1st time building an AMD system $1,000-1,500 Help for motherboard

[Guest]

Hello Tomshardware community, im a long time visitor, but a first time builder. I am not computer illiterate and I find my self some what of an amateur and worked on my laptop / friends computers in my spare time.
I always wanted to make a custom built computer and now I have the money to start buying.

Im not much of an asking for help kind of person, but one part that is giving me a big headache is the motherboard. Plus any other parts that you may help me with and advice


Approximate Purchase Date: Around February-April 2011


Budget Range: $1000 - $1500 before rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Flight Simulator X, light to medium CAD work (Blender), Physics based PC games like Rigs of Rods (www.rigsofrods.com) internet, youtube, video/picture editing. Maybe some games in the future (not Crysis quality)


Parts Not Required: Do not need a mouse. Monitor and wireless adapter not necessary right now I can use my TV as a monitor


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, ebay.com (new only), amazon.com, tigerdirect.com


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: AMD, ATI, Corsair, Asus, Zalman,


Overclocking: maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, but not anytime soon


Monitor Resolution: no clue :/


Additional Comments:
I am (or want to) build an AMD based system with a 4-core CPU. or maybe a 6 core listed here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849&cm_re=1090t-_-19-103-849-_-Product

Computer case I want:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139003

The HDD I don't really need a big HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771

CD/DVD drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771

Windows 7 home premium, Artic Silver 5 compound, and buying an anti-static wrist strap

I might get this kind of RAM im currently doing more research
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231278&Tpk=G%20Skill%20RipJaw%20F3-%2012800CL8D

The powersupply. I would like a corsair brand to go along with the case brand name. I think I don't need 850 watts. I would like advice/help on that
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

CPU cooler. I might buy this one, or the Corsair H50. Reviews say this Zalman 120mm is better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118046

Graphics card: I haven't done any new research since the new ATI 5600-5800 series (will do research soon)

And the part I need the most help on is the motherboard. I know there is a chance I will get a DOA one, but I read so many 1-3 star reviews and problems. After my headache I "think" this is the best in my price range? Definably need help with a motherboard for the AM3 socket. Im sure I don't need a $300 motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647&cm_re=M4A87TD-_-13-131-647-_-Product

 

[jerryman]

Hello Tomshardware community, im a long time visitor, but a first time builder. I am not computer illiterate and I find my self some what of an amateur and worked on my laptop / friends computers in my spare time.
I always wanted to make a custom built computer and now I have the money to start buying.

Im not much of an asking for help kind of person, but one part that is giving me a big headache is the motherboard. Plus any other parts that you may help me with and advice


Approximate Purchase Date: Around February-April 2011


Budget Range: $1000 - $1500 before rebates


System Usage from Most to Least Important: Flight Simulator X, light to medium CAD work (Blender), Physics based PC games like Rigs of Rods (www.rigsofrods.com) internet, youtube, video/picture editing. Maybe some games in the future (not Crysis quality)


Parts Not Required: Do not need a mouse. Monitor and wireless adapter not necessary right now I can use my TV as a monitor


Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Newegg.com, ebay.com (new only), amazon.com, tigerdirect.com


Country of Origin: USA


Parts Preferences: AMD, ATI, Corsair, Asus, Zalman,


Overclocking: maybe


SLI or Crossfire: Maybe, but not anytime soon


Monitor Resolution: no clue :/


Additional Comments:
I am (or want to) build an AMD based system with a 4-core CPU. or maybe a 6 core listed here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
or
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849&cm_re=1090t-_-19-103-849-_-Product

Computer case I want:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139003

The HDD I don't really need a big HDD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771

CD/DVD drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136771

Windows 7 home premium, Artic Silver 5 compound, and buying an anti-static wrist strap

I might get this kind of RAM im currently doing more research
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231278&Tpk=G%20Skill%20RipJaw%20F3-%2012800CL8D

The powersupply. I would like a corsair brand to go along with the case brand name. I think I don't need 850 watts. I would like advice/help on that
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139009

CPU cooler. I might buy this one, or the Corsair H50. Reviews say this Zalman 120mm is better.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118046

Graphics card: I haven't done any new research since the new ATI 5600-5800 series (will do research soon)

And the part I need the most help on is the motherboard. I know there is a chance I will get a DOA one, but I read so many 1-3 star reviews and problems. After my headache I "think" this is the best in my price range? Definably need help with a motherboard for the AM3 socket. Im sure I don't need a $300 motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131647&cm_re=M4A87TD-_-13-131-647-_-Product

This is what I would get to future proof when you go SLI or crossfire because you don't want to change your motherboard later
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/890GXM-G65.html#/?div=Basic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130269&Tpk=890GXM-G65

 

[Guest]

This is what I would get to future proof when you go SLI or crossfire because you don't want to change your motherboard later
http://www.msi.com/product/mb/890GXM-G65.html#/?div=Basic
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130269&Tpk=890GXM-G65

Micro ATX is just as good as the regular ATX?

Although the Corsair Graphite case im getting can support a Micro ATX

 

[capt_taco]

Now is not a good time to be building a new AMD system. The new Bulldozer CPUs coming out in the next few months are using a new socket and will render AM3 obsolete. The current six-cores are not all that advantageous anyway because most programs don't use the extra cores. So if you're interested in "future-proofing," wait a few months. Intel will be coming out with new sockets in not too long too, for what it's worth.

Also -- I really see no point in spending $160 on a case; never have. You can get a perfectly good one for $60 or less that has excellent airflow and is easy to work with. The Antec 300 is probably my current favorite in that respect.

 

[Guest]

Now is not a good time to be building a new AMD system. The new Bulldozer CPUs coming out in the next few months are using a new socket and will render AM3 obsolete. The current six-cores are not all that advantageous anyway because most programs don't use the extra cores. So if you're interested in "future-proofing," wait a few months. Intel will be coming out with new sockets in not too long too, for what it's worth.

Also -- I really see no point in spending $160 on a case; never have. You can get a perfectly good one for $60 or less that has excellent airflow and is easy to work with. The Antec 300 is probably my current favorite in that respect.

I see, Im not too interested in future proofing though, but that would mean the current AM3 parts would go down in price soon?

The Corsair Graphite 600t looks classy in my option

edit: If the new Bulldozer CPUs come out around late March or so I could save even more money for the newer parts.

 

[jerryman]

Micro ATX is just as good as the regular ATX?

Although the Corsair Graphite case im getting can support a Micro ATX

Yes they are just as good and I picked this one for you because you do not have to put a video card in at all yet then you also can start off with hybrid crossfire with just one card and if your not satisfied with that you can put two cards in and run true crossfire

 

[Guest]

Yes they are just as good and I picked this one for you because you do not have to put a video card in at all yet then you also can start off with hybrid crossfire with just one card and if your not satisfied with that you can put two cards in and run true crossfire

Thanks, the reviews look pretty good. I will be adding a wireless network card on the motherboards small PCI slot, so the graphics card will have to go on the bottom slot

 

[capt_taco]

I see, Im not too interested in future proofing though, but that would mean the current AM3 parts would go down in price soon?

The Corsair Graphite 600t looks classy in my option

edit: If the new Bulldozer CPUs come out around late March or so I could save even more money for the newer parts.

I don't know how much we can expect existing AM3 parts to come down because of Bulldozer. They're relatively cheap already. What I'd expect is that the good Bulldozer processors will be about $300 and match or exceed the good i7s.

Trust me, if you're going to spend $1,500 on a system, you want AM3+ and Bulldozer, not AM3. The only reason to go AM3 right now is because you MUST build it on the cheap.

Another thing that's going to happen about the same time, by the way, is that we should see some downward pressure on video cards; it will most likely be in one of those lulls where the 6800-6900s have been out for a while and the 7000 series is still a ways off.

 

[Guest]

Best answer selected by Brickman.

 

[Guest]

I don't know how much we can expect existing AM3 parts to come down because of Bulldozer. They're relatively cheap already. What I'd expect is that the good Bulldozer processors will be about $300 and match or exceed the good i7s.

Trust me, if you're going to spend $1,500 on a system, you want AM3+ and Bulldozer, not AM3. The only reason to go AM3 right now is because you MUST build it on the cheap.

Another thing that's going to happen about the same time, by the way, is that we should see some downward pressure on video cards; it will most likely be in one of those lulls where the 6800-6900s have been out for a while and the 7000 series is still a ways off.

I tell you what, Im going to continue to save up even more money, and I can wait a month or so for the new generation of processors and motherboards.
Thank you very much

I hope my laptop makes it another month

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey