Help selecting a motherboard: First AMD build

[willhon]

I'm trying to put together a decent computer for 3DS Max, Photoshop, and occasional gaming. Right now I have everything but the MOBO, Power Supply, and Heatsink.

AMD Phenom II X4-965
4GB OCZ Black Edition Ram
MSI R5830 Twin Frozr II - ATI Radeon 5830
Western Digitial Cavier Black - 640GB
Cooler Master Storm Scout

I dont really know what direction to go for a MOBO. Is it worth it for someone like me to get one of the new 890 series AM3 boards, or go with a 785G, 790GX, or even 790FX?

Like many, i'm trying to get the most for my money. I've been looking at the normal ASUS, GIGABYTE, and MSI. I dont really need the most amazing features, just a really solid MOBO for the price. FWIW i've been thinking about getting:

Power Supply: Corsair 650W or XFX 650W
Heatsink: Thermaltake Frio or Corsair H50

All comments welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[tecmo34]

1) I would go with the ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO/U3S6 AM3 AMD 785G SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard.

2) I would switch to a Nvidia GTX 460 1GB over the ATI 5830. It is more powerful and have better support through CUDA for your applications. Plus, you are running a single slot PCIe 2.0 X16 motherboard, so you don't have to worry about no Crossfire support.

3) I go with the XFX 650, as Corsair has switched makers of the 650TX and there seems to be a higher rated issues coming from them.

4) I would go with the Thermaltake Frio over the Corsair H50 but my recommend heat sink for an AM3 is the Sunbeam CR-CTTF.

 

[saint19]

Hi newcomer and welcome to the Tom's hardware forum.

1- I agree in the mobo with tecmo34, nice suggestion
2- The GTX460 can give u more performance but my suggestion is this MSI Cyclone GTX460 it's a very good OC GPU
3- This Silverstone 600W can run the rig without problems.
4- Get the Tintan Fenrir or wait for the H70.

 

[willhon]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. I have had the ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO 785G on my radar since this build began.

As for the GPU, I've already got the Radeon 5830. I got it for $155 new, so i felt like I got a pretty good price on it, and i'll probably be keeping it.

If i were to want to Crossfire two 5830's in the future, would you recommend sticking with the Asus 785G or choosing a different board? Again, this is a maybe, but it definitely could happen.

Also, any other recommendations on MOBO's, Power Supplies, and Coolers would be greatly welcomed! Thanks

 

[saint19]

If u want Crossfire in the future that mobo isn't a good option in that case this ASRock seems fine but I never has had ASRock mobos my current mobo is a Gigabyte 890FXA-UD5.

 

[willhon]

Would you suggest the Gigabyte 890FXA-UD5? or something different for me? Any other suggestions. I'm not a big ASRock fan.

 

[tecmo34]

I would go with either of these motherboards...

GIGABYTE GA-790XTA-UD4 AM3 AMD 790X SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

You don't need an FX board for your needs.

 

[saint19]

No, I only say that I never use ASRock since my mobos are Gigabyte or MSI.

Go with the 2nd one of the tecmo34 suggestion since has more proof life for the chipset.

 

[skervy]

if you wont be ordering it right away i can come let you know how my asrock turns out tomorrow. as long as it all works and not doa seems like itll be a really nice board for the money. best i could find feature wise like it was the asus 890gx for 60$ more. if you dont want to use crossfire you have alot more options for saving money. the 870/880 asus/gb/msi boards looks nice for the money just none of them have 16/16 or 8/8 pcie their all 16/4

this is what i ended up grabbing. support seems to be fast so far atleast for ram questions. i contacted support twice about compatible ram before ordering and they answered back within an hour
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157198

for the same features your asus/gb/msi options are about 140$ so up to you really if the 50$+ is worth it