First Time w/ AMD, Help Me?

ryu hitokiri

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Apr 15, 2010
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Hey guys, I just joined this forum. I'm seeing your advice for my new PC build. I've build one PC back in 2007, it was an Intel nVidia build. This time, I looking to go with AMD because what you get for what you pay is such a better deal over Intel.

Uses: I'm pretty much on my computer from the time I get home from school to the time I go to bed, a little no life, I know. I always have iTunes running when I'm using Firefox and AIM. Sometimes I'll also have Skype open. I also do a little video editing with Sony Vegas and editing in Photoshop.

My Plans:
I'm planning on going with an AMD quad core.
I'm thinking of going with Windows 7 32bit because of the compatibility issues with 64 bit with some programs.
I'm looking to go with a Gigabyte board. Granted, my old build was a Gigabyte and it just died on me, but their technical support is great. If there is another board with a better deal, and it's a different brand, I'm fine with that.

Questions I Have:
Is 64 bit really worth it, and does this mean I should get 2GB or 4GB of RAM?

Parts (So Far)
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139006
 

tecmo34

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My Recommendation...
■CPU/MOBO Combo: AMD Athlon II X4 620 Propus & ASUS M4A785TD-M EVO - More than enough power for what you need. You aren't doing heavy video editing, so the Athlon II X4 will meet your needs... IMO
■RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
■HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
■GPU: On-board video --- more than enough power for your needs, since you don't list gaming as an activity
■Case / PSU: Antec 300 Illusion & Antec EarthWatts 430D
■OS: Windows 7 Pro - You want 64-bit OS and with going with Pro (or Ultimate), you can get the Virtual XP free to run programs that aren't compatible.

Cost: $622.93
 
I would go with a 64 bit OS if you plan on 4 gigs of ram. My wife and kids have some real old PC games and all of them have np on Windows 7 home 64 bit.

You could go Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM if your worried, this OS has Windows XP Mode.

If you could read the sticky http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice and give us some more info, we can better help you with your build.

Also post your monitors rez
 

ryu hitokiri

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Apr 15, 2010
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My apologies, I now that see that my original post wasn't very informative. I don't need a hard drive or case. I have a Corsair HX520W PSU from 2007, should I buy a new one or keep it? Also, I game occasionally, but nothing hardcore and it doesn't need to be the latest and greatest.

tecmo - Sony Vegas is heavy video editing, especially when you have three different video tracks and you need to preview them simultaneously. Also, I would like to have SATA 6 GB/s and USB 3.0 on my new board.

niklas - I don't think my monitor goes above 1280x1024, but I might upgrade in the future.
 

tecmo34

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At your resolution, the 8800 GT is plenty strong enough. This will save you initial money upfront. Next, you can drop down to Win7 Home 64-bit if need be.

After you buy your system upgrade, I would look to save more money up and upgrade your monitor to a 1920x1080 monitor and purchase an ATI 5770 or higher GPU, this will give you a very nice well rounded system.
 

False_Dmitry_II

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Meh @ suggestion of 16:9 monitor

Do you want me to look at some gigabyte boards? There are plenty of them for the same or cheaper than that ASUS. I like their tech support too, and both of my desktops have gigabyte boards in them.

If you're a student, apparently they've continued the student thing, just for $65 http://www.win741.com/ you just have to have a valid .edu email address. I had no idea that it was still there.

Other than that I'd say you need to be willing to edit settings in your BIOS for 1600 speed RAM if you don't want to get 1.5 volt 1333 RAM and it should just work at the correct speeds and timings.
 

False_Dmitry_II

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This one has SATAIII and USB3 it doesn't have any onboard graphics but as long as you're using that 8800 GT this isn't an issue.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128419

This one has crossfire

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128416

I'm surprised the 880G chipset one doesn't say if it has those two things because the 8XX line of chipset stuff should. But it's so new that it isn't even on gigabyte's site so it might have USB3.0 and SATAIII.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128439
 

ryu hitokiri

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Apr 15, 2010
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18,510


Yep, I just listening them separate. Thanks!