Help with AMD 720 Build.

[Foreblaze]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: End of July.

BUDGET RANGE: $400-$500 for the remaining parts.

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Home Working.

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Monitor, CPU, Case, Hard Drive, DVD ROM.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com and/or Tigerdirect.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: It is an AMD build, prefer ATI 4870, RAM DDR2 800 or 1066, PSU of 750W~

OVERCLOCKING: Yes.

CROSSFIRE: Yes. Eventually.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1080 is the one I have.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I have the AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3, a case from Antec (I don't remember which) that is for ATX and Micro ATX. My monitor is an ACER 24" of 1920 x 1080 Res and a 1.5 TB Seagate HD 7200.11.
The case comes with ESATA and 2 USB on front as far as I remember.

The computer is for high gaming or at least the most I can get from the parts I have already. The MOBO and the parts I haven't get yet is because of confusion of the "OMG will this ram pair with this MOBO" or "The video card is the BEST! Yet bottlenecked by the build".

Any advice will be apretiated and welcome. Many thanks in advence to anyone willing to help or read.

 

[gkay09]

Better to go DDR3 way...

Mobo - Crossfire support with good features.
GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AM3 DDR3 AMD 790X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128378

RAM - Compatible with AMD and that mobo.
mushkin HP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146873

Graphics card -
SAPPHIRE 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801
or
XFX 4870 1GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394

PSU - Corsair 750TX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Total - $470

 

[sighQ2]

Since you are buying ram and mobo and already have your AM3 cpu; I would recommend buying ALL AM3. If you already had the ddr2, then maybe a socket AM2+ mobo would almost make sense. But the future is all DDR3. So buy that - all AM3 and DDR3. Check out OCZ for specifically "AMD RAM". It comes in Gold and Platinum flavours; 2 of each.

MOBO = either Asus or Gigabyte or MSI. If the budget allows, get an FX chipset.
If the budget is a little tight look at Gigabyte X chipset - it's the poor man's FX.
Since you are buying a 4870, don't even look at the GX chipset w onboard video.
Really, I think you might like the Gigabyte MA790XT-UD4P.
(if you insist on ddr2, it also comes in a AM2+ version).

750w should be adequate.

If you plan on oclox, you don't want a cheaper mobo; there are lots of cheaper mobos. I assume you are going 4870 cos you want serious performance. Cheaper mobos are limited re bios access re oclox, and also limited re pow handling via cheap PWM/mosfet. The Giga 790X will make you work a little harder in the bios; but it's all there. If you eventually xfire, it is limited slightly in that the dual cards will run as x8x8 - there is really only one x16 lane - if you are not going xfire, this is irrelevent; besides a 2nd 4870 might force you into a bigger PSU since they use a lot of power. one should suffice anyway.

I hope you aren't expecting to be spoonfed w newegg links - there's enough info here for you to do a little look up and some research too.

just make sure you get an actual "socket am3" and not "supports am3" - look up the specs at manufacturers site. If you get am3 parts, you might be able to carry some over to your next build, or simply upgrade some parts in your present build.
enjoy

sigh
.

 

[gkay09]

If you still want a confirmed compatible memory with that mobo, then get this...Check the review...that person has the same mobo...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231259

 

[sighQ2]

hmmm - 2 posts 8 seconds apart

the mushkin ram is very good also.
looks like we agree on the mobo.
and we are both saying get all AM3 and DDR3.
but he spoonfed you

here's the link to the AMD ram from OCZ. the timings are lower on the platinum models = faster. I don't know if newegg carries it yet. someone else might know that.

 

[sighQ2]

Looks like newegg has the OCZ AMD RAM
and a happy customer w our recommended mobo.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227447



REVIEW:
""Awesome ram.

white Reviewed By: ChrisB17 on 6/30/2009
Rating + 5
Tech Level Tech Level: high - Ownership: 1 day to 1 week
This user purchased this item from Newegg

Pros: Runs great at factory specs. Using a GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P motherboard. Running 1600 with 7-7-7-24 timings at 1.65 volts. Awesome ram. I recommend it to anyone.
Cons: Nothing really. I cant believe how many people are having issues getting these to run at rated speeds. I run memtest for hours without issues what so ever. Awesome ram.
Other Thoughts: Buy it for your AM3 platform. Its great memory. ""

 

[gkay09]

That OCZ is very good...But it is costlier and doesn't have free shipping as of now...
I remember it was way cheaper before some days and that too with Free shipping...

The GSklillz Trident that I have listed has Free shipping and is cheaper...