My First Phenom Build - Overclock.net

KamuiRSX · 06-30-08

Okay right now, I'm pretty much stuck between getting a 9850BE and using it until the new 45nm Quad's come out or just waiting it out. Honestly, it doesn't matter because the 2 motherboards that I've been looking at aren't on the market currently.

CPU: AMD X4 Phenom 9850 Black Edition or I'll wait to get one of the 45nm Quads once they are released.

HSF: Haven't really decided whether to go water cooling or not yet but if not a TRUE 120 or OCZ Vendetta 2 or Tuniq Tower

Fans: I'll be buying 100+ CFM 120mm fans for the case as sound doesn't bother me so long as the temps are nice and cool year round.

Motherboard:

First is the Foxconn Digital Life AMD 790FX motherboard with the new AMD Southbridge chipset. It's got Dual Lan, 6 or 8 USB ports on the back panel, 5 or 6 USB on the motherboard. Supports CrossfireX and 16x - 16x Crossfire. Finally, it has 8 SATA II ports, and lots of other nice features.

Second is the Foxconn Destroyer nForce 780a chipset motherboard. It's got the 8 SATA II ports, Dual Gigabit LAN (was really hoping for Quad Gigabit), 8 USB ports, 5 or 6 USB on the motherboard itself, has hybrid SLI with HDMI output on the motherboard as well what looks like a tuner but I could be wrong about it (their press release gives like the bare minimum of information and the picture is small). It's also supports SLI, Tri-SLI, and 4 way so a good go there.

The problem is that neither one of these are available to the public right now because they were just unveiled at the Computex expo a few months ago.

RAM: 8GB's of probably G. Skill PC2-8500. I figure I'll wait to see if the prices drop because I mean afterall, it's not like I've got the CPU or the motherboard yet.

PSU: I got a 1000w Thermaltake Modular PSU already as I wait for this build to come to fruition.

Case: I think I might want to get another case. Preferably bigger than an Apevia X-Navigator. I've got another Apevia X-Navigator that's just sitting out in my storage building in brand new condition right now so I'm good as far as it goes but it's not as big as I thought it would be inside and I want something maybe like the Thermaltake Armor+ or bigger.

GPU: Will more than likely be either some 4850's or 4870's unless nVidia makes something smaller and less expensive than their GTX200's.

2 x Optical drives w/ Lightscribe
1 x MFC with card reader and fan control built in

I won't need a keyboard and mouse because I'll transfer my G11 and Copperhead over to it and use my MX3200 on my current rig and then use my MX 5500 on my old Athlon XP build.

The only thing I'm having a hard time deciding is to watercool or not to watercool. The problem is that I know 0 about watercooling and am not exactly the most hands on modder and so I would have one hell of a time trying to put it all together. So I wouldn't want to attempt it unless I had someone who has done it alot to help me out.

Well what do you think of the build. I know it's not much to physically look at but I think it will give me all the performance and then some that I'm looking for in a system.

Edit with more info

CPU: I will definitely be waiting for the new 45nm Phenoms and will purchase a black edition CPU.

Mobo: I will be getting the Foxconn Digital Life motherboard as it OC's Phenoms to hell and back.

Case: I've purchased a Thermaltake Armor+ w/ Sidefan. Will probably have some mods done to it by CyberDruid.

HSF: Haven't really decided on watercooling right now but if Thermaltake doesn't release some new Orbs that can keep my CPU at 25C idle, I'll go with a nice watercooling system and see if CyberDruid can do the modding and watercooling installation for me.1

So what do you guys think...to watercool or to not watercool.

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Purchased Items
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1st CPU: AMD Phenom 9950 BE
2nd CPU:
Final CPU:
RAM: 8GB's of G. Skill 1066
Motherboard: Foxconn A79A-S
Case: Thermaltake Armor+ ESA VH6001BWS
HSF: OCZ Vendetta 2

Misc: Long Crossfire bridge
6 x AC Ryan Blackfire4 120mm Fans

SZayat · 06-30-08

If I were in your shoes I'd get the 9850 BE, Foxconn 790FX mobo and 2x4850 in CF

FWIW, 4GB is an overkill already, no need for 8GB.

just my $0.02

KamuiRSX · 06-30-08

lol not really. Vista is a like a hungry hog. The more you have the more it wants. I put in 2 1GB sticks and it was using 29%. I put 4GB's in and it was using 29%. I put 8GB's in and it was only using 10% or less depending on what's running and I always like to have RAM to spare.

I would go for any of the 2 boards but neither of them are released currently so I can't buy them yet which is why I wonder if I should buy the 9850 now and just sit on it until the board becomes available or buy the board first and then get 9850 or whatever 45nm Quads are out then.

SZayat · 06-30-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamuiRSX

lol not really. Vista is a like a hungry hog. The more you have the more it wants. I put in 2 1GB sticks and it was using 29%. I put 4GB's in and it was using 29%. I put 8GB's in and it was only using 10% or less depending on what's running and I always like to have RAM to spare.

interesting, but what if you are running a vLite modded Vista. anyway, you deserve a rep+ on this mini-research

Quote:

I would go for any of the 2 boards but neither of them are released currently so I can't buy them yet which is why I wonder if I should buy the 9850 now and just sit on it until the board becomes available or buy the board first and then get 9850 or whatever 45nm Quads are out then.

well, it depends, are you in a hurry or you are satisfied with your current rig. don't forget that 9950 is on the horizon.

KamuiRSX · 06-30-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by SZayat

interesting, but what if you are running a vLite modded Vista. anyway, you deserve a rep+ on this mini-research

well, it depends, are you in a hurry or you are satisfied with your current rig. don't forget that 9950 is on the horizon.

Thanks for the rep

Well I love my current rig but I try to build every new AMD machine once I find a motherboard that I like. I'll just swap their places and keep on going to be honest hehe

I'll probably end up switching this one out of it's case and into something better and using it as a HTPC or something like that.

I guess that's the only thing that sucks about my build is that it is completely dependent one of those two motherboards. So I guess whichever is the first to the market, that's going to be my board and I'll go ahead and buy the 9850 BE right now and then get whatever new one comes out as well. Thanks for the input.

A Russian :D · 06-30-08

i like your build but not those foxxcon motherboards (the 790FX on it looks ugly but the 780 looks tight)

KamuiRSX · 06-30-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by A Russian :D

i like your build but not those foxxcon motherboards (the 790FX on it looks ugly but the 780 looks tight)

Well unfortunately, none of the new AM2+ motherboards have all the features I want but these 2 are the closest. I think MSI has another one using the 780a nForce chipset that I like as well but it's just not worth $300.

Believe me, I'd rather have a black motherboard over bright freaking red anyday but honestly, how often am I really going to look at it

Thanks for the reply though.

weezymagic · 07-02-08

im actually in the same boat as you. im waiting for those motherboards to come out.

i decided to get a motherboard now and upgrade it later when the new ones come out.

also, my case will have a window and some tight lights and stuff so i will occasionally look at it

KamuiRSX · 07-25-08

CPU: I will definitely be waiting for the new 45nm Phenoms and will purchase a black edition CPU.

Mobo: I will be getting the Foxconn Digital Life motherboard as it OC's Phenoms to hell and back.

Case: I've purchased a Thermaltake Armor+ w/ Sidefan. Will probably have some mods done to it by CyberDruid.

HSF: Haven't really decided on watercooling right now but if Thermaltake doesn't release some new Orbs that can keep my CPU at 25C idle, I'll go with a nice watercooling system and see if CyberDruid can do the modding and watercooling installation for me.1

So what do you guys think...to watercool or to not watercool.

Enigma8750 · 08-03-08

I would wait at least for 6 more months. What is coming up in AMD Land is either gonna blow our mind or put them under. They have some awesome new 45 nm chips that are gonna rival intel. I think the only problem with that is pricing. Get them sooner before later because the prices on them will probably go up too. By the way The Asus boards are pretty future proof. Have a look at them before you make up your mind.

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My First Phenom Build

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