AMD Pheom II X4 955.....

I have done some research and I think I would like to go with a Pheom IIx4 (unless you talk me out of it, I like AMD). The primary things I need the computer for are gaming and Computer Science classes that I will be starting in the fall. Here is what I am thinking of building, let me know what you think (budget is negotiable but keep under 2k)

Proc: AMD Phenom II X4 955
Mobo: (suggestions please)
Ram: Corsair or Kingston at least 4GB thinking of going 8GB (DDR3 is a must)
HD: 1TB (gotta love space)
Video: ATI 4870X2 (expensive, I know) or a Crossfire setup (suggestions on cards plz)
Drives: DVD Burner (and maybe a Blue-Ray)
Monitors: 2 23" (minimum)
Case: (Don't really care, something that works but doesn't have to look great)
Power: 600W+

Now here is the kicker, my current computer is an AMD Atholon 64 3000+ with Nvidia 6800GT, I know I could use almost nothing out of it at all, unless I am mistaken, because it is an AGP video card.

I will have to have it ready in the next month or so, as far as where I will get them, thinking newegg, unless you know of a cheaper place.

nope just making sure you werent in canada or europe. Are the two monitors included in the budget? If you have ~1500 to spend on the computer itself you can get an i7 which will out perform a Phenom build.

Depending on the stock of the 955s there may be some good combos with ASUS motherboards. With your budget i would suggest comboing it with the M4A79T Deluxe board when it gets back it stock. Like this combo

AMD 955/Asus 790Fx $320
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.212581

Well I am not against an i7, and the budget is flexable. I mean I have more to spend.... but I'm not sure how much I want to spend.

well the rig in my first post is just bumping the 2k limit with a lot of GPU horsepower

your combo is not so good, the phenom II's don't use triple channel memory (and you would have an extra stick lying around or no dual channel)

+1

I'm not sure why Newegg's putting RAM designed for the Intel i7 CPU's in combo's with AMD CPU's.

@shortstuff_mt it was with a GPU and we were talking about phenom II builds, though if he went i7, it would be a good combo

lulz, i never noticed that doing builds for people, though i suppose it might be cheaper to do that and pick another single stick up than not having the combo and buying 2 sets of 2

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] etailspecs

Found this combo with the 955 at Tiger Direct, what do you think of it?

very similar build to the one im getting in a few weeks

the phenom 955 is a great processor especially in terms of value

the 4870x2 is an amazing card but you could also get 2 4890s for better performance for a little less price. im also not sure about which one of those to get tho so il be watching this thread

in terms of motherboard i would highly reccomend the MSI 790fx GD70
its a great mobo with amazing overclocking for the 955 and supports up to four cards in crossfirex. it also has 9 sata ports, an esata, and dual lan. and its cheaper than the m4a79t but has better performance and overclocking and features

unfortunately right now the 955 is out of stock at newegg damn it i would order it now bu i cant

as for psu i would suggest corsair's 850tx

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=850tx

its a great psu tho its not modular

ram id actually say get 8gb of OCZ PLATINUM ddr3 1600

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820227297

two of those

i hope this helps

The only problem I see with your build is your power supply. With your kind of budget, I would get one of, if not the best PSU ever made, the Antec Signature.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371018
If you would prefer something a bit cheaper, but still high quality and will be able to powe CF 4890s, get the Corsair 750tx.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] &Tpk=750tx