Final Build Check

[trickymickey]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Planning to purchase this week/new week

BUDGET RANGE: 750-900 USD

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, watching videos, listening to music, video chat.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, keyboard, mouse, case (just bought an Antec 900[http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16811129021), OS

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I've been using newegg, but I am open to other sites if they're reputable and have better prices.

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: going to get a 22" or 24" monitor later with 1920x1080, 1920x1200 (currently i have a 19", but that's just temporary.

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
MoBo: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard
GCard: HIS H487QT1GP Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported IceQ 4+
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
Memory: mushkin HP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory
DVD: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 16X DVD+R DL 22X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 22X DVD Burner (Currently Sold out)

Total for these with shipping is 804.94 USD

I've also considered going to a 4890 instead of the 4870, but I got the impression that there's not that big of a performance jump. Originally I was going to get the Corsair 750TX, but it's no longer on sale so I went down to the 650, is that still sufficient or is it worth the 30 or 40 extra to get the 750? There are also quite a few combo deals on ASUS mobos (1) (2) with the 955, they're more expensive than the gigabyte, but the ratings are lower, are they significantly better than the gigabyte and should I consider those (with the combo they're about the same cost). Is mushkin decent ram, my friend recommended it, but it doesn't have many reviews on newegg.

Thanks

 

[Silicon Spear]

Heh, I made the same mistake! If you look carefully, that mobo is incompatible with DDR3 - you need DDR2 or a different mobo.

 

[yh125d]

The 650w is fine. You're already spending $74 on the HD, spend another $10 and get the samsung spinpoint F1 1TB. You're already putting $175 for GPU with 20 MIR, go for $190 - 30 MIR for $160 for a 4890 (http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...282&prodlist=celebros)

And yeah, either switch the ram for DDR2, or switch to an AM3 motherboard

 

[trickymickey]

I don't understand, it's AM3/AM2+/AM2, doesn't that mean it's AM3? For ddr3 ram do you need a mobo that's only AM3? not AM3/AM2+?

 

[yh125d]

It's kind of tricky, but yeah you need an AM3 CPU and AM3 mobo to use DDR3. Just be sure the mobo you pick lists itself as using DDR3

 

[trickymickey]

Where is it listed that it can use ddr3, is that the "Memory Standard" spec it lists? Should I just call the manufacturer?

 

[trickymickey]

Ok, so maybe this combo would work better for me. It's a step down to the AMD 945 but it's only 290 for an ASUS MoBo and the processor. ASUS MoBo and AMD 945 There's probably not a noticeable difference between the 945/955 is there?

 

[yh125d]

Yes, under memory standard

 

[Lunyone]

Originally posted by: trickymickey
Ok, so maybe this combo would work better for me. It's a step down to the AMD 945 but it's only 290 for an ASUS MoBo and the processor. ASUS MoBo and AMD 945 There's probably not a noticeable difference between the 945/955 is there?

Under stock settings there isn't that much difference. The 955 does have the multiplier unlocked, so you can OC the CPU MUCH easier. Takes a few clicks in the BIOS and your OC'd!! Most average OC's don't even need a voltage adjustment with the 955!! That is what your generally buying when you get the Black Edition CPU's!!

If you look under the "Specifications" tab you can find out what DDR you will need for a given mobo. The AM3 mobo's support DDR3 only, IIRC. The AM2+ mobo's can support DDR2 or DDR3, depending on which mobo you get.

 

[trickymickey]

Well I found this combo which is more expensive, but I think both parts are both better and the mobo has mostly good reviews, although it only has 9 total.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Phenom II X4 945 / Asus 790FX AM3: $320

 

[trickymickey]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Phenom II X4 945 / Asus 790FX AM3: $320

That looks pretty sweet but some of the reviews say the bios chip isn't compatible with the 955, I would think it might have the same problem with the 945 wouldn't it?

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: trickymickey

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Phenom II X4 945 / Asus 790FX AM3: $320

That looks pretty sweet but some of the reviews say the bios chip isn't compatible with the 955, I would think it might have the same problem with the 945 wouldn't it?

The issue is that the Egg has new "old stock" ("old" being 4-5 months). The mobo came out in February and the "new" Phenoms came out in April so the new "old stock" may not have the latest BIOS. Note on the 'Combo' page where New Egg says:

Newegg.com cannot guarantee the compatibility of Combo items. Please contact the manufacturer(s) directly if you have issues or concerns regarding compatibility.

If you have good Karma your board will have the latest BIOS If not, Asus seems really good about shipping an updated BIOS chip for $25 (so you are still $60 to the good on the combo). As long as you know that going in I don't see that as a problem.

$320 (or $340 for the 955BE combo) plus maybe another $25 is still a sweet deal. In your case I'd be more concerned about your PSU having enough 'juice' (and making sure your RAMs are on the Asus QVL list - just to be safe).

A single HD4890 may pull as much as 30 watts more than an HD4870 - in CrossFire that could be an extra 60w at load.

I'm not the greatest at power supply efficiencies - at some loads an 80+ PSU may be 90% efficient - but I figure 650w X 80% = 520w. With everything cranked, fans spinnin', another hard drive (and maybe optical) you may be bumping up against the limit ...

 

[trickymickey]

I've done a some installation of components, but I've never built completely from scratch or done anything beyond connecting other components to the motherboard, is replacing the bios chip pretty straight forward? I assume since it's just a chip it's probably just a matter of popping out the old one and putting in the new one if it came with the old bios. Also, is there anyway to find out what bios is on it before assembling the computer and then trying to fire it up, or am I just going to have to pray that I get a working board and then swear as I disassemble the computer to replace the bios?

Thanks for all the help from everyone, really appreciate it.