New Midrange computer config

[kingbob337]

Hey, my old machine died the other week so I'm in the market for building a new machine. 80% of the macines I have built are all intel machines so I have little knowledge in comparing performance between AMD and Intel based systems. I'd be using this a gaming machine/media hub. Here is my proposed config:

Intel E7400: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009958&prodlist=celebros

Intel Mobo w/ 2 PCIe slots: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008306

4GB (DDR3-1300): http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10008733

SATAII 7200 RPM HD: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009442

GTX 260: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10009768

All the other neccessary components will just be recycled from my old machine.

I read eslewhere people were debating whether the AMD phemon II 710 (or 720) was better than the E7400, but in the realworld I feel like 95% of the people out there wouldn't notice a difference in speed when using the machine despite what any benchmark says. Part of the reason I chose that processer/mobo combo was the fact that I get 2 pcie slots pretty cheap ($99) and it uses the faster RAM. All the boards for that AMD chip where significantly more expensive when looking at boards that use the DDR3 memory and have 2 pcie slots (175+). So I feel like I'm getting the most bang for my buck. What is the consensus here?

Also that GTX 260 looks pretty big. Will it take up both slots and prevent from running a SLI config anyway? If so should I just go with a Radeon 4850 so I can do a crossfire like 2 years down the line when I start to need more GPU power.

Lastly what do I need to make sure my power supply has to support these video cards? I was just going to buy one locally since I figured shipping would be high since they are on the heavy side.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Helloworld_98]

Can't run sli on P45, only nvidia 6/780i or X58 chipset boards if you want intel.

Or nvidia 75/80a chipset boards for amd.

You'll probably want a 4870 1gb instead of that GTX 260 since it's probably cheaper and is on par with it but also allows you to crossfire later.

Oh and the extra core in the amd 7xx series will help with games a lot in the future.

Also AM3 boards are pointless til Q3 2010 when amd releases the am3 only cpu's so you might aswell stick with ddr2 800 to save a bit of cash.

 

[The Third Level]

AM3 CPUs can use DDR2 as well, and fit into AM2+ socket motherboards.

I recommend getting a Phenom II 720, the extra core helps, OCs like a beast, more future proof as well. In the future you can always swap out the mobo and ram for an AM3 setup if you want to. For now, get an AM2+ mobo and DDR2-1066.

Also yeah i agree 4870 1gb would be the optimum card.

I'd say that if you're planning to CF/SLI in the future, you want at least over 600W. Always go on the bigger side...and make sure it's from a decent company. The Antec Earthwatts or Neowatts are quite good. It's better than frying your setup coz of a *** quality PSU.

 

[kingbob337]

Okay so the Radeon is the way to go. Is there a card any of y'all would recommend? The ones I keep seeing have giant fans or heatsinks which would make me think that i wouldn't be able to squeeze 2 of them in there. Either the 4870 or the 4850 will probably be good. Trying not to spend anymore than 160 if possible. One of the reasons i chose the GTX 260 is because i can get one locally here for 155.

Also do we all agree that this would be the board to get?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138128R

Also is it possible to Xfire the onboard radeon 3300 to a 4000 series card. I heard that you don't have to have the same cards anymore.

 

[kingbob337]

I don't mean to doubt y'all but your sure the Phemon II X3 doesn't require an AM3 board and will work on the biostar mobo above?

 

[Wisecracker]

I don't mean to doubt y'all but your sure the Phemon II X3 doesn't require an AM3 board and will work on the biostar mobo above?

It'll work like a busload of Mes'kins

The Biostar 790gx seems to be the motherboard of choice when it comes to unlocking the 4th core of the PhII 710/720 AM3 CPUs. Set ACC to Auto in the BIOS and if your karma is good the 4th core will engage.

There are threads at XS and AT about it ...

 

[kingbob337]

yea i read something somewhere on that. You don't need like some sort of super coooling power to prevent it from over heating or something?

 

[Wisecracker]

yea i read something somewhere on that. You don't need like some sort of super coooling power to prevent it from over heating or something?

No super cooling necessary - it's an efficient proc. I think it would depend upon the voltage you wish to 'sock to it'. The stock AMD cooler is pretty good stuff (I'm thinkin' it's similar to the old Opty copper heat-pipe coolers but I've never seen the stock PhII 720). I take what I can get at stock (Okkayyy - maybe a slight bump in voltages) and leave it at that. Typically I run undervolted for the most part anyway ...

If you want 'serious' OC'ing - 3.5GHz+ - then an aftermarket cooler would be in order. At AT most folks were hitting 3.2-3.3GHz without one. You may also want to check out this (or something similar) ....

http://www.svc.com/hr-09s-2.html

Other than looking kinda 'slick' the 'short side' of the Thermalright HR-09S Type 2 mosfet heatsink mounts perfectly to the existing holes on the Biostar mobo. The 'FETs on the Biostar seems to be designed to take some serious amps so if you are concerned you could use some 'sticky' video card cooler fins if you wish. I've got a Phenom 9600 at 2.6GHz with stock cooler on my Biostar and at load my temps have not gone over 44c.

There is a thread on the FET coolers, too, at XS.

 

[kingbob337]

Awesome. i like the sound of this. Glad I asked for advice before I started buying parts.

You mention the sites AT and XS, what do these stand for so I can check them out???

 

[The Third Level]

AnandTech is AT.

Idk what XS is.

 

[Wisecracker]

XS = Xtreme Systems

No smack. Just the facts. Very helpful and professional. I'll venture a guess that 75%+ of the tweaks that propagate the internets come out of there.

Here's the AMD crowd:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=3be6a1ba1b124cd928e07e664985084b&f=58


And I may have given you some bad info - I don't think the stock HSF of the PhII 720BE is similar to the old Opty copper-heatpipe coolers

 

[kingbob337]

i just noticed this Mobo/CPU combo special:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.165021

Looks like the same mobo (Biostar TA790GX 128M), but they are bundling it with a Phenom II X4 920 for only $254.

Anybody think this is worth the extra 40 bucks?

The phemon II x3 720 plus the biostar TA90GX separately are $210 total due to the fact that the mobo I listed above is an open box item for $64.

This also makes me wonder though, what does newegg mean by open box. Is it like a "white box" part you can get from a local parts store or is this like something someone returned????????????

 

[mamw93]

With the new Core i7 platform out it would be a waste to buy a dual core CPU and not a quad or a Core i7. You will start seeing Intel Core 2 Quad prices drop so jump on it. Get a Q6600 and leave it a stock specs unless you want to overclock... I did to 3gHz with stock cooling and stock thermal paste. But like I said... to buy an old Dual Core chip would be... honestly... stupid.