New Build....going for a X3 720 system

[HighlandScot]

Hi there,



Attempting a new build after years on a 3400+, 6800Gt system. Already have the GTX 260 Core 216 (190-200 dollars) in hand, along with a 640GB HD (70 dollars) and Case (55 dollars). Budget was 700...working toward that at a decent pace. Gaming Rig.

If I am going down the path of a X3 720, do you guys think the BioStar TForce TA790GX is a decent match? Seems to have mixed reviews, but the massive combo deal (45 dollars off X3+BioStar board) is really hard to pass up. Deal is here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?ItemList=Combo.165025

Any other board that are sub-100 that I should be looking at? ATX form, DDR 1066, easy compatibility with AM3 is really all i need.

For the RAM, I think I will likely go with the G-Skill 4gb DDR 1066 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16820231166). The cheaper models (OCZ fatalty, etC) seem to have major problems running at 1066.

 

[dirtmountain]

Personally i've had very good luck with Biostar motherboards. I like their OC BIOS set up and would have no problem using their 790GX. My second choice would be the Gigabyte 790x at $115 which is over your budget.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128381

 

[Helloworld_98]

Don't bother with 1066 ram, unless it's cl4, since OCZ platinum's at 800 CL4 can easily oc to 1066 at cl5 and are cheaper.

 

[buzznut]

I use the Biostar T force 790gx and personally think its an awesome board for the price. I was able to clock my X4 9850 from 2.5 to 3.2 Ghz. I have also clocked my X4 PII 940 to 3.8Ghz easily on 1.45V and have not even reached the top yet.

One word of caution however. I was experiencing some high temps on the southbridge, and I slapped on a Thermaltake chipset cooler. Now I have subambient temps, around 25C. That thang is tiny little cooling beast. They may have corrected the NB temps issue on newer versions of the board, I bought mine about a year ago. Go, Biostar!

I disagree with the comment on the ram. As a matter of fact, if I was buying today I would prolly opt for DDR2 1100 or 1150 speed ram. I found my overclocking to be much better with the 1066 ram than with DDR2 800 ram, and a definite increase in performance. I am currently running 4 gigs of OZC Reapers:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

Quality product.

Besides, if you overclock your ram just to reach 1066 speeds, you aren't going to have as much headroom for more overclocking.

 

[HighlandScot]

Thanks for the input. Anyone have experience with the Foxconn A79A-S AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail. It is currently 75 dollars with combo, along with 34 dollars off rebate. Seems like a decent deal.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186149