Sub $500 micro atx am3 GAMING build

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laweinhander

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I have a micro atx case, power supply, dvd drive, and hard drive.
I need a micro atx am 3 motherboard (preferably crossfire capable)
I need 4 gigs of ddr3(maybe2) ram
I need amd phenom II x3 unless there is better value somewhere else ?

Here is what I have picked out so far.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813136068

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150441

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

I really have no idea what the best value/performance would be for the ram i would like to keep the price of the ram under 101 dollars unless there is significant performance to be gained.


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: ~ 1 month
BUDGET RANGE: ~$500 After Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming gaming gaming . . .

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: moniter keyboard mouse, hard drive, dvd drive, power supply.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Cheap and legit newegg.

PARTS PREFERENCES: ATI and AMD

OVERCLOCKING: Yes
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

Thanks alot
 
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overshocks

overshocks

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why not i5 750? way better performance just cost a little more.
i5 750 dominates EVERY AMD processor.

i5 750 + MOBO micro atx (can crossfire) Combo Price: $294.98

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.273112

option 1: 4870 1GB + RAM Combo Price: $229.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.265386

option 2: 4870 512mb $124.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150441

option 2: RAM $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279

total option 1: $524.96 (1gb video card, I WOULD PAY 10 dollars more if i were you)
total option 2: $514.96 (512mb video card)

what power supply are you going to use?

do you need operating system?
 
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laweinhander

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Interesting, i will have to look into this

I have windows7, vista, and xp
and im not sure on the power supply, i just know its a thermaltake ~500 watter
I would look up the exacts on the power supply, but it at my home 2 hours away :(
 
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overshocks

overshocks

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Hey, make sure to check your PSU because you don't want a crappy PSU to ruin your whole I'd say expensive system?

Also, that RAM you suggested is not as GOOD as mine because mines 1600mhz 7-7-7-24 (2 dollars more ) and yours 1333mhz 7-7-7-20 (1.7 VOLTAGE, it exceeds the 1.65V limit = SO BIG NO)

Great to hear you have the O.S, or else the budget will not work :D
If you figured your PSU is crappy, I suggest you getting a new one.
You'll need 2 x 6pins connectors for running the 4870 I suggested.
 
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laweinhander

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Ive looked over this some more. I do realize that the i5 will outclass all but the best AMD processors in synthetics and other programming benchmarks, but what about just plain old gaming. I don't need it to be faster if i wont realize the speed outside of games.
All I do is internet and games, will the i5 show real improvements in gaming over the x3 or x4 phenoms?
Can someone link me to some benchmarks, I haven't really been able to see a comparsion of i5 systems and amd systems in just gaming situations.


Also about the power supply, does thermaltake make crappy psu's i assumed that all of their products would be of reasonable quality.
Lastly, those 4870 come with adapters to convert regular power wires to pci 6 pin connectors
is it not a good idea to use those?
 
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overshocks

overshocks

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Yes, I know that already. The x16 x4 may take a performance hit with the 4850s(that's if he'll crossfire in the future, but one 4850 he'll be fine). But my i5 build is GREAT for the price, and kills all amd cpus.
 
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laweinhander

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Like i said i realize that the i5 is better in synthetic benchmarks, but all i care about is gaming, with the price of your build, i could build mine and crossfire 4870's

that will more than make up for any deficit in performance derived from a slower amd x3 processor.
 
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tecmo34

tecmo34

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Here is a comparison on the i5 and x3... http://anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=83&p2=109
Here is a comparison on the i5 and x4... http://anandtech.com/bench/default.aspx?p=88&p2=109

The i5 is pretty much head in all gaming benchmarks... The X4 955 is closer than the X3 720... I still think for your budget and usage, the X3 720 will server your needs just fine!

Thermaltake makes okay powersupplies. I would trust one of them over a Raidmax or even Cooler Master, so I think you'll be safe. It is okay to use the adapters. It is just better if you have the required PCI-e power connectors already on your PSU.
 
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overshocks

overshocks

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You are wrong, the i5 beats all amd cpus overall in games, synthetic benchmarks, you name it. when using the same GPU of course and same amount of RAM. different mobos of course.

you're right here..with the budget thing
"with the price of your build, i could build mine and crossfire 4870's"
but your cpu might bottleneck the gpus, thus you may need to overclock it
 
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laweinhander

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Ok thats good to know , and thanks for that link , i didnt realize that anandtech provided such awsome data

This is my build as of now , can anyone make it any cheaper with reducing the performance, for example at 1680 x 1050 would a single 4870 be enough , or maybe 2 4850's ?

This is my build right now
Please list improvements keeping in mind GAMES>everything else

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128399
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150441 x2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231279
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

total
$558.96
 
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laweinhander

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remember 1680 x 1050 is all i would be running my computer at , i see no reason to get a new monitor in the near future
maybe you are right in getting the i5 because at a lower resolution (1680 x 1050 ) duel 4870's would be a waste (possibly?)
 
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tecmo34

tecmo34

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If you can wait... I would buy this card for $10 more... XFX HD-585A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video ... - Retail

Yes... dual 4870's will be a waste at your resolution. You are better off with this option....

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
XFX HD-487A-ZWFC Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
 
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laweinhander

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if duel 4870's are a waste would the 5850 not be ?
the 5850 would allow for future upgradability though if i were to get a second one and crossfire
that would give me good gameplay at even 1900 by 1200 right?
 
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tecmo34

tecmo34

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Yes, the 5850 is overkill but if you are going to buy two 4870's, why not spend $10 more for a single card that equals the performance of the two cards. CF 5850 will play 1920x1200 with no problem. Your CPU will become a bottleneck at that point though.
 
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laweinhander

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Well i guess i wasn't being honest lol
I wouldnt actually buy the 2 4870's at once i would just buy one, and get another one in the future maybe.

Thats why im not really considering the 5850, plus I don't really want to pay the premium for a new graphics card if i don't have too

Maybe just getting 1 4850 is the way to go, and then upgrade to 5850 when prices drop ?
 
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