New MB/Proc/RAM

SeaFoam

SeaFoam

Supreme [H]ardness
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Oct 13, 2004
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My brother is looking at upgrading his current setup which is currently a Phenom x4 first gen (9000 series).

Video card, hd, case, etc is taken care of. What he is looking for is a good MB/Proc/Ram for around $350. No office work, this is strictly for gaming. No problems with buying from the FS/FT forum either.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming, mostly WoW/HoN. Some TF2/L4D2/1.6

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
300-350 included. Might be able to go a bit higher

3) Where do you live?
Iowa

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. Please be very specific.
CPU/RAM/Mobo

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
9800 GT, Generic HD, Antec 650W (Close to the TP-650 but an older version)

6) Will you be overclocking?
Yes

7) What size monitor do you have and/or plan to have?
22"

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
As soon as possible.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? etc.
Crossfire and SLI for future upgrades if possible in the price range.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If so, what OS? 32bit or 64bit?
W7 64bit.
 
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Can you answer the questions at the top sticky :)
" answer these question first"
 
I think the i5 750 would be overkill for the 9800 GPU, unless the OP wants a GPU at the same time. Maybe go with this, you likely will unlock it to a quad core with the mobo (just d/l F2C bios). If not 3 cores is plenty for gaming IMO.

AMD Phenom II X3 720 OEM- 105$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103652&Tpk=x3 720
G Skill 4 GB DDR3 1600 - 105$
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=g_skill_4gb_ddr3_1600-_-20-231-193-_-Product
Sunbeam HSF - 40$, 25$ after MIR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207004
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 (75$, 65$ after MIR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...392&cm_re=gigabyte_770-_-13-128-392-_-Product
= 345$ ... 320 after MIR. And save the rest of your $$ for your GPU upgrade

Edit: Mobo does not support SLI. Couldn't find a SLI mobo with your budget for this build. Although I recommend when you upgrade the GPU to ditch the 9800 and get a DirectX 11 card like the 5830, 5850 or 5870. Only problem with this build is you'll be limited to one card, so you may prefer a 5850 or better.
 
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Do you know of any good cheap MBs that support CFX or SLI that also support unlocking the 4th core?

I haven't paid attention to the x3s lately - what's the chances that 4th will unlock?
 
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