Help me choose which scenario to go with

I have 5 options listed below in random order. My budget is about $700. I could possibly stretch it to $750 (but thats it). I have other existing parts not listed here to complete the build. I am planning on using the evaluation of windows 7. Is that a good idea or not? Since this is a new build, I am personally leaning towards one of the ddr3 setups, since ddr3 is the future. I currently have 8800gt, and I will be using a resolution of 1920 x 1200. If I choose options 1 through 3, I basically have $200 to spend for a new video card. If I choose option 4 or 5, I will have to use my existing 8800gt for about 6 to 9 months before I have enough to upgrade it. Please give me your thoughts in these 5 different systems. Thank you

Option #1- (ddr2 setup) $530
CPU- Phenom II X4 940 - $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103471
MOBO- GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P - $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128387
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166
HDD- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
CASE- Antec Nine Hundred- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

Option #2- (ddr3 setup) $490
CPU- Phenom II X2 550- $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103680
MOBO- ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131366
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231200
HDD- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
CASE- Antec Nine Hundred- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

Option #3 (ddr3 setup) $520
CPU- Phenom II X3 720- $140
MOBO- ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131366
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231200
HDD- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
CASE- Antec Nine Hundred- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

Option #4 (ddr3 setup) $625
CPU- Phenom II X4 955- $245
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674
MOBO- ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX - $140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131366
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 - $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231200
HDD- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
CASE- Antec Nine Hundred- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

Option #5 (ddr2 setup) $585
CPU- Phenom II X4 955- $245
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674
MOBO- GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P - $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128387
RAM- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 - $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166
HDD- Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache - $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
CASE- Antec Nine Hundred- $100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129021

Add a reply

Register or log in to remove.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

Reply to Anonymous

buy the best one you can afford , preferably AM3/ddr3

Reply to Outlander_04

did you even read my post, they are all in my budget, but all a little different

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by Anonymous on 06-04-2009 at 05:40:09 AM

Reply to Anonymous

I would choose option #5. If you went with another mobo & ram on #4 then maybe #4 but to me 4 memory slots on DDR3 is just plain stupid. Besides with your build with #4 only has 2 sticks which may actually give you less performance that quicker DDR2.

Also if that will be your only harddrive then I suggest getting a larger one.

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by NuclearShadow on 06-04-2009 at 06:01:48 AM

Reply to NuclearShadow

Hey I am no expert at all but i have a post up right now for a new build and i was suggested to go with pretty much your 4th setup and i had a few replies with suggestions. I use my computer mainly for gaming.

maybe add what you are going to be using the computer for...that might help others to give you some suggestion.

Hope this helps?

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to jacks_85

jacks_85 wrote :

Hey I am no expert at all but i have a post up right now for a new build and i was suggested to go with pretty much your 4th setup and i had a few replies with suggestions. I use my computer mainly for gaming.

maybe add what you are going to be using the computer for...that might help others to give you some suggestion.

Hope this helps?

1- gaming, 2- streaming audio and video to ps3 in different room, 3- home video editing (very little)

Reply to Anonymous

NuclearShadow wrote :

I would choose option #5. If you went with another mobo & ram on #4 then maybe #4 but to me 4 memory slots on DDR3 is just plain stupid. Besides with your build with #4 only has 2 sticks which may actually give you less performance that quicker DDR2.

Also if that will be your only harddrive then I suggest getting a larger one.

1- I was actually thinking of a bigger hard drive anyway
2- What would be a better mobo/ram kit to go with this.

#4 is actually what I am leaning towards the most

Reply to Anonymous

Ok once again I am no expert on this...so i am really taking what others have said to me and trying to apply it to you.

keep DDR3 since many expert on this forum has said DDR2 is getting out dated

hard drive space really depends on how much you personally need. for myself i have chosen 640g but if you think you need more go ahead with it

here is the build i went with:

CPU: PII X4 955 302GHz
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103674

MOBO: ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813131366

RAM: OCZ platinum 4GB DDR3
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820227297

GPU: HIS RADEON HD 4850 (TWO)
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814161259

HDD: WD 640GB 7200RPM
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6822136319

PSU: Antec EA 650w
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6817371015

CASE: ANTEC 900
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6811129021

ignor the price b/c they are in CAD

and i have PM a guy that was helping me on my build to have a look at your thread!

Message edited by jacks_85 on 06-04-2009 at 11:31:40 AM

Reply to jacks_85

Anonymous wrote :

did you even read my post, they are all in my budget, but all a little different

yes I did read your post .

I also think you need to learn how to make a decision for your self

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Outlander_04

i think he is just trying to get some expert feedback to help himself make the right decision.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to jacks_85

Hi...For your requirements I feel you should be investing more on the graphics front...
But you have not listed what PSU you have...

If I were you and would mainly use the PC for gaming, then my choice would be the
Option 3:
Reason -
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdo [...] i=3533&p=1
And as you would be having about $200 for the graphics, I would get 2x 4850(Preferably 4770 but its hard to find them now) in crossfire, which would cost you less than a single 4890 and would considerably perform very well...
But this also depends more on the power supply you have...You should have atleast a good quality 600W PSU for 4850 crossfire...

If you are tight on the budget, then could actually save some cash on the case by going with the CM 690 or Antec 300...
If you go with Antec 300, you could save about $45.

Here is one more Option for you...

CPU - $245
X4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674

Mobo - $85
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392

RAM - Same - $65

Case - Antec 300 - $55

HDD - Same - $75

Graphics card - $230
HD 4890
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102830

Total - $755
Reason why I had chosen that mobo is because you wont be needing crossfire as that HD 4890 is suffice for that resolution...And it also has good overclocking options and newer SB710 rather than the old SB700...
And by the time you would need more graphics power, there will be newer DirectX 11 cards and obviously you wont be searching for a HD 4890 then for crossfire...
Just my two cents...

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by gkay09 on 06-04-2009 at 03:22:56 PM

Reply to gkay09

Outlander_04 wrote :

yes I did read your post .

I also think you need to learn how to make a decision for your self

The whole point of these forums is to get advice when needed. If you cant help with positive feedback, then please stay out.

Reply to rudy2112

jacks_85 wrote :

i think he is just trying to get some expert feedback to help himself make the right decision.

correct, thank you

Reply to rudy2112

Here is my power supply
http://www.antec.com/Believe_it/product.php?id=NjY=

Reply to rudy2112

gkay09 wrote :

Hi...For your requirements I feel you should be investing more on the graphics front...
But you have not listed what PSU you have...

If I were you and would mainly use the PC for gaming, then my choice would be the
Option 3:
Reason -
http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdo [...] i=3533&p=1
And as you would be having about $200 for the graphics, I would get 2x 4850(Preferably 4770 but its hard to find them now) in crossfire, which would cost you less than a single 4890 and would considerably perform very well...
But this also depends more on the power supply you have...You should have atleast a good quality 600W PSU for 4850 crossfire...

If you are tight on the budget, then could actually save some cash on the case by going with the CM 690 or Antec 300...
If you go with Antec 300, you could save about $45.

Here is one more Option for you...

CPU - $245
X4 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674

Mobo - $85
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392

RAM - Same - $65

Case - Antec 300 - $55

HDD - Same - $75

Graphics card - $230
HD 4890
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102830

Total - $755
Reason why I had chosen that mobo is because you wont be needing crossfire as that HD 4890 is suffice for that resolution...And it also has good overclocking options and newer SB710 rather than the old SB700...
And by the time you would need more graphics power, there will be newer DirectX 11 cards and obviously you wont be searching for a HD 4890 then for crossfire...
Just my two cents...

This sounds really good. I like this setup. I have one question though. Could you explain the southbridge? I have seen other post where people said make sure you get a 750 southbridge.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to rudy2112

^ iirc the 750SB only comes with the 785G and most 790 series chipsets.

but unless you want ACC then the 710 is fine.

Reply to Helloworld_98

rudy2112 wrote :

This sounds really good. I like this setup. I have one question though. Could you explain the southbridge? I have seen other post where people said make sure you get a 750 southbridge.

Hi, I'm also a beginner, and I just had a new build plan close to your #3 option with others help including gkay09.

I heard that the old 770/780 MB with SB700 South Bridge don't OC well, the newer 770/780 MB with SB710 South Bridge have better OC ability, and 790 MB with SB750 OC the best.

The OC ability is important when you're getting a Phenom 720, and I am also trying to decide to get a 790 MB or 780 with SB710. Right now, none of them has free shipping on newegg, so I will wait a couple more days.

Here is my thread:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/ [...] w=0&nojs=0

Hope it can help.

Reply to beef1218

Thank you all for your help. I just placed my order. Here is the final build

TOTAL= $525
I still need to order a video card. What is my best option with this setup for $200 (no sli or crossfire setup)

CPU- $255
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103674
MOBO- $85
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128392
RAM- $65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231166
HD- $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136319
CASE- $55
Antec 300

Reply to rudy2112

rudy2112, did your Antex300 have free shipping? Newegg doesn't give free shipping on Antex300 now.
Please let me know because I am going to order it too. Thanks.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to beef1218

beef1218 wrote :

rudy2112, did your Antex300 have free shipping? Newegg doesn't give free shipping on Antex300 now.
Please let me know because I am going to order it too. Thanks.

no, I actually ordered a combo deal. A friend of mine was looking to buy a new power supply, so I bought this. He will pay me for the power supply, and he and I are going to split the combo savings.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.198951

Message edited by rudy2112 on 06-05-2009 at 01:06:21 AM

Reply to rudy2112

I see. Thanks.
I just ordered it from buy.com. $58.05 and $4.55 for 2-day shipping.
I would have paid $15 for shipping if I have ordered it from newegg.

Reply to beef1218

Hey rudy glad you have chose your build! very much like mine!

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to jacks_85

jacks_85 wrote :

Hey rudy glad you have chose your build! very much like mine!

Yeah, cant wait to get it and put it together. I am glad I finally ordered. I have been reading and researching for like 6 days straight. Now just need a video card.

Reply to rudy2112

Here is a good deal on HD 4890 from ewiz.com - $207
But not free shipping...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=A [...] 2a1dc9c119

newegg has the same card with free shipping for about $229
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102830

or
If you want GTX 275,
newegg - free shipping for nabout $239
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814130475

or

about $224/9 at ewiz.com again no free shipping...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=BFG-GTX275
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=GA-GTX275

Message edited by gkay09 on 06-05-2009 at 06:20:24 AM

Reply to gkay09

I just bought the 4890. Thanks again guys. I will give some feedback some time next week when I get it together.

Reply to rudy2112

I just received my stuff today. I just thought of another question. My case (antec 300) comes with 2 fans. I dont plan on doing any overclocking, should I add any additional fans?

Reply to rudy2112

As a suggestion, check out RealTemp (free program, Goggle it) to see the temperature readings for the CPU and GPU

From there, if you need more cooling, more fans couldn't hurt

Reply to waydiddy

One more thing...

Good luck and have fun with the build!

Reply to waydiddy

Thanks, actually I have to wait until tomorrow (hopefully) not everything came today. I still need my mobo, and video card. I ordered them 1 day later than the other parts.

Reply to rudy2112

nice nice rudy let me know how you do!

I am getting most of my parts tomorrow except for my cpu heatsink which will be thursday. Can't wait to put together my first build!

Reply to jacks_85

Hey, I received all my parts, got it together. All went smooth. No problems. I installed windows 7. I dont have much experience with vista. My last os was xp. I messed around a few times with vista on other pc's, but not my own. So far I like the look and feel. Have not installed any games yet. I did install 3dmark vantage. Here is the scores.
3DMark- P8606
GPU- 8032
CPU- 10955

This was my first build. I have replaced many parts before, but never mobo, or cpu. I took my time, and all went smooth. It was a lot of fun. Now it is time to load some games, and programs.

Thanks to all of you for your help. I really appreciated it.....

Reply to rudy2112

nice! i put mine together too running smooth like yours but i am going to try OCing so we'll see how that goes!

still missing my crossfire bridge...it didin't come with my stupid GPUs can't believe that but will try some games as soon as i get the other card in!

Reply to jacks_85

Focus On

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Help me choose which scenario to go with