

Find a 640gb black for 64 bucks anywhere. If you're gonna be using cuda or physx for gaming, get a gtx260 since it's some good value, even if those underdog lovers have been brainwashed to feel sorry for ati and over rate them in the round up on the home page. I still think gtx260 is nice, get the sp216 version from evga so you can OC that no worries. Should cost you around $180 tops. And get the CM690 case. 750 or 850 TX doesn't really matter, both should be around 100-120 ish dollars. All prices are from canadian retailer ncix.

 

[smithereen]

Drop down to a Phenom II 720. You're dreaming if you think that heatsink, or any, will get much out of that 810. Spend the difference on a 4850X2, methinks - or a GTX 275 and the ASUS 980a or a Foxconn Destroyer.

4850X2
ASUS 980a
Foxconn Destroyer

 

[ahslan]

well if you can, you should try to cut back on the case and the psu so that you can get a faster processor...I wouldnt settle for nothing less than the 940 (especially for a rig in this price range)

 

[smithereen]

Uh... holy [crap], I missed that part. Yeah... exactly. +lots to Ahslan.

Edit: I got bleeped.

 

[rawsteel]

940 is AM2 only!!!

945 and 955 are AM3 (as well as 720/710) so choose carefully. If you want DDR3 go with AM3 and by my opinion, go the full extent to 955. Its the best one not very expensive and worth the money and a great overclocker

 

[gkay09]

^+1
If I were you I would do this...
CPU + Graphics card - X4 955 + HD 4890
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.199014

if you want to reduce the cost, then drop the CPU to X3 720 and once it is o/c, it would offer very good gaming performance...So about $110 saved on the CPU...

Mobo - GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

RAM - GSkillz 4GB 1333MHz DDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189

CASE - Same Cosmos
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119138

+1 for other suggestion on the CASE...you can save nearly $110 by going with the CM 690, even though not a Full tower, is more than suffice for HD 4890 crossfire and has very good air-flow.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

PSU - You wont need more than 750W even for dual HD4890 and O/c X4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

HDD - The WD Black 640GB is newer and faster than the WD Black 500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319 x2

CPU Cooler - XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
I doubt that Zalman would perform better than this CPU cooler...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Monitor - $150

Total - $1270 and none of the above systems can beat this setup...

 

[smithereen]

Nice combo... but you are still paying $30 for essentially the same CPU.

 

[Squadfer]

Ok so this is where I sit now.

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674
$245

MOBO
GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378
$140

Ram
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189
$65

Heatsink
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
$35

Video
SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102830
$210

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
$120

Case
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
$80

HDD
Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
70 X 2 = $140

Monitor
Dell S2309W Full HD Widescreen flat panel (I heard there is a one day special on this monitor on tuesday for $150)
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna [...] u=320-7339
$150

So, 1185 from newegg before rebates. 1129.98 with rebates

or

1115 with rebates and the CPU and GPU combo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.199014


OR go with the 720 which will lower the price to 1060 before rebates.

I cant decide on which processor to choose from...

 

[smithereen]

Go for the quad.

 

[computabug]

Do you really need the extra core? Are you considering an attempt of luck to unlock the extra core and get it stable?

That's a very good set-up btw, lots of improvement from it initially. If you don't want to wait around to shop for low prices, I'd say it's safe to buy it. If you want to save some bucks, I've seen the WD black 640 go for $64 no MIR, WD black 1tb for $97 no MIR, cm690 for $65 no MIR, radeon 4850 for $99 after $20 MIR. If you live in Canada, look at the weekly wednesday sale @ NCIX, they usually have some really low prices that make me regret my purchases after the items go on sale a few weeks later 😛

http://www.ncix.com/promo/promosale.php?webid=fathers09
WD black 1tb still there for $97

NCIX for americans:
http://www.ncixus.com/hotdeals/

They also take price matches, so just go to a shopping site such as pricebat or shopbot and search up your item, then price match it

 

[hellraiser06]

Also, keep in mind that the AMD system canNOT use the triple channel memory kits (referring to your initial post). Also, if gaming is your primary concern, 720BE should be more than enough for you. I see that you are not goin to code video that much, so I would say go for 720BE. Games (except GTA4, MS Flight Sim FSX, crysis probably) wont be utilzing all the 4 cores for at least 2 3 years, so 720BE will serve you good till then.

But then again if cost is ot an issue, theres nothing better than a quad. But, I dont really see you using more than a x3 720BE. Rest all seems good.

Enjoy gaming. And BTW, a very good selection for monitor (e-ips panel).

 

[computabug]

Also, keep in mind that the AMD system canNOT use the triple channel memory kits

???

-1

 

[gkay09]

^ Well he is partially correct...they have dual-channel memory controller so they will not be able to run the RAMs in Tri-Channel...but they can run 3 RAM sticks...

 

[gkay09]

If you are going to use the PC primary for Gaming, then get this combo...For this price it is unbeatable...
X3 720 + ASUS + ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 for about $195
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.203011

And the X3s are very good @overclocking too...they have unlocked multipliers and with that CPU cooler, they can easily get to 3.6GHz stable...
Check these articles...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-overclock-athlon,2161.html
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-ii-overclock,2267.html

 

[rescawen]

ddr2 and ddr3 no difference in gaming

 

[hellraiser06]

???

-1

Yeah, I meant that AMD systems cannot use RAM in triple channel, but can use them in dual channel. number of sticks does not matter. You can use 2, 3, 4 whatever.....

 

[computabug]

Yeah, I meant that AMD systems cannot use RAM in triple channel, but can use them in dual channel. number of sticks does not matter. You can use 2, 3, 4 whatever.....

Not sure what you mean by 'triple channel', ddr3 or 6 mem slots or the effective bandwidth being 3x the frequency anyways, AMD can use ddr3, hands down...