AMD 720 BE build! Please help! - Overclock.net

Coolguy123 · 05-04-09

Hello,

I have decided to go with a AMD build over an Intel build due to the better price to performance ratio. I am fairly new to this whole business, so I really need help with building my Phenom II X3 720 Black base build.

Please take a look at my parts, and tell me how this list can be improved in terms of PRICE to PERFORMANCE ratio. Meaning, I am on a tight budget and need to know for better deals. Thank you so much!

The list(sorry for not including the pics, I don't know how):

1.) Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive
Item #: N82E16822136320

2.) AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
Item #: N82E16819103649

3.) ASUS EAH4850 TOP/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Item #: N82E16814121272

4.) OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK
Item #: N82E16820227267

5.) GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813128387

6.) CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817139005

7.) SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F
Item #: N82E16827151171

8.) COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811119137

9.) XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler
Item #: N82E16835233029

This list comes down to being $768, but with the rebates adding up to $70, the whole list is actually $698.

I would like to know:

1. How can this list be any cheaper? Where are the trim costs?

2. At this rate, am I better off buying a pre-built gaming computer?

3. The vid card comes in so many different factory brands and models in different pricings.. Which one should I get??

Thank you for your time and help!!!!

Shadowclock · 05-04-09

Great build. One thing I would change would be the Mobo. As stated in the review it does not support unlocking of the 4th core if you decide to do so.

Maybe go with: BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX

Again, you did your research and have picked some very solid components

To answer your questions:
1) Cheaper would degrade your price/performance too much IMO.
2) Pre-built you will regret. After all the research I have done in the last 2 months on this site and then modding my own computer I should have never gone pre-built. I could have saved $150 minimum and I would have done it right the first time.
3) As for Vid Card brands, most are pretty reliable. As far as ATI is concerned Sapphire/Power Color/XFX/HIS tend to be the top brands. You may also want to go with the 1GB version just to make sure your future proofing your computer to a certain extent.

Micam93 · 05-04-09

1. See if you can find any of the items, or something comparable, in a combo deal, those can shave off a bit. Also, look for any coupons or deals going on now on those or something comparable. Also, shop around; look for good deals on other sites as well.

2. Nope, not at all.

3. Don't worry about factory overclocked, you can reach that plus some. Most people take price, brand loyalty, warranty, and cooling into play when they choose a brand for a card.

Coolguy123 · 05-04-09

Thank you for the mobo suggestion! It's actually cheaper than what I have AND has the possibility of the secret 4th core. hehe

So newegg ISN'T the best site to shop for parts? Woah. I guess I'll look for other sites, as well..

It's too bad that there aren't any good combo deals going on around at this time.

Another question:
1. If I were to buy all of these parts SEPARATELY, in which order should I buy them? (Ex. the video card first, then the processor, etc etc.) This is because I already have a computer at home, and because of budget, I would like to upgrade things one at a time.. I can spend about 100-200 dollars at once. For instance, I would take out my processor, then put in the AMD. After about a week, I would buy the mobo and replace that. And so on and so forth..

Your help is appreciated!!!!

FatalityxZ · 05-04-09

Well unless you are buying from a brick and mortar store, you'll probably save less due to shipping. Try to fine combo deals.

Micam93 · 05-04-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolguy123

Thank you for the mobo suggestion! It's actually cheaper than what I have AND has the possibility of the secret 4th core. hehe

So newegg ISN'T the best site to shop for parts? Woah. I guess I'll look for other sites, as well..

It's too bad that there aren't any good combo deals going on around at this time.

Another question:
1. If I were to buy all of these parts SEPARATELY, in which order should I buy them? (Ex. the video card first, then the processor, etc etc.) This is because I already have a computer at home, and because of budget, I would like to upgrade things one at a time.. I can spend about 100-200 dollars at once. For instance, I would take out my processor, then put in the AMD. After about a week, I would buy the mobo and replace that. And so on and so forth..

Your help is appreciated!!!!

Combo deals for 720BE -- Even one with that Biostar board.

Also, I was just saying that Newegg's great, but some places can have better deals, just in case.

To answer your question: What makes up your current rig? It'll make it easier to tell what to replace when.

7heMy7h · 05-04-09

I would get a HD4770 GPU instead of the HD4850. They are around $100 on Newegg and are just a tad slower before overclocking.

greenPlastic · 05-04-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolguy123

Thank you for the mobo suggestion! It's actually cheaper than what I have AND has the possibility of the secret 4th core. hehe

So newegg ISN'T the best site to shop for parts? Woah. I guess I'll look for other sites, as well..

It's too bad that there aren't any good combo deals going on around at this time.

Another question:
1. If I were to buy all of these parts SEPARATELY, in which order should I buy them? (Ex. the video card first, then the processor, etc etc.) This is because I already have a computer at home, and because of budget, I would like to upgrade things one at a time.. I can spend about 100-200 dollars at once. For instance, I would take out my processor, then put in the AMD. After about a week, I would buy the mobo and replace that. And so on and so forth..

Your help is appreciated!!!!

Don't do that, for one it will cause driver issues, secondly prices are always falling, might as well wait until you have all the money.

And idk what the guy was talking about, I'm pretty darn sure the UD4P Supports 4th core unlock, it just needs a BIOS update.

Shadowclock · 05-04-09

If your piece building/upgrading you will want to order like you are building from scratch so that you only have to move things once.

Purchase the Case and PSU together so that you can get your cable management down properly. Perhaps you will want to paint the case also.

Purchase the Mobo, CPU, and CPU cooler/fan together so that you only have to put that together once.

As for everything else, any order would be fine as you can work around those areas easily.

If you plan on modding the case at all in the future then think ahead and know what you want to do so you can do it before you start installing parts.

For example maybe you will want to cut out all of the hex mesh covering the fan holes to provide better air flow. Or cutting the mobo backplate around where the CPU backplate goes for easier access to the CPU cooler for changing it out. Or adding some holes for better cable management...Again just think ahead or you will cause more work for yourself later on down the line.

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenPlastic

And idk what the guy was talking about, I'm pretty darn sure the UD4P Supports 4th core unlock, it just needs a BIOS update.

Not completely reliable but from Tito on newegg reviews:

Quote:

Cons: Gigabyte looks like they gave in to AMD's wish to disable ACC so that people can't try to unlock 4th core on Phenom II's 720 or 710. I was able to unlock both on Biostar MBs. I got these 2 because reviewers said it did but they don't. Also MB fits great in my case but the last row of mounting screw holes need about a 1/4" to be where they are supposed to be, so becareful when connecting power and IDE cable that you don't force MB down and crack it.

MijnWraak · 05-04-09

650 watt corsair is overkill for that setup. (especially if you decide on 4770, which I recommend doing over 4850)

I'd go for the 450vx, $40 after rebate + coupon. (that might have expired, already. not sure) ... valid till 5/6/09 So buy this if you can by then. coupon = EMCLRPL33

edit: also the case you picked is 75 + shipping, and has so many openings it's past airflow and more of a dust filter for your room. Go for the antec 300 on sale for 55 + free shipping

05-04-09	#1 (permalink)
Coolguy123 New to Overclock.net Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15 Rep: 0 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	AMD 720 BE build! Please help! Hello, I have decided to go with a AMD build over an Intel build due to the better price to performance ratio. I am fairly new to this whole business, so I really need help with building my Phenom II X3 720 Black base build. Please take a look at my parts, and tell me how this list can be improved in terms of PRICE to PERFORMANCE ratio. Meaning, I am on a tight budget and need to know for better deals. Thank you so much! The list(sorry for not including the pics, I don't know how): 1.) Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive Item #: N82E16822136320 2.) AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX Item #: N82E16819103649 3.) ASUS EAH4850 TOP/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card Item #: N82E16814121272 4.) OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2RPR800C44GK Item #: N82E16820227267 5.) GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard Item #: N82E16813128387 6.) CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply Item #: N82E16817139005 7.) SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F Item #: N82E16827151171 8.) COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Item #: N82E16811119137 9.) XIGMATEK Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler Item #: N82E16835233029 This list comes down to being $768, but with the rebates adding up to $70, the whole list is actually $698. I would like to know: 1. How can this list be any cheaper? Where are the trim costs? 2. At this rate, am I better off buying a pre-built gaming computer? 3. The vid card comes in so many different factory brands and models in different pricings.. Which one should I get?? Thank you for your time and help!!!!

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AMD 720 BE build! Please help!

05-04-09	#4 (permalink)
Coolguy123 New to Overclock.net Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 15 Rep: 0 Unique Rep: 0 Trader Rating: 0	Thank you for the mobo suggestion! It's actually cheaper than what I have AND has the possibility of the secret 4th core. hehe So newegg ISN'T the best site to shop for parts? Woah. I guess I'll look for other sites, as well.. It's too bad that there aren't any good combo deals going on around at this time. Another question: 1. If I were to buy all of these parts SEPARATELY, in which order should I buy them? (Ex. the video card first, then the processor, etc etc.) This is because I already have a computer at home, and because of budget, I would like to upgrade things one at a time.. I can spend about 100-200 dollars at once. For instance, I would take out my processor, then put in the AMD. After about a week, I would buy the mobo and replace that. And so on and so forth.. Your help is appreciated!!!!

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