Thoughts on this AMD build before i buy

[nort]

This is my first build and I think i finally found all the parts I want at a decent price. I'm doing an amd build and plan to run sli in the future, but for now i'll stick with just one graphics card that i could later buy a second one and run in sli. I would like to know your opinion on this build and if i there is anything that isn't compatible or i should not buy. I don't want to spend more than $1200.00, not including shippng/handling and warranties. I plan to overclock too to get the cpu to 3ghz or more.

Motherboard:
MSI K9N2 SLI Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130161

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Windsor 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103771

Case:
Antec Three Hundred Black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

Graphics Card:
EVGA 512-P3-N976-AR GeForce 9800 GT Superclocked Edition 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130377

Hard Drive: (2 of these)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

PSU:
XIGMATEK MC NRP-MC751 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815002

RAM:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Heatsink:
XIGMATEK HDT-S1283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

OS:
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488

Dvd/CD drive:
LITE-ON Black 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106100

Dvd burner:
LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106263


Along with other junk like speakers, wireless card, thermal paste, wires/extensions, etc. it comes out to $1,196.84

 

[bpogdowz]

Just get two of the LITE-ON Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW in case one of them bites the bullet. I think trying to over clock a 5600+ is more trouble than it's worth and your just better off to get a 6400+ instead and you won't be able to over clock a 6400 past 3.3Ghz anyways.

 

[atrain]

Definitely get a better CPU. If you're going to spend $1200 get a CPU worth more than $80. Two 500GB hard drives are a lot too, unless you hold a lot of music/videos/****load of games etc. Also you can get a Corsair 750TX PSU for $20 less after rebate.

Make sure you get the backing plate for your heatsink. It's a life saver.

 

[aevm]

Change the PSU to Corsair 750TX, it's cheaper and free shipping and very good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750TX

Change the HDDs to WD6400AAKS with the savings, they are a lot faster.

Agreed with the above poster, just get two burners. It's best if they are different brands.

Also consider the combination K9A2 Platinum + HD 4850 cards. The motherboard would cost $19 more, and the cards about $17 more (each) if you include shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130136
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

A single HD 4850 will beat a single 9800GT, and HD 4850 Crossfire will do even better against 9800 GT SLI. It's not so much the performance difference, but nVidia seems to have some quality issues this year and I don't trust them much right now. Last year when I got my 8800GTX they were doing fine, but since then things went pretty bad for them.

 

[cow_moo]

Get a 780G moterboard unless u are going to do SLI and u might want to get a HD4850 and a better PSU

 

[dirtmountain]

Unless you're a huge Nvidia fan i'd go with the 790FX/790GX with the AMD 750SB for the overclocking boost. The 790GX has the crossfire option of 8x/8x and the 790FX has the 16x/16x crossfire option. Prices would be pretty close to what you have picked and you'd get the added performance of the HD4850 over the 9800GT.
Google the 750SB and the 790 series
Some options that might be good.
Biostar 790GX $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138128
Gigabyte 790GX $129
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128352
Asus 790FX $189
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131339
DFI has a new 790FX just out also with the 750SB $175
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136057


review of the Gigabyte 790GX

http://www.legionhardware.com/document.php?id=776

Review of the Foxconn 790GX

http://www.guru3d.com/article/amd-790gx--foxconn-a7das-review/

 

[lunyone]

Change the PSU to Corsair 750TX, it's cheaper and free shipping and very good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=750TX

Change the HDDs to WD6400AAKS with the savings, they are a lot faster.

Agreed with the above poster, just get two burners. It's best if they are different brands.

Also consider the combination K9A2 Platinum + HD 4850 cards. The motherboard would cost $19 more, and the cards about $17 more (each) if you include shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130136
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102770

A single HD 4850 will beat a single 9800GT, and HD 4850 Crossfire will do even better against 9800 GT SLI. It's not so much the performance difference, but nVidia seems to have some quality issues this year and I don't trust them much right now. Last year when I got my 8800GTX they were doing fine, but since then things went pretty bad for them.

I agree with AEVM on this one ^^^^
Stick with Corsair 750 TX @ $104 - $20 MIR = $84!!! Can't be beat at that price right now!
Corsair TX CMPSU-750TX ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply

I'd go with a dual slotted 4850, if you can afford it, since it'll throw the hot air generated out of the back of the case!!
I'd also consider the x2 5400+ BE for $77 shipped!! You'll need to add a CPU HSF for about $25-30, but it's stock at 2.8ghz and with an unlocked multiplier, you should be able to get to 3.1-3.2 ghz or more without any voltage changes!!
$202 shipped!! Look at 3rd combo down from the top!
3rd combo from the top.
ASUS M3A78-T AM2+/AM2 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Brisbane 2.8GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core black edition Processor - Retail

It's up to you, but I'd consider the x2 5400+ BE for your CPU, it'll OC easier than just about any AMD x2 chip out there!!

 

[megamanx00]

Looks like a good build. Personally I'd prefer going with a 790X or a 790FX based motherboard and an AMD Radeon 4850. Since you want to overclock anyway you may want to look at the Athlon 5400+ X2 BE

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103289

Especially since it has an unlocked multiplier so it will be easier to overclock and save you a couple of bucks. Even though it's a Brisbane core, as opposed to the Windsor, you should be able to overclock it to a higher speed than the 5600, enough to make up for the slower architecture.

 

[nort]

I took your advice and after much whining (i really liked SLI and the 9800) i decided it's not worth it if nvidia isn't doing so well. I had to change the motherboard too so i got the gigabyte 790gx and chose the diamond 4850 graphics card. I also changed the psu, the only difference was that it wasn't modular but i guess the $20 rebate makes it worth it. I also changed the CPU to the 5400+ Brisbane black edition but not sure if it's compatible with the motherboard, i checked the CPU support list for the motherboard and it had the 5400+ 2.8ghz cpu but they was Windsor so I hope it's compatible. I also changed the hard drive to the 760gb western digital.

Motherboard:
GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128352

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Brisbane 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103289

PSU:
CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Graphics Card:
DIAMOND 4850PE3512 Radeon HD 4850 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814103060

Hard Drive: (only one)
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136218

The price came out to be $1,144.35 after the changes, saving me around $50 which is really nice.

Two things tho..
-What's a good backplate for my heatsink and motherboard, i really don't know.
-Should i bother backing up the hard drive, or just get another hard drive some other time for backup when i might really need it?

I really appreciate the advice, it's helping me a lot.

 

[lunyone]

You'll need to add a CPU HSF for the x2 5400+ BE, since it doesn't come with one. I'd recommend the Arctic Freezer 64 pro, it's one of the better/cheaper CPU HSF's out there.
$38 shipped. It can be had over at ewiz.com for $28.34 shipped, so consider that when purchasing.
Newegg's link for the ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
eWiz's link for the ACF64 pro.

Buy the PSU at Buy.com and save an additional $20 over the Newegg price!!
$104 - $20 MIR = $84!!!
Corsair TX CMPSU-750TX ATX12V & EPS12V Power Supply

Save $40 on the GPU by buying this one:
$160 - $20 MIR = $140!!
SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

I'd definately back up your important files from your existing HD, before you transfer it over. I'd still format and do a fresh install of the OS, if you stick with your current HD. If your getting the 640gb WD HD, than I'd still do a back up anyway and do a fresh install onto the 640gb HD, which is what you'll need to do anyway.

Recap: $60 is savings above + $28 ACF64 pro CPU HSF = $32 savings over your build above

 

[shortstuff_mt]

There's nothing wrong with your AMD build, but you could change out the motherboard and CPU for these if you're interested. It would be $20 more after MIR.

GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344 $126.99 -$20.00 MIR

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz 3MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115052&Tpk=e7200 $119.99

 

[dirtmountain]

Don't need a back plate for an AMD, they don't have the stupid push pin mounting that's such a pita

 

[joelg88]

You have a $1200 Budget. You can Get more for the buck if you go with Intel and a 750i Chipset Board. Here's What I came up with in a few minutes. It gives ALOT more Performance than the build you showed.

Case: Antec 300
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

PSU: Xigmatek 750W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817815002

CPU: E8400
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

Mobo: Evga 750i FTW!!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813188026

RAM: Corsair 4GB (2x2GB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184

Heatsink Fan Combo: Xigmatek HDT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

HDD: WD 500GB x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

OS: Win Vista Home Premium x64

DVD: Lite On.

GPU: EVGA GTX 260

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130370


That Build Comes out to $1200 on the Dot Literally. And I kills the Specs that that you posted. I Highly recommend These parts of the ones you chose. It gives better Performance and Stays Under Budget. Also The E8400 is a Great Overclocker.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

The Xigmatek PSU and 500GB HD posted above are a step backwards from the Corsair PSU and 6400AAKS drive.

 

[nort]

What's the difference between the Xigmatek psu and the Corsair other than the $20 rebate and the Xigmatek is modular?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Xigmatek makes great CPU coolers, but no one has really done any reviews of their PSU's. Also the Xigmatek PSU is $143 shipped and the tried and true Corsair PSU is $104 shipped - $20 rebate = $84. That's a no-brainer to me. You really can't beat a Corsair PSU, especially a 750W unit for $84. Corsair is well know for their quality PSU's.

 

[bpogdowz]

yer why is the OP going with an AMD Intel is a no brainer