Phenom II X3 on a GA-M61PME-S2P AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX

ars_moriendi

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I'm putting together a box for a very good friend on a tight budget. I think I've gotten it together, but as a novice, I'm having second thoughts about my CPU/MOBO pairing.


GA-M61PME-S2P AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128383

Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649


I understand the X3 is backward compatible with AM2+ MOBOs, but I still have my doubts.

Also, I plan to cram in a video card that is a little on the large side, but I think it will just fit. Does anyone care to tell me I'm a fool for trying?


SAPPHIRE 100248L Radeon HD 3850
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102794


Last, and very much least, the case I'm putting it all in has a 120mm fan just a few inches from the processor, but I still think I want to replace the stock heatsink with something better; cheap but respectable. I was thinking this:

ARCTIC COOLING ALPINE 7 92mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186009
What say ye? Overkill?


Again, I'm a novice. I'm sorry that these questions are no all relevant to the subcat, but my main concern is. If anyone could tell me whether I'm about to make a very big mistake, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you very much.

 

Mondoman

Splendid
The CPU may be compatible with your specific MB, but it'll require a BIOS that supports it - check the CPU support list at the maker's web site.

If you're on a tight budget, there's no point in replacing the stock CPU cooler. It will work fine, especially on a lower-power chip like a Phenom II. IIRC, the AMD CPU warranty only applies if you use the stock CPU cooler.

 

doped

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oh.. that gfx is way too old(and costly for the performance you get).. go for the 4670 or 4830(same price i think).. also, i don't think that motherboard supports full hypertransport speed, that's what you're looking for.. see what the cpu is running, iirc its something like 2600mhz on the hypertransporting, and you need to find a motherboard matching that.. 780G or something a little older than the newest should do the trick i believe.. (when on a budget)..
 

doped

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edit: seems that phenom II is 4ghz on the hypertransport, so you'll need top of the line motherboard.. look for the newegg rebate deals.. i think i saw one, when i clicked the cpu link, that should do the trick..
 

ars_moriendi

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You've all been extremely helpful. Thank you very much. I've moved some items around, struck the cooler, reconsidered some CPU decisions, and this is what I've got come up with:

ASRock A780GXE/128M AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157139

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

OCZ 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2G10664GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227362

SAPPHIRE 100265HDMI Radeon HD 4830 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102822

I've found the hypertransport language to be a bit confusing, but all the boards I've found on NewEgg in my price range haven't shown a lot of variance in that regard.

Also, in addition to affordability, I'd like to aim for adaptability. Do any of my options strike you as foolish?

Thanks again for all of your help.
 

ars_moriendi

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:D
Thanks, gkay09, for the board recc. I didn't even think to look for a combo deal; that saved me a bundle. Thanks!
Final specs, just purchased:

From local seller:
1 x Case & DVD/CD+RW - $30.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811110001

From Newegg:
1 x MEM 2Gx2|OCZ OCZ2G10664GK R - $45.99
1 x VGA SAPPHIRE HD4830 512M DDR3 RT - $89.99
2 x FANS HEATSINKS ENERMAX|UC-8EB RTL - $10.98
1 x CABLE NIPPON|SATA-L1-R R - $6.49
1 x MB BIOSTAR TFORCE TA790GX 128M RT - $109.99
1 x PSU COMPUCASE|HP485D RETAIL 485W RT - $19.99
1 x CPU AMD|PH II X3 720 BK AM3 2.8G RT - $147.00
1 x HD 1T|ST 7K 32M ST31000333AS - $89.99

1 x DISCOUNT FOR COMBO - $-45.00
1 x DISCOUNT FOR COMBO - $-6.49


I probably didn't need to go so high with the fans, but I figure they should last awhile and carry over into the next box.

In closing, I just want to thank everyone sincerely for their help. This would have been a much different box (and more expensive) had it not been for your input. Props all around.
Thanks.
:wahoo: