AMD/ATI alternative to my build

[woltej1]

I'm building a new desktop with a budget for the tower around 700-800. I'm loyal to intel and nvidia since i've used them without a problem. unfortunately, at least intel, comes at a higher price and since i'm on a budget and don't know AMD i was wondering if someone could post an AMD/ATI build that is of similar performance to the one i have now. Most likely the GPU would be a 6850, 5830 or 5850 if there any priced low enough as i can get a gtx 460 for $180. Here's the components that i have so far that are important to this thread.

mobo: ASUS P7P55D Deluxe LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard

gpu: EVGA 01G-P3-1370-TR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

CPU: Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield 2.66GHz 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1156 95W Quad-Core Processor BX80605I5750

memory: Patriot Viper II Sector 5 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory w/ 3DMark Vantage Model PVV34G1600LLKB


keep in mind that the only reason i'd change builds is for saving money so please don't recommend a processor that's $50 more for the reason of extra performance.

 

[reaper2794]

The parts you have picked are pretty good

I would personally highly suggest Intel over AMD, and AMD (ATI) for GPUs over nVidia

For the RAM, I would suggest these modules as they have a CAS Latency of 7 which is good for gaming, and they have a heat dissipating design and they're a very reliable brand

G.Skill Ripjaws (2 x 2GB) DDR3 @ 1333 MHz CL7 - http://goo.gl/hLMJT

For a hard drive, this is the best bang for the buck without a doubt

Samsung Spinpoint F3 1 TB - http://goo.gl/VCpcK

Here's a list of 6850's from trusted manufacturers

ATI Radeon HD 6850 - http://goo.gl/3IbIe

If you could increase your budget by 50-100, it'd probably help a lot, 850 would be great for a nice PC

Here's a list of DVD Burners, from lowest to highest in price, all retail, no OEM junk

CD/DVD Burner List - http://goo.gl/U8xnG

You also didn't tel us what you want to do with your computer

Seems like you don't have a case, if you want a tower that looks great and has some great features all for a great price, I'd recommend:

NZXT Lexa S - http://goo.gl/9P8AY

Yeah you can get the HAF or Antec 300 cases, but I think they look real boxy and plain, I'm very picky and it'd be like getting a car thats look junky on the outside, but is super comfortable on the inside, it just doesn't do the trick for me, but it's up to you

You'll need a PSU, a 650W will suffice, here's a nice affordable PSU from a great great brand

Corsair 650TX - http://goo.gl/eqmeW

Also, from now when you link, it'd be great if you put things in this format:

Name Of The Part

Newegg Link (or goo.gl link since it's shorter and more organized)

Best answer is appreciated if you feel I helped you the most once you're done, all questions are welcome

 

[coldsleep]

With AMD, the most equivalent processor is going to be the Phenom II X4 955, 965, or 970. If you're going to overclock, the 955 is the best value. The 965 is $10 more, but still cheaper than the i5. For motherboards, you can spend less than an equivalent P55 mobo and get the same features, or you can spend a little more and get features equivalent to an X58 mobo (16x/16x PCI-E lanes, etc.). If you don't plan to CrossFire, you can get an excellent board for under/around $100.

CPU - Phenom II X4 955 - $156 - appears to be out of stock at the moment, was in stock yesterday
Mobo (P55 equivalent) - ASRock 880G Extreme3 - $110 - Crossfire-capable, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0 Gb/s.
Mobo (X58 equivalent) - ASUS M4A89TD PRO/USB3 - $165 - 16x/16x PCI-E lanes, USB 3.0, SATA 6.0 Gb/s.
Mobo (no Crossfire) - Gigabyte 870A-UD3 - $95 - USB 3.0, SATA 6.0 Gb/s, no Crossfire.

With either build, this RAM is less expensive and has better timings: Mushkin CAS 7 1600 MHz 4 GB kit - $80 + free shipping.

Total:
X58 equiv. mobo - $346 + GPU (+$10 if upgrading to X4 965)
P55 equiv. mobo - $401 + GPU (+$10 if upgrading to X4 965)
no Crossfire - $331 + GPU (+$10 if upgrading to X4 965)

If you plan to Crossfire eventually, go with a 6850. Currently the least expensive is $200, but there are some that are currently out of stock going for $190 or so. If you never plan to SLI/Crossfire, just get the 1 GB GTX 460. There's very minmal difference between the two cards right now, so the decision should really be made based on price/warranty.

 

[reaper2794]

6850 FTW!!!! xD

Yes, coldsleep has some great suggestions up there, Im just an Intel/ATI fan so yeah haha

I'd probably wanna be able to Crossfire in the future for games, so you probably wanna keep that in mind, 6850's are GREAT for Crossfire

 

[woltej1]

thanks for the responses guys, i think for the gpu i'll stick with the gtx 460. ati doesn't give better performance for less money really, i've read many reviews and comparisons and the gtx 460 is always ahead the 5830 and exchanges places with the 6850 for fps.

but as far as the CPU goes mobo goes, i doubt i'll mess with CPU OC'in, the cpu usually isn't the chokepoint of a gaming system anyways, especially a quad core. so a cpu that will take to OC'in well isn't a priority at all. i may consider a SLI in the future as an alternative to buying a new single card. I'd like RAM that runs at 1600.

Based on this, CPU oc'in not important, SLI possibility, and 1600mhz, what would be the best mobo, memory and cpu combo for me.

p.s.- all the other components are picked, just looking at what the AMD alternative would be.

p.s.s.- can amd based mobo's sli? intel mobo's always have sli/crossfire ready in the description while amd based mobos only talk about crossfire.

 

[reaper2794]

The HZ on your RAM won't make a difference, it's the CAS Latency, so forget the HZ, think bout the CL

 

[coldsleep]

Most AMD mobos do not SLI, which is why AMD/ATI usually go together in AMD builds.

AMD mobos with an nVidia northbridge mobos can SLI, but they're not frequently recommended around here. I'm not particularly familiar with them. You'd be looking at something like this ASUS board for $140 if you want to get an AMD board that will SLI. None of these boards appear to have USB 3.0 or SATA 6.0 Gb/s, if that's important to you.

 

[woltej1]

The HZ on your RAM won't make a difference, it's the CAS Latency, so forget the HZ, think bout the CL

is this a decent RAM? Patriot Viper II Sector 5 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model PVV34G1333LLK

 

[coldsleep]

Without the mail-in-rebate, the Mushkin RAM I linked above is slightly better at the same price. With the MIR, though, that Patriot RAM is a really good deal.

 

[reaper2794]

You won't see a huge diff with the MHz, might as well get the nice looking one that's from G.Skill and with the heat dissipating design too

 

[reaper2794]

Mal we already have a build for him, you're basically countering our efforts...