Tom's Hardware > Forum > Motherboards & Memory > General Motherboard > [Solved] Best Phenom II MB?
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69Rocket-Joe   11-03-2009 at 04:20:17 AM

I am looking to do a build for the first time in many years. I have been sort of out of the loop in terms of new technology. I think I have decided on a Phenom II but would like some input on a MB. I like and have had good experiences with ASUS boards, but will consider something else if there is better. Building a budget type system that will mostly be a gaming rig. Still trying to get up to speed on what is new, I'm embarrassed to say my last system was a store bought HP that only left me wanting to build a system again.

Thanks,

-Joe

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Best answer from alikum
Grab a MSI MA790FX-G70 and you will not regret it. However, it is not a good idea to use nVidia card on AMD chipset. Not that they aren't compatible, but you are actually wasting the advantage you have for that platform. AMD chipsets support only crossfireX. Sure you can plug 9800GT in and use it, but you CANNOT SLI unless you go with nVidia chipsets with AMD processor. Note though, I have heard stories about nVidia's chipsets for AMD go bad.

My suggestion is either sell off 9800GT (when you intend to run dual cards) and move to Ati,

OR

Move over to 1156/1366. They support both crossfire and SLI.
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gkay09   11-03-2009 at 09:23:57 AM

If you are planning for a Gaming PC and will be adding a separate graphics card, then get this - ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131402

But if you want to stick with onboard graphics -
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128397

Reply to gkay09
cyberkuberiah   11-03-2009 at 09:37:34 AM

for a budget system , go 770 for single video card setup . the gigabyte 770t-ud3p is 80 dollars , and supports am3 ddr3 .

for crossfire upgradability , go 790 fx , not 790gx , look them on newegg - motherboards - amd motherboards - amd northbridge - socket am3 .

Reply to cyberkuberiah
alikum   11-03-2009 at 03:50:53 PM

Which Phenom II? It would help if you could be more specific. AM3 processors or AM2+? If you go AM3, I'd suggest this mobo:

MSI MA790GX-G65

Reply to alikum
69Rocket-Joe   11-03-2009 at 06:20:40 PM

This will primarily be a gaming PC with some web surfing and video playback. I am looking at the Phenom II X4 either the 955 or 965 Black Edition. I will not be using onboard graphics and would like to someday go to a dual video card set up. I'm willing to spend between $150-200 for a quality MB, just not sure what the best bang for the buck is. I'll probably re-use my 9800 GT video card for now and upgrade that as I get more funds.

-Joe

Reply to 69Rocket-Joe
alikum   11-03-2009 at 06:39:39 PM
Best answer

Grab a MSI MA790FX-G70 and you will not regret it. However, it is not a good idea to use nVidia card on AMD chipset. Not that they aren't compatible, but you are actually wasting the advantage you have for that platform. AMD chipsets support only crossfireX. Sure you can plug 9800GT in and use it, but you CANNOT SLI unless you go with nVidia chipsets with AMD processor. Note though, I have heard stories about nVidia's chipsets for AMD go bad.

My suggestion is either sell off 9800GT (when you intend to run dual cards) and move to Ati,

OR

Move over to 1156/1366. They support both crossfire and SLI.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to alikum
69Rocket-Joe   11-03-2009 at 07:03:56 PM

What about this MB: Asus M4A79T Deluxe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131363
vs. the ASUS M4A79XTD EVO mentioned above.

As far as graphics cards what ATI would you suggest? The 9800 GT might be fried in my Athlon 64x2 as it just stopped working and I had to revert to the onboard video.

Thanks to all and keep the info coming!

-Joe

Reply to 69Rocket-Joe
dark_lord69   11-03-2009 at 08:13:16 PM

4870 is pretty cheap yet still gives you some good gaming power.
Use this article to find one in your price range for a video card:
http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2404.html

You can save a lot of money if you don't need a motherboard that has crossfire or SLI ability. Personally I am a gamer too and I will be getting a 955 Black Edition CPU. I will also buy a motherboard with only 1 PCIe 16x slot you could save about $100 over that ASUS one you picked out. I will be buy the 4870 I reccomended to you but by the time I have the money it might end up being something different. (Just depends on what the "best cards for the money" article says at that time.

BTW, I don't reccomend spending over $250 on a video card. It will be lame in a couple of years no matter what you do. It is best to spend a little bit and upgrade more frequently that to spend hundreds and try to wait several years using the same video card.

Reply to dark_lord69
69Rocket-Joe   11-03-2009 at 10:55:23 PM

alikum wrote :

Grab a MSI MA790FX-G70 and you will not regret it. However, it is not a good idea to use nVidia card on AMD chipset. Not that they aren't compatible, but you are actually wasting the advantage you have for that platform. AMD chipsets support only crossfireX. Sure you can plug 9800GT in and use it, but you CANNOT SLI unless you go with nVidia chipsets with AMD processor. Note though, I have heard stories about nVidia's chipsets for AMD go bad.

My suggestion is either sell off 9800GT (when you intend to run dual cards) and move to Ati,

OR

Move over to 1156/1366. They support both crossfire and SLI.



I looked at that MSI 790FX-G70 and really like the looks of it. Is MSI a respected board manufacturer? This one has jumped to the top of my list, still looking at options though. Newegg has a combo with this PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 817341018] Will that be a decent PSU if I decide to OC and go with Crossfire? Now I am thinking about crossfire with two 4850's 1GB cards.

Anyone have any input on that MSI card or another option?

-Joe


Message edited by 69Rocket-Joe on 11-03-2009 at 10:56:11 PM
Reply to 69Rocket-Joe
alikum   11-04-2009 at 04:11:51 AM

Rocket-Joe

MSI is one of the largest board manufacturers around, can be seen on par with Asus and Gigabyte. They have good customer support, something that I like. For me, I'd buy AMD motherboard from either Gigabyte, Asus or MSI whichever provides better value. I have read numerous reviews of MSI 790FX-G70 and so far, it has been nothing but thumbs up.

As for 4850 1GBs, why not spend a little more and get HD5770 1GB? They consume less power and are faster. You could also consider HD4870, however, a single HD4870 requires 2x 6-pin connectors. That means if you grab power supplies under 750W, you will not be able to power HD4870 in crossfire. I am not saying that it can't provide sufficient juice, but that most power supplies under 750W come with only 2x 6-pin connectors.

Unfortunately, my internet has been capped due to overusage and I can't browse for you. The only thing I can do is to visit the link of suggested products that you've provided.

So, let me put this to you. If you intend to run high-end graphics cards some time down the road, grab this:

OCZ GameXStream OCZ850GXSSLI ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V 850Watts Power Supply - $129.99

Sure it is slightly expensive, but it gives you headroom to crossfire even the latest HD5870.

If you think running 2x 4850 or 2x 5770 is sufficient, then get any 600W from the list you've provided, either modular or not, depending on your preference.

Now, the last thing I'd like to say is it all comes down to the resolution that you play at. If you play at 1920x1080/1200, then 2x 5770 should last you through until the next gen cards come out. They are able to hold their own in Crysis at that resolution based on reviews. Cheers.

Reply to alikum
nss000   11-23-2009 at 05:48:28 PM

69Rocket-Joe wrote :

I am looking to do a build for the first time in many years. I have been sort of out of the loop in terms of new technology. I think I have decided on a Phenom II but would like some input on a MB. I like and have had good experiences with ASUS boards, but will consider something else if there is better. Building a budget type system that will mostly be a gaming rig. Still trying to get up to speed on what is new, I'm embarrassed to say my last system was a store bought HP that only left me wanting to build a system again.

Thanks,

-Joe



RJ:

I just built-out new kit: AMD_965 / MSI 790-gd70 / BFG_9800-gtx+ / 2x2G Crucial 1333_CL9 / Hanns 28" / 650w ANTEC.

It prices modestly, runs UBUNTU_KK_9.1 without issue, remains cool with stock kit and scores very_well on the Phoronix-Test-Suite. And "going-for'ard" may be reasonably upgraded. I can recommend such components.

If you wanted a bit more ( excluding an i7-920 system %^] ) , buying an NV_260 vidcard, Zalman-HS/fan, 750w power and "better grade" ram will up-costs by about $150. Of-course to remain sane use a FULL TOWER case.

Reply to nss000
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