Ultra-budget 5000 BE build!

spensaur

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Apr 21, 2009
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Well, here is my quandary:

I have a brand new AMD AM2 5000 Black Edition that I plan on OC'ing to at least 3.0. I want to build a system around it with some newer hardware that has become available since this card's release.

The main thing I am having trouble understanding/deciding is what motherboard to use. I know I am stuck with 800 ram (I don't think this processor supports 1066) but as far as mobo's go I am stuck between a few options:

A) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128376

B) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

-The video card I am stuck between these two:

A) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102835

B) http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16814102810

I would like to get the 4870, at that price point it's pretty hard to resist..but is it worth it?

Basically I just want the most bang possible with this older processor.

ALSO: How much power will I need? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182160 Is this enough/too much? I really want to spend as little money possible on my PSU.

Thanks for any input :sol:

P.S. 4 gig g-skill 800 for memory, 320 gig sata drive, etc
 
I would like to get the 4870, at that price point it's pretty hard to resist..but is it worth it?
Yes.

I have a brand new AMD AM2 5000 Black Edition that I plan on OC'ing to at least 3.0.
Really? I hope you didn't pay too much for it. There are faster CPUs that overclock far better:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681&Tpk=X2%20250

On the board, get the 770 if you are sure you aren't going to crossfire in the near future. Get the 790X if you might.

 
That Athlon X2 only uses up to DDR2 800. In order to get a faster RAM speed you have to increase the FSB.

For the motherboard go with the GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P. It will give you the option to crossfire in the future.

For the video card go with the 4870. At it's current price it's way worth it. That sapphire cooler will also allow you to overclock it a bit.

Make sure you get a good CPU cooler. The stock cooler should let you run it at 3.0GHz, but it will run hot especially if your case ventilation isn't great.
 

spensaur

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Apr 21, 2009
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Thanks for the replies. I will probably be getting the 4870 and the 790 n.bridge mobo. A friend of mine gave me the processor so I didn't pay too much for it :)

Yeah, I was definitely planning on buying an aftermarket cooler for the CPU.
 
If you want to crossfire two 4870s latter on then you need a good PSU with 4 x 6 pin connectors. Go with something like this

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W $119.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006

Antec EA750 750W $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371026


While you really only need a good 600W or so unit for that build you would generally need to use adapters for them so that's why I say get a good higher rated PSU that has enough PCI-E connectors.