First time builder - Pls review my gaming rig.

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cthunder067

cthunder067

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Hello Everyone,
Ok this is the 1st time I ever put together my OWN gaming system. While I am not a hardcore gamer, I wanted a decent system for gaming and watching movies. The games I mostly play are WoW, SCII, Call of Duty and Battlefield. After doing some research (and within my budget) this is what I came up with. Pls give feedback on my new rig.

Budget is $750-$800
MTHBD: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO
CPU: AMD Phenom II x 4 965 BE
Cooler: COOLMASTER Hyper 212+
MEM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
VIDEO: ASUS Radeon HD 6850 EAH6850 DirectCU/2DIS/1GD5 Video Card with Eyefinity ASUS EAH6850 DirectCU/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"
OPTICAL:: Lite-On 24X DVD/Writer iHAS424-98 Lightscribe
POWER: ANTEC EA 650 Watt PS
CASE: ANTEC 300 Illusion
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?BundleExist=N&ID=14858305&ChangeQty=0

Two questions I do have, 1) how is the Memory I selected for my board 2) And since I am not a hardcore gamer. Would you go with the Graphics card listed or go with the ASUS ENGTX460 DirectCU TOP/2DI/768MD5 GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) 768MB?
Thanks
 
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Onus
AMD is fine for low-end home and office PCs, but once you get around $800, AMD has nothing that can touch Sandy Bridge, or even come close. The HD5850 that Why_Me listed is superior to the HD6850 you chose; blame AMD's naming scheme, but the HD6850 is NOT a step up from the HD5850. For whatever reason, some of your games play better on nVidia cards. You may be entirely satisfied with a 1GB GTX460, especially if you don't insist that every setting be maxed. It is comparable in performance to the HD6850. Get the 1GB version rather than 768MB; not so much for the extra RAM but for the wider data path, 256bit vs. 192bit.
If you are bound and determined to buy AMD, wait for Bulldozer. Even if it doesn't match Sandy Bridge, 1) it might...
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Why_Me

Why_Me

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http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066 $69.99 FREE SHIPPING
Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005 $89.99 FREE SHIPPING $69.99 after mail-in rebate card
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.575883 Combo Price: $334.98
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K
GIGABYTE GA-P67A-UD3 LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231274 $42.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL9D-4GBRL

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $16.99 FREE SHIPPING
ASUS Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121375 $209.99 FREE SHIPPING $179.99 after mail-in rebate card
ASUS EAH5850 DIRECTCU/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 5850 (Cypress Pro) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185 $69.99 FREE SHIPPING $15 off with promo code HARDOCP112C, ends 1/19
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Total: $814.92 *not including shipping, promo codes, rebates, etc...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835154003 $6.99 FREE SHIPPING
Tuniq TX-2 Cooling Thermal Compound

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-RR-B10-212P-G1-Universal-Heat-Pipe/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1295487253&sr=1-1 $27.96 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master RR-B10-212P-G1 Hyper 212 Plus
 
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cthunder067

cthunder067

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Thanks for reply but I prefer to stick with AMD because it's cheaper and I would rather have a better Graphics card.
 
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cthunder067

cthunder067

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Definitely, Will get the 1TB Samsung Spin Point Drive.
 
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cthunder067

cthunder067

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Yeah I was thinking about upgrading to the X6 1055. It's only $15 more than the 965 BE and still fits within my budget.
 
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Onus

Onus

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AMD is fine for low-end home and office PCs, but once you get around $800, AMD has nothing that can touch Sandy Bridge, or even come close. The HD5850 that Why_Me listed is superior to the HD6850 you chose; blame AMD's naming scheme, but the HD6850 is NOT a step up from the HD5850. For whatever reason, some of your games play better on nVidia cards. You may be entirely satisfied with a 1GB GTX460, especially if you don't insist that every setting be maxed. It is comparable in performance to the HD6850. Get the 1GB version rather than 768MB; not so much for the extra RAM but for the wider data path, 256bit vs. 192bit.
If you are bound and determined to buy AMD, wait for Bulldozer. Even if it doesn't match Sandy Bridge, 1) it might; 2) it will offer an upgrade path; 3) it will outperform current AMD offerings.
 
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G

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Whoah! AMD Phenom II X4 is reaching the end of it's life dude!

You either change this to an Intel build and use the new Sandybrige series which came out like last week!
OR
If you insist on AMD which doesn't look like it has a bright future ahead of it as Intel just released a near equivalent to it's own $1000 processor for $300!

I would wait for AMD's new processor line, to date there is no confirmed release date but AMD is screwed man!

You HAVE TO get a Sandybrige build!

Sandybrige beats AMD's processors, it's cheaper than AMD's processors in terms of being the best "bang for the buck" and the socket 1155 just came out so it will offer an upgrade path in the future just like jtt283 said.

You will absolutely regret your AMD build when you realize the awe of Sandybrige...
 
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rwayne

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I already own a AMD Phenom II 965x4 BE and I can tell you if I was buying today I would definitely get a Sandy Bridge Processor. The 965x4 is no longer the best value out there. Intel has more Bang for the Buck in this market segment right now than anything AMD can currently offer.

On another note....The Nvidia GTX560 is being released next Tues, Jan 25th. You may want to wait another 2 weeks before you buy.
1.) It will allow you to add to your budget
2.) The release of the GTX560 will most likely drive down the price of the other cards below it for both ATI and Nvidia.

Ram is so dirt cheap right now you may want to consider 8 gigs over 4.
 
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cthunder067

cthunder067

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Good call, thanks :)
 
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Onus

Onus

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Actually, he isn't. The fact remains that just because Sandy Bridge is the fastest processor you can get now doesn't mean that suddenly games can't be played and enjoyed using an Athlon II X3. That isn't likely to change in the foreseeable future.
 
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G

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Here are some posts from other threads that I've answered:

" AMD is gonna get totally screwed if:

The new AM3+ processors can't compete with Intel's performance, because they would have to go extremely cheap as now Intel sells its processors that beat AMD's at a very low price.

OR

If they planned on prices that compared to the previous generation i3/i5/i7, because now they are less than half the price.
The Phenom II X6 1090T is $230, and the i7 2600k, almost double the performance is $320.

If they planned on a processor that beats the X6, they probably planned for a price around $320 so that it would be much cheaper than the 980x,

NOW an Intel equivalent to its own 980x is available for that price so...

AMD RiP"


AND

"...Buying AMD would save you money NOW but waste your money later because the AM3 socket is reaching the end of it's life giving you little path for upgrades in the future which means you would have to go for a whole new build instead of an upgrade.

Buying Intel now would go over your budget a bit but would save you money in the future as you would not need to upgrade soon having the latest processors and a socket (1155) that came out a bit over a week ago. When you decide to upgrade you won't need to change the motherboard which is a pain in the ass, just quick switch your graphics, processor and RAM

This is why an Intel build will be a smarter choice; why ruin a chance to buy a motherboard with a socket that just came out.

AMD is very soon releasing it's new 32nm processor bulldozing the AM3 socket.
"


 
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Onus

Onus

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I am not suggesting that Intel is not "vastly superior" to AMD. I am stating that an AMD processor remains "good enough" for any game out there.
I would not buy AMD today unless my budget were severely constrained, BUT, if I was limited to AMD, I know I could still play any game.
 
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cthunder067

cthunder067

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Here are some posts from other threads that I've answered:

" AMD is gonna get totally screwed if:

The new AM3+ processors can't compete with Intel's performance, because they would have to go extremely cheap as now Intel sells its processors that beat AMD's at a very low price.

OR

If they planned on prices that compared to the previous generation i3/i5/i7, because now they are less than half the price.
The Phenom II X6 1090T is $230, and the i7 2600k, almost double the performance is $320.

If they planned on a processor that beats the X6, they probably planned for a price around $320 so that it would be much cheaper than the 980x,

NOW an Intel equivalent to its own 980x is available for that price so...

AMD RiP"


AND

"...Buying AMD would save you money NOW but waste your money later because the AM3 socket is reaching the end of it's life giving you little path for upgrades in the future which means you would have to go for a whole new build instead of an upgrade.

Buying Intel now would go over your budget a bit but would save you money in the future as you would not need to upgrade soon having the latest processors and a socket (1155) that came out a bit over a week ago. When you decide to upgrade you won't need to change the motherboard which is a pain in the ass, just quick switch your graphics, processor and RAM

This is why an Intel build will be a smarter choice; why ruin a chance to buy a motherboard with a socket that just came out.

AMD is very soon releasing it's new 32nm processor bulldozing the AM3 socket.
"
Click to expand...

MN96, I appreciate your concern. But I need a system now and while Intels Sandy Bridge system is better than AMD's. The AMD system fits my budget. And the AMD3+ Bulldozer configuration probably won't be out for another 5-6 months. Which means I wouldn't be upgrading for at least a year or year and half. And then I probably would only have to replace my mthbd and maybe the X6 processor if not supported.

Here is my final build
MTHBD: ASUS M4A79XTD EVO
CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1055T Thuban 2.8GHz
Cooler: COOLMASTER Hyper 212+
MEM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
VIDEO: ASUS EAH6850 DirectCU/2DIS/1GD5 Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5
- It's temporarily out of stock. ETA 1/31/11 - I may hold out for 2 weeks hoping the prices will come down by then. And I can get something better.
HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB ($55)

OPTICAL:: Lite-On 24X DVD/Writer iHAS424-98 Lightscribe

POWER: ANTEC EA 650 Watt PS
CASE: ANTEC 300 Illusion
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

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Out of curiosity...what is the final price for that build ?
 
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cthunder067

cthunder067

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Comes to 788.25 with Shipping and Taxes - Exlcuding Rebates (70.00 in rebates)
(MTHBD, HD and Cooler + Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound Bought from Amazon)
Haven't purchased the Graphics Card, it's out of stock until 1/31/11. The price is included in the total, could be cheaper if the price comes down. Oh and the rebates would probably drop $50.00 if I don't buy the card by the 31st.
 
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Why_Me

Why_Me

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Not bad...that's some pretty thrifty shopping :)
 
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