800-900 AMD Gaming System Review

[vonarx]

I have been wanting to do a new gaming build for myself for quite some time and i got a decent christmas bonus at work so i want to spend it on a new rig.

Since i built my last system I have learned quite a bit about computers so i would like to do some experimenting with overclocking the different parts of my system.

I would also like to make sure that i dont build myself into a corner with this. My last build i went with an aging motherboard to save some cash and found myself with no where to upgrade to. I may have gone a little bit overboard with the board i did select though with the 4 PCIe slots. I do like that it does 16X/16X Crossfire Support because i plan on buying a 2nd of whatever graphics card i go with a few months down the line.


PARTS NOT REQUIRED: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Hard Drive, PSU (have a OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP.) and OS(have win 7 64)

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg.com

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD CPU and Would like a Direct X 11 Graphics Card

OVERCLOCKING: Yes

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes

MONITOR RESOLUTION: I have a BenQ FP222WH. Its recommended resolution is 1680 x 1050.

Proposed Parts

Case
XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811103011
Price $89.99

Mobo
MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130223
Price $163.99

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674
Price $165.00

Video Card
SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102857
Price $299.99

Memory
Patriot 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC34G1333LLK - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220278
Price $89.99

CPU Cooler
XIGMATEK Intel Core i7 compatible Dark Knight-S1283V 120mm Long Life Bearing CPU Cooler - Retail
Price $37.99

Total: $846.95

I am very open to suggestion on my part selection but would like to stick with AMD/ATI.

Are there better values available that im missing out on? also im wondering about my ram Selection. I would eventually like to get 8 gig in there but i read that with this mobo if you fill all 4 slots the memory has to be set to 1333

 

[dndhatcher]

You wont use more than 4GB RAM for gaming anyway.

I dont see anything objectionable or incompatible, assuming your hard drive is a SATA 3GB. Also you will have to re-install the OS when you connect the HDD to a new motherboard.

 

[vonarx]

Okay i will be sure to do a clean install.

The memory i had selected was just moved to deactivated by Newegg.

If more than 4gig isnt needed then should i move to a faster memory since my Mobo supports it?

 

[dndhatcher]

In general you wont get much performance increase beyond ddr3-1600. Getting low latency (cas7) will get you a few percent performance increase and give you more overclocking options.

 

[vonarx]

Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PVS34G1333LLK - Retail - 99$

Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996657 - Retail - :$127.99

Would these be decent replacements? Memory is always the hardest part for me.
Is the extra 30 bucks worth the investment if they are both cas7?

Edit:
found this as well

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL7D-4GBRM - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231303 - $104.99

I dont know much about G SKill though