New build part deux

M

MrCoffee

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
480
First thread was here. I incurred some medical bills + part of my financial aid didnt come through, so I had to postpone my build and now i've got a little less money D:

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, mostly MMOs and TF2, no Crysis
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Looking to spend between $700-800 after Taxes/Shipping, ARs are OK.
3) Where do you live?
32707 (Florida)
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
Everything that goes inside the case, including the case itself
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Reusing my Keyboard, Mouse, Audio setup and 19" monitor
6) Will you be overclocking?
This is [H]ard forum, right? ;]
7) What size monitor do you have or plan to have?
Using a 19" 1400x900 monitor, no plans to upgrade in the near or far future
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as the a nice build is posted
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
I plan on using just one Video card, so no need for Crossfire or SLI. RAID isint needed either. Just need a mobo that will overclock on air well with an Aftermarket heatsink
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license?
Yes, have a Vista 64bit key, but will probably end up using Windows7 on duel boot

I dont plan on upgrading my 19" monitor (1400x900) at any point in the near future. I'm pretty sure i'll end up with an AM2+/3 board, and possiably a Phenom II X4 940 since its going for 25$IR right now. I'm just not sure what mobo to combo it with, and if DDR2/3 ram will make a difference. I've seen that the AM3 processors do benefit from a 1033+ speed ram, so I think a 2x2 set would work. Harddrive is going to be the usual WD 640 black, since you really cant get a better bang for your buck.

I could care less what my case looks like, as long as I can route the cables well for good airflow. If its pink with neon green spraypant on it, i dont care. Was looking at a 4850 as the video card, as it should give me what I need, at a fair price point.
I've had trouble finding good combos at the egg, as there is no way to actually sort the combos by type, just discount amount. Any help in getting the best bang for the buck in this build would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for anyone who takes the time to help me out. And may the best builder win :D
 
$231 - AMD Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition CPU + Corsair 2x2GB DDR2 800 RAM FS
$110 - Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P AMD AM3 790X Motherboard FS
$150 - XFX HD-487A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB PCI-E Video Card FS
$75 - Western Digital WD6401AALS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive FS
$24 - Lite-on iHAS124-04 SATA DVD Burner
$100 - Corsair 650TX 650W PSU FS
$50 - Cooler Master Elite 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP ATX Case FS
$31 - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 120mm HSF
----
Total: $780 shipped. the HSF and DVD burner costs $9 in shipping. FS = Free Shipping

The HD4870 1GB is a bit overkill for a 19" monitor but I figured, why not? :)
 
lt_shiro said:
4670 would be better value for 19" display...lol and Asus 760G board for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131376 $60
Click to expand...

Couple things about the two different mobo's I'd like to know about. the Gigabyte provides support for AM2+/AM3 , where as the asus only supports AM2+. Would the Phenom CPU gain any benefit from the AM3 capabalities? Or should I go with a lesser board, and possiably snag another 2x2 of ram with the savings?
 
Yes 760G board supports AM3 cpus and its not a lesser board as its supports Advanced Clock Calibration from its 710 southbridge, 6 SATA ports to the 790X's eight ports and does not support crossfire. Both of which you stated that you don't care about.
 
MrCoffee said:
Couple things about the two different mobo's I'd like to know about. the Gigabyte provides support for AM2+/AM3 , where as the asus only supports AM2+. Would the Phenom CPU gain any benefit from the AM3 capabalities? Or should I go with a lesser board, and possiably snag another 2x2 of ram with the savings?
Click to expand...

Current Phenom II CPUs do not benefit that much from AM3 features AFAIK. Current Socket AM3 CPUs will work in AM2+ mobos as long as there's a BIOs update available for that mobo. In fact, the Asus 760G mobo supports all of the same CPUs that the Gigabyte mobo supports

In addition, the Gigabyte mobo that I recommended above is not a true socket AM3 motherboard. A true socket AM3 mobo will not work at all with any AM2+ CPUs (which includes the Phenom II 940 and 920) and has support for DDR3 RAM. In reality, it's a socket AM2+ mobo that has can support AM3 CPUs but doesn't have all of AM3's features.

For gaming, 4GB of RAM is more than enough. With your limited budget and usage scenario, 8GB of RAM would not be a good buy. In addition, the Asus 760G mobo does not OC as well as the Gigabyte 790X mobo due to the relatively low cooling on the NB and SB. In addition, the SB710 southbridge of the 760G chipset is a limiting factor. To overclock the Phenoms II well, you need the SB750 southbridge provided by the 790X, 790GX, and 790FX chipsets IIRC.

However if you don't care too much about the overclocking, the Asus 760G is a good choice.
 
Well that 760G board get to my default overclock for 940 builds of 3.5 GHz (15 x 235) 1.4v

beyond 3.5 GHz you need a board like 790x which has enhance heat dissipation for the CPU VRM area. Cooling is the problem and not the southbridge.
 
How would something like this look
CPU - X4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392

OCZ Reaper HPC 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227293

Antec EA650 650W + Antec Three Hundred Black Steel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.198951

WD 640 black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

GIGABYTE GV-R485OC-1GH Radeon HD 4850 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125236

LITE-ON Black DVD/CD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106289

Grand Total: $779.86 (shipped, then 25$ in MIR just like your build)
Click to expand...

It seems my biggest problem is trying to find combos that work to save 10-20$ here and there.
 
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With a build of this style, is it more likley the CPU or GPU is going to bottle neck me first in future gaming (1400x900 ofc). And if so, is it worthwhile to drop down to a 512 4850 and pickup the X4 955, or should i stay with the 1GB 4850/4870 and leave the X4 940 in the build?

Another benefit of the X4 955 is it already uses DDR3 ram, which would help with a processor upgrade down the line if that occurs.
 
MrCoffee said:
With a build of this style, is it more likley the CPU or GPU is going to bottle neck me first in future gaming (1400x900 ofc). And if so, is it worthwhile to drop down to a 512 4850 and pickup the X4 955, or should i stay with the 1GB 4850/4870 and leave the X4 940 in the build?

Another benefit of the X4 955 is it already uses DDR3 ram, which would help with a processor upgrade down the line if that occurs.
Click to expand...

More than likely it'll be the GPU. No it would not be worth it to drop down to the HD4850 512MB and pickup the X4 955. Stick with the 1GB HD4870 and keep the X4 940. Note that you can get the XFX HD4870 1GB for $128 shipped now (saves you about $22):
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1426728

Oh and the Antec 300 + Antec EA650 combo you posted is a pretty good deal.
 
So in the X955 build I posted, if I swapped the 4850 for the Superbiiz 4870, it will still be under 800$ shipped, and it looks to be a little more 'future proof' (i hate using that word) since its an AM3 socket board + DDR3 ram. Look like a good deal? I'm getting itchy to pull the trigger :D

Newegg is also listed as 2.5% cashback on bing, so i'll add that in too :eek:

Only problem is the shipping on the case is ~$15. Granted, the combo deal is -30$ so that covers it, but freeing up a little extra cash would be nice. Hoping to pull the trigger by sunday.
 
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Danny Bui said:
Pull the trigger.
Click to expand...

on which build? rofl. So many suggestions and great ideas, the contest between the X940 and X955, DDR2/3 Ram (50v70$), The only thing i'm sure of right now is the harddrive, PSU+Case combo and the eWiz video card.

Oh and before I forget, thermal paste? :x

This is what i'm sure of so far:



CPU/Mobo/Ram

AM3 Setup

Thats some ugly ass ram, and i'm not sure if it will be too tall / big and block the heatsink going on the CPU.

AM2 Setup

Little cheaper, still good speed ram, sucks that the Arctic Silver costs jsut as much to buy as to ship.

Both setups keep me under the 800$ limit, the AM2 saves me an extra 50$ or so iirc.
 
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I've got two newegg carts up, one with build A, one with build B. Going to be buying in the next hour. Would appreciate any last minute suggestions, just because i'm nervous like that.
 
Damn, the Antec 300 + Antec EA650 deal for $105 has ended already. However, there is the Antec 300 + Antec EA500 combo for $91
 
HardwareGuru said:
Damn, the Antec 300 + Antec EA650 deal for $105 has ended already. However, there is the Antec 300 + Antec EA500 combo for $91
Click to expand...

Doh, that makes me sad :/ I get so nervous about dropping cash on a build that might have issues with hardware that I miss out on things ><. Everything else look good though for the X940 build though?
 
Me, personally, I would go with something like this for $700

CASE/PSU - Antec 300 + Antec EA500 both for $91
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.196656

MOBO - Gigabyte GA-MA790X-UD4P for $110
http://secure.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingCart.aspx

CPU/RAM - AMD Phenom II 940 3.0ghz Deneb + 4GB G. Skill DDR2 1066 both for $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.201176

VIDEO - Sapphire Radeon HD4850 512MB for $110 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102832

HDD - WD6401AALS 640GB for $75 w/free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

OPTICAL - Samsung 22X DVD Burner for $24
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151188

HEATSINK - Xigmatek HDT-S1283 for $31 ($5 MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

Total: $681
Shipping: UPS Ground 3 day $24

Grand Total: $705
 
Yeah, i'll be using that hands down. 500W for what i'll be doing should be more than plenty. 2 harddrives, 1 optical, processor + video card, and a few USB connections (Mouse/keyboard, Game controller, humping dog, etc). Thanks for the last minute find on the case+power supply to replace the non-existant combo now.

System purchased. Thanks for all the help, will post a build thread when it all arrives

Also saved 16$ from cashback via newegg. Couldnt get cashback to show up on the eWiz site though :/
 
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You can just update this thread with pics if you want. :) I think fatcash for eWiz is under SuperBiiz.
 
enginurd said:
You can just update this thread with pics if you want. :) I think fatcash for eWiz is under SuperBiiz.
Click to expand...

doh, fatcash. I forgot about that, was trying to use bing cashback. Oh well, just a few bucks lost. still got a killer deal on that card if it comes through.
 
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