BestConfigs: High-End AMD Gaming PC

jpishgar

Splendid
Overlord Emeritus
It's that time again! Time to update the Tom's Hardware BestConfigs! Once again, we are opening the field to user recommendations to get the best consensus for the absolute best of the best in each category. Post the best configuration you can put together for the following build category and our editorial team will pick 5 of the best to be put up to a public vote right here in the Systems forum. The top-ranking build will go on to become one of Tom's Hardware BestConfigs and you'll get the credit for having put together a brilliant build with a special credit in the feature article.

Post your entries to this thread for the category of:
High-End AMD Gaming PC

Stay within $2,000 (without shipping) and no need to include OS, monitor, mouse/keyboard. To keep things fair and level the playing field, we ask that you restrict your product links to Newegg or Amazon. Please be sure to format your list of components as follows:

Joe's Crysis 8 Minspec Build
Processor: Component Name and Component Price
Motherboard: Component Name and Component Price
RAM: Component Name and Component Price
Graphics Card: Component Name and Component Price
Hard Drive: Component Name and Component Price
Case: Component Name and Component Price
Power Supply: Component Name and Component Price
Cooling: Component Name and Component Price
DVD Burner: Component Name and Component Price

See below for quick-copy/paste text of the BBcode.

[cpp]
Joe's Crysis 8 Minspec Build
Processor: Component Name and Component Price
Motherboard: Component Name and Component Price
RAM: Component Name and Component Price
Graphics Card: Component Name and Component Price
Hard Drive: Component Name and Component Price
Case: Component Name and Component Price
Power Supply: Component Name and Component Price
Cooling: Component Name and Component Price
DVD Burner: Component Name and Component Price
[/cpp]

You can also use the Tom's Hardware System Builder to build your recommendation and use the BBCode export option at the bottom of the build. If you do, be sure to include a link in your post to your build on the app for quick viewing.

Good luck, and may the best builds win!
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
G-Unit's "Piledrive This!!" Build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD7 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($40.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($224.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($444.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($444.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Eleven Hundred ATX Full Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($143.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1972.85
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-15 15:13 EST-0500)
 

Thomas Creel

Honorable
Oct 21, 2012
351
0
10,810
Thomas's Custom Thermal Cooled Setup

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
Radiator: XSPC AX360 Triple Fan Radiator ($99.95) http://www.xoxide.com/xspc-ax360triplefanradiator-black.html
Reservoir: XSPC UV Blue Dual 5.25” bay Reservoir ($49.99) http://www.xoxide.com/uv-blue-dual-bayres.html
Pump: Swiftech MCP35X Water Pump ($93.95) http://www.xoxide.com/swiftech-mcp35x-pump.html
CPU Block: XSPC RayStorm CPU/APU Water Block ($59.95) http://www.xoxide.com/xspc-raystorm-cpuapuwaterblock-amd.html
VGA Block: EK GeForce 670 GTX DCII VGA Liquid Cooling Block ($112.99) http://www.frozencpu.com/products/16913/ex-blc-1206/EK_GeForce_670_GTX_DCII_VGA_Liquid_Cooling_Block_-_Acetal_Nickel_CSQ_EK-FC670_GTX_DCII_-_AcetalNickel.html?tl=g30c311s1708&id=S9D8M8IL
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD7 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($164.98 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital VelociRaptor 1TB 3.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($149.00 @ B&H)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 670 2GB Video Card ($437.86 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair Obsidian Series 800D ATX Full Tower Case ($244.96 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: OCZ Z Series Gold 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($99.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $1945.56
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 
Shinobi's somewhat budgeted Piledriver build

CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Xigmatek Dark Knight-S1283V 89.5 CFM CPU Cooler ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Series 250GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($376.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7970 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($376.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master SGC-2100-KWN1 ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro Hybrid 850W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1743.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 

senupe

Honorable
Jul 3, 2012
39
0
10,540
Serekos Ready to OC machine.

CPU: AMD FX 8350 4GHz - 4.2GHz Turbo $219.99 @Newegg.com
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional $159.99 @Newegg.com
RAM: G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2*4GB) 1866MHz $49.99 @Newegg.com
Graphics Card: Sapphire Radeon HD7970 3GB X2 $813.94 @Newegg.com
Solid State Drive: Mushkin Enhanced Chronos 240GB Sata III $164.99 @Newegg.com
Hard Drive: Seagate Barracuda 3TB 7200RPM $149.99 @Newegg.com
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 Orange/Black $109.98 @Newegg.com
Power Supply: Corsair Enthusiast TX850M - 850W 80 PLUS Bronze $139.99 @Newegg.com
Cooling: Corsair Hydro H80 $95.91 @Newegg.com
Blu-Ray burner: LG Black BD-RW $74.98 @Newegg.com

Total Price: $1979.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
 

brandon402

Honorable
Jul 2, 2012
144
0
10,690
Brandon 402's "Red Hot" High End AMD Gaming PC

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.98 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Antec KUHLER H2O 920 110.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Fatal1ty 990FX Professional ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($92.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 830 Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($189.00 @ B&H)
Storage: Western Digital VelociRaptor 1TB 3.5" 10000RPM Internal Hard Drive ($149.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($366.61 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($366.61 @ NCIX US)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (Red) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty 1000W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($184.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Asus BC-12B1ST/BLK/B/AS Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer ($54.73 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1969.86
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-16 11:00 EST-0500)

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/nWgv
 

zared619

Distinguished
Sep 9, 2012
966
0
19,160
Zared619's "Raptor"

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($219.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.76 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus Sabertooth 990FX ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Mushkin Callisto Deluxe 240GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($159.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($76.71 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($429.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($429.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Antec Twelve Hundred V3 ATX Full Tower Case ($159.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 1050W 80 PLUS Gold Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($184.82 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1988.21
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-11-16 11:11 EST-0500)

Edit: Power Supply change.
 

jackys home

Honorable
Nov 19, 2012
7
0
10,520
FX 8-CORE 8150 Soket AM3+ 3.6GHz 16MB CACHE
Crosshair IV Extreme AMD 890FX/SB850
XFX HD7850 ÇIFT FAN GDDR5 2GB 256BIT
16GB (2x8GB) Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz CL9
OCZ Vertex 4/Corsair Force GT 120GB
THERMALTAKE COMMANDER 700W PENCERELI
23" SAMSUNG GENIS EKRAN LED MONITÖR
COOLER MASTER CPU FAN 95 TL
SEAGATE 3,5" 2TB 64MB CACHE 7200RPM HARDDISK

ı think that s enough almost 1300$
 

dork_police

Distinguished
Jul 25, 2011
87
0
18,660
Hi there, I would like to say that I am in South Africa and we are not so lucky with our prices here. Anything and everything costs about 1.5 times as much as it costs on Newegg or Amazon - that is if you are working at a IT company and get employee discount. Otherwise prices can go up to 2.7 times as much as the Newegg prices.

I put this together keeping in mind what we can get here in SA.

Ludwig's Gamer
Motherboard and Processor: AMD FX-8350 Vishera 4.0GHz bundled with: 1x ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA $386.98
RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 $67.99
Graphics Card: SAPPHIRE 100351SR Radeon HD 7970 3GB 384-bit x3 $1,139.97
Hard Drive: SAMSUNG 840 Pro Series MZ-7PD128BW 2.5" 128GB $149.99
Power Supply and Case: CORSAIR Professional Series Gold AX850 bundled with: 1x Corsair Vengeance Series C70 Arctic White Steel $279.98 with Mail in Rebate
DVD Burner: ASUS DVD Burner 24X DVD+R $24.99

Total: 2049.9 (excluding Mai in Rebates - should take the $50 off)

I hope this is okay.
 


It'd be better if you changed the SSD from an 840 Pro 128GB to an 830 or 840 128GB and threw in at least a 500GB hard drive. 128GB of storage is generally not enough for a gaming build.

Also, at least according to Tom's rules, I think that Mail-in Rebates aren't counted in total pricing, but you could do minor tweaking if necessary to fix that.

Overall though, except for the cripplingly insufficient storage capacity, it's a good build for gaming, although I don't think that I'd consider having three Radeon 7970s without special cooling, a better case, and a better PSU.
 

I so wanted to vote for you build.. but.. Sabertooth or BUST. :kaola:
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator
FX 8-CORE 8150 Soket AM3+ 3.6GHz 16MB CACHE
Crosshair IV Extreme AMD 890FX/SB850
XFX HD7850 ÇIFT FAN GDDR5 2GB 256BIT
16GB (2x8GB) Vengeance DDR3 1600MHz CL9
OCZ Vertex 4/Corsair Force GT 120GB
THERMALTAKE COMMANDER 700W PENCERELI
23" SAMSUNG GENIS EKRAN LED MONITÖR
COOLER MASTER CPU FAN 95 TL
SEAGATE 3,5" 2TB 64MB CACHE 7200RPM HARDDISK

If you had read the rules you don't need to include monitor, keyboard, mouse, or OS. So you might want to rethink that.



How about this one:

G-Unit's "Piledrive THIS!" Rev 2.0

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus Crosshair V Formula-Z ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($229.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($139.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($454.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($454.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1992.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-03 13:36 EST-0500)
 

g-unit1111

Titan
Moderator


I like what Mitch Hedburg said - "You can't please everyone all the time and last night all those people were at my show." :lol:

How about this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-D14 65.0 CFM CPU Cooler ($80.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($189.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ares Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($88.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 256GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($235.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($454.98 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7970 GHz Edition 3GB Video Card (CrossFire) ($454.98 @ Newegg)
Case: NZXT Phantom 410 (White) ATX Mid Tower Case ($109.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 950W 80 PLUS Silver Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $2006.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-12-03 23:22 EST-0500)
 
Yeah, I like that one :D Any differences left between it and what I'd do are just personal preference choices such as the case, two 7970 GHz Editions versus two 7950s with liquid cooling, and PSU. +1

Also, with shipping not counted, it's well under $2000. I just thought that I'd mention that since including shipping in your total price puts it a little over budget, but the budget isn't supposed to count shipping.