First time build. Need advice ASAP.

[omegajinx]

I had asked this question earlier this week but I only got one response and I was hoping for a little more input.
Here's what what I'm thinking about building:

-ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
-SAPPHIRE FleX 100314FLEX Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
-AMD FX-8150 Zambezi 3.6GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor
-G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR (x2)
-COOLER MASTER Silent Pro Gold Series RS800-80GAD3-US 800W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.92 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Gold
-Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MKNSSDCR120GB-DX 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler
-I also have a 1TB WD Cavier Black

Ok...Now my question. I am planning to overclock the CPU to 4.0 Ghz. I am wondering if I will create a bottleneck with the graphics card. I cannot afford a 6970 or higher card. I can afford a 6950 but I was hoping to save a few bucks. I cannot afford to crossfire just yet either, but may in the future. If I do, will I need to buy a bigger PSU? Also, is it ok to crossfire at a later date?

Please do not turn this into a debate between Intel and AMD CPUs. Or a debate between Radeon and Nvidia. I dont mind budging so much on the graphics card type, but I really want to build an AMD system, and kind of wanted a Scorpius platform which is why I chose Radeon. I appreciate all the input y'all can provide. Thank you so much for all your help.

 

[hellfire24]

do a favor,fill this-
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[azeem40]

Honestly, I would not waste the $ on an FX. The Phenom is a better investment. Games do not utilize anywhere near 8 cores. The quad-core phenom is a better choice.

 

[omegajinx]

do a favor,fill this-
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Approximate Purchase Date: Hopefully by Feb. 02, 2012

Budget Range: (e.g.: 600-800) 1000-1500

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, Lighting and Sound design, Photoshop, web design...Hence the FX 8 core

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS, tower

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: US

Parts Preferences: I would like to use an AMD CPU & Radeon GPU

Overclocking: Yes

SLI or Crossfire: Maybe

Monitor Resolution: 1920x1080

Parts list with links:

-ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131736
-SAPPHIRE FleX 100314FLEX Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102924
-AMD FX-8150 Zambezi 3.6GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103960
-G.SKILL Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBSR (x2) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460
-COOLER MASTER Silent Pro Gold Series RS800-80GAD3-US 800W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.92 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Gold http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171057
-Mushkin Enhanced Chronos Deluxe MKNSSDCR120GB-DX 2.5" 120GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226225
-COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 EVO RR-212E-20PK-R2 Continuous Direct Contact 120mm Sleeve CPU Cooler http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099
-I also have a 1TB WD Cavier Black http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

 

[inzone]

If you are building this Pc for gaming then you will always hear the fact that Sandy Bridge is getter at gaming then AMD and you shouldn't resrtict yourself that way , but it is your computer and you certianly can put in it what you want.
I know that your were hopeing to save a few bucks but with gaming the better the video card the better the gaming performance so if you can squeeze in the 6950 then you will be a lot better off when you over clock your cpu.

 

[neal0790]

You can save alot of money on a lower mobo and cpu.

Which you could use for a better graphics card.

 

[inzone]

XFX HD-695X-ZNFC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
$229.99 and a $20 rebate makes it $209.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150523

This one is only $30 more then the Saphire 6870.

 

[omegajinx]

You can save alot of money on a lower mobo and cpu.

Which you could use for a better graphics card.

I should add that I do not intend to build/rebuild my comp every few years. I wish to have this comp for at least 5 years upgrading the memory and graphics card as needed. Thank you though for your opinion.

 

[inzone]

AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8120FRGUBOX
$199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961

With the $70 saved from this cpu you can get the 6950 and still have a 8 core cpu. You do know that in gaming you will use a maximum of 4 cores.

 

[omegajinx]

AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8120FRGUBOX
$199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103961

With the $70 saved from this cpu you can get the 6950 and still have a 8 core cpu. You do know that in gaming you will use a maximum of 4 cores.

Yes I do. But with the design work I do from time to time I will eventually utilize all the cores. Thanks. I am strongly considering that graphics card you linked. I have a $150.00 gift card, and I'll probably end up with a 2GB GPU, but I wanted to see if I could get away with the 6870 and upgrade it about a year. Right now I'm out of work and can't afford anything too expensive, but job prospects are looking up.

 

[azeem40]

1 GB of VRAM at 1080p is what I recommend. It is because 2GB VRAM mostly makes a difference at higher resolutions.

 

[omegajinx]

1 GB of VRAM at 1080p is what I recommend. It is because 2GB VRAM mostly makes a difference at higher resolutions.

Thank you azeem. I did not realize that.

 

[inzone]

Well you do have to work within your budget and being out of work makes it tough to choose what to do and you want to get the best that you can for the budget that you have.
Good luck with your build.

 

[omegajinx]

What do y'all think about the GIGABYTE GV-R695OC-1GD Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125385. I'm a sucker for 5-star Newegg equipment.

 

[azeem40]

That is a pretty powerful card. No doubt about it, however, if your max is $1500, I am sure you can fit an AMD 7970.

 

[inzone]

It's a nice looking card and I do disagree with the 2gb being only for higher resolutions , if you do graphical designs then the 2gb will come in handy for your work.

 

[omegajinx]

That is a pretty powerful card. No doubt about it, however, if your max is $1500, I am sure you can fit an AMD 7970.

As my parts listing about site right now (a couple of extras) it sits at 1,200. But I did buy the hard drive, monitor and OS off ebay and so I am sitting at just about 1,500. I'm willing to go slightly over, but not a 7970 price over. That is one bad ass card though.

 

[tiang]

You should go for Phenom instead of the FX series CPU. Try to wait for few more days to check new prices for the AMD6+++ series GPU. The chances are price dropping due to the 7970 series. Maybe you should think about 7970 gpu instead of the older one!

 

[omegajinx]

You should go for Phenom instead of the FX series CPU. Try to wait for few more days to check new prices for the AMD6+++ series GPU. The chances are price dropping due to the 7970 series. Maybe you should think about 7970 gpu instead of the older one!

No offense to you guys on the 7970, but I find it real difficult to spend over $500 on a graphics card. If work were rock solid and steady right now, I would consider it. Right now though, I just cannot afford it. Thanks for the input though. It is appreciated.

 

[hellfire24]

why AMD with that budget????

 

[azeem40]

That is fine. 7970 is pretty sweet, but it's not like it's required. If you want the 6950, go for it. I am pretty sure it can be BIOS flashed to a 6970s performance. However, if you're not wanting to risk it, get the 6970 for $320 if you want. The 6950 is just fine though.

On the AMD CPU, I have to agree with tiang on Phenom over FX. The performance/price and performance/core is better.

 

[hellfire24]

don't you think that he can build an intel pc with that budget?

 

[omegajinx]

That is fine. 7970 is pretty sweet, but it's not like it's required. If you want the 6950, go for it. I am pretty sure it can be BIOS flashed to a 6970s performance. However, if you're not wanting to risk it, get the 6970 for $320 if you want. The 6950 is just fine though.

On the AMD CPU, I have to agree with tiang on Phenom over FX. The performance/price and performance/core is better.

I multi-task a lot though, even while gaming. I don't play FPS, I play RPGs and strategy mostly. I used to play WoW, but I'm going to be switching to SWTOR here soon. I like to look stuff up on the internet, hell sometimes I even web design and other crap while playing if I'm not busy in game. To me, it would be nice to have those extra 4 floating cores to do all this other stuff while I'm in game, but I could be wrong.

 

[omegajinx]

don't you think that he can build an intel pc with that budget?

I've read online that AMD is better for multi-tasking than Intel. The reason I also dont go Intel is because of the motherboard. I want that Sabertooth motherboard. The similar Intel one is only compatible with the i7 chipset. There is one for the i5 but it does not have the same specs.

 

[omegajinx]

Ehh...my mistake the i5 Sabertooth has that weird looking shield thing that goes on it to make Sabertooth like...I don't like that. And on new egg the i7 is over $300 and the Sabertooth motherboard for the i7 is also over $300.