Best Budget AMD mobo

[zonova]

Hello, Im looking for a budget gaming mother board, hopefully around 79.99$. I need it to be DDR3 compatible, run Win7, and go with my AMD Phenom II x4. I dont need any on-board graphics cards. I'm not too sure what the difference between Atx and mAtx is. I want it to be long lasting, and pretty much the best mobo i could get at this price-range. Thanks.

 

[jaquith]

Welcome to Tom's Forum!

Good open box ASUS M4A87TD EVO http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647R

Otherwise ASRock 880GXH/USB3 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157200

Side-by-Side http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007625%20600007943%204027&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=22|13-157-200^13-157-200-TS,13-131-656^13-131-656-TS,13-131-603^13-131-603-TS,13-128-431^13-128-431-TS

 

[sgtopmobile]

men... at that price range is VERY HARD to find a good mobo...i will suggest you get 20$ buck and buy something like this

http://www.amazon.com/MSI-NVIDIA-nForce-Motherboard-NF750-G55/dp/B002MAPSAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1292169391&sr=8-1 (99.99$ with free two day shipping)


http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-AMD-Core-MotherBoard-GA-880GM-UD2H/dp/B003DM5CH8/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1292169391&sr=8-8 (89.99 with free two day shipping.... I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS MOBO.... go for the other one it is just 10$ more and you get SLI!!)

 

[tecmo34]

Here are a few boards in that price range:
■http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157195
■http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128431
■http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130290

 

[zonova]

Thanks for the answers ^^. Well, what im trying to do is bring my computer build cost by as much as possible. At least 50$. Here's my build, maybe you guys can recommended any parts that i can cut down on?

AMD Phenom II 965 x4 3.4ghz - 160$
Radeon 6850 - 180$
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500gb - 50$
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 - 59.99
Asus SATA DVD 24x - 20$
Antec BP500 - 65$
Any good case Need recommendation
Cool Master Hyper 212 Coller - 25
Dont know Which Mobo


So, which parts could i cut off on? I want to keep the processor and video card, but maybe someone has a coupon code? Thanks

 

[jaquith]

One change that I would recommend is the PSU; Corsair TX650W $80 or at minimum Corsair VX550W $60.

Useful CPU link -> http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

 

[zonova]

Would you have any tips to make it cheaper? Though, thank you for the alternative PSU.

 

[tecmo34]

Were are you buying from??

 

[zonova]

Newegg, mostly. Why?

 

[tecmo34]

It will allow us to review and find better pricing.

 

[jaquith]

Don't pick-out RAM until you select your MOBO, next use either the Certified RAM {QVL} or RAM Mfg Tested {Configuration}.

G.SKILL http://gskill.com/configurator.php
Corsair http://www.corsair.com/configurator/default.aspx

Cheaper, the combo deals can help you save money but just because it's in a combo doesn't mean it works together; verify.

The open box is the best deal.

Case CM 690 II Advanced http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

 

[sgtopmobile]

bro... for PSU get antec earthwatts 650 it has 4 12v+ rails @ 25 amps each and for the case

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015&Tpk=antec%20earthwatts%20650

CPU COOLER IS NOT NECESARY...USE THE STOCK ONE GET SOME ARTIC SILVER 5 AND OC SLIGTLY.....!!!!!

for case get thermaltake v3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133094&cm_re=thermaltake_v3-_-11-133-094-_-Product

Or if you can.... go with V5 OR V6

Thermaltake V5

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133099&Tpk=thermaltake%20v5

Thermaltake v6

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133180&Tpk=thermaltake%20v6

motherboards

http://www.newegg.com/Shopping/ShoppingItem.aspx?ItemList=N82E16813130265

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157186&cm_re=am3_motherboard-_-13-157-186-_-Product

And if you want something better.....GET THIS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131667&cm_re=asus_crosshair-_-13-131-667-_-Product

 

[jaquith]

^ I did NOT look at any of the links BUT I do not recommend Antec PSUs - instead go Corsair.

 

[zonova]

I've heard that open box can often be broken and such, so im not too sure about getting one of those.

I'm more looking towards a DDR3 mobo, so i can be future proof. I would like the manufacturer to be known for good customer service.


I think right now, if i put in my mobo as 100$, my build price about 700$. Im trying to get it to the lower 600's, or if im lucky the 500's.

 

[jaquith]

^No, 'broken' gets sent back to the MOBO Mfg; open box may have a missing SATA cord or manual {all that would matter to me is the MOBO + I/O shield. tecmo34 and I only linked DDR3 MOBOs, you need to go out of your way to find DDR2 MOBOs.

Mess around with this link -> http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/Back_To_School_2010/

Again, at newegg look for combo deals. The 'cheapest' bang for your buck is open box; if the MOBO is bad send to ASUS for a new one. OR PAY RETAIL doesn't matter to me...it's your $!

 

[tecmo34]

Here is build... $697.91

DVD: SAMSUNG DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223L LightScribe Support - OEM (Item #: N82E16827151188)

Case: COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case (Item #: N82E16811119233)

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive (Item #: N82E16822152181)

MOBO: ASRock 770 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 770 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard (Item #: N82E16813157195)

GPU: XFX HD-685X-ZDFC Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity (Item #: N82E16814150515)

PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CMPSU-600CX 600W ATX12V v2.3 Active PFC Power Supply (Item #: N82E16817139019)

RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL (Item #: N82E16820231277)

Combo: CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX (Item #: N82E16819103808) & HSF: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus Intel Core i5 & Intel Core i7 compatible RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long ... (Item #: N82E16835103065)

 

[jaquith]

^ YEah!

 

[zonova]

Wow, that's an awesome build! Did you just make that?

I found a slightly different combo, and it was with the Phenom II 965, instead of the 955. It was exactly the same really, except it had the other processor.


What is the difference between all the different Radeon 6850s? I found a Gygabyte 6850, an HIS 6850, and an XFC 6850. The HIS seems to be 10 dollars cheaper then XFC, but i have no idea what the difference between the two of them is. The XFC didn't have any reviews either, if that means anything. Which would you recommend?
Here's a chart:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100006519%2050002058%2040000048&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&ActiveSearchResult=True&CompareItemList=48|14-150-515^14-150-515-TS,14-161-348^14-161-348-TS


Also, what manufacturer would you recommend for a mobo? In terms or customer support, and such. I've heard that Asus has gone down in customer service.


Sorry if i sounded rude before, i didn't mean to ^^.

 

[HankB99]

...

Useful CPU link -> http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

Awesome link! I'm considering upgrading a half decade old desktop and it's great to see my old CPU listed. I can get some idea how the newer CPUs compare. Thanks!

... Back to your regularly scheduled thread and apologies to the OP for the mini-hijack.

 

[tecmo34]

Wow, that's an awesome build! Did you just make that?

I just put the build together for your review & is my recommendation.

What is the difference between all the different Radeon 6850s? I found a Gygabyte 6850, an HIS 6850, and an XFC 6850. The HIS seems to be 10 dollars cheaper then XFC, but i have no idea what the difference between the two of them is. The XFC didn't have any reviews either, if that means anything. Which would you recommend?

The XFX is a dual fan setup / better cooling. There are no reviews on the XFX, as the model was just released. For ATI cards, I recommend XFX (1st), Sapphire (2nd), MSI (3rd), Gigabyte (4th) & ASUS (5th) for ATI cards. XFX offers a Lifetime warranty versus 2 years and is the better manufacturer.

Also, what manufacturer would you recommend for a mobo? In terms or customer support, and such. I've heard that Asus has gone down in customer service.

I still rate ASUS the best overall for ATI, followed by Gigabyte & ASRock. For the price range you are looking at, the ASRock board is a solid deal. The best board for price to performance / features is the ASRock 870 Extreme3 in my opinion for roughly $20 more.

 

[zonova]

I found this other Asus mobo that i'm going to compare a bit.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-131-656&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=(keywords)&Page=1#scrollFullInfo


How should i go as to check whether everything i want is compatible?

 

[tecmo34]

The board is compatible with everything that was listed in my build I posted above. I would still consider the ASRock 770 Extreme3 for SATA III & USB 3.0 support at a lower price.

 

[zonova]

I just had another quick question, but it doesnt relate to this. I did not want to make another thread for something this small, so i hope you guys dont mind.


Which of these would you recommend, taking in the company's customer support, as well as the specs. The main difference in specs is the i3 2.4ghz versus an AMD Phenom II x4 2.1ghz.
The 2 laptops

 

[tecmo34]

I would go with the Acer... It has the better overall system (larger screen, faster LAN... etc.). Acer has good customer service and are decent laptops... IMO.

 

[zonova]

Best answer selected by zonova.