chris052692

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I have my PSU, GPU, Hard drive, and CD/DVD drives already so I only need to buy the case and the rest.

Here are the things that I have meticulously looked into buying (The case not so much):

By the way, my spending limit is no more than 500 dollars.

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233190

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

The items that I already have on hand:

PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182200

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561

Hard drive and CD/DVD reader is some stock thing from Brandsmart that I'm not worried about at all.

I'm 90% sure of these things and I will most likely not change . . .

Unless someone can find something incompatible here or direct me to a better product (Don't bother directing me to Intel because AMD is just as good. I don't require bragging rights, just a functional desktop.)

I also saw that my Corsair RAMs were a quad-channel kit but my motherboard's supported channel is dual.

Will my RAMs work or will I have to get 2x8Gb sticks?

Other than that, feel free to point out any mistakes or concerns.

Don't forget that I cannot go above 500$.

Thank you in advance.
 
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Unless someone can find something incompatible here or direct me to a better product (Don't bother directing me to Intel because AMD is just as good. I don't require bragging rights, just a functional desktop.)

That is not true even slightly. There's some areas where AMD has strengths but compared to Sandy Bridge - there's *NO* CPU on the market that AMD makes that can even remotely compete with any Sandy Bridge CPU - even the $70 Pentium G620 far outperforms the $200 FX-8150. And no I'm not a fanboy when I say this. The numbers don't lie: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html

I love the Phantom but it's not doable on $500. This would be a far better setup that will run circles around any...

g-unit1111

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Unless someone can find something incompatible here or direct me to a better product (Don't bother directing me to Intel because AMD is just as good. I don't require bragging rights, just a functional desktop.)

That is not true even slightly. There's some areas where AMD has strengths but compared to Sandy Bridge - there's *NO* CPU on the market that AMD makes that can even remotely compete with any Sandy Bridge CPU - even the $70 Pentium G620 far outperforms the $200 FX-8150. And no I'm not a fanboy when I say this. The numbers don't lie: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html

I love the Phantom but it's not doable on $500. This would be a far better setup that will run circles around any AMD build. I'm not sure I would have chosen that particular PSU - I probably would have gone with the Corsair CX600.

Try this:

Case: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 - Cooler Master HAF 912 - $59.99
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271 - Asrock Z68 Extreme 3 Gen 3 - $121.99
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072 - 3.3Ghz Intel Core i5-2500K - $219.99
Cooler: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099 - Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo - $34.99
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820226095 - 8GB Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 1333MHz - $42.99

Total: $479.95

Comes in below $500 and you get the best CPU on the market (currently) and a far better motherboard with tons of headroom for overclocking. The case isn't as good as the Phantom but is widely considered one of the best in it's class (and is the same case I have). You also get a strong aftermarket air fan for overclocking.

That Corsair kit is a dual channel but 16GB isn't needed - you most likely will never use it all unless you're running RAM-intensive programs like Adobe CS5.
 
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ddan49

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+2 on g-unit. Seriously... Intel is so much better than AMD. I'm not a fanboy... just look at the benchmarks. I don't think you'll find many people who will recommend AMD. Just because you see something with a higher gigahertz clock speed doesn't mean it's better. If you can wait a little, I'd wait for IB (April 29) and buy an i5-3750k and the Pro3 ASRock Z77 motherboard. That'll put you in at about $500.

I'd also look at getting 1600MHz RAM, but it's not necessary. Ditch the Cooler Master Evo for a Cooler Master Hyper 212+... it's cheaper, and still performs well.
 

g-unit1111

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Hey I'll recommend AMD video cards without even thinking about it - I just bought a 7870. CPUs on the other hand - unless we see an absolutely dramatic difference with Pile Driver, I doubt things will tip the scales in AMD's favor any time soon.

And why recommend the older 212? The Evo has a stronger fan with an LED and more concentrated heat pipes. It's worth the $5 difference if you ask me.

And yes - 1600MHz RAM isn't needed because your motherboard will always default to low speeds but even Intel's RMA guidelines state that 1333 is what the CPU will be able to handle at the max and if you go over your warranty will be voided.
 

chris052692

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So more RAM isn't better? Having 8Gb of Ram won't be any slower than having 16Gb of Ram? (Well, just for games like . . . BF3).

As for the case you presented me, I prefer mine so I'm going to look to picking a slighter cheaper Intel CPU . . . like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115068 <---How about this one?

I guess I'll go with Intel since the majority vote wins. I looked into it and I wasn't too sure if I should spend the extra cash considering how my friend has AMD and yet he plays his games just fine. From the research that I've done, AMD was able to compete with Intel in the past but currently they have been slipping up.

So I'll take your advice and invest in Intel . . . even though those were not my prior intentions.

Other than that, do I need the cooler? Will it be able to run games without me having to overclock it?

Also, will my GPU be compatible with my new motherboard?
 

chris052692

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odwillia

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I did notice that you have two different Phantom Cases there... the 1st one selected
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146067&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=1izk226wbzqws
is the full tower version, the one in the post above,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811146087&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=4176827&SID=18kqky2tt66pk
is the mid-tower version.
Both are nice cases but, just wanted you to be aware they are two different cases if you had missed that.
 

chris052692

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Ya, I picked a different one because it was slightly more cost effective. Thanks for telling me though.
 

termhn

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Well, it's the "midrange" northbridge, and supports CrossFire and SLI. It's possible that you get more "bang for your buck", but if you have the $$$, the Z68 will outperform it.
 

chris052692

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Would this motherboard be okay? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138344

Because it says something about "It is recommended to install memory module on the red DDR3 DIMM slot (DDR3_A2 or DDR3_B2) to boot the system."

Also, it has a 8-pin connector for the CPU. Is that needed? Because my Rosewill does not have an 8-pin connector.

It only has two 6-pin connectors (one with an extra two-bit but I need both for my GPU).
 

g-unit1111

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1. On a gaming build you'll never use it all.

2. That CPU won't work on a Z68 build - it's 1366 only - you'll need this if you want cheaper: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

3. Yes Intel will be far better than AMD in the long run - and I'm not a fanboy when I say that, I have an AMD system - I know.

4. You only need the cooler if you plan to overclock.

5. Yes - GPUs are not CPU specific - you can use Radeons on Intel, you can use NVIDIA cards on AMD - it doesn't matter. What does matter is how many PCI x16 lanes your motherboard has - as long as it has at least one you're good, two or more is ideal.

Alright, Z68 it is.

Grrr, why do they tell me that P67 is the mobo to use!?

And especially do not buy a Biostar motherboard - you will have problems with it. Go with the Asrock - it will be far better.
 

ddan49

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I was talking about CPUs. I don't think Intel makes GPUs (or do they own Nvidia?). Yeah, at the moment, the 7850 and 7870 are the best mid-range GPUs. I've got the 7850 selected for my build.

I guess you make a point with the Evo. The LEDs are really strange (do they shut off?)... it's going to be inside your case. I'd prefer no LEDs personally, but then again... my case is a Fractal R3. That gives you an idea of what I'm going for. I do know that the Intel CPUs (at least the i5-2500k) CAN and DO use 1600 RAM... everywhere I've heard that it is the "sweet spot" for it.
 

g-unit1111

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1. No they don't own NVIDIA but a lot of people new to building systems don't seem to realize that GPUs aren't CPU specific. :lol:

I just bought a 7870 for my build and it's SWEET.

2. Yeah the LEDs don't make a difference unless you have a case with a clear window.