New build-first time-AMD

[ricospaz]

Looking to build an AMD Phenon PC-mostly for gaming. First time builder-fairly handy though.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming- Crysis, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games etc
2) What's your budget? $800ish
3) Where do you live? Columbus Oh
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, Vid card, HD, SSD, PSU
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? None- using new 24" HD monitor & mouse/keyboard, speakers.
6) Will you be overclocking? Not right away-future option though
7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have? 24" Asus HD
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC? NOW!
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? Crossfire support.USB 3.0. SATA 6Gb/s10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? No-I'll buy the Windows 7 64 bit builder's

PC will be for 90% gaming, internet surfing. Old PC is 5 yrs old. Will sell it complete.
Just looking for a good upper-mid level PC. Good for future too. Why I picked the hex core processor. I know people will say I don't need it. I've been following the forums here and on Tom's Hardware.

PSU and Vid Card $254.95 after rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Combo...Deals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

MOBO and Windows 7 pro 64 bit builders $219.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.607462

CPU 199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ..._re=phenom_ii_x6_1090t-_-19-103-849-_-Product

Case $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=cooler master haf 912

hard Drive $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=samsun_spinpoint-_-22-152-185-_-Product

SSD $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...27550&cm_re=ocz_vertex-_-20-227-550-_-Product


I bought 8gb of Crucial memory this morning...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148351


Please let me know of any changes I should make. maybe a way to save a couple $$.
Should I wait for the March NewEgg deals?

Thanks!

 

[ricospaz]

Oh and Micro Center is 5 miles away.

 

[Dangman]

For future reference: Avoid AsRock mobos past $65 or so since they only offer a one year warranty. Many mobos above $70 offers 2-3 year warranties. Since you live rather close to a Microcenter, I highly recommend taking advantage of the Phenom II 1055T + Asus M4A88TD-V EVO/USB3 880G Motherboard combo:
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

And no, the 1090T isn't worth the extra $20, let alone $30, over the 1055T. No good reason to get the 1090T unless you're a hard-core overclocker AND an AMD lover or if it's been heavily discounted to the price of the 1055T. So yeah, go with the 1055T: It has a much better price to performance ratio and has been shown to be just as easy to OC as the 1090T.

As for the SSD, ditch it: It's a poor choice for the money. Go with Crucial's C300 series SSDs. Yes they cost more but unlike the OCZ SSDs, you're actually getting the performance stated in the specs with the Crucial SSDs.

Also, why Windows 7 Pro? What exact features do you need from 7 Pro that justifies its extra costs to your?

 

[ricospaz]

Thanks for the advice on the Mobo, SSD and Processor. I'll update to those.

I didn't really know what to choose for Windows. Just know I should get Windows 7 64 bit.

I'll refresh the build soon.

I also don't care what the Case looks like, only that it's solid.

 

[Dangman]

I didn't really know what to choose for Windows. Just know I should get Windows 7 64 bit.

Just go with Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit. Most people do not need the features offered by Windows 7 Pro.

 

[ricospaz]

Ok. I went ahead and got the mobo-processor combo from Micro Center. Anything else I should change? Any problems with XFX vid cards or PSUs I should know about?
Thanks for the suggestions!

BOUGHT- Processor-Mobo combo at Microcenter- Phenom 1055T and Asus M4A88TD-EVO $233.98
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/promotions/AMDbundlePROMO.html

BOUGHT-8gb crucial memory $69.00 MEM 2Gx2 DDR3 SD-1600 CRUCIAL BL2KIT25664FN1608
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148351

PSU and Vid Card $254.95 after rebates
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Combo...Deals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

Case $59.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233&Tpk=cooler master haf 912

Hard Drive $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...cm_re=samsun_spinpoint-_-22-152-185-_-Product

Crucial RealSSD C300 CTFDDAC064MAG-1G1 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148357


Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit 1Pack -$94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...windows_7_home_premium-_-32-116-754-_-Product

= $902.80

I'm good with the total costs.

 

[Dangman]

Nah, solid choices there.

 

[ricospaz]

Ordered system this morning-wish me luck putting it together! Thanks

 

[ricospaz]

Ok, built the new PC, everything is working great, except Windows is not recognizing my Samsung F3 1tb drive. It's listed in the Bios, listed under 'Hardware Manager' in Windows as working correctly, but shows nothing as far as volume. Any suggestions? I looked around the 'Net and saw that other peeps have had a problem like this. It's not my main drive so it hasn't affected anything,yet.

Thanks!

 

[dotCapone]

You have to partition and format it. Go to Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Computer Management. On the left side click on Disk Management, and then you should see the drive. Create a new partition and format it and then it will show up.

Edit: Forgot to mention, to get to Administrative Tools click either Large or Small Icons under View in Control Panel. Or you can just search for Computer Managemet in the start menu.

 

[ricospaz]

Thanks, that took care of it! I don't want to curse myself, but everything worked fine right out of the box (s)..