blackfeet

Distinguished
May 20, 2009
8
0
18,510
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Mid June

BUDGET RANGE: $2300 AUD (This is already pushing the limits, so please don't suggest anything more expensive)

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, OS.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: I'll be buying from www.pccasegear.com/msy.com but i'll link newegg.com since most of you guys will be more familiar with it.

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD/ATI

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: My first build and my first time overclocking.

Pricing will be Newegg Price (How much it costs me)

Case: CM Storm Scout - $110 ($150)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119196&Tpk=CM%20Storm%20Scout

CPU: Phenom II 720 BE - $140 ($220)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649&Tpk=amd%20720

CPU Cooler: Xigmatek HDT S1283 - $36 ($55)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

PSU: Corsair TX-750 - $120 ($230)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006&Tpk=corsair%20TX%20750

HDD: WD 640g Caviar Black - $75 ($100)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319

GFX: XFX 1GB 4890 - $260 ($390)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150360

GFX: XFX 1GB 4890 - $260 ($390)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150360

Sound Card: Auzentech Forte - $150 ($240)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829156010&Tpk=auzentech%20forte

Headphones: Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - $170? ($220)
Can't find these on new egg. I can link where i'll buy them from though.
http://www.headphones.com.au/psingle?productID=178


Optic drive: Any cheap one - $20? ($30)
*EDITED*
Going with DDR3.

Currently going with this MB.

MB: GA-MA790XT-UD4P $135 ($225)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

Thanks to Outlander_04

Can this board do all that? If not then any recommendations? If yes are there any similar priced/cheaper boards that can do it better? Remember, AM3 support, Crossfire and Sound Card.


Ram: 4gb (2x2g) 1333 G skill - $60?($100?)

Is this good enough? Btw what's the difference between G Skill NQ and G Skill PI. PI is about $20 more expensive


Total = $1535 ($2350)

So yea. Would this build be better than a Phenom II x4 955 BE/DDR3 setup with only 1 4890 for gaming? It's about the same price at the moment. Or would I be better off going with the 955 and waiting a few months for the 4890 to drop to about $100-150 before I crossfire? How much of an increase will I get using a 955 over a 720? I don't mind using 1 card for a while, the 4890 is a pretty beast card even on its own. But if the difference is minimal then I'd rather buy everything while I have the money.

Btw, would this all fit in a CM Storm Scout or any other similar priced case? Remember, 2 4890s and an Auzen Forte. How will temperatures be on the GPUs in Crossfire? Can it be done on only air cooling? Will I need to get aftermarket GPU coolers? I don't really mind case noise as I'll have my headphones on most of the time.

Is 750W enough? Should I get the TX-850 or even more maybe?

Sorry for all the questions lol. It's my first build and my first time overclocking so I need all the advice I can get.

Ps. For everyone who is going to recommend an i7 build then please don't. Although an i7 is a BEAST, the AMD BE chips are so much easier to OC, so I'd much rather stick with them.





 
Just raising the multiplier will leave the ram clocks alone which makes life easy .

You have an awful lot of gfx power there . Have you considered buying a single 4890 and seeing if it gives you the frame rates you want . Apart from games like crysis [ which isnt good on any hardware really ] you will be fine .


If you are sticking with those 2 gfx cards then
GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-UD5P AM3/AM2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128391
is a better board because both pci-e x 16 slots work at full x16 speed

But I think the preferred option is to buy one gfx card , this DDR3 mb
GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378
and upgrade to DDR3 ram

I think that makes a system that will last longer because parts and upgrades will be around longer .
But if Aussie is anything like NZ then ddr3 is still way too expensive . 4 gig of decent DDR3 costs about $250 - 300 here
 

blackfeet

Distinguished
May 20, 2009
8
0
18,510
Yea I edited my post a little before your reply. Decided to go with DDR3.

But if Aussie is anything like NZ then ddr3 is still way too expensive . 4 gig of decent DDR3 costs about $250 - 300 here

I'm not sure what is considered 'decent'. But Msy sells 4gb G skill 1333 for $100. But some brands can go anywhere up to $180 for 1333 and $250 for 1600