AMD based gaming rig $1400-1700 (UD: now going with intel)

[JPdub]

First time custom build, dangerously close to picking up a alienware m17x but with only 2 moves left before reaching a permanent duty station, mobility is no longer a number 1 concern. Im going to run a phenom 2 x6 1100 black, later on down the road i might go to an i7 990x when i feel like spending the cash. right now just want something to play some modern games with at a decent framerate. If the stock cpu cooler is inadequate even at stock clock speeds Id like to go to coolermaster for my aftermarket air cooler before going straight to water.

Pretty set on the cpu and video card, just want to make sure the rest of the parts are compatible. main concern is the case, just dont know where to go on this one, trying to balance reasonable size with room for expansion. In the future I want to run another identical card in crossfire, maybe go to liquid cooling as well. just trying to find a case that will be able to accommodate the cards without just going straight to a massive tower. also have concerns about cable lengths in larger cases, not enough experience to know where im going to need extensions.

want to be at 1920x1080 resolution, currently using a samsung syncmaster p2770 monitor and i love it, will be sticking with it. System will be running windows 7. Open to overclocking in the future as well but for now will just be running stock speeds. want everything to come from newegg for simplicity, I live on a military base and the mail system just blows here. the less packages the better.

Idea so far...

Cpu-
AMD Phenom II X6 1100T Black Edition Thuban 3.3GHz, 3.7GHz Turbo 6 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDE00ZFBGRBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103913

Mobo-
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

PSU-
KINGWIN Lazer LZ-1000 1000W Modular 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC W/ 3-Way LED Switch and Universal Modular Connector Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121068
OR
CORSAIR Professional Series AX850 850W ATX12V v2.31 / EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139015

Video card-
MSI R6950 Twin Frozr III PE/OC Radeon HD 6950 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127575
-Unless there is a serious issue I would really like to stay with this card, def. like the frozr cooling and will run an identical card in crossfire down the road.

RAM-
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Desktop Memory Model F3-16000CL9D-8GBRM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231407

HDD-
OCZ Agility 2 OCZSSD2-2AGT160G 2.5" 160GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227689
SSD for OS and games. I already have a regular 500g spinning HDD i will use for pictures, music and other nonessentials.


Cases-
- Mid tower size.
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case, comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan, option Fans-2x Side 120mm Fan
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119216

COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1 Black SECC/ ABS Plastic ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233

Large tower-
NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Steel / Plastic Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067&cm_re=nzxt-_-11-146-067-_-Product

also like the orange & black
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146073&cm_re=nzxt-_-11-146-073-_-Product

OR

NZXT ZERO 2 Crafted Series CS-NT-ZERO-2 Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146054&cm_re=nzxt-_-11-146-054-_-Product

With the cases stock fans are not a top priority, Im open to additional or replacements at time of purchase or at later dates down the road. Also If the mid towers cant handle those cards in crossfire I'm not 100% opposed to running a Mid for now than picking up a full size later on. main case concerns are just room for the video card(s) and PSU cable length adequacy.

let me know what you think, flexable in most areas, would just like to hear some ideas. ready for purchase anytime, just trying to square away these last details.

Final note, aside from some arctic silver 5, any misc items that should be added to ensure a propper build without having to make reorders. Its a hassle for me to spend 30 bucks on taxi's off base to get a $2 cord or plug from a radio shack every 10 minutes into the build. If i left out any details please let me know. thanks

 

[Why_Me]

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice <--- Do you have an o/s (Windows), when do you plan on buying, and can amazon ship to this military base ?

Also now is not the time to be buying an AMD cpu. A $225 Intel i5 2500K over clocks to 5.0ghz+ on mediocre air cooling. The only person right now that would even consider buying an AMD cpu is someone with a budget of sub $500 or an AMD stock holder.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/203?vs=288 <----- AMD Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs Intel Core i5 2500K benchmarks

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/203?vs=287 <----- AMD Phenom II X6 1100T BE vs Intel Core i7 2600K benchmarks

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i7-990x-extreme-edition-gulftown,2874.html <----- $1,000 Intel Core i7-990X Extreme vs $330 Intel Core i7 2600K Sandy Bridge

*Sandy Bridge reviews down below

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/sandy-bridge-core-i7-2600k-core-i5-2500k,2833.html

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/the-sandy-bridge-review-intel-core-i5-2600k-i5-2500k-and-core-i3-2100-tested

http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1501/1/

http://benchmarkreviews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=622&Itemid=63

http://www.guru3d.com/article/core-i5-2500k-and-core-i7-2600k-review/

 

[Outlander_04]

DO NOT build a top end AMD system right now .

In a few weeks AMD will release a new line of processors called Bulldozer .

If you must buy now then you get a far better Intel based computer in that price range .
But wait .
Bulldozer will match Intel ,or even exceed their performance, and be better value

 

[Why_Me]

DO NOT build a top end AMD system right now .

In a few weeks AMD will release a new line of processors called Bulldozer .

If you must buy now then you get a far better Intel based computer in that price range .
But wait .
Bulldozer will match Intel ,or even exceed their performance, and be better value

You better hope it does, because if it doesn't I'm going to put that quote in my sig on here.

 

[Outlander_04]

You better hope it does, because if it doesn't I'm going to put that quote in my sig on here.

LOL

Only time will tell

 

[geekapproved]

From your choices and the fact that you said you might go 990X later on, tells me you know nothing about the current generation of processors or hardware.

You need to do some more research before spending that much money on a very inferior system.

 

[zooted]

From your choices and the fact that you said you might go 990X later on, tells me you know nothing about the current generation of processors or hardware.

You need to do some more research before spending that much money on a very inferior system.

While this is true, he did come here looking for advice <(._.<)

 

[genghiskron]

all that needs to be said is,
"DO NOT build a top end AMD system right now . "
end statement

 

[JPdub]

From your choices and the fact that you said you might go 990X later on, tells me you know nothing about the current generation of processors or hardware.

You need to do some more research before spending that much money on a very inferior system.

yes, the last time i built a system it was 2000-2001. I did come here seeking some advice and suggestions. just put this together to see if someone with more experience with recent hardware could give some guidance. glad your post was so helpful to me.

thanks for the input from the rest of you so far. I know intel has more power but was hoping to save some cash going amd, but if this is just not the right time to go for it i'll hold off.

Is there a problem with building something based of an i7 990x? maybe someone can get me going in the right direction. I know a budget of 1700 is obviously too low for a cpu like that, so new top end is around $2500.

also as far as O/S i will supply that seperately and im not factoring that into this budget.

thanks again.

 

[genghiskron]

The right direction at this point in time is the i5-2500k. Please review Why_Me's linked benchmarks. Smile, you just saved $800

 

[JPdub]

looking into the i5-2500k and the i7-2600k now, the i5 seems to be the best value, and same price as the amd. i didnt realize I could be running sandy bridge at that price. so now does anyone have new suggestions for a mobo and ram combo? from what I have read the p67 is friendly for overclocking while the H67 is not.

 

[JPdub]

also the i7-2600k better off? the price difference really doesn't bother me much I'd just like to know cost aside how they compare.

 

[Why_Me]

also the i7-2600k better off? the price difference really doesn't bother me much I'd just like to know cost aside how they compare.

For a gaming build... the 2500K.

Here's a build I posted on another thread a few minutes ago. This build will rip any game out there. The case in this build just came out yesterday so there's no customer reviews on it but if you go to the Cooler Master site they have some professional reviews on it and they were all good. That case has size and cooling.

Down below is dual factory over clocked gtx 560's in SLI.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WK3KKQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER $89.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Storm Enforcer USB 3.0 Mid Tower ATX Case with Window and Black Interior (SGC-1000-KWN1)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119240 <----- that same case @ newegg + shipping

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371049 $109.99 - $94.99 after mail-in rebate
Antec High Current Gamer Series HCG-750 750W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V v2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157229 $159.99
ASRock P67 EXTREME4 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.632379 $459.98 $20.00 Mail-In Rebate Price After Mail-In Rebate(s): $439.98 FREE SHIPPING
MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Intel Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500K

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565 $244.99 (Before $20.00 Mail-In Rebate) FREE SHIPPING
MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303777065&sr=1-1 $29.15 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231416 $69.99 FREE SHIPPING
G.SKILL Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBSR

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Spinpoint-3-5-Inch-Internal-HD103SJ/dp/B002MQC0P8/ref=sr_1_1?m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303776983&sr=1-1 $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Samsung Desktop Class Spinpoint F3 1 TB SATA 3.0 Gb-s 32 MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Bare-OEM Drives, HD103SJ

http://www.amazon.com/Lite--LightScribe-Layer-Drive-IHAS424-98/dp/B002SIMPXM/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303785852&sr=1-1 $24.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25
Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive IHAS424-98 - Retail (Black)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 $99.99 FREE SHIPPING
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit English 1-Pack - OEM

Total: $1,348.12 *not including monitor, shipping, and mail in rebates

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117 $179.99 - $169.99 after mail-in rebate card FREE SHIPPING
ASUS VH238H Black 23" Full HD HDMI LED Backlight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 250 cd/m2 ASCR 50,000,000:1

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824113023 $139.99 FREE SHIPPING
Gateway FHX2152Lbd Black 21.5" 1920x1080 2ms Full HD LED BackLight LCD Monitor Slim Design 250 cd/m2 1000:1

http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/msi_gtx560_twinfrozr_2/11.htm <--- review/benchmarks of that card

http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/02/21/msi_n560gtx_ti_twin_frozr_ii_oc_sli_review/1 <--- review benchmarks of that card in SLI

http://www.madshrimps.be/articles/article/1000116#axzz1EqpvWFEN <---Review on that Asrock motherboard after the latest bios update

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg2/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-asrock-p67-extreme4.html <---Review on that Asrock motherboard after the latest bios update

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4080/welcome-to-sandy-bridge-with-the-asrock-p67-extreme4 <--- Review before the latest bios...and it still smoked the Asus and Gigabyte boards in it's class

http://www.asrock.com/news/events/201102ex/warranty.html <---- Asrock two year warranty

http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=P67%20Extreme4 <----- ASRock P67 Extreme4 Motherboard

 

[JPdub]

got most of your suggestions on my build now except still staying with that msi 6950 twin frozr card. actually wind up saving some good cash going this route. another question, are motherboards and ram like this too overboard? or will they actuall show a significant increase in performance. the motherboard you selected got some good reviews on newegg so im not opposed to it, esp at its price. but I'm here to learn and figured id ask about some other things while im at it.

ASRock Fatal1ty P67 PROFESSIONAL (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157240

G.SKILL Ripjaws X + Turbulence II Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9D-8GBXLD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231435

 

[Why_Me]

got most of your suggestions on my build now except still staying with that msi 6950 twin frozr card. actually wind up saving some good cash going this route. another question, are motherboards and ram like this too overboard? or will they actuall show a significant increase in performance. the motherboard you selected got some good reviews on newegg so im not opposed to it, esp at its price. but I'm here to learn and figured id ask about some other things while im at it.

ASRock Fatal1ty P67 PROFESSIONAL (B3) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157240

G.SKILL Ripjaws X + Turbulence II Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2133 (PC3 17000) Desktop Memory Model F3-17000CL9D-8GBXLD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231435

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/reviews/1098/pg2/asrock-extreme4-p67-and-fatal1ty-professional-p67-vs-x58-with-core-i7-950-review-asrock-p67-extreme4.html <--- take a look at this review, especially the last page on it. That Fatality board is over priced.

Same with that RAM with the cooler. It's like that Fatality board...it sells because it catches people eye and they fall for it. It's money down the drain.

The MSI 6950 2GB twin freezer is a good card. The AMD cards don't over clock anywhere near like that MSI 560, but you wouldn't have to over clock that card. It's a good card. Just be careful of AMD/ATI driver issues.

 

[JPdub]

I figured that ram and mobo were a bit over the top. if things look as flashy as that companies can get away with the prices all day. besides half the reviews on that ram talk about how the fan doesn't even fit properly.

as long as that power supply can handle 2 of those msi freezers i'd be happy with it. price is great.

 

[Why_Me]

I figured that ram and mobo were a bit over the top. if things look as flashy as that companies can get away with the prices all day. besides half the reviews on that ram talk about how the fan doesn't even fit properly.

as long as that power supply can handle 2 of those msi freezers i'd be happy with it. price is great.

Corsair Vengeance RAM <---- That's a scam if I ever saw one. It's like that RAM OCZ came out with years back with those giant handle bar heat sinks. Peeps buy that Corsair thinking it looks cool, and then they realize they can't fit their cpu h/s on for the fact those cake cutter h/s on that Corsair are way too tall.

 

[JPdub]

my friend has the same prob getting a cooler onto his cpu because of how much piping is on the motherboard alone, not even factoring in additional ram cooling. sometimes too much is too much.

 

[JPdub]

only thing left that i need to decide on is a cpu cooler. so many out there just want to find one at a decent price that offers a little room for a mild overclock. people claim they are getting stable 4.5ghz on air, what coolers can make that happen?

 

[Why_Me]

only thing left that i need to decide on is a cpu cooler. so many out there just want to find one at a decent price that offers a little room for a mild overclock. people claim they are getting stable 4.5ghz on air, what coolers can make that happen?

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Hyper-Sleeve-RR-B10-212P-G1/dp/B002G1YPH0/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1303777065&sr=1-1 $29.39 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler, RR-B10-212P-G1

That cooler also comes with a small tube of decent thermal compound.

 

[JPdub]

Best answer selected by JPdub.