[SinX7]

Hello, I want to build my own AMD gaming build but I don't really know which part is a good deal. I have a budget of $400-$550. I'm gonna use the system to play games such as CS:S, Sims 3, BF:BC 2, TF2, and a few hit games

 

[IntelConvert]

u can try to unlock an X2 555 into an X4... or get an Athlon II X4 if you dont want to risk it.

then a gigabyte/Asus AM3 board. if u want to try to unlock the X2, make sure you get the right board.. im not totally sure on the correct chipset so i wont post it till im sure, someone who has unlocked an X2 could be more help here.

5770 1GB GPU is amazing for budget builds!

 

[SilverPotato]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntelConvert u can try to unlock an X2 555 into an X4... or get an Athlon II X4 if you dont want to risk it.

This^

If you wanna save $15 and get higher clock speed get an Athlon II X3 440 When it unlocks you'll get a 3.0GHz Quad even at that speed you'll have a screaming fast computer

 

[hermitmaster]

What parts do you have and what do you need? Monitor, OS, KB, mouse?

 

[IntelConvert]

can you unlock an AMD PHenom II X3 into an X4?.

if u can unlock the X3, i would go with it. its $5 more than the X2. if unlocking fails, you get an X3 instead of being stuck with an X2. not all of them will unlock.

right now, except for BC2 and GTA, games only use 2 cores and having the 3rd core to offload the OS onto is pretty much the best you can get. games will take advantage of 4 cores in the future, but for budget builds, X2/X3s are great.

 

[hermitmaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntelConvert can you unlock an AMD PHenom II X3 into an X4?

It's possible.

 

[IntelConvert]

ok then, i would get the Phenom II X3. its about the same price as the X2 but you get an extra core. unlocking cores is like OCing, some chips are great and some arent. its possible you can unlock more cores, its also possible you cant. this way, if you get the X3 and it fails, you still have 3 cores vs failing to unlock an X2 and being stuck with 2 cores.

anyone know more about the X3 unlocking?

 

[hermitmaster]

I would personally stick with an AthlonII x4 630. It should easily OC to 3.5, and performance is within 5% of PIIs clock for clock. Oh, and it's $99.

 

[IntelConvert]

the Phenom IIs can be up to 20% faster Clock for Clock in games that utilize the L3 cache. they downclocked the Phenom to 2.6ghz to match the Athlon II. most of the time, the athlon was within 10% of the phenom, but when L3 cache was needed, the Phenom quickly pulled ahead to a 20% gain. the phenom will also OC further than the Athlon, furthering its lead.

the Phenom will reach higher clocks in the end, therefore substantially outperforming the Athlon II. i would try to get a Phenom if possible.

if your budget wont allow it, the Athlon II X4's are still great CPUs for $99!

 

[SinX7]

Oh and I just need the main components to run it. Already have monitor,keyboard etc.

 

[IntelConvert]

do u ned an OS? an operating system can take $100 out of your budget and will really influence the recommendations we make

 

[mufeez666]

i would second on the Phenom IIs, although the the Athlon X4 is a great chip for 99USD, but if you're budget allows it get the PII, match that with the 5770 and you can get some decent fps at 1080p in some games

 

[Frank08]

Here's what I came up with:

Phenom X3 720 + Rosewill Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.349170

ASRock AM3 Mobo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-176-_-Product

5770:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-462-_-Product

4GB A-Data Ram:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211364

OCZ 600W PSU + 320GB HDD:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.347447

Total: $546 Shipped

Edit: You will also need a cooler since the Phenom doesn't come with one.

 

[IntelConvert]

not a fan of Asrock mobos, but somepeople like them, i see you have one..

looks like you picked a good PSU, OCZ makes good budget units.

i like the rig tho

 

[SinX7]

No need for OS.

Parts you guys pick are looking good so far

So hard to decide lol

 

[Frank08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntelConvert not a fan of Asrock mobos, but somepeople like them, i see you have one.. looks like you picked a good PSU, OCZ makes good budget units. i like the rig tho

They're not the best, but the one I have is a good budget board.