[New System Build] AMD Gaming PC - ~$700 - New Build

D@rkness

May 3, 2010 3:42:24 PM

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: In the next month or so
BUDGET RANGE: ~$700 (Max is $750)
SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Gaming, Watching Movies, Web Surfing
PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: www.newegg.ca
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
OVERCLOCKING: No
SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Yes, if I could get better performance at the same price
MONITOR RESOLUTION: TBD, see below

PARTS NOT REQUIRED:
I am definitely reusing my case: Coolermaster CM690, not sold on newegg anymore as it has been replaced by the CM690 II, the differences between the two appear to be mainly cosmetic though.
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Duorb, if it ends up being compatible with the build.

Would like to keep the overall noise of the rig down when it is idle, I currently have an NZXT Sentry with separate settings for when the computer is idle and when it is under heavy load and that has worked out pretty well for me.

Current Shopping List:
CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor Model ADX630WFGIBOX
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103704
Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394
RAM: G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193
Video Card: SAPPHIRE 100283L Radeon HD 5770 (Juniper XT) 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102858
Power Supply: OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341022
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284
Monitor: Currently have a 19” Acer Monitor, looking for something bigger that I can also use for my PS3, 23-27” display. Cost of the monitor is separate from the build cost (budget 200-$300)

More about : system build amd gaming 700

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antisyzygy

May 3, 2010 4:03:50 PM

Switch to a Samsung f3 1 TB HD. Its cheaper and faster. Otherwise thats a decent build.

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tecmo34

May 3, 2010 4:05:57 PM

CPU/MOBO: AMD Athlon II X3 440 Rana 3.0GHz & GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 AM3 - The CPU will perform slightly better in gaming with the higher clock speeds and the Gigabyte board is similar cost, as yours. The motherboard gives you SATA 6.0Gb/s and USB 3.0 support, along with DDR3 support to match your RAM selection.

HDD: Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB - Faster and Cheaper

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D@rkness

May 3, 2010 8:50:10 PM

Thanks for the tip on the samsung drive. As for the cpu: I've heard a couple times now that a higher clock speed will have more benefit to gaming than adding more cores, is there any difference to be noted in applications other than games by dropping one core?

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fastx21

May 3, 2010 8:52:32 PM

Yeah only other problems you would run into is video rendering or such. But you wanted a gaming rig first so the Rana x3 is perfect for your budget. Keep in mind you can OC your rana and possibly unlock the 4th core but don't cross your fingers on that last bit.

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