Do you guys think this is a good gaming rigg? COMPONENTS

[kalvinlam]

I'm trying to build a gaming rig, preferably for WoW and SC, should i get a better video card, case, or mobo? If i put this all together, will it blow up? I am trying to spend under $800. Please let me know if you guys have any suggestions.

AMD Phenom II X4 960T Processor, Black Edition $115
http://www.amazon.com/AMD-Phenom-Processor-Black-Socket/dp/B0056D5AMY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327277905&sr=8-1

Corsair XMS3 8 GB (2 x 4GB) 1333 MHz PC3-10666 240-Pin DDR3 Memory Kit $45
http://www.amazon.com/Corsair-PC3-10666-240-Pin-Memory-CMX8GX3M2A1333C9/dp/B003N8GVUY/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1327277832&sr=8-5


ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 $155
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131631

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD3200AAKX 320GB 7200 $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136770

Lite-On LightScribe 24X SATA DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive
$25
http://www.amazon.com/Lite--LightScribe-Layer-Drive-IHAS424-98/product-reviews/B002SIMPXM/ref=sr_1_6_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1


COOLER MASTER HAF 912 RC-912-KKN1$65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233


SAPPHIRE AMD Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 PCIE Graphics Card $165
http://www.amazon.com/SAPPHIRE-Radeon-6870-GDDR5-Graphics/dp/B005C8RTTU/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327293561&sr=1-1

CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V $90
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

 

[de5_Roy]

what cpu cooler are you using? here's a good and cheap one:
cooler master hyper 212 evo $40
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099

 

[Raiddinn]

Could be worse. I would have picked different RAM, but most everything else is pretty solid.

I will call it 9/10

 

[Zero_]

A few suggestions that could improve your gaming.

1. Cheaper motherboard. Unless you absolutely need all of those extra features, you can find a 970 board for $110 which performs the same.

2. Cheaper PSU. Antec Earthwatts 650W is going for $65 on Amazon. Not a bad PSU by any means.

3. CPU cooler. Get a Hyper 212 Evo for $35.

4. Use all those savings to bump up to a GTX560Ti or HD6950.

Cheers!

 

[kalvinlam]

definitely will get the hyper 212 guys, and ill see around for a cheaper psu, is a gtx 460 superclock 192 bites a better vid card?

its about the same price as the hd 6870,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130750

 

[Raiddinn]

The 6870 is better than a 460.

 

[Outlander_04]

Not AM3+ compatible so its a dead end system that cant be upgraded

3/10

Try
FX 4100
mb with a 970 series chipset . Asrock extreme4 can sli and crossfire and costs about $110
2 x4 gig of 1.5 volt ,1600 MHz RAM
seasonic 520 watt psu

much cheaper , better performance

 

[de5_Roy]

6870 is a good choice.
imo, wow and sc are more or less cpu bound, so getting a higher end gfx card will only facilitate higher res gaming, not substantial fps increase. for online games, fps usually is higher priority than eyecandy.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/radeon-hd-6870-radeon-hd-6850-barts,2776-14.html
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/graphics/display/sapphire-radeon-hd6870-dirt3-edition_7.html
motherboard:
how about this one,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128510&Tpk=gigabyte%20990x
or this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131754
both newer chipset, both support cfx. added bonus: sli support. other features might vary.
cheap 970 chipset mobo supporting cfx/sli:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262
recommendations are based on price. look up the review of your chosen motherboard.

 

[Raiddinn]

Lets avoid suggesting an FX processor because they flopped in the marketplace for a reason.

In all likelihood, the motherboard will need a BIOS update in order to work with the processor and having only a FX processor on hand the OP won't be able to do the BIOS update.

There is no good reason to even put the OP at risk for things like that.

 

[kalvinlam]

thanks guys for caring, im actually building this computer for a friend of mines, and hoping i dont make myself look like a jackass... so far i switched to this MB to am3+, what ram would you get instead raiddinn

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145345

would that corsair be better? it has better ratings

 

[Raiddinn]

Corsair has the highest failure rates of any major RAM manufacturer.

If you want to stick with AMD, just stick with the combo you originally listed for motherboard/processor.

The RAM that I would use instead is CT2KIT51264BA1339.

 

[Outlander_04]

Lets avoid suggesting an FX processor because they flopped in the marketplace for a reason.

In all likelihood, the motherboard will need a BIOS update in order to work with the processor and having only a FX processor on hand the OP won't be able to do the BIOS update.

There is no good reason to even put the OP at risk for things like that.

Lets suggest FX processors when they are an appropriate option for the specified use and budget . The M4xxx ASUS board the OP picked CANT run an FX processor . Thats why he should change the board to an AM3+ motherboard like the Asrock I mentioned .
Im surprised you didnt know that

As for which is better the 960t or the FX in an AM3+ platform the answer is overwhelmingly in favour of the FX 4100 . More performance , better gaming , over clockability , and a platform that can be upgraded for at least one more generation of processor .


But having said that if the OP is spending $800 he has better options .
A build based on an Intel i5 2400 and an H61 mb will cost around $700 with a 6870 and will outperform the FX or 960t options

The $600 system builder marathon would be a good starting point , but add better quality case and psu , maybe a bigger hard drive
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-overclock-performance-gaming,3097.html

 

[Raiddinn]

Whatever you think it is that I don't know, I am pretty sure I do know it.

The OP had a 960T and a regular AM3 board selected, which works.

Then people started suggesting FX setups where it is not at all clear that they would work out of the box, like yours.

Are you buying the processor he will need in the very real possibility that he needs a BIOS update in order to use the parts you are suggesting to him?

For the 970 series chipsets (and 990FX) this is a very serious possibility.

I don't think the OP should have suggestions with serious compatibility questions before they even open the box.

I don't mind an AM3+ motherboard for potential upgrade compatibility, but if he is going for AMD then I would rather see them get a 960T with it. At least then it is guaranteed not to need a BIOS flash in order to operate together.

Such BIOS flashes could be done easily with the 960T and in a future upgrade time the Piledrivers could just be slotted right in.

I also wouldn't mind seeing a build centered around a 2400 instead.

I just can't abide by the FX setup quietly. I think we would be doing him a disservice by giving a setup with such high incompatibility risks.

 

[Outlander_04]

Its very unlikely that any 970 series chipset board in stock at Newegg has a 7 month old BIOS that doesnt support FX processors .

To suggest otherwise is scaremongering.......... unless you are also telling people not to buy Intel P67 motherboards because they could still have faulty SATA controllers ?

 

[Raiddinn]

You never know how long a board has been on a shelf somewhere.

In my experience as a network admin, I have many times received shipments of 40+ computers all of which had BIOSs that were quite old. Longer than 7 months. Not all shipments of this size had BIOSs that old, but some did.

That isn't the same thing as an individual buying 1 motherboard, but it is reasonable anecdotal evidence. Having quite some experience in asset management I know how long things can sit on shelves sometimes.

As far as the Intel P67 thing goes, I don't remember seeing many instances of people wanting these and I also never suggest them. If someone wants a board I usually suggest one from Gigabyte.

Not like this situation is common for me in any event. I can't remember the last time I had someone suggest people not use a non-FX and instead use an FX processor. In my experience the advise is almost always the exact opposite.