New Build (Ongoing Thread Since 12/11/08)

[BrianX91]

EDIT: Here's the update! Comment on anything! (Lets keep the build around 1000$)

This is my first build ever so I want some expert advise to try to get things right. So far, I've hopped on the AMD train and here are my projected Specs...

ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe --Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131339&Tpk=M3A79-T%20Deluxe
Or... (39$ More)
ASUS M3A78-T
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131331

AMD Phenom X4 9950 --Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103291

X2 Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 --Hard drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288

LG DVD Burner --Optical Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136152

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) --RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

SAPPHIRE 100259-1GL Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 --Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower --Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042

 

[shabodah]

How about 2x:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231166

and one of these (or 2, lol):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121272

 

[BrianX91]

For an Extra 20$ I can get 2 sets of these puppies
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289
Will those work too? And are they worth it?

 

[billin30]

I dont know how set you are on amd, but for what you are spending there on amd stuff, i believe you could get better Intel stuff for about the same price or cheaper.

Processor:
Q6600 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115017 189.99

Mobo:
Any P45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131299 129.99 (114.99 AR)

Memory:
Some 800Mhz stuff http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122 39.99

360 before rebates.

 

[billin30]

sorry urls dont work, have no idea why, but apparently the thing is messed up that lets you put them in, idk

 

[megamanx00]

Good choices. My issue with the motherboard though is that there is only one slot between the two PCI-E slots. If you get a card with dual slot cooling it wouldn't have the same ventilation as it would if there were two slot spaces between the cards. That's why I would look at something more like this

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

As for RAM if you want the best stuff then go with Mushkin or Corsair. For the video card it just depends on your budget. Getting two 4850s or two 4830s are not a bad way to go. In fact you may want to check out the recent article here at Toms on the 4830s in crossfire.

 

[BrianX91]

Thanks for the input megaman, but I don't think the Dual Slot cooling is a big factor in this build. As for the Update...

Here is Projection #2!
(Or The changes from Proj. #1)

*RAM*
I think I'm going with the OCZ reaper DDR2 1066 stuff
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227289

Now, as far as video cards go, I want something beefy for 200$ or less that will display well with my HDMI 32'' television and 24'' DVI monitor. Input anyone?

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Here's a couple 4870's that fit in that category:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048%204808%204017&Description=4870&name=Free%20Shipping

 

[BrianX91]

short thank you so much!

-these cards are beautiful

**As for now I'm getting off this horrible laptop with the Pentium M processor. I can't wait to build this thing... more questions coming soon! (Feel free to criticize or make suggestions!)

 

[shabodah]

Just to make sure you're looking at things right, that OCZ memory, is know to be finicky, costs more, and has looser timings than the G.skill Ram I recommended.

The 4870's are great cards, So, I wouldn't hesitate to order the one the other guy above recommended. I was just recommending a good bang for the buck card in the 4850.

 

[pip_seeker]

make sure you get 64bit OS or all that memory is worthless.

I would also recommend intel C2Duo or better currently. Amd is not worth it IMHO.

 

[kubes]

Ya, i'm in aggreement with the others that AMD has really fallen behind in the cpu market. I say go with an intel. Probally can provide cheaper and more reliable parts.

 

[jonpaul37]

+1 to Intel based CPU/MoBo

I am not a Fanboy by any means, but Intel offers best bang-buck ratio at this point.

 

[kelfen]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731

 

[BrianX91]

Thanks for all the replies guys you really are a ton of help. I will consider intel and i'll be looking to their boards and prices . I dont want "finicky" anything, so i'll do a little more RAM searching. But as for that last reply from kelfin, those sticks are only DDR2 800, I'm interested in the 1066 stuff (Simply because of the higher number i assume it's better?) Does it really make a diffrence between the 800 and 1066?

 

[superfuzzy]

The ASUS M3A78-T is a very well designed MB - sata ports easy to get to - well laid out. I'm happy with mine but got it for the on board graphics for HDTV - HDMI.

I like AMD for lower end systems - the X2's, but for quad core's INTEL is the way to go.

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Intel chips are not affected by RAM speed much at all. You're better off keeping the FSB and RAM at a 1:1 ratio. 1066 RAM is only useful on Intel builds if you will be doing a VERY high overclock. You're much better off with a quality DDR2 800 kit with tight timings and low voltage. That Mushkin RAM linked above is excellent RAM.

 

[BrianX91]

After looking at some intel products, I think I'm going to stick with the AMD chip. With the ASUS board, phenom 9950 combo, is it worth if for me to spend the extra money on 1066 ram or just go with the 800... ALSO! should i get 8 or 4 gigs of RAM, I'm planning on running Vista Ultimate 64bit.

 

[kubes]

I'd say stick with the ddr2 800.

This is a great article that I still refference to when i'm not sure about something dealing with ram.
http://www.directron.com/fsbguide.html

Mind me asking your thought process behind picking AMD processor vs Intel?

 

[BrianX91]

My household has built 3 AMD computers over the years and they are all great. I realize that Intel probably have better stuff for the price, but I've always been rewarded by their products so why switch? Intel has pulled way ahead in this race because their stuff is basically mainstream on most pre-compiled computers. AMD is trying very hard to get to where they used to be but the general public has the "Name-Brand" attitude. I like to think I'm supporting a good quality company, that does not cut corners, when I buy an AMD product. In conclusion, they have good products, at a low price, plus, I would hate to see the processor industry dominated by a single company. No Competition= Bad Products.

 

[Jakary]

My household has built 3 AMD computers over the years and they are all great. I realize that Intel probably have better stuff for the price, but I've always been rewarded by their products so why switch? Intel has pulled way ahead in this race because their stuff is basically mainstream on most pre-compiled computers. AMD is trying very hard to get to where they used to be but the general public has the "Name-Brand" attitude. I like to think I'm supporting a good quality company, that does not cut corners, when I buy an AMD product. In conclusion, they have good products, at a low price, plus, I would hate to see the processor industry dominated by a single company. No Competition= Bad Products.

How does Intel cut corners?


The reason people are telling you to go Intel is because you will come out with a more powerful computer, yes no competition is a bad thing, but a faster computer is pretty nice too


Most of the people i know judge a computers power on how many gigabytes its got, LOL.
So i doubt this name brand thing has much to do with, Intel makes better products currently, period.

 

[BrianX91]

I know I was going to get a reply like that after I said that. I did not say Intel cuts corners it was just inadvertently implied with that post. You guys are great lol. If I should take the Intel route, prove it to me!

 

[shortstuff_mt]

Pick any benchmark from any reputable site. That should be all the proof you need.

I understand wanting to support AMD, but the hard truth is that the Intel chips are much better at the moment. If you want to buy an inferior chip just to support the underdog, that's great.

I just buy what offers the best performance for the money at the time. Currently that's Intel. We can only hope AMD can get back in the CPU game soon. I'd like to support them, but not when I can get a much faster chip for the money with Intel at the moment. AMD's got their work cut out for them with Intel's aggressive tick/tock strategy. Intel's so far in the lead that they're just competing with themselves with the new i7 chips.

 

[kubes]

I'm actually very impressed with the new i7. It's respectably priced for a new release, and its benmarks on enterprise type applications are very impressive. To bad the componenets that it requires haven't caught up to it yet. Motherboards and ram are still pretty pricey.

 

[BrianX91]

Thanks for keeping this thread going guys. Anyway, Yes the i7's are the best CPUs to ever hit the market but They are expensive with the RAM and MoBo. As an 18 year old I simply don't have that kind of money to throw at a computer. Plus anything will be an upgrade to my crappy dell pentium M.