AMD Gaming rig with a little budgeting

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rescyth

Distinguished
Jan 11, 2010
7
0
18,510
APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: When my Newegg preffered card arrieves :)
BUDGET RANGE: Not more than $1300

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming and Trading

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard & mouse==> walmart, monitor=> got 2 monitors ready for the kill, speakers = got 1 extra lying around somewhere.

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: Newegg

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD build (not a fanboy or anything, just the most cost efficient for me)

OVERCLOCKING: Yes, in the future if a games starts to kick its butt

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Firt time builder so be gentle ^_^

COOLER MASTER HAF 932 RC-932-KKN1-GP Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119160
==> This is where I will keep all my crap.

ASUS Crosshair III Formula AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131392
==> seems to be worth investing the extra $30 bucks

OCZ AMD Black Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3BE1600C8LV4GK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227496
==> says AMD so should work and also the $20 bucks rebate is very tempting so I give in -_-!

SAPPHIRE 100282SR Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity
&
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.298043
==> combo.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
==> heard it's a good brand.

XIGMATEK HDT-S1283 120mm Rifle CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003
==> many bought it and there's $10 rebate, so why not.

ZALMAN VF900 – CU 2 Ball VGA Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118001
==> looks compatible with a ati 5850?

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835100007
==> juice!

Grand Total: $1,287.93 with S/H (then got a $40 bucks rebate + newegg $10 giff card) = 1,237.93

any thoughts on this? blast away guys!

 
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swifty_morgan

Illustrious
Feb 10, 2006
13,566
1
42,960
Personally, if I had $1300 to spend I would change stuff a bit. But it's your build so my comments are.... I didn't see a processor....... get one that has L3 cache on it, 955-945-965, etc. 125 watt. Not those cheaper newer ones. I don't like that memory. A-DATA has some of the best right now.... IMO. The Arctic Silver. You won't need it. The Zalman comes with some pretty good stuff. Unfortunately the Zalman you picked I don't like. See if they make a 9700 for your processor. The one you chose pales in comparison.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

Splendid
Feb 22, 2006
6,517
0
26,960
I would change things a bit (for savings and an upgrade to 5870!!!).

* Drop the Zalman GPU cooler, you should be fine with the double slotted cooler that Sapphire has.

* Change the Mobo. $210 for an AM3 board is just too much, IMHO.
Here's a good starting point for $88 - $10 MIRc = $78!!
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128392
or
$103 shipped!! Has USB 3.0 and SATA 3!!!
GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128419

* Drop the RAM, they run at 1.65v, which is the limit of DDR3 and will run hot, plus you have to manually adjust the voltage in the BIOS to get the speeds listed.
Here's a set to consider, it runs at stock voltages (1.5v) and is pretty fast too. It's also cheaper!!
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

* Drop the case, it's $175 shipped! The one listed below has 3 120mm fans and it pretty much tool-less too!! Plus it's much cheaper!!
$90 shipped!!
COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137

Total savings w/changes ~$250!! Now add the AMD Phenom II x4 955 Black Edition for ~$165 and upgrade to the 5870 GPU!! and your at about $1,300 w/the upgraded GPU!!!
 
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Silvune

Splendid
Oct 17, 2009
3,204
0
21,460
The CoolerMaster HAF 922 is usually a bit cheaper than the 932, not much smaller and apparently better at air cooling. However, the 932 comes with a good combo: HAF 932 & OCZ StealthXStream 700W $85 for OCZ with free shipping, $150 for HAF 932 with $25 shipping = $260, combo price is $215 with $25 rebate. And the PSU is no worse than the Corsair and still powerful enough to crossfire 5850s.
Another variable is that the OCZ Black Edition RAM comes in a combo with either an AMD Phenom II X4 955 or another choice of OCZ PSUs.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

Splendid
Feb 22, 2006
6,517
0
26,960
It's up to you, but I laid out my thoughts, so you can make an informed decision on what you want to buy. Personally I'd rather have the 5870 GPU than the 5850, for basically the same $ as your original build.

Edit: I forgot to ask what resolution will you be gaming under?? If you at 1920 x 1080 or greater, the 5870 will be a better pick (depending on what settings you want maxed out).
 
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swifty_morgan

Illustrious
Feb 10, 2006
13,566
1
42,960
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