New Build (AMD)

[DeathNote]

If I go with AM2+ (AMD Phenom II 940) I would get:

Motherboard - ASUS M4A78-E or ASUS M4N72-E

Processor - AMD Phenom II X4 940 Deneb 3.0GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition

Graphics Card - EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3

RAM - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA - OEM

Power Supply (I already have this) - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC

 

If I go with AM3 (AMD Pehnom II 955) I would get:

Motherboard - ASUS M4A78T-E or GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P or GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P

Processor - AMD Phenom II X4 955 3.2GHz Socket AM3 Quad-Core Black Edition

Graphics Card - EVGA 896-P3-1257-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216 Superclocked Edition 896MB 448-bit GDDR3

RAM - G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Triple Channel if I got DDR3 1600 (Depending on the mobo I get)

or G.SKILL 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Triple Channel if I got DDR3 1333 (Depending on the mobo I get)

HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA - OEM

Power Supply (I already have this) - OCZ StealthXStream OCZ600SXS 600W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready Active PFC

 

What do you guys think of these builds?

Also, reguarding the Motherboards, which one would you guys get for each build?

Even if you have a suggestion for a different board, let me know.

I should be buying this build in a few weeks and wanted some input.

 

Thanks for all the help.

 

*EDIT*

I updated the links for the Graphics card. Apparently newegg de-activated the card I was going to get.

Edited March 30, 2009 by DeathNote

[TheConqueror]

Ya it looks pretty nice. I guess now you need to figure out whether to wait for the new phenom or get a system now. But if you are overclocking your gonna need a CPU cooler

[lankeyluke]

The AM2 build will be maybe 10% slower in games at worst due to the DDR2 vs DDR3, but the additional cost of the AM3 build is going to be so much more. Price/perfomance ratio=AM2, or if your one of those people (i do this a lot) who has money and wants to get the best performance no matter what the cost, the AM3 all the way. For bragging rights if nothing else. I would also reccomend a WD black Hard drive aswel for OS/games and your TB hard drive for data. I also think DDR3 1333 is a waste of money because of how much more it is compared to DDR2 1066 and how little it benifits, if your going DDR3 i would do it properly and get 1600. And the kits your looking at are for I7 builds. You will need duel channel RAM not triple. Get either 2 or 4 sticks, not 3

[TheConqueror]

Actually, the above is COMPLETELY false, DDR2 vs DDR3 RAM will give you MAYBE a 2-5% increase, you wont even notice it. Thats like MAYBE 3 more FPS in games. Notice how i stress MAYBE?

[tkrow21]

Actually, the above is COMPLETELY false, DDR2 vs DDR3 RAM will give you MAYBE a 2-5% increase, you wont even notice it. Thats like MAYBE 3 more FPS in games. Notice how i stress MAYBE?

 

 

The only real gain comes with the CPU.

[RaPiDo987]

Actually, the above is COMPLETELY false, DDR2 vs DDR3 RAM will give you MAYBE a 2-5% increase, you wont even notice it. Thats like MAYBE 3 more FPS in games. Notice how i stress MAYBE?

 

+1!!! I would go AM2!!!

 

 

Here's a really good deal on a AMD Phenom II X4 940 + OCZ DDR2 800 (AMD Black Edition 3.0GHz Retail Processor + OCZ Platinum XTC 4GB Dual Channel PC6400 Memory) for $219

[bbbrad]

I think im going to wait for the 955 myself and try it out with ddr3.

 

DFI AM3 mobo just came out and looks pretty nice

 

Oh and you dont need triple channel memory for AM3 builds. So you can get a 2x2 kit if you would like. I'll be trying the 2x2gb 1600 ddr3 as well.

 

Havent decided on my gpu yet tho.

[DeathNote]

Alright guys,

Here is my issue. my current rig went outdated in about 1 year (but I didn't get anything near top of the line stuff). I want this baby to last me for at least another 2 years (maybe 3) before considering upgrading.

I know that the GTX 260 isn't the best, but I dont have $350 to spend on a graphics card.

I've seen estimates for the 955, and its about another $50-$60 compared to the 940. Then I would have to spend another $40ish for the DDR3 RAM.

 

Again, I dont want to be spending a TON, but I don want to even think about updating for at least another 1 1/2 or 2 years.

I know DDR3 is cutting edge, but is it worth the extra $$$? Or is it even worth upgrading (even if money wasn't a factor)?

Ive seen on other sites that people are urged to make the switch to DDR3 chips because DDR2 is dying out (kinda like how DDR did). What do you guys think?

 

I could always wait until April 20th for the 955 to release and see what mobo's there are for AM3 and hopefully there will be a better mobo available and maybe the DDR3 RAM will go down in price by then, to a point where its only a little more to upgrade.

 

Also, do you guys feel the AM3 chip is better compared to the AM2+ chips?

Would it be a good idea to get a motherboard that has AM2+/AM3 capabilities so that I can maybe get the 940 now, and maybe in a year when a sweet AM3 chip comes out, I can put it in there?

 

I dont plan on OCin right off the bat, but I do plan on doing it someone soon afterwards, so I want good OCing capabilities.

 

I guess an easy way to put it is "I want the biggest BANG for my buck" :thumbs-up:

[IVIYTH0S]

Alright guys,

Here is my issue. my current rig went outdated in about 1 year (but I didn't get anything near top of the line stuff). I want this baby to last me for at least another 2 years (maybe 3) before considering upgrading.

I know that the GTX 260 isn't the best, but I dont have $350 to spend on a graphics card.

I've seen estimates for the 955, and its about another $50-$60 compared to the 940. Then I would have to spend another $40ish for the DDR3 RAM.

 

Again, I dont want to be spending a TON, but I don want to even think about updating for at least another 1 1/2 or 2 years.

I know DDR3 is cutting edge, but is it worth the extra $$$? Or is it even worth upgrading (even if money wasn't a factor)?

Ive seen on other sites that people are urged to make the switch to DDR3 chips because DDR2 is dying out (kinda like how DDR did). What do you guys think?

 

I could always wait until April 20th for the 955 to release and see what mobo's there are for AM3 and hopefully there will be a better mobo available and maybe the DDR3 RAM will go down in price by then, to a point where its only a little more to upgrade.

 

Also, do you guys feel the AM3 chip is better compared to the AM2+ chips?

Would it be a good idea to get a motherboard that has AM2+/AM3 capabilities so that I can maybe get the 940 now, and maybe in a year when a sweet AM3 chip comes out, I can put it in there?

 

I dont plan on OCin right off the bat, but I do plan on doing it someone soon afterwards, so I want good OCing capabilities.

 

I guess an easy way to put it is "I want the biggest BANG for my buck" :thumbs-up:

DDR3 is retarded (unless you have to get it with an i7), aka go AM2+

 

if you want to save money on a video card then get the MSI 260 since it's higher clocked and is cheaper. And where are you pulling $350 for a videocard from?

 

I would say still go for the 940 since I hear the 955 might not be AM2+ compatible, however if you wait then perhaps it's release will lower the price on the 940 (though that previously posted OCZ + 940 combo was pretty sweet). The computer will definitely last you 2 years easy (though depending on the graphic level of games you seek to enjoy, the average maximum enjoyment lifespan of a video card would be about 6months-1year max. Which brings me to my next question, what resolution are you running?)

here's a seagate 1TB for $90 dollars too

 

the rest looks good, just ask around for the best AM2+ board, i hear that Asus makes the best one. But I'm not sure which model it was.

[DeathNote]

Im running at 1680 x 1050 on a 22" widescreen monitor atm, but plan on getting a 24" widescreen in the next yearish and upgradin to the 1900's resolution for widescreen monitors.

 

I know the 955 will be a AM3 chip, which is why I am thinkin of just getting a mobo that is AM2+/AM3 compatable if I do go with the 940. (that way if another sweet AM3 chip comes out in a year, I can still put it in my mobo).

The GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P & ASUS M4A78-E allow for a AM2+ and AM3 chip. That way I could get the 940 now adn then get a AM3 chip later. Now I wouldn't be able to get DD3 RAM with those boards, but I could get AM3 chips.

 

ATM, the GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P seems to be the best AM3 board available (with not paying $200).

Maybe when the 955 is released, better AM3 boards will be released.

 

As far the $350 price, Im talking about the GTX 285 or the GTX 295 cards. (which those I have seen be like $450)

[IVIYTH0S]

Im running at 1680 x 1050 on a 22" widescreen monitor atm, but plan on getting a 24" widescreen in the next yearish and upgradin to the 1900's resolution for widescreen monitors.

 

I know the 955 will be a AM3 chip, which is why I am thinkin of just getting a mobo that is AM2+/AM3 compatable if I do go with the 940. (that way if another sweet AM3 chip comes out in a year, I can still put it in my mobo).

The GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P & ASUS M4A78-E allow for a AM2+ and AM3 chip. That way I could get the 940 now adn then get a AM3 chip later. Now I wouldn't be able to get DD3 RAM with those boards, but I could get AM3 chips.

 

ATM, the GIGABYTE GA-MA790FXT-UD5P seems to be the best AM3 board available (with not paying $200).

Maybe when the 955 is released, better AM3 boards will be released.

 

As far the $350 price, Im talking about the GTX 285 or the GTX 295 cards. (which those I have seen be like $450)

if you went higher than the 260 for any reason (though at the resolutions you mentioned, the 260 will be great), keep in mind that the 4850x2 is stronger than the 280/285 and cheaper.

 

I think you should get just the 940 and get an AM2+/AM3 board, that seems like the smart choice since DDR3 has not given any worthwhile improvements in speed so far, and doesn't look like it will before you are going to upgrade to the AM3.

[Guns]

DDR3 is retarded (unless you have to get it with an i7), aka go AM2+

 

if you want to save money on a video card then get the MSI 260 since it's higher clocked and is cheaper. And where are you pulling $350 for a videocard from?

 

I would say still go for the 940 since I hear the 955 might not be AM2+ compatible, however if you wait then perhaps it's release will lower the price on the 940 (though that previously posted OCZ + 940 combo was pretty sweet). The computer will definitely last you 2 years easy (though depending on the graphic level of games you seek to enjoy, the average maximum enjoyment lifespan of a video card would be about 6months-1year max. Which brings me to my next question, what resolution are you running?)

here's a seagate 1TB for $90 dollars too

 

the rest looks good, just ask around for the best AM2+ board, i hear that Asus makes the best one. But I'm not sure which model it was.

 

Theres a reason that HD has 3 eggs. Seagate 1TB = Boo.

 

Do this instead(its the Green version, not the Black but...) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136317

 

Or, if you can scare up another $30 (mo-betta) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16822136284

Edited March 31, 2009 by Guns