[Solved] Need Advice on Budget 955 Build

First I want to just give a big thanks to this community!! I use this site and forum as a reference almost daily.

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Approximate Purchase Date: Within 2 weeks

Budget Range: < $600

System Usage from Most to Least Important: HTPC, Gaming

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, Speakers, OS,

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com, TigerDirect.com

Country of Origin: USA

Parts Preferences: AMD CPU, Asus mobo, Corsair PSU

Overclocking: Yes, I want to be able to push the 955 to about 3.6-3.8

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: 1600x900

Additional Comments:

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Case: $59.45
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811129042


Mobo & CPU Combo: $209.98
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Comb [...] mbo.681770

ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131647

AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103808


GPU: $59.99 (Already Purchased)
Visiontek 900310 Radeon HD 5670 Video Card - 1GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), DVI, HDMI, VGA, DirectX 11
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] pNo=621465


Memory: $45.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231277


HDD: $54.99 - $5.00 CC = $49.99
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185


DVD: $20.99
ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827135204


PSU: $69.99 - $20.00 MIR = $49.99
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139028



TOTAL: $496.38 + $10.45 Shipping = $506.83



Final Comments:

My main concerns are the PSU and Cooling.
PSU: Is that PSU enough/overkill for this build? (I don't mind spending a little more for a good psu.)
Cooling: If I want to OC the 955 to 3.6-3.8, will the stock fan be sufficient? If not, then any recommendations? Also how many extra case fans do I need, if any?


Any advice or suggestions are appreciated.

First, the PSU is kinda Overkill, but you can leave it, since you can upgrade graphics cards later and stuff. You WILL need a aftermarket heatsink and fan to cool your CPU if you Overclock, the stock isn't enough. You can try the CoolerMaster Hyper 212 $50. And you don't need anymore fans for the case.

Just telling you, if you plan to upgrade to a better CPU in the future, you might want to buy an AM3+ MoBo instead.

Ok, found a AM3+ Mobo. It is $10 more and I lose my combo deal, that's only a $25 total swing.

So adding these:

Mobo: $119.99
ASUS M5A97 EVO AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813131757

CPU HS/Fan: $49.99
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 120mm CPU Cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103065

...brings the new total to: $606.82 - $35.00 (MIR) = $571.82

Still under budget. Any other suggestions?

The hyper 212 is a good midrange cooler .... but for $50 there are much better options . The Scythe Mugen probably the best choice
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185168

Definitely build using an AM3+ motherboard .
Watch the RAM voltage too . Stick to RAM that is rated at 1.5 volts

As it is you could run that system on a 450 watt psu easily . But the higher wattage unit might make less noise since the fan wont spin up as high

990FX isn't needed. 970 performs just fine, according to toms 990FX doesn't even have a huge improvement over 890FX so IMO not worth the extra $40+.

^+1 to the suggestion for the board

MOBO- That is the newer version of Asrocks most recommended cf board with great features at a great price. I would def go with that one.

PSU-If you are just cf'ing the 5670's then yes it will be plenty, but if you use more powerful cards it would be pushing it.

The 212 for $30 is a great price. I would go with that one.

I would say that it is still worth it, it cools on par with other coolers in the $50+ range.

After some crafty combo deals and adding the $10 discount, here is my new total:

$618.69 - $15.00 MIR = $603.69

I am very satisfied with this build.

I upgraded the mobo to the AM3+ and have CF support, went from 4gb -> 8gb ram, got a decent HS/Fan, and had room to splurge on the HAF 922 Case.

All that and only $4.00 over budget. Not bad.

Any other suggestions or issues I am overlooking?

- Build Update -

Case:
COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119197

Mainboard:
ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813157262

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103808

GPU:
Visiontek 900310 Radeon HD 5670 Video Card - 1GB, GDDR5, PCI-Express 2.0 (x16), DVI, HDMI, VGA, DirectX 11
https://www.tigerdirect.com/applica [...] pNo=621465

Memory:
2 x [G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820231313

HDD:
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822152185

DVD:
LITE-ON DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model iHAS124-04
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106289

PSU:
Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817371030



TOTAL: $603.69

Well I may run Citrix and have multiple OS's going at the same time.
I'd rather have it and not need it.

Any other critiques?

How will the X6 compare to the 955 OC to say 3.6 in a Gaming situation, all else being equal?

Ok maybe I should have started this thread with this info, but here's the plan.

I write a bunch of web apps in php and I have just started migrating to GAE because it is free and Python is incredibly easy. It just works.

Anyways, my ideal setup would be to have a Linux file/web server running all the time, for testing. While also streaming video to my 360, but also be able to get decent gaming performance.

But I can easily revive one of the 5 or 6 half dead machines I have lying around to be a dedicated server. 2 of them only need a psu. That would have to be way more cost efficient than dealing with making this the "ultimate" multitasker, right?

Just focus on one area?

So I pretty much just answered my own question.


@ shinobi: If they are nearly equal and I am leaving myself room to upgrade to the Bulldozer CPU's later, does it make more sense to just save a little now and upgrade later.

This HSF is not as good as the 212+ but it will provide similar performance: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

Have you looked at this case yet it has USB 3.0 front panel connections and a black painted interior: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 20enforcer

Hyper 212+ even cheaper from microcenter 33.98 with the shipping: http://www.microcenter.com/single_ [...] id=0315397

Thanks. I think that brings me to $603.33. I must have been a little off earlier.

The hyper 212 from micro center is a good deal.

Just ordered the 212 from Microcenter. Thanks.

^ LEPA

Best answer selected by tj223.

-- FINAL BUILD --

CASE: COOLER MASTER HAF 922 RC-922M-KKN1-GP Black Steel

Mainboard: ASRock 970 EXTREME4 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core

HS/F: COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1

RAM: 2 x [G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600]

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100314-3L Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP

PSU: LEPA B850-MA 850W ATX12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC

HDD: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5"

DVD: ASUS 24X DVD Burner



Monitor: ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen 16:9 Full HD 1080P

Mouse: Logitech G500 Dual-mode Scroll Wheel USB Wired Laser 5700 dpi Gaming Mouse

Keyboard: Logitech G110 Black USB Wired LED Backlighting Gaming Keyboard

Headset: Logitech G35 USB 2.0 7.1 Surround Sound


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-- UPDATE --


Absolutely love this system! It runs like a champ.



Dragon Age: Origins locks the framerate at 60 max settings.
DiRT3 runs at ~45 fps max settings.
I am getting about 47~50 fps playing Witcher 2 @ 1900 x 1080 on Ultra Settings (without Uber-Sampling enabled).
(All of those framerates are with stock CPU speed.)



And it is cool as a cucumber.

Actually I freaked out because I really focused on cooling (HAF case, 212+, and I added the 200mm side fan),
and I boot it up for the first time and the BIOS says it is idling at 43C...

So I bought some antec formula 7 and remounted the 212+ and added an additional 120mm fan on bottom.
That dropped it to only 40C...

So I adjust every BIOS setting I can to run all fans at max speed and dropped the ambient room temp 10F and then

it was 39C...

Then I started Googling.
I found out that BIOS temps are not reliable and ASRock has had trouble with CPU temps in the past.

Either way I got Windows 7 installed and Coretemp and Speedfan say 29C idling at stock speed, and 32C at 3.8ghz.
( I have seen as low as 27C, when room temp is lower @ stock speed.)

After running Prime95 the max temp @ 3.8 is 45C
That is the hottest I have it seen doing anything.


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I've had a strange issue with the motherboard but I started another thread about it. Here.
(Small issue, no real complaints about anything.)

And I have a few questions about OCing Voltage. Here.


Anyways thanks for all the help, I couldn't be happier!