Review this cheap gaming rig... cheap is the key here.. not best.

Forum Systems : New Build Review this cheap gaming rig... cheap is the key here.. not best.

FX-4100 build

trying to stay in 600-700

but wanted to get a SSD drive this time around with a regular HHD.

no, I am not interested in switching completely to Intel.

1

HIS H687FN1GD Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card

HIS Radeon HD 6870 H687FN1GD Video Card

$159.99
1

Crucial M4 CT064M4SSD2 2.5" 64GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
$109.99
1

Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
$84.99
1

MSI 760GM-P23 (FX) AM3+ AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
$54.99
1

AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor FD4100WMGUSBX
$109.99
1

Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Desktop Memory Model 996770
$39.99
1

Rosewill R101-P-BK 120mm Fan MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
$29.99
1

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC 430W ATX12V V2.2 Intel Core i7 Compliant Dual 80mm Fans Full Cable Sleevings Power Supply
$34.99
Grand Total: $624.92

I need to add Window 7, and some other things like Optical player.

Let me know if this works or need to add/change something.

Thanks.

Reply to mmachin

My only concern for your build is the power supply. It has two 12V rails one with 14A and the other with 15A. I don't recall exactly what the 6870 needs for amperage but I feel that is a close margin especially when the power supply doesn't have 80% efficiency.

For $10 more you can get http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139026 but it has 28A on it's 12V line that is 80%+ efficiency. The even more ideal would be http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139027 but that's $25 more.

Get rid of the FX CPU because it will bottleneck gaming. If you must get an AMD system for gaming then get a Phenom II quad core and overclock it.

The best solution would be to wait until Intel's Ivy bridge CPUs come out in a few months. If you can't wait then your next best solution would be to get an Intel i3 or i5 CPU. An FX chip is right above an Athlon II quad core in performance and shouldn't be used for a $600 or higher budget.

That would also mean you could get newer graphics cards because both AMD and Nvidia are supposed to come out with their new graphics cards within a few months, AMD may be sooner than Nvidia.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to blazorthon

+1 to blazorthon

If you are going to be gaming, the worst thing you could do to yourself would be to get an AMD FX processor. I understand if you have reservations about Intel, but it's best not to choose brands out of pure loyalty. Right now Intel has the best processors by leaps and bounds and to top it off are about to release a die shrink in the form of Ivy Bridge. Plus, the new series of graphics cards are coming out as well by both AMD and Nvidia.

If you just absolutely cannot stomach the idea of an Intel chip, you will be far better off with a Phenom IIx4 955 BE or similar processor and overclock it. Those Bulldozer processors simply are not a good option for gaming.

In summary, if you want to get the best bang for your buck, wait a bit longer to make your build.

Reply to Grand_Admiral_K

thanks for the power supply, I noticed it is a bit under powered for the video/cpu. I will look into the the one you recommended.

I may wait awhile since this is not a high priority.

Reply to mmachin

blazorthon wrote :

What're intel ivy bridges? I mean like can you clarify that for me because I have a i5-2400 sandy bridge but won't get it in tell a few months so might switch to a "ivy bridge". Well the price be more for one of these? and what kind will be equivalent to an i5-2400?

Reply to shell shocke

Ivy bridge is the replacement for Sandy bridge, the architecture used in all LGA 1155 CPUs like the i5-2400 and i5-2500K.

It is supposed to be 10-15% faster while using 20-25% less power than Sandy bridge. The performance alone isn't worth the wait but Ivy chips will probably overclock way better on the budget coolers than Sandy bridge chips can. Ivy bridge chips will be priced about where equivalent Sandy bridge chips are priced right now.

But the most important thing to wait for would be AMD's and Nvidia's new graphics cards because they will offer more considerably more performance for the same price as you would pay now.

All things considered, you might also have a higher budget later on to make the performance jump you would get for waiting even higher.

Reply to blazorthon

question...The ivy bridge well it still be a i5-2400 processor and will you still need to get a i5-2500k+ (anything with a K chip) for 10-15% fast results, Because I'm not planning on over clocking in tell I can afford buying a K chip, etc. Thanks.

Reply to shell shocke

Ivy bridge will have replacements for each processor, the i5-2400 included. My point was that when Ivy is out you might have enough money to spend on an overclocking processor and that is where Ivy should really tear past Sandy performance with cheap coolers.

Message edited by blazorthon on 01-29-2012 at 02:41:39 AM

Reply to blazorthon

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Review this cheap gaming rig... cheap is the key here.. not best.

Forum Systems : New Build Review this cheap gaming rig... cheap is the key here.. not best.

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