cmiychludwig

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Nov 16, 2011
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18,510
Hello,

Thanks for taking the time to look over this.

It's been about 8 years since I've done a build (yes, my last one lasted me that long) and I'm hoping to focus on long-term upgradeability in addition to immediately having an above average gaming rig.

Thus, I'm attempting my first AMD build. My last two have been Intel. Please provide feedback on components and let me know if you see any glaring issues or obvious upgrades.

I already have a 1TB SATA HD, so that is not included in the build.

http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=18648626

Thanks again!
 

cmiychludwig

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Nov 16, 2011
19
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18,510
Sorry...

Approximate Purchase Date: Before Dec 20, 2011

Budget Range: 600-900

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Surfing, Working Remotely, Media Hub, Video Editing,

Parts Not Required: Keyboard, Monitor, Optical Drive, OS

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg

Country: US

Parts Preferences: Attempting AMD build

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe (would need different PSU)

Monitor Resolution: Undecided

Additional Comments: See OP
 

vitornob

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Jun 15, 2008
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1- If you plan to SLI or Crossfire:

If you MUST stay in AMD:
You should get a 'weaker' CPU (get a Phenom II X4 955 for example and OC it)
And spend the money in a more powerful PSU.

If you can go to INTEL:
Go for the i5-2500k, it's an awesome CPU, and futureproof is much more capable than Phenom II for future apps, it's monocore performance is just great.

Long-term upgradeability can't happen, IMO, without a mobo exchange. I think AMD will change the socket for their next CPU launch (piledriver)
Buying this AMD isn't good for future upgradeability, this CPU is pretty much the better AMD cpu for gaming now (thuban and bulldozer DO NOT give better performance in games), and, only IF AMD:
- skyrockets the piledriver IPC
- AND maintain the socket
You would be able to upgrade to a better gaming cpu
 

cmiychludwig

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Nov 16, 2011
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singemagique,

As I said, it's been a while since I've done this. Last build I went Intel Duo in a 775 socket on a gigabyte motherboard. This may be ignorance, but it's my understanding that AMD does better about socket compatibility for long term upgrades, so I figured getting the AM3+ board would last me longer. Also, I've read it actually excels in gaming, and is more affordable.

 

cmiychludwig

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Nov 16, 2011
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Vitornob and singe,

I'm not sure it'll be necessary to crossfire, but I wanted the capability should I decide to. Thus, the 6850.


Also, the Phenom II 955 was only ~$20 cheaper on Newegg, thus just saying "screw it" and getting the 980.

I can easily upgrade the Corsair PSU to 750 if need be, just thought 650 would be enough. Need to rerun my numbers.

Also, anybody have any experience with that case?
 

cutebeans

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Not a very good build if I say so myself.

Don't worry I will help you!

Stick with the CM Storm Scout case. It's pretty good. $70

AMD Phenom II x 4 965 + XFX 6950 $366
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.771093

Antec Earthwatts 750w $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371051

Asrock Extreme4 970 AM3+ Motherboard $118
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262

G.skill Ripjaws DDR3 1600MHz $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231314

Reasons why I chose these parts.

Getting a 6950 would be better than a 6850 and with the motherboard I chose you can add another 6950 when your performance goes down, which I assure you will not go down for a while.

The PSU will be able to handle OC and crossfire and have plenty of watts to spare.

The G.skill ram is one of the best. Nuff said.
 

cutebeans

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the first motherboard is too expensive for your needs and you won't notice the diffrence with the one I chose.

I do agree with most of the people here saying an i5-2500k build would be better.

An i5-2500k + 6950 combo
z68 motherboard
750 antec earthwatts
G.skill Ripjaws 8gb

But I saw the title and it seemed that you wanted to go purely AMD.
 

vitornob

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Jun 15, 2008
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About the mobo:
Since the AM3+ Socket COULD BE changed to another socket in Piledriver, I just wanted to point out that the build can't be highly upgradable in the CPU area without a future not yet existent mobo change.

(It could be better achieved with an intel rig, since ivy bridge uses the same LGA 1155 socket as Sandy Bridge, but since this is strictely an AMD build, this is out of question)

 

Emelth

Distinguished
BOOOYAHHH! Got an intel build for you that will beat the crap out of those AMD builds. You can take it or leave it and I assume you have an HDD since you didnt put one in your Wish List

Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - $50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Intel Core i5-2500K - $215.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 - $125.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus - $26.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

MSI N560GTX-TI Twin Frozr II/OC GeForce GTX 560 Ti (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 - $245.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127565

CORSAIR Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 - $95.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233197

OCZ ModXStream Pro 600W Modular - $75.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341017&cm_sp=Cat_Power_Supplies-_-Spotlight-_-17-341-017

Total: $805 (W/o Shipping/Taxs/MIRs)
 

cutebeans

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I highly doubt anyone with an i5-2500k will jump to Ivy Bridge.