New build (advice on ram and cpu cooler)

bainsy

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Jul 11, 2010
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Hello from the UK :) First post so be gentle! Right I'm currently finalizing a parts list for a new build intended to do some gaming as well as to try my hand at overclocking. I also plan on perhaps trying crossfire graphics in the future.

I'd like your thoughts on this parts list as well as your opinions on what memory and what cooler I should go for :)

Parts:

Mobo: Asus Crosshair IV Formula AMD 890FX (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-398-AS

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 965 Black Edition 3.40GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-253-AM

PSU: Corsair HX 650W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650HXUK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-022-CS

GPU: XFX ATI Radeon HD 5830 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-168-XF

Case: Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two Ultimate Gaming Case - Black
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-110-AN

HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (WD3200AAKS)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-130-WD

Optical Drive: LiteOn IHAS124-19 24x DVD±RW ReWriter SATA - (Black) OEM
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-097-LO

TIM: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound (3.5g)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=AC-000-AC

Any help or advice will be greatly appreciated :)


APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: this week BUDGET RANGE: 800 pounds

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS

PREFERRED WEBSITES FOR PARTS: Overclockers.co.uk (but open to most sites) COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: UK

PARTS PREFERENCES: AMD CPU

OVERCLOCKING: Yes CROSSFIRE: Yes / Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680x1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Also run a small second monitor for chat windows / music when not gaming.
 

Mark Heath

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Apr 28, 2010
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If you're o'cing, then a 955 is the same as a 965, just with a lower stock clock, so save a few bucks.. er.. pounds, and get the 955.

You might want to get an aftermarket cpu cooler on there if you're getting thermal compound, especially if you're o'cing more than just a little bit. Ed: sorry, bad thinking by me when I read the thread title. (oops) The Cooler Master Hyper 212+ is good, as long as you don't pay masses for it. My advice on the RAM is avoid the current line of OCZ and get something with good timings at the speed you want.
 
Welcome to the boards Bainsy.

We have a format that helps us help you:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice
Answering those questions will answer my questions ;) just edit your original post.

I don't care that much for that particular HD, and I do own one. Reliable but slightly noisy and not too fast. The Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB or the Seagate drive are better and not too pricey...
http://www.dabs.com/products/seagate-500gb-barracuda-7200-12-7200rpm-sata-300-16mb-5HQ4.html?refs=52100000-4294951586

See? Less than you are paying for the WD, faster and more space.

And +1 to everything Mark said.

Getting DDR3 that defaults to 1333 can sometimes save headaches when dealing with AMD. Here is some RAM
Kingston 1333 CL 7, the voltage is a bit high but the price is right.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169488




 

bainsy

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Jul 11, 2010
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Hi guys,

I'll give my original post an edit then :)

Thanks to the advice in regards the cpu cooler and ram. I'm just about to read a few reviews and do a little more research. I'll probably go with the hard drive you linked me, I didn't put that much thought into my original choice.

In regards to the processor. That was silly, I meant to link you the 955 (It was early haha) so yes I'll be going with that.

Thanks for your help guys, really good informative forum :)
 
I'm not real excited about the board. The first and second PCI-E slots are too close for large GPUs in crossfire. Also, we know that the extra bandwidth doesn't make that much difference in frame rates so I rarely recommend 890FX. There ARE some pluses however, especially if you will use the SATA 6GB/s or USB 3.

890GX board:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-393-AS&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1782

890FX board with better spacing
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Home/Product/47158/Asus-motherboard-M4A89TD-PRO-AMD-AM3-DDR3-ATX

 

bainsy

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Jul 11, 2010
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Hmm. Well I don't think I'm that likely to be using the USB 3.0 that much nor the 6GB/S. Crossfire is something I'd like to do in the future with this build.

Which would you recommend I go for out of the two you linked?
 
I think you should go with the GX. The limited bandwidth won't be as much of an issue with 5830s, and you do keep that USB 3 option open that way. You never know what new gadget you'll want next year.
 

bainsy

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Jul 11, 2010
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My updated list of parts :)

GPU: XFX ATI Radeon HD 5830 1024MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-168-XF

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 Quad Core 955 Black Edition 3.20GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-244-AM

MOBO: Asus M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 AMD 890GX (Socket AM3) DDR3 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-393-AS

PSU: Corsair HX 650W ATX Modular SLI Compliant Power Supply (CMPSU-650HXUK)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-022-CS

Case: Antec 902 Nine Hundred Two Ultimate Gaming Case - Black
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-110-AN

HDD: Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA-II 32MB Cache - OEM (HD103SJ)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HD-082-SA

Optical Drive: LiteOn IHAS124-19 24x DVD±RW ReWriter SATA - (Black) OEM
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CD-097-LO

TIM: Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound

RAM: Kingston 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1333MHz HyperX Memory Kit CL7 1.7V
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/169488

CPU cooler: Coolermaster Hyper 212 Plus CPU Cooler
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/prods/Components/Cooling/CPUCoolers/Coolermaster/RR-B10-212P-GP.html

Hopefully be ordering this soon. Any thoughts / comments guys?

Also thanks for all the help so far :)