AMD AM3+ System ($800 - $900) Feedback

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

I would like to know if the parts I have chosen (after much research) are good for a fast and reliable PC. (gaming and 3d renders) Here is the list so far: (some hardware I will transfer to it from my current PC)

-means it is optional. (not in price)
-Logitech G35
-Logitech G710+
EVGA 02G-P4-2761-KR GeForce GTX 760 2GB
AMD FX-8320
Thermaltake TR2 600W ATX12V
Corsair Carbide 300R Window Case
Asus M5A97 LE R2.0
CMZ8GX3M2A2133C11R

I will be doing closed loop liquid cooling on this. (Corsair)
And I know about the motherboard having to get the new BIOS.

Thanks for reading my question, please reply. Also I will NOT switch to Intel, so don't fight.

realchaos · Jul 1, 2013

Where are you buying from??
Do your programs for 3d rendering support CUDA cores?
The LE R2.0 version of that motherboard isn't really meant for overclocking. I would grab the Asus M5A97 R2.0 (non-le) version to overclock better.
Thermaltake psus are bad quality. Grab a good quality psu from XFX, Seasonic or Corsair.

Budge414 · Jul 1, 2013

- Firstly are you planning to overclock the CPU?
- What are you using for storage?
- Is there any particular reason you chose 2133MHz RAM?

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

realchaos :

I don't really want to OC, and I will only do so if I get a liquid cooler. The PSU is really that shabby? I am buying from Frys.com, and Blender does have Cycles, and I use LuxRender. (I know the 660 has more CUDA cores, but I want this card to last for 2-3 years.) Thanks for the quick reply. And should I stay with EVGA, or go with ASUS for my 760?

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Budge414 :

Ah you answered right as real did, and I will OC only if I get the liquid cooler, I have two HDD's (average speed SATA).
I forgot to mention my 500GB external HDD. And I do not understand the speed settings on RAM (I would love to learn though). Currently I have Kingston HyperX Red 8Gb 1600 MHz.

Budge414 · Jul 1, 2013

DaCoder :

A liquid cooler won't help you cool the VRMs if you are overclocking on that board. Basically if you think you will overclock in the future, then we will recommend something better. And yeah the other guy is right you will want to get a better PSU

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

What do you guys suggest for a good motherboard, (ASUS or MSI or Gigabyte is fine with me), and what for the PSU. I would love something that will not be too pricey, but will cover my power and temp issues. Also, any thoughts on the case I chose?

realchaos · Jul 1, 2013

Are you limited to Frys, or can you use Newegg, NCIX, Amazon, etc?

Madn3ss795 · Jul 1, 2013

10 CUDA cores on Kepler equals 1 CUDA core on Fermi in terms of performance, so don't get blinded by the big number of CUDA cores on GTX600/700 ( kepler ) cards, except for the 780/TITAN that are stripped down enterprise GPUs.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

realchaos :

I have a VERY bad experience with Newegg, but I could try again, I live almost downtown so shipping is easy. All the others sound ok. NCIX I have watched Linus, but never bought there. Honestly I do not like having the items shipped, but rather a store setting.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Madn3ss795 :

That is very nice information, thanks alot dude! I hope when I get my Computer Engineering major I could design chips like these.

Budge414 · Jul 1, 2013

Unfortunately Fry's doesn't have a whole lot to choose from, pricing is okay I guess.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Budge414 :

For most of my components, Frys has the best price by around 10 dollars and free shipping too.

Any word on PSU choices?

Budge414 · Jul 1, 2013

DaCoder :

Yeah it's just they don't have a great range in stock. That system probably won't need a 600w PSU, you could get by with 500-550 no problem. As for which ones to go for, pretty much anything by Seasonic or Corsair, Antec HCG-Series or NeoEco Series are both built by Seasonic so they are good too. They would be what I would look for first, XFX are good too.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Budge414 :

DaCoder :

Yeah it's just they don't have a great range in stock. That system probably won't need a 600w PSU, you could get by with 500-550 no problem. As for which ones to go for, pretty much anything by Seasonic or Corsair, Antec HCG-Series or NeoEco Series are both built by Seasonic so they are good too. They would be what I would look for first, XFX are good too.

Well after looking at cheap options first (I don't want to go all out here) what do you guys think of this:
Corsair Gaming Series GS500 500w?

Madn3ss795 · Jul 1, 2013

GS500 would be a good choice.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Let me update this list here:

EVGA 02G-P4-2761-KR GeForce GTX 760 2GB
AMD FX-8320
Corsair Carbide 300R Window Case
Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A2133C11R
Corsair Gaming Series GS500 500w

So now, what to get for a motherboard, keeping in mind my budget and OC capabilities.
Also, any ideas on my case or memory alternatives?

Budge414 · Jul 1, 2013

DaCoder :

Well it's an improvement, but you could do better at that price. Fry's is really restricting your choices. Microcentre has a $40 mail-in rebate that could get you one for $25, or $30 at Newegg with a promo code and rebate. Newegg also has a rebate on the Semi-Modular version, that one is $40.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Budge414 :

Modular is better for me in this case (haha funny pun) and it is preferred, can you link me up with what you found?

Budge414 · Jul 1, 2013

DaCoder :

Case is nice, no problems there. AMD mobos support 1866MHz RAM so go for that, 1600MHz is fine too. You would have to overclock the RAM to get it to work at 2133MHz and that particular model has a CAS rating of 11, you should aim for 9 or at least 10, lower is better. Also try to make sure it is 1.5v, Kingston RAM uses 1.65v which is only supported by certain motherboards.

The motherboard you chose is fine just don't expect to OC very well on it. There isn't really anything else worth getting at Fry's IMO.

Budge414 · Jul 1, 2013

DaCoder :

http://www.microcenter.com/product/399981/Builder_Series_CX500_500_Watt_ATX_12V_Power_Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139050&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

EDIT: Note: I want to help you out more but I have to nick out for a few hours. Hopefully you can get what you need from some other helpful members! Otherwise I'll get back to you when I can.

Good luck.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Budge414 :

Thanks, now about the AMD motherboards, which is the best for the price? Preferably under $120. ASUS and MSI I have experience with. Also I have NEVER OCed anything, so if you could, (I have some backgrounds in programming and electronics) please explain this a bit further: "and that particular model has a CAS rating of 11, you should aim for 9 or at least 10, lower is better. Also try to make sure it is 1.5v." And I am willing to go on Newegg for these products, but they need to be better quality or cheaper. Also what does the frequency on the RAM correspond to in performance, I know what it describes, but not how it affects.

realchaos · Jul 1, 2013

Cheaper RAM: http://www.frys.com/product/6487492?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
Can you list all the parts you got down so far? As well as price.

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

realchaos :

Thanks! I will update this list now:

EVGA 02G-P4-2761-KR GeForce GTX 760 2GB
(I still need a motherboard suggestion)
AMD FX-8320
Corsair Carbide 300R Window Case
Corsair CMZ8GX3M2A1600C9
Corsair Gaming Series GS500 500w (I will stick with this since I can only buy in December and the sale will be gone)

DaCoder · Jul 1, 2013

Is this a good MoBo, it is a little too much:

ASUS M5A99X EVO AMD 990X AM3+?

AMD AM3+ System ($800 - $900) Feedback

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