AMD Build over the coming weeks

Velathawen · 2009-11-28

I'm looking to build a new P2 x4 setup over the next few weeks, hoping to camp deals and what not as they come by. My intended budget is 700-800. I do not factor in rebates when I do my initial pricing calculations, as I have had terrible experiences in trying to get companies to honor their rebates. Here are the components I am looking to buy: CPU + Cooler Motherboard DDR3 Ram GPU PSU This is what I have so far: http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.295699 955 + M4A79XTD EVO Combo. $231 Sunbeam 120 CCTF CPU Cooler $40 This brings the total so far to $271, leaving me $529 assuming I go all the way up to $800 for my spending budget. If I can save, of course I'd like to, as I do not require top of the line performance. In terms of PSU I'm thinking a 600W from Corsair would do nicely, thoughts on alternatives? I'm a bit stumped on the Ram / GPU section and was hoping for some input. I don't have a preference for ATI or Nvidia, I've used stuff from both companies without issues before. I do like to fold though, so perhaps an Nvidia card would be a better selection here? I currently game on a 1440x900 but am looking to upgrade soon to a 23 or 24" LCD for christmas. Concerning the ram, I would like to have some OC headroom, but it isn't a must. I'd be happy if it ran at 1600. If I have left anything out, please let me know. Thanks as always! Edit - Think I might have posted in the wrong forum, should this have gone in the build logs section instead?

Craiga35

· #2 · Nov 28, 2009

No you're in the right section.

Honestly I have the Sunbeam CCF and the only reason I do was because I got it dirt cheap. You can go with the Mugen 2 which provides much better cooling for $5 less!

I'm getting a combo deal expired error on that link as well.

You can go with this combo deal to get a Mobo, CPU, and RAM at a $32 discount!

A corsair 650tx will do you just fine.

For the GPU I would suggest a 5850 if you can find one in stock, if not go with a 5770. Remember if you ever need more graphics power that board supports up to 4-way Crossfire!

All this brings your total to: $696.94 (with 5770)

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forgot_to_order_a_quad

· #3 · Nov 28, 2009

I suggest these:

CPU: Phenom 955

CPU Cooler:Dark Knight

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H

RAM: Kingston Hyper X

GPU: ASUS 5750

PSU: Thermaltake 550w

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Velathawen

Discussion Starter · #4 · Nov 28, 2009

First of all, thanks for your suggestions. I have a few questions concerning the recommendations.

CPU Cooler
I see that the Scythe is $5 cheaper, but will it perform better than the Sunbeam? It tends to get quite hot + humid in the summer here, so I would not mind spending an extra $5 if it means I can keep my temps that much lower. The Dark Knight isn't listed as AM3 compatible, does this mean I need to purchase a separate bracket or will the AM2+ bracket fit? I'm also open to other recommendations for the HSF.

Motherboard
Is there any reason to get the UD2H / MSI 790FX over the Asus one? I'm trying to understand the reasoning behind your suggestions, like better price-performance, or what not. Realistically, I don't ever see myself running more than 2 GPUs ever, which is why I originally chose the M4A79XTD. Most of the reviews / benchmarks I have seen show that x16/x16 holds several % performance difference between x8/x8 at very high resolutions. Is higher OC possible on these 2?

PSU / GPU
From what I understand, the 5770 and 5750 both are 128-bit. Do you guys think the 128-bit bandwidth will be a big issue when I go into higher resolutions with my new monitor? Also, the TR2 only has 33 amps on the +12v rail for $92 usd. I feel this is cutting it a bit close, considering the 650 TX is 90 with 52 amps. Am I mistaken in this regard?

Thanks again for your input!

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dixson01974

· #5 · Nov 28, 2009

For the cpu cooler Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 and a Scythe Ultra Kaze 3000 is a excellent setup.
For mobo people like difference mobo because they are great mobos.
For gpu/psu stay with the 650 TX great psu. If you crossfire 2 5770 it will = about the same as 5870. But 1 5850 or 1 5870 will be fine.

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Craiga35

· #6 · Nov 28, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velathawen

First of all, thanks for your suggestions. I have a few questions concerning the recommendations.

CPU Cooler
I see that the Scythe is $5 cheaper, but will it perform better than the Sunbeam? It tends to get quite hot + humid in the summer here, so I would not mind spending an extra $5 if it means I can keep my temps that much lower. The Dark Knight isn't listed as AM3 compatible, does this mean I need to purchase a separate bracket or will the AM2+ bracket fit? I'm also open to other recommendations for the HSF.

Motherboard
Is there any reason to get the UD2H / MSI 790FX over the Asus one? I'm trying to understand the reasoning behind your suggestions, like better price-performance, or what not. Realistically, I don't ever see myself running more than 2 GPUs ever, which is why I originally chose the M4A79XTD. Most of the reviews / benchmarks I have seen show that x16/x16 holds several % performance difference between x8/x8 at very high resolutions. Is higher OC possible on these 2?

PSU / GPU
From what I understand, the 5770 and 5750 both are 128-bit. Do you guys think the 128-bit bandwidth will be a big issue when I go into higher resolutions with my new monitor? Also, the TR2 only has 33 amps on the +12v rail for $92 usd. I feel this is cutting it a bit close, considering the 650 TX is 90 with 52 amps. Am I mistaken in this regard?

Thanks again for your input!

CPU Cooler
The scythe will kill the sunbeam, the Mugen 2 is one of the best coolers around for the money. It will perform on par and sometimes better than the Dark Knight. But yes the AM2+ bracket will fit on the AM3 socket to answer your question.

Motherboard
I just suggested that one because of the combo deal. Theres no reason to go away from the ASUS you picked, I actually prefer ASUS, I just saw that the combo deal you linked had expired.

PSU/ GPU
It has been proven that the 5770/5750 are not limited by their bus-size. I would personally go with the 650tx, Corsair reliability along with $2 cheaper, you can't go wrong!

EDIT: 5770 is not limited by bus speed

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Prideless

· #7 · Nov 28, 2009

I actually purchased that same combo deal for the 955 and got the Coolermaster V8 for 40.

Basically the MSI board referred above is better because its an 790FX opposed to the ASUS in the deal which is a 790X. Basically means the ASUS board is x8 x8 in Crossfire while the MSI is in x16 x16 in Crossfire.

You may bottleneck in CF slightly but shouldnt be to noticeable.

Pick up the HAF 922 deal if they still have it, its 60 bucks after MIR if yuor willing to take the risk. I looked up CM's other products that rebates and the reviewers said they got there rebates.

Try to get G Skill DDR3 1600 2X 2GB 7-7-8-7-24, for 80 bucks.
RAM prices are very bad for the value these days. Some prices dont even make sense.

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Velathawen

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 29, 2009

Thanks for all your input so far:

Here is what I am looking at for the time being:

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W
Motherboard - MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
Ram - G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 2 x 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W
CPU Cooler - Scythe Mugen 2
GPU - I don't really like the egg coolers on the 5770s, so going with the reference cooler one from either Sapphire/XFX/HIS unless someone has something bad to say about them =P

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forgot_to_order_a_quad

· #9 · Dec 6, 2009

I thought the egg coolers on the 5770's were only for the cheaper ones and the black cover and fans were for the little bit more expensive ones.

Just a thought.

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