Rate this AMD+ATI gaming build, please

[wowjustwowreally]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Sometime this week

BUDGET RANGE: Under $1500 (Including Monitor)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, college homework

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, OS, Speaker

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg and Tigerdirect

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD Core, content with motherboard with x8/x8 crossfiring (don't need x16/x16), ATI GPUs obviously

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, Crossfire

MONITOR RESOLUTION: Higher the better -- 1920X1080 or better

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Just would like this build rated, I want to know if its feasible; please don't completely ignore everything I write and just give suggestions (that is to say, unless you can suggest something cheaper and better, please don't). Mainly, I worry about fitting twin 5850s in this case, but I've found reviews that confirm that it has enough space; this is my first foray into dual-carding, and I'm unsure just how much more space I really need.

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Motherboard: ASRock 870 Extreme 3
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 945
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3
GPU: ATI Radeon 5850 Sapphire (725mhz core clock) X2 -- Crossfired
PSU Corsair 750w PSU
RAM: G.Skill 4GB (2X2GB) DDR3 1333mhz RAM
HDD: Hitachi 500GB 7200 RPM Hard Drive
Optical:Lite-On... erm... lots of stuff-R optical drive
Case: Apevia X-Jupiter Jr.
Monitor: Asus VH236H

EDIT: Whoops, PSU has too few connectors for 2 5850s, I was thinking of older GPUs. Changed to Corsair 750w. Pricier, but hey, it actually runs the setup.

 

[banthracis]

Don't get asrock. They use cheapest components around.

GA 790 UD4 or a GA 890 ud3 are both good choices. 890 is newer but lacks $15 MIR.

Swap HSF to a CM Hyper 212 plus or Scythe Mugen. Be aware mugen blocks 2 RAM slots though, so no tall RAM.

You want a PSU that has Active PFC and is 80+ rated.
THis XFX is a great bargain for a top PSU $85 after rebates and promo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003&Tpk=xfx%20750

Swap HD toa 500 gb spinpoint F3. Better reliability and performance.

The case is very horrible. Consider something like an Antec 300 Illusion or a CM 690 both at bit cheaper. If you're willing to spend a little more, get a HAF 922.

Can also consider an Element G which combo's to a great deal with a 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431629

 

[wowjustwowreally]

Don't get asrock. They use cheapest components around.

GA 790 UD4 or a GA 890 ud3 are both good choices. 890 is newer but lacks $15 MIR.

Swap HSF to a CM Hyper 212 plus or Scythe Mugen. Be aware mugen blocks 2 RAM slots though, so no tall RAM.

You want a PSU that has Active PFC and is 80+ rated.
THis XFX is a great bargain for a top PSU $85 after rebates and promo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003&Tpk=xfx%20750

Swap HD toa 500 gb spinpoint F3. Better reliability and performance.

The case is very horrible. Consider something like an Antec 300 Illusion or a CM 690 both at bit cheaper. If you're willing to spend a little more, get a HAF 922.

Can also consider an Element G which combo's to a great deal with a 5850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.431629

Ah, forgot about Neweggs combo deals.

Tell me, how does this look:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.430417

Would that combo work with a HAF 922, the PSU you recommended, and (if I read it right) x16/x16 Crossfire?

 

[banthracis]

You only need x16/x16 if you are using 2 5970's or 295's.

X6 are bad, very bad for gaming. Stick with the x4.

 

[wowjustwowreally]

You only need x16/x16 if you are using 2 5970's or 295's.

X6 are bad, very bad for gaming. Stick with the x4.

Okay, after playing on Newegg and adding your suggestions, I got the following:

Phenom II X4 945 with MSI 790FX-GD70 mobo. It has 4 x16 slots, so if I want to Quadfire down the road, I'm free to do so.

Sapphire 5850 with Windows 7 OEM (haven't bought the OS yet, I save 10 bucks)

Cooler Master HAF 922, as recommended.

XFX 750w PSU recommended

Upgraded to G.Skill 4GB RAM with Heat Spreader, what's 8 bucks when I get better OC-proofing?

Final Price (INCLUDING monitor!) = $1337.60. Awesome, I have a 1337 system. EDIT: Whoops, that's only one GPU. Price is actually $1639.

 

[banthracis]

Quadfire is pretty much useless. Xfire scaling beyond 2 is horrendous. 3 to 4 GPU scaling is even worse.

You're better off just grabbing a 5870 and xfire in another if you need the performance down the road. At 1920x1080 a 5870 can pretty much run anything maxed out at 40fps.

Going beyond xfire 5870's is a waste of money, GPU's will be obsolete by the time you'll need anything more for 1920x1080 gaming.

If you're gonna spend the money on a FX board, at least get the 890fx which has more PCIe lanes. In addition get a board with sata 6 usb 3 if you're spending that much. Ga 890fx ud5 for example

In addition, you're better off spending the extra money for a 955BE than getting a 945.

OPtical $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

HAF 922 $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119197

F3 1TB $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

Asus 23.6" 1920x1080 $180 w/ promo code $10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236052

PSU
XFX 750w $105 w/ Promo code $20 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003

RAM
G Skill Eco $105
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

HSF
Scythe Mugen $35
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185142

Mobo/OS
GA 790 UD4 and win 7 OEM $230 w/ $15 MIR

GPU/CPU
Phenom II x4 955 and XFX 5870 $510
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.435996

Promo codes EMCYVNY54,EMCYVNN53

Total: $1348 before shipping and $45 Rebates

 

[drunkmonk]

Very nice bulid

 

[batuchka]

I'd say TS got it right with the mobo the 1st time and here is a real owners' Asrock 800 series thread and all the updated BIOS for OC goodness till today:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=247736

With current pricing and with 700 series board still (some) obscenely priced for

8/8 Asrock 870Extrem3
16/16 Biostar TA890FXE
890FX shoot out: performance
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-890fx-crosshair-iv-formula-890fxa-ud7,2640-14.html


both i would say rank very high bang for $$ for their respective features/performance Do not waste time with overpriced, outdated 700 series multi GPU capable boards Do note i have built with just about brand of mobo out there and since 2008 for AM2+ platforms (then AM3)

Lastly if i were you i just go 955BE + HD 5870 in single GPU config - upgrade GPU accordingly down the road
$820AR

$100 OS
Hanns·G HH-241HPB Black 23.6" $170 Free Ship
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254044
$1090AR in total

 

[CoolMoose]

I've been hearing some bad things about that card that they put up for you. Sadly I heard them after I ordered it. I would advise that you wait until mine arrives then I could give you an accurate review of it.