AMD Budget Build - First Build

fauxmatic

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Oct 21, 2010
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EDIT: OK, I've cleaned this up a lot now that I think I know what I'm looking for.

Approximate Purchase Date: Late November - Early December

Budget Range: $450 - $550 (After Rebates ...but the cheaper the better)

System Usage from Most to Least Important:
*I'll be using Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit
- Browsing the internet
- Light Gaming (Just single player)
- Downloading Movies/Music
- iTunes/iPhone
- Word Processing & Light Photoshop
- Converting/Transcoding Film from MKV to MPG format

Parts Not Required:
- Mouse
- Monitor
- Speakers
- OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg

Country of Origin: Orlando, FL, USA

Parts Preferences: AMD

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080 (Video Card must have DisplayPort)

Additional Comments:
- I would like a small, quiet, and power efficient PC
- I'm going with a Dual Core CPU based on the many comments about unlocking extra cores and ease of overclocking.
- My friend has a USB external CD Burner, so I don't plan on purchasing an optical drive. Will this suffice to install Windows 7?
 

jbakerlent

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Welcome to the forum. Ok, honestly I'm confused by the PS3 part, but I'll just go off what I did understand. For an AM3 platform here's what I would get

X4 965
870 Motherboard should be fine since you don't need to crossfire
This RAM (lower latencies)
Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB -$90-
The Green HDD doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of your build IMO, I would just go for the standard F3, 7200.12, etc.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB -$55-
My vote goes for the HD 5670, out of those choices.
HSF: Hyper 212+
PSU: SeaSonic S12II 520W -$75-

I'd just go for an Antec 300 Illusion for the case.
 

fauxmatic

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Oct 21, 2010
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jbakerlent - I have a USB device that I connect to my PS3 and to my PC. I run a small program on my PC, and the PS3 registers it as a PS2 controller. Basically my computer is emulating a controller---the mouse and keyboard act as all the buttons you would find on a controller. Why? I get to aim using a mouse instead of having to use analog sticks, which I'm terrible at.

I really appreciate the feedback, I've swapped out certain parts with the ones you recommended, but both of these builds are running a little high.

A few questions:

1. So based on what you guys recommended, you think I should go for a higher end system? Remember, I really don't plan to use this for gaming, I just want it to be fast to handle the uses I mentioned. Is there a much cheaper build that would still perform well to satisfy my uses?

2. You guys both recommended the CM Hyper 212+, and I was reading some of the reviews, do you think it would be a problem with the mobo and case choices as far fitting and not blocking anything?

3. Mosox, you recommended the LIAN LI Lancool case, does that case really make a difference with the cooling and temperature control or should I go cheaper?


If anyone else has some suggestions for a build, please share and if you don't mind, explain why the choice ..I'm new and still trying to figure out everything.

THANKS
 
GIGABYTE GA-880GA-UD3H + AMD Athlon II X3 445
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.538106
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB + LIAN LI Lancool PC-K58W + BFG Tech GS-550 550W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.514361
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181
SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100284VXL Radeon HD 5750
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102865

$482.94

That PSU might not be very good but it's free with the RAM/case combo and I don't want to add another one. If you're not happy with it you can get another one. Lancool are very good cases and in that combo above ends up very cheap too.

 

fauxmatic

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Oct 21, 2010
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Alright thanks to both of you, I've managed to choose from both of your recommendations and create some builds. I also rewrote my opening post, because now I finally think I know what I need. So please advise if you think anything can be changed.

BUILD 1:
- Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
- ASRock 880GXH/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
- Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
- COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
- SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100284VXL Radeon HD 5750 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready
- AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition Callisto 3.2GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core
- OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Bare Drive

Total: $587.85 | After Rebates: $543

BUILD 2:
- Same Exact Parts
- ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
- AMD Phenom II X3 740 Black Edition Heka 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache 95W - OEM

Total: $588.92 | After Rebates: $544

------------------------------------------------------

Some Other Parts:
- Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $10 Cheaper, 2 Less Fans - ?
- SAPPHIRE Vapor-X 100283VX-2L Radeon HD 5770 - $20 More, 5770 Model - ?

*There were some other Case/PSU combos, but I went with the reviews for the Fatal1ty PSu. Also the Fatal1ty has a combo for the Samsung HDD. If anyone see's better combos with solid ratings let me know.

Comments:
- I'm going with a Dual Core/Triple Core CPU based on the many comments about unlocking extra cores and ease of overclocking.
- My mobo accepts: DDR3 1800(OC)/1600(OC)/1333/1066/800 ...should I go with a higher RAM, 1600 maybe, and then OC it to work?
- My friend has a USB external CD Burner, so I don't plan on purchasing an optical drive. Will this suffice to install Windows 7?
 
For better Photoshop, gaming, in general performance: 955BE + HD 6850?

$562AR
Untitled-1063.jpg
 

fauxmatic

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Oct 21, 2010
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Mosox thanks for the help, couldn't have done it without you guys. I completely forgot about the X3, but yeh its the better option and I'll upgrade to the 5770. Made a mistake on Build 2 yesterday, neglected to include the shipping but this is looking like the final build for when it comes time to purchase:

BUILD 2:
- Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
- ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
- Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)
- COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
- SAPPHIRE 100283-3L Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready
- AMD Phenom II X3 740 Black Edition Heka 3.0GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache 95W - OEM
- OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Bare Drive

Total w/ Shipping: $620.78 | After Rebates: $576

Final Thoughts: I would've liked it a little cheaper, considering I still have to pay someone to put it together for me and I still have to buy a monitor which could either be $240 or $360 ...bringing the total build cost to around $916 - $1036. But, I'm happy with these parts because of the reviews which were positive and mostly 5 Eggs.

------------------------------

Batuchka, when I first saw your post I was like, damn just when I thought I had a good build you dropped this option on the table. I really appreciate you taking the time to view my post and suggest a build because I originally wanted a quad-core and I didn't even think the 6850 was feasible, but I wasn't too comfortable with some of the feedback on the mobo and case. Also after I add in the Hyper 212+ and swap out the mobo/case, for example, and add shipping it's still exceeding my budget. I didn't wanna spend $576 either but I'm thinking in the long run, it maybe another four years before I replace my PC again.
 
Actually i have hands on experience with some of the lesser known hardware before i suggest it ( i couldn't comment on others) so i have zero issues with a HD 6850 based config at this price point hehe For budget rigs best go for best frames/$$ and leave clocking, etc with more $$ down the road Your games come to a crawl faster with an inferior GPU rather than not eeking out 200-300mhz more via OC going from a $6x mobo to a $8x-1xx one @@


The Game Rundown: Finding CPU/GPU Bottlenecks, Part 2
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/game-performance-bottleneck,2738-16.html
Conclusion: A Trend Toward 3+ Cores

The average optimal number of CPU cores suggested by the test results is 2.75, showing a clear trend towards at least three CPU cores.The question of whether the CPU or GPU is most important is easily answered. If you don't have a multi-core CPU, then upgrade it. If you have a dual-core CPU at around 3 GHz, then invest your money into a graphics card, as most games are GPU-limited. This is not something that will change with new DirectX 11 games.
 

fauxmatic

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Oct 21, 2010
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Mosox:

I think I'ma take your advice and build this myself. I'm a little daunted, it will be my first time and I'm worried about a few things, but I know everything should be detailed in the manuals, etc. I also think I'ma pick up the 6850.

Also, I'm not sure if you remember my original opening post, but I had written that there was more emphasis on the monitor aspect of this build than anything because I plan to use my PS3 with the monitor.

My choices are:

1. 23" Dell UltraSharp U2311H - IPS Panel - $240
2. 27" ASUS VE278Q - TN Panel - $360

They each have their pro's/con's ..but that's a whole other topic lol

Batuchka:

Hey I trust your opinion, that's why I'm here, and I've read a few of your other posts and you seem to know what you're talking about. But just bare with me as I'm trying to understand all of this info lol.

- I've seen that "Trend Toward 3+ Cores" a few times now, so wouldn't I be going in the right direction with a triple-core that can possibly be unlocked to a quad-core?

- Could my current build work if I switched to the 6850? (Because once again I really like my mobo/case choices)

----------------------------------------

To both of you, if I switch to the 6850, should I purchase a VGA cooler (Ex: Zalman VF900)?

I keep reading posts about OCing the card, and Batuchka from what I understand of your post it would make my GPU even more powerful and therefore reducing the bottleneck effect?

----------------------------------------

Revised Build 2 w/ 6850
Total w/ Shipping: $652.85 | After Rebate: $623

Revised Build 2 w/ 6850 & VGA Cooler
Total w/ Shipping: $685.00 | After Rebate: $655
 

fauxmatic

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Oct 21, 2010
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@batuchka: If you look at my very first posting of Build 2, you'll notice I've had the 870 all along. And I'm taking your advice about the Unlocking/Overclocking, it is a bonus, and thanks to one of your other posts, I saw you find a great combo for an X4 + RAM.

@mosox: Thanks man, I'll look in to that monitor.

---------

Build 3:
- Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
- OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W ATX12V v2.2 / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
- ASRock 870 EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX
- COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus
- SAPPHIRE 100315L Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready
- SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD502HJ 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - Bare Drive
- Mushkin Enhanced Blackline 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Model 996781 (CL 8)
- AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core

Total w/ shipping: $688.85 | After Rebates: $659

1. Should I purchase a VGA cooler (Zalman VF900) ...thoughts anyone?
2. Anyone else care to comment on this build?