BF/CM Build - Need advice soon! 500-650

[shawne]

I am going to take advantage of the deals while they're hot! My question is, if you know of better deals let me know, or if my components won't work well together, let me know, also, if you know of a better recommendation - let me know! Thanks!

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: (Thanksgiving day!) BUDGET RANGE: (500-650) Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: (gaming, watching movies, school work, surfing the internets)

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, case, OS (I bought windows 7 32 bit, but not sure if I have to buy 64 bit, but want 64 bit)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: (newegg.com, COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA)

PARTS PREFERENCES: by brand or type (e.g.: I would like to use an AMD CPU)

OVERCLOCKING: Yes (need to learn though, maybe you guys can post some tips w/ the parts you recommend) / CROSSFIRE: Yes (Although in the future, maybe January)

MONITOR RESOLUTION: (1680x1050)

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (I need suggestions on misc things like a HSF, thermal coolant?)

Games: Eve Online, WoW, Starcraft 2, Dragon Age, Warcraft 3

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ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131398

SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102864

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649


Total: $568.95

Let me know what you think, if there can be changes within this price range for better performance, or if the parts won't work together. I am still new at this.


Thanks!

 

[tarquinbiscuitbarrel]

if you bought the retail win7, you should have a second disk with 64bit.

if you buy retail cpu, you won't need thermal paste or HSF. however, if you're planning to OC you should look at a quality HSF.

the bits you've picked look good. what about HDD and optical drive?

 

[shawne]

I bought the upgrade to windows 7 online and dl it to upgrade from vista 32 bit. I want to learn to OC this CPU, so what HSF would work with my parts?

I have a dvd burner, it works in my current comp and I have this HDD I bought locally (over priced and they only have a in store credit if I return it, since my old mobo doesn't detect sata drives for some reason but that's another story)

Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148433

So this drive is waiting for it's new home in my new comp. Also, that mobo I picked will do crossfire right?

 

[tarquinbiscuitbarrel]

i believe you'd just need a HSF which fits onto your cpu (AM3).

i've never overclocked, but i've heard good things about the arctic cooling freezer.

about crossfire - all i'm doing is searching your mobo on newegg and looking on 'specification'. it says yes, crossfire support with dual x8 slots. if you want dual x16 slots i think you'll need another mobo. also - noone knows whether the mobo will provide your crossfire connector/jumper thing.

 

[batuchka]

1. What sort of case did u buy i.e mid tower ATX, mATX tower, etc?
2. Stick to single GPU solutions for gaming in 1680 x 1050 resolution

 

[shawne]

Thanks, guys, I am gonna use my old case which is an Antec 300

 

[batuchka]

 

[shawne]

Thanks for the suggestions batuchka, but how do i configure that ram (never done it before) that you suggested, I read the reviews and it states that ram is for intel boards.

 

[batuchka]

Nah people have used stuff like "OCZ Intel edition" on AMD motherboards fine so dun worry about w/e names they call the RAMs by hehe

 

[batuchka]

Also if u read the real owners input the very 1st dude was using
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303
Antec Fusion
AMD 925 Phenom II running at 3.5 GHz
Gigabyte MA785GMT-UD2H
Cooler Master GeminII S
G. Skill Ripjaws F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM
Apevia 700W

Whe he choose a huge wattage but poor quality PSU for an IGP rig is beyond my comprehension though hehe

 

[shawne]

thanks again man! Do you have a suggestion for a heat sink/fan? I've never had to buy one for a cpu and not sure which will be compatible with the parts I picked.

 

[batuchka]

Well the boxed processor comes with a HSF but if u intend to overclock then ya best get a better one else just stick to stock maybe till u learn the finer points of OCing?

 

[shawne]

Well could you help me pick one because I do plan on OC it and want to buy everything in one order. I'll install it later like you said, once I learn more on how to OC my cpu.

 

[batuchka]

The CM Hyper 212 is my choice for peeps just fresh into after mkt HSFs as it's not that hard to install and for the $$ actually is a decent HSF!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

 

[shawne]

hmm, that one isn't in inventory. But I'll figure it out, you've been a tremendous help!

 

[shawne]

Welp here's my order!

1

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131402

Standard Return Policy



$119.99

1

SAPPHIRE 100283-2L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814102864

VGA Standard Return Policy



$164.99

1

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 ... - Retail
Item #: N82E16817139005

Standard Return Policy



$159.99
$89.99

1

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ955FBGIBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103674

CPU Replacement Only Return Policy



$165.99

1

OCZ Diesel 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive Model OCZUSBDSL4G - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227331

Limited Replacement Only Return Policy



$13.99

1

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231303

Memory Standard Return Policy



$99.99
$79.99

1

COOLER MASTER GeminII S RR-CCH-PBU1-GP 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler - Retail
Item #: N82E16835103046

Standard Return Policy



$38.52

1
DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #295699


-$55.00

1
DISCOUNT FOR AUTOADD #6321


-$13.99

Subtotal $604.47
Tax $0.00
UPS Next Day Saver $55.47
Order Total $659.94

 

[batuchka]

Gratz and enjoy building ^^