My new budget build needs motherboard choices.

lorenzras

Distinguished
Jul 19, 2011
6
0
18,510
Hi,

I need help for my new budget build. I need motherboard choices that are the best in terms of price over quality. Also motherboard that doesn't have on board graphics that I won't use. Please rank them accordingly. The machine will be mainly for gaming, specifically smooth Civilizations V gameplay.

I'm in Japan and I check prices at: http://www.dospara.co.jp/5pc_parts/
It's in Japanese , should you want to list specific items, let me know.

I'm going to purchase the following next month. Please let me know if I should change anything. Example, I've originally planned to purchase phenom II x6, but then I learned that the added performance, if there is any, for games is not worth the price.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 970 BE
Mem: Corsair Vengeane 2x2GB 1.5V CAS9 1600Mhz ram
GPU: MSI Radeon 6850 (I might throw some more yen for 6870)
PSU: Corsair TX750 V2
MB: ASRock 870 Extreme3 R2.0 (choices please) http://www.dospara.co.jp/5pc_parts/shopping/br21/sbr493/
Case: Antec 300
case fans: Geilid Silent12 PWM
HDD: Seagate 1TB
DVD: Lite-On 24x DVD+/-RW

Thank you very much!
 
MB - Great featues at a good price. At least here in the USA the ASRock 970 Extreme4 AM3+ is one of the best "bang for the buck".

CPU - If you can find a Phenom X4 955, buy it and set the CPU multiplier in the BIOS to the 970 settings. They are the same chip with the exception of the multiplier leaving the factory. Should save you a little...

HD - Seagate is fine, however the Samsung F3 1TB is a great performer. Consider swapping.

GPU - Yeah... If you can afford the 6870 then go that route.

PSU - 750w would be sized for dual 6870 / 6850 GPUs. If you are considering crossfire down the road then you are good. Otherwise drop that to a 550w unit. Stick with Antec, Corsair, XFX or Seasonic.