[Altimax98]

Im looking on building my machine now and im centered on the 720BE but not sure if im going to be running DDR3 or DDR2. Price is a big factor. Rally Big factor.
I am going to be running a 4870 OC Video card.
Ive seen boards with the 790 chipset (of course im getting a 790), but what it the downside to the 790GX chipset. Now I know the GX has the GPU IGP, but there must be a downside to using that chipset and mating it to a 48xx series gpu. (hence turning the IGP off)

So the cliffs:

Is there any performance decrease in the GX chipset compared to the FX when not using the IGP???

Thanks all!!!

 

[Blue_Fire]

none that im aware of. record phenom 2 overclocking was on a gx board.

 

[zero0zero0]

Wait till there is more choice with the AM3 Motherboards first, or stick to the AM2 Phenom IIs atm. Also there shouldn't be a problem when using IGP.

 

[ZealotKi11er]

Well 790FX is like X48 were u can do x16 Cf. Other then that i think they are simular in overclocking. A 790GX will do just fine with 4870 CF configuration.

 

[Altimax98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zero0zero0 Wait till there is more choice with the AM3 Motherboards first, or stick to the AM2 Phenom IIs atm. Also there shouldn't be a problem when using IGP.

Thats why im thinking of staying with a DDR2 board. Now on a off topic question will future AM3 processors be compatible with AM2+?

I know there will be a bottle neck of course, but what about when they release HT3.1?

 

[Altimax98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZealotKi11er Well 790FX is like X48 were u can do x16 Cf. Other then that i think they are simular in overclocking. A 790GX will do just fine with 4870 CF configuration.

I am prob gonna go max 2X4870's Crossfired, I dont think ill need the 16X4 and the performance difference between the 8X and 16X when crossfire is negligible.

 

[spaceballsrules]

Yes, all AM3 chips are backwards compatible with AM2/AM2+ sockets.

 

[Altimax98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by spaceballsrules Yes, all AM3 chips are backwards compatible with AM2/AM2+ sockets.

I know they are now, but what about in the future?

Thats one of my main worrys with the DDR2. In the future when Im not so strapped for cash I plan on getting a moster Quad-core DDR3 cpu. I dont want to get a DDR2 to save a few bucks only to find out they drop the backwards compatibility.

 

[zero0zero0]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altimax98 I know they are now, but what about in the future? Thats one of my main worrys with the DDR2. In the future when Im not so strapped for cash I plan on getting a moster Quad-core DDR3 cpu. I dont want to get a DDR2 to save a few bucks only to find out they drop the backwards compatibility.

If you are really worried you should really wait.

 

[e6800xe]

a 790fx board is a bit faster in basically everything.. higher 3dmark scores, synthetics, gaming..
the only thing going for the 790gx is that its 55nm, as compared to 65nm, and its obviously cheaper

 

[Altimax98]

Quote:

Originally Posted by e6800xe a 790fx board is a bit faster in basically everything.. higher 3dmark scores, synthetics, gaming.. the only thing going for the 790gx is that its 55nm, as compared to 65nm, and its obviously cheaper

Ahh, thats what I was thinking

 

[sgdude]

make sure it has the 750SB southbridge. ALL 790GXs have it afaik while only newer 790FXs have it. The benefit of the FX over the GX is full 16x 2.0 bandwidth in crossfire, the 790GX does 16x 2.0 with 1 card, but only 8x 2.0 with 2 cards (this wont really effect you unless you are running like quad fire since 8x 2.0 is the same as 16x 1.1)
the 790FX will NOT benchmark higher in 3dmark or games the only benefit is more lanes for crossfire but that will only matter with like 2x 4870X2. Buy whats cheaper. (GX)

 

[Altimax98]

Of course I am getting a SB750 chipset. doh. lol

Thanks for all the help, I just didnt know if the GX had lower performance numbers due to the IGP. But i guess the difference isnt much more then the PCI-e speeds.

 

[sgdude]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altimax98 Of course I am getting a SB750 chipset. doh. lol Thanks for all the help, I just didnt know if the GX had lower performance numbers due to the IGP. But i guess the difference isnt much more then the PCI-e speeds.

precisely.

 

[Altimax98]

So in your opinions which build is better?

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - X2 44.99 - 25mir

Asus M4A79 Deluxe AM2+ - 199 - 25combo
Phenom II 720 BE 147 - 25combo

= 699 - 25 - 25 - 25 - 30 = $594

CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1600C9DHX - 104 - 25mir

Phenom II 720BE 147
Asus M4A78T-E AM3 - 139

703 - 25 - 25 - 30 = $620

The addition price to the total is a Corsair 750TX PSU and a Asus Radeon 4870 OC video card.

Which is a better choice???

 

[hangemhi]

you can get a 790X even, its what I have. Still has 750 sb chipset. Only thing that is missing is IGP, which you don't need anyways

 

[gerikoh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altimax98 So in your opinions which build is better? CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - X2 44.99 - 25mir Asus M4A79 Deluxe AM2+ - 199 - 25combo Phenom II 720 BE 147 - 25combo = 699 - 25 - 25 - 25 - 30 = $594 CORSAIR XMS3 DHX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TW3X4G1600C9DHX - 104 - 25mir Phenom II 720BE 147 Asus M4A78T-E AM3 - 139 703 - 25 - 25 - 30 = $620 The addition price to the total is a Corsair 750TX PSU and a Asus Radeon 4870 OC video card. Which is a better choice???

an additional $30 is worth the upgrade from ddr2 to ddr3. i'd say go for it and get t his board:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131366
or this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128378

cheers

 

[Altimax98]

^ Yeah that asus u posted is the same I have in my shopping cart.

Im sticking with a Asus mobo because I have done 2 builds with asus and never had 1 problem. The MSI build i had a few issues. So im gonna stick with what im familiar with.

Also one more Q, is DDR2 ram able to be put on a DDR3 board?

I ask because newegg has corsair 800mhz ram 2X2g sticks for 19.99 after MIR.

 

[Mr. Stroker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altimax98 ^ Yeah that asus u posted is the same I have in my shopping cart. Im sticking with a Asus mobo because I have done 2 builds with asus and never had 1 problem. The MSI build i had a few issues. So im gonna stick with what im familiar with. Also one more Q, is DDR2 ram able to be put on a DDR3 board? I ask because newegg has corsair 800mhz ram 2X2g sticks for 19.99 after MIR.

No you cannot.

Get the ddr3 and be done with it.

 

[gerikoh]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altimax98 ^ Yeah that asus u posted is the same I have in my shopping cart. Im sticking with a Asus mobo because I have done 2 builds with asus and never had 1 problem. The MSI build i had a few issues. So im gonna stick with what im familiar with. Also one more Q, is DDR2 ram able to be put on a DDR3 board? I ask because newegg has corsair 800mhz ram 2X2g sticks for 19.99 after MIR.

if you can find a board that has ddr2 and ddr3. i heard some mobo manufacturers will try releasing one. but then again you can only use one.