AMD Phenom II, first time system builder

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swedelander

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Approximate Purchase Date: Over The Next Couple Days/Weeks (Just received a copy of Elder Scrolls V Skyrim and my older Intel CPU socket 775 said "isnt going to happen" when I placed the DVD disk in to install) *tears run down cheeks as I hold bonus premium map*

Budget Range: $500-600 US

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Moderate Gaming, Internet, Netflix, Watching Movies (DVD)

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, Storage Drive

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg

Country: US

Parts Preferences: AMD Phenom II CPU, AM3 ATX mobo, ATX Mid Tower Case

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: Current Monitor is Compaq FS7600 (1,280 x 1,024 max resolution)
http://www.amazon.com/HP-FS7600-Compaq-Monitor/dp/B0007D7WOW

Additional Comments: This is my first time build and was wanting to use the $500 Gaming PC from September System Builder Marathon. I couldnt find the "seagate barracuda st500dm002 500 gb" listed in build on newegg and wanted to know if it would be possible to use a "older" hard drive out of another computer (I have listed it below) and/or list a similar hard drive as the seagate that could be purchased from newegg. Also if there is anything that needs changed or wouldnt be compatible? All comments, suggestions, help are welcome and greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to view my post

MoBo: ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157176

Graphics: SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

Memory: Crucial 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148262

Optical: SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151233

Case: NZXT GAMMA Classic Series GAMA-001BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146061

Power: Antec EarthWatts Green EA-430D Green 430W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371034

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
 
Solution
aznshinobi
I suggest spending $15 more to get a PSU that'll allow you to CF in the future. You may say you don't plan to now but it'll be better than buying a single card since CF 6870 gives you about 10-20% better performance than a GTX 580, plus the wattage will future proof you.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049
Currently just $70 after promo code and before rebates a solid buy.

For the motherboard, get this just to have AM3+ as an option and 8x/8x for Crossfire, plus you get USB 3 and SATA 6gb/s (SATA 3)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157272
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iam2thecrowe

iam2thecrowe

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the initial build is fine, except for the PSU. If you want to overclock anything more power is a must. just use the stock AMD cooler on the cpu for now, put the money from the CPU cooler toward a better psu and get the cooler later on. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157199 get a newer chipset mmotherboard like this. you wont need crossfire especially with that monitor. When you need a better gfx card later just buy a whole new one. I would recommend an intel core i3 setup, at least then you can upgrade the cpu to something really good later, AMD has nothing better than a phenom II for gaming, and likely never will for the am3+ socket.
 
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aznshinobi

aznshinobi

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Paz, he needs OS too.

Dontcrostthe streams why don't you look at Newegg and tell us the prices you see we are talking internal not external.

As for the Combo, terrible combo. The build gives you a crappy MB a worse GPU although overall the combo isn't bad, you're better off buying parts separately. Good find nonetheless.
 
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swedelander

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Great advice so far!! I have been able to compare some system components and even check out some reviews for items I had previously overlooked. I'm set at this point on the build and think the only parts I would consider changing would be the PSU and/or mobo. Then adding a larger HHD (when prices lower) and better monitor over time
The alternative recommended mobo listed above (ASRock 880GM-LE AM3 AMD 880G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard) Had a good amount of DOA's on the reviews, They either loved it or was DOA (that part scares me) Doesnt seem like a bad mobo, but it only has 2 x 240 memory slots and it is rather small in size. What I really liked most about it was the fact that it had onboard video chipset. My thoughts on this was I could order most the parts I needed this week so I could get up and running then deposit a paycheck or two back into the bank to cover the initial price of the build before adding the 6870 GPU this would also allow me to purchase a better PSU
When it comes to selecting the PSU, I would feel more comfortable if I was pointed in the right direction as to what would be compatibile and best? The OCZ ZS Series 750W that aznshinobi mentioned looks really nice and I'm honestly tempted to go ahead and buy it tonight as the sale ends soon http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341049
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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Sorry about my links not working this is what I would buy. The hard drive is only temporary and I would upgrade it once prices become reasonable.
operating system of course ($99.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
DVD/CD drive the cheaper the better ($17.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204
I have personally built a computer with this case had no problems with it but you can substitute another. ($64.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147145
Yet another product I have used and would use for a motherboard. ($79.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138316
thermal paste ($12.98)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007&cm_sp=Cat_Fans_%26%2338%3b_Heatsinks-_-Best_Sellers-_-35-100-007
Depending what case you get I would get different CPU coolers if you were to get a large case I would use a 120mm cooler ($29.99) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233082
but the case I chose I would go with a 92mm cooler due to the side fan the case has ($24.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233081
keyboard ($15.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823109077
mouse ($7.99) it is cheap but I own one and I like it
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826664015
Phenom ll X4 processor at 3.2 that overclocks great if you ever want to ($124.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808
Power supply I have in my computer good power usage at low loads ($54.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194038
I wouldn't spend too much on a hard drive now because of prices. 250GB should hold most of the information you need for the time until prices come back down ($51.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136979
memory at 4gb this is fine and can be upgraded in the future ($26.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231425
Lastly graphics a 6750 for $104.99 but with rebate come to ($74.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150572
Total price is $603.87
some things I would consider changing if you would go over this price is the motherboard so it can be CF/SLI and the graphics to get a better one. If you don't mind spending another $100 you can get better parts and then get that money back in rebates. The parts I chose are parts I have used so that I know they work and wouldn't mind getting them again.
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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Actually one change in my list would be getting that 750w power supply.
With the rebate and the sale that power supply goes from $90 to $45. Although if you don't do any future upgrades the efficiency of that power supply would remain worse than that of a 500w power supply.
 
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swedelander

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Just placed the order for the OCZ ZS Series 750W PSU, NZXT GAMMA ATX Mid Tower Case, and SAMSUNG CD/DVD Burner. Three components down now for the costly ones *grins* remind me to hide the check book from the wife for the next couple weeks before I order them
Also I took a look at the ASRock 870 Extreme3 that aznshinobi suggested
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157272&Tpk=asrock%20870%20extreme3
And it's not bad but was wanting something with a onboard chip set, what about this Foxconn A7DA-S 3.0 AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186168
I know the onboard graphics are not needed if I add the 6870 GPU but if I went this route couldnt hold off on buying the GPU right away?! This would help me out for the thanksgiving holidays
 
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andrewcarr

andrewcarr

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Now that I think about it the new AMD processors will not be compatible with the AM3 socket so you will want to chose an AM3+ board. The one listed above looks great for the price. If you want to keep this a budget build you should consider the parts I previously listed but if you want to make a better computer for future upgrades you will have to spend about $50-100 extra. Another thing you may want to consider it upgrading the memory from 4GB to 8GB memory is so cheap right now the price difference is only $15.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104231
 
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swedelander

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Since I have to leave for work in a few and the sale for 965BE ends tonight, I did a little digging around here on the forums and reading reviews, and went ahead with ordering
I still need a mobo for this build all other parts have been ordered (besides memory) this could be a go by this weekend but I honestly do not have the necessary experience and confidence to pick one out without some help!!!
There has been some good recommendations and the one I honestly gave the greatest thought to going ahead and ordering is not in stock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157243&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1lmd08k1oj8t3
I would prefer ATX in size, Onboard Video Chipset and DVI Video Port is a must!!!(least I think thats the plug in for the older monitor I listed as using)
 
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swedelander

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Have been waiting for newegg to stock the 880G as recommended but it is starting to look like thats not going to happen, it been a little over a month since someone has posted feedback on this board and i'm afraid i will continue to check newegg every morning after work just to see it "deactivated" a month down the road or something.
The ASRock 890GX PRO3 seems to stock more often as the buyers have listed feedback around the first part of november but is currently out of stock as well
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157244
I can only find these boards available for shipping on two other sites (ebay and amazon) and have concern from ordering from either site

Here is another board I have given some thought to ordering and could use some input on it MSI 880G-E45 AM3 AMD 880G
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130563

*I know it doesnt offer support for the AM3+ CPU's and has only one PCIe lane*
 
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swedelander

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Upped the ante on the build!!! Ordered a mobo with a newer chipset for this build, liked the idea of having 2-16x pcie lanes. I have not had much time since my last post to work on it and the ATX mid tower case I had ordered was RMA'd due to damage from shipping. Also some more "key" components along with Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound, and some Cable Ties for wire management.
ASRock 990FX Extreme3 AM3+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157281
SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102948
PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820178333
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986
I should have everything I need now to get up and running, then over the next month will add a full HD monitor and SSD for the OS.
 
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