Looking for Input/Advice on New System

racerboy45

Distinguished
Sep 17, 2010
24
0
18,510
Hey everyone, new to the board, have read a lot of good stuff so far. I'm looking to build a mid-range gaming computer, below are the components I was looking at putting together. I'd greatly appreciate any input/advice anyone has on my choices.

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W
MB: Asus M4A89TD PRO
Case: Antec 900 Two
RAM: Corsair XMS3 8GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Model CMX8GX3M4A1600C9
Video: Asus ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/1GD5 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) PCI Express SLI Support
PSO: Corsair HX Series CMPSU-750HX 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS SILVER Certified Modular Active

Thanks in advance.
 

duk3

Distinguished
Jan 15, 2010
757
0
19,010
I would switch to the Phenom II x4 955 and then increase the multiplier in the bios to match the speed of the x4 965.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808

8 gb of ram is overkill for gaming, 4 gb is fine.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231321

The gtx 460 looks good, what is your resolution?

The hx750w is overkill for even SLI gtx460, here is a nice combo if you like the case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.492974

If your budget allows, you could try and get an i5 750 computer as the AMD SLI boards do not have the greatest reputation. Additionally, if you can wait, Intel is releasing their new CPUs for LGA1155 sometime later this year and AMD is releasing the Bulldozer CPUs in the 1st quarter of 2011. (Additionally, LGA 2011 should be released 3rd quarter 2011)
 

racerboy45

Distinguished
Sep 17, 2010
24
0
18,510
Thanks duk3, I appeciate your time and advice. I was planning on overclocking the 3.4 to atleast 3.8, maybe more, thats why I was going with the 965. With current Newegg rebates I can get the 750 PSU for just $10 bucks more than the 650 Corsair so I thought what the heck. My monitor can support 1920 x 1200.

I do have another question, I've been running XP for years now and I know I need to upgrade to get the use out of the 4 gigs of RAM, do you recommend Win 7 64B Prof or Ult?

Thanks again


 

Deadstick50

Distinguished
Apr 8, 2010
225
0
18,710
I dont see the point of spending what you plan for that case! you could be just as well served using a Antec Three Hundred Illusion and save a good chunk of money while youre at it!

And you dont list a HDD...if you dont already have one the black edition WD drives have a good reputation and so does the Samsung Spinpoint F3.

I agree with duk3 that 8 GBs of ram is pointless....you get dimishing returns on performance per GB after you top 6GB

Now for the Fermi...... NOOOOOOOOO! Big power sucking HEATER and its not all that better than alot of the others
Just my 2 cents

regards....Dead
 

coldsleep

Distinguished
Dec 18, 2009
2,475
0
19,960
Win 7 Home Premium is enough for most people.

Win 7 differences

Ultimate is mostly useless for a majority of people.

If you need XP mode, then go for Pro, but again, that's something that very few people need. Win 7 has a pretty good track record of compatibility.

Since you're getting an 890FX chipset mobo, it's a shame to get a 460 that you won't be able to SLI. You can get a 5850 for not too much more than a 460 these days, and if you decide to CrossFire down the line, you would be able to.
 

racerboy45

Distinguished
Sep 17, 2010
24
0
18,510
Dead, Thanks, I think I will relook the case, you are correct, I can save myself some money there. 4 gigs it is :) Any suggestions for a video card? I currently have a EVGA GeForce 9800 GT 512MB, just looking for something newer, middle of the road. I do have a new Black WD 1TB drive already to use for this build.
 

duk3

Distinguished
Jan 15, 2010
757
0
19,010
The 965 is the same chip as the 955, I don't even know if they are binned differently. Is $15 worth the .2ghz? In my opinion, no.

At 1900x1200, I would get a gtx460 1gb at least. Anything lower than a gtx460 is going to be a fairly pointless upgrade from a 9800gt. A 5850/470 would be good as well if they can fit in your budget. The gtx 460 is actually an excellent card. It is not a "Big power sucking HEATER". Also, it overclocks great and outperforms the 5830 definitively. In SLI, 2 of these destroy a gtx480 for a lower/same price.
I think a 5850 is the best choice in this case if you don't want to change your motherboard as then you can xfire them in the future.

If you don't mind having a smaller case, the antec 300 illusion is fine, alternatively you could get the new HAF 912 or CM 690 II basic.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119215
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233
The case is more of your personal preference, if you find something that fits in the budget, go for it.

Additionally, if the hx psu makes you happy, go for it. If you want to skip the rebate process, this PSU is just as great:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817207003
 

racerboy45

Distinguished
Sep 17, 2010
24
0
18,510
duk3 - I think I'll look at saving some bucks and get a different case. I've been plucking and chucking components on my wish list on newegg that I think I messed up, I had all intensions of getting an SLI compabable board. What are your thoughts on a decent Asus board that supports SLI? I had this board on my list at one time: ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 NVIDIA nForce 980a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard. Not sure why I replaced it.

If I keep the current board and go with a 5850 for the crossfire option any recommendations on which brand? I didn't look at the 470s, I'll go back and do that.

Thanks again.
 

racerboy45

Distinguished
Sep 17, 2010
24
0
18,510


Thanks coldsleep, I had all intensions of getting a board that supported SLI, don't know how I messed that one up.
 

Deadstick50

Distinguished
Apr 8, 2010
225
0
18,710
Racer.....depends on your budget really but I've been looking at this XFX HD-467X-DDF2 Radeon HD 4670 1GB 128-bit DDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card card on NewEgg for a customer of mine....its under $100 and should be good middle of the road performance, but its not crossfire ready.

Now for crossfire on a budget i would go for this XFX HD-567X-ZNF3 Radeon HD 5670 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card....still at $100 and on a rebate deal and its got great reviews on the Egg 2 of these would do about anything you can think of