Gamer / Enthusiast AMD gaming build

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zealotz

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APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: 10-20, 2009 to 10-30, 2009 BUDGET RANGE: $1,000.00 to $1,500.00

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: I would like to use an AMD CPU & ATI GPU card with a 24" LCD ( brand samsung )

OVERCLOCKING: No CROSSFIRE: for now no / yes in the near future

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200 ( for gaming build I think this resolution is the sweet spot )


Gamer / Enthusiast AMD gaming build

AMD Phenom II X4 955 $189.00 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 $36.61 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003

MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 790FX $163.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223

this is the review that i have read in the newegg site: ( i think ddr3 1333 is the best choice )

Cons: the only con i have is that when i was reading what ram to buy it said ddr3 1600 was supported... well it is... only when you buy ddr3 1333 and oc to 1600 as the manual states. i had to RMA my mushkin ram and pick up the 1333.

Momery?
( please help me choose what is best for this build )
mushkin XP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146871

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/memory-scaling-i7,2325-11.html

HIS HD 5850 1GB 256-bit $259.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161302

Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB $94.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284

or this one SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB $54.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R $30.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151187

SILVERSTONE RAVEN RV02-BW $189.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163154

COOLER MASTER Silent Pro 700 $99.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171037

SAMSUNG TOC T240 Rose Black 24" $309.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824001275

OS ?
( please help me choose what is best for this build )

any help would be appreciated :)
 
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ominous prime

ominous prime

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Ripjaws have been getting rave reviews, however, on the AM3 boards the memory is very close to the cpu, meaning that your xigmatek may block the first two ram slots if the memory has high heatsinks. I'm not sure if the ripjaws would fit under it in the first two slots.

Your build looks solid, you could save money on the case obviously as jbaker has said.

The performance difference between the phenom ii x4 and the i5 would be negligible in gaming. And the i5's x8/x8 crossfire/sli is quite a turn off to me at least. Also the future is unsure for the 1156 socket, whereas this is not the case for the AM3 boards. But to each their own.
 
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zealotz

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Here are my reasons for choosing Raven2 gaming case:

The things I like:-

1. the motherboard 90 degrees so that the back I/O panel can be accessed from the top of the case. Not only does this change how cables are routed, but it also works better with heat rising from the processor and other components.

2. Wire management holes are nice

3. Window side view of the case.

4. killer looks!

5. Cooling performance


The things I don't like:-

1. Top USB and audio ports.

2. This case is huge for a ordinary full tower and longer. ( but overall a good case )


jbakerlent Antec 300, hmmm too common for budget gaming build

but thanks for the comments :)
 
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zealotz

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HAF 922 for a case, don’t like the side window, you can't see the good stuff inside :)

samsung Hard Drive hmmmm i'l check on this one. but the only brand that i trust, when it comes to hard drive is western digital and seagate.

but thanks a lot for the comments. :)

 
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What CPU cooler would you recomend for this set up? the biggest problem i have on this gaming build is what memory should get but i will seatle for (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)

here are some good memory to choose from check the site below:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052129233%201052315794%201052430325&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=N82E16820231189%2CN82E16820146868%2CN82E16820231276%2CN82E16820231275%2CN82E16820220431%2CN82E16820231190%2CN82E16820145198%2CN82E16820220286%2CN82E16820146740

please help me choose which one is better and why..... any help would be much appreciated. :) thanks in advance....

DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500)
DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600)
DDR3 1333 (PC3 10660)
DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) is this the sweet spot? comments please.....
DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
DDR3 1800 (PC3 14400)
 
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zealotz

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this is the review that i have read in the newegg site: ( i think ddr3 1333 is the best choice )

Cons: the only con i have is that when i was reading what ram to buy it said ddr3 1600 was supported... well it is... only when you buy ddr3 1333 and oc to 1600 as the manual states. i had to RMA my mushkin ram and pick up the 1333.

 
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zealotz

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can you show me a good site that reviews this CPU cooler? :) I think this CPU cooler is good.....

thanks :)
 
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zealotz

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this is a good site for cpu cooler reviews... about the memory i think your right problem solve...... Thanks a lot keep up the good work :)
 
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zealotz

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Wow! one of the best gaming case, all black with wide side window plus quality brand and good price.

hmmmm raven2 or LIAN LI Lancool PC-K62 this is really hard..... :) thanks

raven2 disadvantages:

1. Price
2. too big

advantage
1. motherboard 90 degrees ( I really lke this new design )
 
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ominous prime

ominous prime

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+1 for the Mushkin's jbaker recommended, I'm getting those for a build I'm putting together soon. Going for a very similar setup msi 790fx, phenom ii x4 965, those mushkin's Jbaker recommended, and the k62 I have been dead set on for months lol. It's a really wicked case, the tool-less PCI slots that actually work are what sold me. For the sink, I'm going for the Prolimatech Mega Shadow, mostly for looks, but I intend to try and overclock over 4.0ghz

Here's a link to the standard Megahalems, and the Megashadow. Both will require fans, as well as the am3 retention mount.

Megahalems: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8807/cpu-pro-01/Prolimatech_Megahalems_Rev_B_Intel_CPU_Heatsink_LGA_775_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3_Hot_Item.html

Megashadow: http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9655/cpu-pro-05/Prolimatech_Mega_Shadow_Megahalem_Nickel_Plated_Black_Edition_Intel_CPU_Heatsink_LGA_775_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3_Hot_Item.html

 
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zealotz

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Ominous Prime can you post your gaming build here, if it is just ok for you. thanks
 
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ominous prime

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Case: Lian Li Lancool PC-k 62
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112239

HDD Samsung Spinpoint f3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

PSU Corsair's 650watt modular (imo, should be more than adequate to crossfire 5850's down the line for me)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139012

Ram Mushkins, same as Jbaker recommended.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146871

Mobo/CPU Combo deal msi 790fx-gd70 and phenom ii x4 965 with free canon printer, worth the 10 bucks to step up to 965 and a free printer imo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.270577

5850 if I can find one in stock, ordering those parts tonight, may have to get the 5850 later, I refuse to pay taxes so I'll have to get it off the egg.

Some cold cathodes, think it will make the K-62 even sexier
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811994001

Prolimatech Mega Shadow + Am3 retention adapter
http://www.frozencpu.com/products/9655/cpu-pro-05/Prolimatech_Mega_Shadow_Megahalem_Nickel_Plated_Black_Edition_Intel_CPU_Heatsink_LGA_775_1156_1366_AM2_AM2_AM3_Pre-Order.html#blank

Going to push pull with a pair of Scythe S-flex's
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185065

A 38mm large fan would be more ideal, due to the static pressure; but the Mega Shadow only comes with 2 pairs of 25mm fan brackets. And I can't find a san ace 38mm anywhere, so not really a big deal for me.

And that's my build in a nutshell, I'm stealing my blu ray drive off my old computer.

With the 5850 the build comes to be just under 1200 on my last calculations.

Oh and I currently use a 24" samsung, 1920x1200.


 
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zealotz

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MONITOR? brand and model please ( if your in my place right now what is the best lcd monitor for these gaming build )
 
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ominous prime

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It's an older Samsung I know it's a Synchmaster, I'm not entirely sure on the model number anymore. It's actually a 25.5 inch. Bought it a couple years ago for a pretty penny. Don't think they sell it anymore though.

I think the monitor you chose is a good choice. I've been really happy with my Samsung, and they make quality products.

5ms response or lower is good for gaming, I've heard 2ms response time to be the holy grail when it comes to gaming, but honestly I can't see the difference.

I'd definitely stick with 1920x1200 resolution, no matter the monitor of your choosing.
 
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What to look for a good gaming LCD:
-Size: At least 22” to 24” going higher than 30” would be too big for a pc monitor.
-Resolution: 1680 x 1050 (At least 1680 x 1050 higher is better)
1920 x 1080,
1920 x 1200, ( sweet spot )
2048 x 1152 ( you need a very expensive GPU card to run at very high settings in this resolution )

-Brightness: 300 cd/m2
-Contrast Ratio: DC 20000:1 (1000:1) or higher
-Response Time: 5ms to 2ms (lower is better but your right you won't notice the difference)
-Connectors: D-Sub, DVI
(HDMI – optional) depending on your needs.


 
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