My First Build

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czenteno

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I am going to upgrade my computer but the retail stuff is expensive and
not the latest.

I am going to use the computer for web development, programming, design and
a little basic gaming. I would like to keep it under $900 bucks.

So this is what I have come up with, please comment and help me regarding the
components and their compatibility. I really appreciate your help.

CPU: AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition Thuban 3.2GHz Socket AM3 125W Six-Core Desktop Processor HDT90ZFBGRBOX -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103849

MOTHER: BIOSTAR TA990FXE AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138341

CASE: Antec Three Hundred Illusion Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129066

MEMORY: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 16GB (4 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9Q-16GBRL -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231315

GPU: SAPPHIRE 100326L Radeon HD 6670 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102935

PSU: Seasonic SS-460FL Active PFC F3, 460W Fanless ATX12V Fanless 80Plus Gold Certified, Modular Power Supply -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151099

HD: Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136769

DRIVE: LG Black Internal 12X Super Multi Blue with 3D Playback Blu-ray Disc Rewriter SATA WH12LS38 LightScribe Support - OEM -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136239

CPU COOLER: COOLER MASTER Hyper TX3 RR-910-HTX3-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" 92mm CPU Cooler -- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103064


-- The case comes with 3-4 fans, so should be OK with a fan-less PSU and with thelp from the CoolerMaster
-- I use a several services in the Cloud for storage and have a couple of external drives so that is why I chose a low mem HD. If I go to 1TB, I would want to go for a RAID but I dont have the money now.

That's it, again, I appreciate a lot your help and comments.

 
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g-unit1111


Not really - the software now is just beginning to catch up to quad core technology. It will be at least another year or so before it catches up with hex core technology. The software is always going to be one or two generations behind the hardware.

As for Gigabyte boards - try something like this if...
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czenteno

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Oops, sorry, I forgot to mention that I am going to use Ubuntu or Mint.
I already have a LG 22" monitor (1600 x 900), speakers, mouse, kb.

I kinda prefer AMD CPUs, it is what I have used lately after using Pentiums
some years in the past, and they have worked really good for me. I have
not built my computers, but I have purchased them with AMD.

The CPU you recommend looks good and it is indeed cheaper.

Maybe I do not need a Phenom X6, I had another one selected which was
like 50 bucks cheaper, but it just got discontinued @ Newegg where I am
going to buy all my stuff.
 
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zolton33

zolton33

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Try tigerdirect they usually still have stock when newegg doesn't and on some things their cheaper

On a side note i hope amd comes out with some better cpus soon i love them myself but right now the sandy bridge cpus from intel are ruling the coop with price versus performance. >_<
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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The CPU you recommend looks good and it is indeed cheaper.

Maybe I do not need a Phenom X6, I had another one selected which was
like 50 bucks cheaper, but it just got discontinued @ Newegg where I am
going to buy all my stuff.
Click to expand...

Both are good for different areas. The X6 is far more multimedia and web friendly where the i3-2120 is a more well-rounded CPU for everything from Excel to 3-D rendering programs.

It's a pretty good start but could use a couple of tweaks - these would be my suggestions.

Biostar motherboards are terrible. This would be a lot better choice and it's actually less: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280

Put the difference there into getting a better GPU. For not a few bucks more you could get a 6790 or even a 6850. This would be better: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102908

If you're not going to overclock you're better off not getting the extra fan for now. Add that to what you'll be spending on the 6850. You can always add that later.

That PSU is going to be a bit underpowered. Excellent brand but if you upgrade to the 6850 you'll need a stronger PSU. I'd suggest this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Otherwise it looks good.
 
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czenteno

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@zolton: Thanks for the tigerdirect suggestion, but I am in Mexico and it is better for me to order everything from one supplier, or the shipping costs will kill me!

@g-unit1111:

Thanks for the MOBO recommendation, looks good with great features. I was going to go with a Gigabyte but that Biostar MOBO had the EDITOR’S CHOICE BY MOTHERBOARDS.ORG and that influenced me towards it.

Is ASRock as good as Gigabyte? or better?

As for the GPU, the 6850 looks fantastic but... I do not plan to OC the machine or to play a lot, just occasionally. And I am afraid a better Gamer machine will lower my productivity as I am a freelancer, hehe.

On the PSU, if I stay with the 6670 maybe I can stay with the Seasonic... I rather have an excellent PSU as our power is sometimes iffy, and it will protect/keep ok the machine.

Good suggestion on the extra fan...

Again, thanks a lot for your help!!
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Thanks for the MOBO recommendation, looks good with great features. I was going to go with a Gigabyte but that Biostar MOBO had the EDITOR’S CHOICE BY MOTHERBOARDS.ORG and that influenced me towards it.

Is ASRock as good as Gigabyte? or better?
Click to expand...

Asrock is a much better choice than Biostar. It's actually started as an off-shoot of Asus. For the price that board can't be matched. Gigabyte would still be the best. The two Gigabyte boards I have have been really solid and stable with no problems.

Although I'm really not sure how credible that source is.

As for the GPU, the 6850 looks fantastic but... I do not plan to OC the machine or to play a lot, just occasionally. And I am afraid a better Gamer machine will lower my productivity as I am a freelancer, hehe.
Click to expand...

I hear that. :lol:

But you should definitely look at a good GPU. Alternately you might want to consider a 6790: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150534
 
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zolton33

zolton33

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I have a biostar in my system the 6100-939 with an amd athlon 64 x2 4400+ And i've never had but 1 problem and it only showed up about a year ago (built this pc 6 years ago) and thats the north bridge chip set on mine gets hot at times causing my monitor to go black for a few seconds then come back. Now consider that not only is the mother board old but its but running 6 years non stop 24/7 365. Now i'd call that depenable wouldn't you?

Edit:

I forgot to mention the reason the mother board does that is that i'm using its on board graphics the geforce 6100.
 
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czenteno

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@zolton: Yes, pretty dependable...

@g-unit:

Let me check the GIgabytes again... even though the ASRock has great features at a great price, like you mentioned.

Thanks for the tip on the 6790... I will probably get it with the money of the fan and I am now thinking on downgrading
the Phenom X6 to a Phenom X4...

do the 6 cores are really used by most of the software? is it worth having 6 instead of 4? (or 2 for that matter?)

 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Not really - the software now is just beginning to catch up to quad core technology. It will be at least another year or so before it catches up with hex core technology. The software is always going to be one or two generations behind the hardware.

As for Gigabyte boards - try something like this if you don't want to use the Asrock - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519
 
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michxymi

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Value case with USB III in front panel.

NZXT Source 210 Elite Black Steel with painted interior ATX Mid Tower Computer Case w/ Black Front Trim
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146078

An 80+ branded high quality PSU.

CORSAIR Builder Series CX500 V2 500W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Six Core CPU with new set of instructions (AVX, FMA4 and XOP, AES) and great multithreading perfomance. It's also a great overclocker (around 5GHz with good heatsink)

AMD FX-6100 Zambezi 3.3GHz Socket AM3+ 95W Six-Core Desktop Processor FD6100WMGUSBX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103962

The most full motherboard in every socket with cost just a little over 100$. USB, SATA & eSATA III, all solid caps and support for 8X / 8X Crossfire.

ASRock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262

8GB seems the sweet spot right now for memory.

Kingston HyperX Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model KHX1600C9D3B1K2/8GX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104262

6770 is the ideal GPU for your resolution/needs. Low power consumption/temperatures and good perfomance.

SAPPHIRE 100328L Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102940

For sure, add a small SSD for your basic programs and operating system! You will see a major difference in your system's response!

OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-60G 2.5" 60GB SATA III MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227725

And finally a value storage HDD.

HITACHI Deskstar 7K1000.D HDS721050DLE630 (0F13178) 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822145531

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


SUM 700$ WITHOUT 40$ MIR



 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Why would you go FX when there's been so many problems both software and hardware associated with them? I have an AMD system and even I won't upgrade to that until AMD releases something better. You might want to read up: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/windows-7-hotfix-bulldozer-performance,3119.html

Also bad hard drive choice as Hitachis have a higher fail rate than anything WD and Seagate produces. At least in my experience.
 
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czenteno

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@michxymi:

As g-unit says, I have been reading about the F chips and almost everybody agrees
that at this point the 960T is much better, so I will stick with it.

Good tip about the case, I will compare it with the 300 and see if it seems better,
I like that it is steel, painted inside and has lots of fans.

I will always go with a Seasonic PSU than anything else, even a Corsair. And the
one I chose is modular.

We agree on the 6770, it is the one I am going to order... not the best but pretty
good for my uses.

For the HD, I will stick with WD, after more than 20 years of using their drives, I have
never had one fail so far (knocking on wood!).

And good tip on the SSD drive, I will probably add it to my setup. Is 60GB a good size?
is OCZ the best brand? I have heard of several friends mention that their SSDs fail and
stop working all of a sudden, are they stable now?

Thanks for your help!
 
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michxymi

michxymi

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The problem with FX CPUs is that is something completly new as architecture and until there are some better fixes especially for scheduler they won't give the appropriate perfomance.. Of course 960T is also a great option and it has a high change (~50%) to be unlocked into 6 Core! If you buy it though I suggest to get a better heatsink especially if you unlock / overclock because AMD's stock voltages for 6 core are....uhhh :p

As for HDD and PSU... Seasonic is maybe the best but still the most expensive brand...As for modular, the case I suggested you has plently of room behind to cover the rest cables. Now I choose this HDD because of it's price. Of course Hitachi isn't Western Digital, but in build where I use it, it was good...and every manufacturer has a chance to disk failure...even Western Digital

OCZ wasn't the best one in Vertex II time, but they've done huge improvement with their SSDs...60GB atleast for me is enough for 10-20 basically programs and OS...the rest on the other HDD.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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We agree on the 6770, it is the one I am going to order... not the best but pretty
good for my uses.

For the HD, I will stick with WD, after more than 20 years of using their drives, I have
never had one fail so far (knocking on wood!).

And good tip on the SSD drive, I will probably add it to my setup. Is 60GB a good size?
is OCZ the best brand? I have heard of several friends mention that their SSDs fail and
stop working all of a sudden, are they stable now?
Click to expand...

The 6770 is an excellent card for the price but if you can find a 6790 it's only a few bucks more.

I agree about WD - I've really only used their drives and I've never had one fail on me. As for the SSD I don't really recommend them in low budget builds as even a ~64GB SSD is about $110 and that's a sizable portion of your budget. It's better to get the build up and running and then get the SSD later. Sure it will be a pain to reinstall Windows and everything else but on an SSD installing Windows doesn't even take 10 min.

I'm really iffy on modular PSUs. The only one I tried would instantly fail on me if I ran my PC and it required me to do anything that didn't run the PC on idle (games, etc). I've actually come to prefer non modular PSUs and cases with better cable management.
 
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