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AMD Gaming Rig:Buying This Today Need Opinions!!!

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - AMD Gaming Rig:Buying This Today Need Opinions!!!

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rnocci   10-20-2009 at 12:10:21 AM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Today!

BUDGET RANGE: Wanted to keep it under 900.00 After Rebates and tax

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming MMO's mostly

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers,

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS:newegg.com

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States

PARTS PREFERENCES: Going with an AMD build to keep cost down.

OVERCLOCKING: Yes after I build it and see how it runs.

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1920x1200

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: I was going to build an i5 system but couldnt seem to get one in my budget I liked so i went with this AMD build im quite happy with it just want to ask those pro-AMD fans out there what they think and if they could improve on if anything as well as make it any cheaper parts. Trying to save a little money!

Case: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146025

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181

Ram: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH - Retail $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231276

CPU/MOBO Combo: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $233.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.272101

GPU/OS Combo: XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $294.98
Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders w/ Tech Guarantee - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] 14-150-359

PSU/DVD Combo: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - $Retail 101.98
Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.269812

TOTAL SHIPPED WITH TAXES:$940.53

Please be brutally honest tell me the whole build is crap if it is dont want to waste money, just looking for a comp to run my game headache free while doing large world PVP(basically includes a whole lot of *** happening at the same time) and also if you can save me money that be great!

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ominous prime   10-20-2009 at 12:22:18 AM

Why not grab a 5850? They're cheaper than the XFX 4890 you've chosen and perform better. Also, do you intend to crossfire in the future? Because if so, 550w will not be enough to run two cards.

 

Also, Windows 7 comes out Thursday if you can hold off a few more days.


Message edited by ominous prime on 10-20-2009 at 12:23:06 AM
Reply to ominous prime
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   10-20-2009 at 12:25:41 AM

The build will work fine, but it's not very hard to put together an i5 build in your budget.

Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115215

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128401

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.270435 $324.98 (CPU + motherboard combo)

Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129066

Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371015

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.265980 $124.94 (Case + PSU combo)

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] %207%204gb $94.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $54.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116754 $99.99

SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102858 $159.99

SAMSUNG SH-S223B 22X SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] t=celebros $29.99

Total - $889.87

You could swap out the 5770 for a 4890 and it will raise the price by $30 before MIR and $10 after MIR.

SAPPHIRE 100269HDMI Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail $189.99 - $20 MIR

Reply to shortstuff_mt
rnocci   10-20-2009 at 12:41:31 AM

I was afraid someone would post a good i5 build I was wondering what ppl thought of the i5 now there saying the socket is allready dead and there oc'in isn't to great due to mobo burning out. Also I thought the 5770 was worse then the 4870 in the benchmark test, becuase im not looking to crossfire as much as have a good single gpu. And now the question of the night INTEL BUILD OR AMD! what to do

Reply to rnocci
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   10-20-2009 at 12:44:51 AM

Is this a strictly gaming PC? If not, what other uses will it be used for? The motherboard "problems" with the LGA 1156 socket only apply to heavily overclocked systems. I wouldn't let that sway you from the i5 build.

Reply to shortstuff_mt
rnocci   10-20-2009 at 12:48:34 AM

Yea this just a gaming pc I only play mmo's and as of right now its AION not sure what the benchmarks are for this game but ill tell you it aint like crysis. So im not really sure if I even need all the power I have from the two builds im chosing from atm. Im confused on what route to take im just looking to get a good comp to run this game like a champ.

Reply to rnocci
ominous prime   10-20-2009 at 12:55:51 AM

Shortstuff's build is probably the right choice for you. The 1156 socket isn't dead by any means, it's future isn't just as certain as it's bigger brother the 1366. Either the Phenom II x4 or the Core i5 system would be more than adequate to play Aion. And the Core i5 does it at a nicer price point.

 

Here's a benchmark of the 5770 against a bunch of other cards, it's a good read right here on Tom's: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2446.html

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by ominous prime on 10-20-2009 at 12:57:01 AM
Reply to ominous prime
banthracis   10-20-2009 at 01:00:21 AM

For strict gaming i5 is fine. The socket going nowhere isn't important, cuz unless you plan on dropping ~$1k on a new processor, nothing gonna really be a better value for gaming for the next 6 months.

 

Definitely wait like 3 days for Win 7. The recommended build by shortstuff_mt will work fine. MMO's don't require high end GPU's or CPUS, they're designed to work on the majority of computer, ie 3-4 years old stuff.

 

Also, if you know a college student, get yourself a $30 copy of Win 7 premium or Pro. If you live near a micro center, they are selling i5's for $149.99, store walk in only.

 

If you do this, use the money you save and upgrade to a 5850.

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102857 $259.99

 

edit: 5850's sold out again. Man, that was fast >.<

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by banthracis on 10-20-2009 at 01:01:37 AM
Reply to banthracis
rnocci   10-20-2009 at 01:04:49 AM

ominous prime wrote :

Shortstuff's build is probably the right choice for you. The 1156 socket isn't dead by any means, it's future isn't just as certain as it's bigger brother the 1366. Either the Phenom II x4 or the Core i5 system would be more than adequate to play Aion. And the Core i5 does it at a nicer price point.

Here's a benchmark of the 5770 against a bunch of other cards, it's a good read right here on Tom's: http://www.tomshardware.com/review [...] ,2446.html



Yea thats where I read that the 5770 was not as great as the older cards and if anything it was better to step down on a cpu and go with the 5850 if im not mistaken.
So in conclusion you guys both seem to know a ton more about computers then me will the intel build blow away the amd build or are they similar becuase from the looks of it the i5 build is at 890 before tax and shipping? And that will put me a little past my comfort zone lol but if its going to be a big performance diffrence I might be willing to swing it. And thanks in advance for answering back on this topic and you too shortstuff even tho you through a wildcard out there with the last minute i5 build!

Reply to rnocci
rnocci   10-20-2009 at 01:06:57 AM

banthracis wrote :

For strict gaming i5 is fine. The socket going nowhere isn't important, cuz unless you plan on dropping ~$1k on a new processor, nothing gonna really be a better value for gaming for the next 6 months.

Definitely wait like 3 days for Win 7. The recommended build by shortstuff_mt will work fine. MMO's don't require high end GPU's or CPUS, they're designed to work on the majority of computer, ie 3-4 years old stuff.

Also, if you know a college student, get yourself a $30 copy of Win 7 premium or Pro. If you live near a micro center, they are selling i5's for $149.99, store walk in only.

If you do this, use the money you save and upgrade to a 5850.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814102857 $259.99

edit: 5850's sold out again. Man, that was fast >.<



my girlfriend is a college student where do i go about finding a copy of win7 for $30 bucks do tell!

Reply to rnocci
ominous prime   10-20-2009 at 01:13:01 AM

The intel build won't blow away the amd build, both will offer similar performance, especially in gaming.

I just ordered an AMD system this past Friday, will be getting the parts on Thursday.

I'd recommend stepping up to the 5850 if your budget permits, you won't want to be confined with dx 10 hardware in a year or so if you buy the 4890.

Reply to ominous prime
rnocci   10-20-2009 at 01:30:21 AM

ominous prime wrote :

To check for eligibility see:

http://www.win741.com/



It says im allowed to get the upgrade but my question is if its only a license key how do I install it on a new system im building?

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to rnocci
Bronze Home Brew badge Outlander_04   10-20-2009 at 01:39:54 AM

For gaming Id stick with the Phenom build . Many reviewers report higher MINIMUM frame rates and a better gaming experience.
If its a multi use pc then the i5 is a better choice

Reply to Outlander_04
rnocci   10-20-2009 at 01:45:31 AM

So far this is where I am at:

Intel Core i5 750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115215

GIGABYTE GA-P55-UD3R LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128401

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.270435 $324.98 (CPU + motherboard combo)

Really like this one: NZXT Apollo Black SECC Steel Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811146025

PSU/DVD Combo: CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power ... - $Retail 101.98
Sony Optiarc 24X DVD/CD Rewritable Drive Black SATA Model AD-7240S-0B - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.269812

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] %207%204gb $94.99

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152181 $54.99

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM Hopefully get the upgrade for $30.00

Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 1 GB DDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card 100282SR - 259.99
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B [...] e=&seller=

TOTAL:936.92 Before Tax and Shipping >< ahh it always gets more expensive!

Hows it look tho safe to say an awesome gaming rig.

Reply to rnocci
ominous prime   10-20-2009 at 02:13:01 AM

The i5 build looks good, except perhaps you should take some more advice from Shortstuff.

 

The Antec PSU he recommended: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371015

 

is quite a bit cheaper than the Corsair, and both companies make very good power supplies.

 

Also, I'm not sure how the windows 7 for students works - I just know where to go for it, lol. So, sorry I can't be of more help with that.

 

Also, you're links are broken.


Message edited by ominous prime on 10-20-2009 at 02:13:48 AM
Reply to ominous prime
banthracis   10-20-2009 at 02:31:16 AM

rnocci wrote :

It says im allowed to get the upgrade but my question is if its only a license key how do I install it on a new system im building?




There's a link on the website on how to do a custom install in order to install on a new system.


http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us [...] ng-Windows

Then scroll to bottom on click on "To install Windows by performing a custom installation"

basically you'll get a digital download for Win 7. I'm not sure if they send it as an img or a straight out exe, but either way, you can either put it on an USB key or turn it into an img and burn it onto a DVD.

You can also have them mail you physical disks for $13 more.



The antec PSU is a great deal actually, just beware that while either the corsair or antec psu will run your system, neither have enough 6 pin connectors to power 2 5850's if you decide to go xfire in the future.

Honestly, I wish more PSU makes would put enough 6 pin connectors on reasonable wattage PSU's, instead of just slapping an SLI certified label on it and making people think they can use em to run SLI or xfire.


edit: so not to confuse ppl, both PSU"s CAN power 2 5850's, they just don't have enough connectors to power 2, unless you buy the modular versions, which are like $50-70 more expensive.



Edit 2: The 5850 you linked from amazon is actually sold by tiger direct. Amazon inventory updates are slow, if you check the actual tiger direct site they're sold out. They sold out w/in the last 3 hrs >.< In fact, newegg had those saphhire 5850's as well this afternoon for like a whole 2 hrs b4 they sold out >.<

The hardest problem atm really is finding a place with 5850's in stock.


edit 3: OK apparently zipzoomfly has 5850's in stock.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Prod [...] e=10011258

I've personally never used them before so I can't say whether or not they are accurate with their stock updates. It's also $279.99, but free shipping at least.


Message edited by banthracis on 10-20-2009 at 02:58:50 AM
Reply to banthracis
Silver Home Brew badge shortstuff_mt   10-20-2009 at 05:05:12 PM

Your latest i5 build looks good.

I've used www.zipzoomfly.com and never had a problem with them.

Reply to shortstuff_mt
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