Ultimate Gaming System - AMD technology Edition, March 2011

JKatwyopc

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Hello,

I am looking for opinions on my version of the ultimate gaming PC.

I am using AMD devices since I already own several excellent components (CPU, Graphics, MOBO). Also AMD is cheaper to upgrade because they don't change their platform every time they come out with a new chip so I can keep my system working while I make incremental upgrades.

Here is what I have so far:

AMD Black Edition Phenom II X6 1090T Cpu (Replaced AMD Phenom II X4 945)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849

ASUS M4A785-M MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131595&Tpk=M4A785-M

GeIL Black Dragon 8GB (4 x 2GB) DR2 PC2 6400 Quad Channel Kit Model GB28GB6400C5QC
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144074&cm_re=Geil_Black_Dragon-_-20-144-074-_-Product

ASUS EAH6870/2DI2S/1GD5 Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 CrossFireX Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121401&cm_re=EAH6870%2f2DI2S%2f1GD5-_-14-121-401-_-Product

CORSAIR Hydro H70 CWCH70 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler (water cooling)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835181013&Tpk=Corsair%20H70
(I have Modified the cooling system by adding a reservior, Northbridge cooler, and VGA card cooler - EK-FC6870 for AMD/ATI Radeon HD 6870 Series - Still works very well)

Thermaltake Armor A60 AMD LEO Edition VM200P1W2Z Black Mid Tower Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133184

Logitech K250 Keyboard and Logitech M570 Trackball (Both w/unifying reciever)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126190&Tpk=logitech%20k250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133184

3X 1TB hard drives, 1 Toshiba, 2 Seagate (don't remember exact models)

1X DVDRW Drive


I am planning to upgrade the MOBO and memory to the following:

ASUS Crosshair IV Formula AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131644&Tpk=Asus%20Crosshair%20Formula

CORSAIR XMS 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 PC3 16000 Model CMX8GX3M2A2000C9

I also plan to add a second radiator, pump, and reservior to my system to cool the GPU better because right now the GPU is running about 10C warmer than the CPU because the GPU cooler is in series after the CPU. Therefore the water has already been warmed up by CPU.

Interestingly, This system is giving a very high Windows experince index:

CPU index = 7.5
memory index = 7.1
GPU indices = 7.8
hard drive index = 5.9


All opinions are apreciated, Thanks.
 
Bulldozer is coming out soon you know. Considering that motherboards weren't ready for CeBit though I think you'll be seeing it at the end of April rather than at the end of March. Anyway, don't upgrade your motherboard until AM3+ motherboards are out. Even though that ASUS crosshair is a great board, you won't be able to use AM3+ bulldozer chips in it. If you wait for AM3+ boards though, you will be able to use your current 1090T in them.
 
You are obviously out of the loop, you really picked a bad time. wait till bulldozer comes out because there WILL be a platform change, your at the end of the line for phenomII's. also the 6 core you have is no better for gaming than the quad core it replaced, wast of money imo. Also that motherboard upgrade your looking at is a huge waste of money. Seriously, either ditch the AMD setup and go with intel as they are far superior for gaming, or wait for AM3+ motherboards to come out and get one of those so you at least have an upgrade path to bulldozer.
 

JKatwyopc

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Thanks for the quick reply.

Hmm, you make a good point there about waiting for bulldozer. I hadn't realized that it would be compatible with my current CPU.

Does anyone know for sure whether or not AM3+ mobo's will support the AM3 CPU's. I know that the AM2+ socket will work with the AM3 CPU's but the AM3 will not work with the AM2+ CPU's. It sounds like the opposite will be true of the AM3+. Supports AM3 CPU's. Interesting.

I saw an article in another thread that gave some limited information on what the AM3+ would be capable of and it indicated that it would be compatible with AM3 CPU's, however, there was no definite yes or no. I really hope it is because I would like to get a gaming mobo that would give me the option of using Crossfire. I wonder if the MOBO manufacturers will be able to come up with a crossfire capable mobo that allows PCIe X16, X16, X16.

Guess we'll just have to wait and see.