New AMD build worth the price tag?

[infamos]

Recently purchase all new hardware from newegg.com (love those guys) for a new AMD build. Hoping to get some opinions or thoughts on if it's worth it or not. This is not JUST for gaming, infact gaming is minimal but want to play Diablo 3 for sure. Mostly used for Photoshop, Dreamweaver, (a lot of multi-tasking with those) and file storage. No monitor, keyboard or mouse needed. And I'm looking to hookup another graphics card for CrossfireX multi screen display in the near future.


Order Summary. Qty Product Description Price
1 DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #913084 -$25.00

1 DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #910706 -$20.00

1 DISCOUNT FOR AUTOADD #47237 -$49.99

1 DISCOUNT FOR COMBO #936991 -$13.00

Shipping from NJ, USA
. 1 Thermaltake Smart SP-730P 730W ATX 12V 2.3 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Item #: N82E16817153153
Standard Return Policy $99.99

. 1 Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136769
Standard Return Policy $79.99

. 1 CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139020
Standard Return Policy $89.99

. 1 AMD FX-8120 Zambezi 3.1GHz Socket AM3+ 125W Eight-Core Desktop Processor FD8120FRGUBOX
Item #: N82E16819103961
CPU Replacement Only Return Policy $169.99

. 1 SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity ...
Item #: N82E16814102908
VGA Standard Return Policy $149.99

. 1 AMD Gift - Dirt3 Game Coupon - OEM
Item #: N82E16800995114
Standard Return Policy $49.99

. 1 G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL
Item #: N82E16820231428
Memory Standard Return Policy $46.99

. 1 Thermaltake Overseer RX-I VN700M1W2N Black Steel / Plastic ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Item #: N82E16811133194
Standard Return Policy $129.99

. 1 ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Item #: N82E16813131736
Standard Return Policy $184.99

. 1 ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM
Item #: N82E16827135204
Standard Return Policy $17.99

Subtotal $911.91
Tax $0.00
UPS 3 DAYS $14.45
Promo code -$10.00
Order Total $916.36
Rebate Total: 80.00
Total after Rebates: 836.36

 

[infamos]

Sorry, the:

1 CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power ...
Item #: N82E16817139020
Standard Return Policy $89.99

is not for this build.

Total price would be 766.37!!!

 

[nekulturny]

Sabertooth motherboards are awesome mobos, well worth the premium, however it pains me to say you could do much better for a gaming rig in that price range.

Lets talk about a couple of the points:

CPU- The 8120 was originally when it was released very expensive for the performance it offered (over 200 dollars). My opinion is, regardless of what anybody says, at the 170 dollar price point, they are perfectly priced on par with their performance.

Having said that, an Intel i5-2500k priced at $220 is still a better performing processor, and you could have one at the same price with a cheaper motherboard. The 8120 will do everything you want it to do, but I would be negligent in my advisory role if I didn't make you aware of that.

I would try to fit in some budget for a CPU cooler like a Coolermaster 212 evo, or even a watercooler like a Corsair H100, the Bulldozer CPUs have massive headroom for overclocking, and if you really want them to shine, overclocking is a MUST.

Video card- 6850 is a decent video card, but a 6870 is not substantially more expensive and performs much better. However, since gaming is minimal, yes the 6850 will handle Diablo 3 perfectly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121418

 

[Outlander_04]

I would spend less on the motherboard , and more on the graphics card .

Even the Asrock 970 EXTREME4 AM3+ AMD 970
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157262
can crossfire two graphics cards . The x8/x8 bandwidth of the two pci-e slots doesnt hinder Intel sandy bridge crossfire builds so it wont be a problem here either .
The corsair TX 650 is the better power supply and is sufficient for a crossfire set up

Those changes save you $95 , and thats very close to getting you a new generation Radeon 7850 with MUCH better performance , and lower power consumption
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161406 $229
or the overclocked dual fan Gigabyte with quieter cooling
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125419 $259

 

[capt_taco]

Yeah, it would be worth that if it was in pesos.

Four things I would recommend to save money or boost performance:

- i5-2500k or i5-3570k as the processor
- Motherboard should be in the $80-$120 range unless you plan on doing serious crossfire/OC
- I would not spend that much on a Thermaltake PSU, and 730W is way overkill unless you definitely plan on crossfire. That Corsair you had listed is a better model anyway.
- I would also not spend $130 on a case when you can get one just as good and just as cool looking for half the price. That one's really up to you as a style call, though.

 

[nekulturny]

A pretty extensive benchmark on the 2500k vs the 8120.. Both of them are overclocked:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1210060/fx8120-vs-2500k-benchmark-results

But either way, yea the Corsair PSU is probably the better choice.

This is a good motherboard to go with the 2500k CPU if you decide to go that route:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157271

 

[chase3567]

Go with the Corsair PSU and a cheaper mobo like a Asrock 970 extreme 4. With the money saved from mobo you could put more into the graphics card. The 970 extreme 4 will also allow for crossfire/sli down the road if you choose to do so. Everything else is fine for your build.

 

[infamos]

Okay so here was my thinking.....

I stuck with the higher end mobo for future upgrade compatibility with the AM3+ socket and AMD processor with lots room for RAM.

No Intel please, I'm still not convinced that once the software catches up, this processor won't RIP. Not taking anything away from the Intels you've recommended but they are a bit more expensive and I'm hoping atleast some of the differences in performance will be adjusted by say...windows 8?

Over clocking? ---- YES! absolutely, most likely within a year I will spend money on an SSD, liquid cooling and another graphics card.

Can I get some explanation on the PSU? That's one thing I don't know much of. I do know that more hardware will be put on this later on so I went with the larger thermaltake. Thermaltake I thought was a decent brand of PSU? And was cheaper after rebates than the Corsair.

The case - to be honest with you I think I got tired of looking at this stuff and just picked it quick I have an older Antec Armor case that I may use instead and send the other back. If I dump the case then here we go new graphics card! I do like the looks of the Radeon 7850. Can anyone else recommend?

Also those prices are before rebates.. Take $20 off the case, $25 off the PSU, $15 off the GPU. And combo deals...listed at the top, don't remember what was combo with what but oh well.

Keep in mind this is not a full on gaming rig, yes D3 will be played to hell on it but that's it.

 

[capt_taco]

A pretty extensive benchmark on the 2500k vs the 8120.. Both of them are overclocked:

http://www.overclock.net/t/1210060/fx8120-vs-2500k-benchmark-results

Wow, the 8120 did a lot better than I thought. All the early benchmarks, it was just getting killed. So maybe there is hope for Bulldozer after all ... for the right price.

 

[nekulturny]

Wow, the 8120 did a lot better than I thought. All the early benchmarks, it was just getting killed. So maybe there is hope for Bulldozer after all ... for the right price.

Yea, I learn more the more I read, I understand AMD's theory behind Bulldozer a little better now, their theory seems to be, run the clock speed higher to compensate for the lacking individual core performance.

Of course, AMD can't explain away as easily how power hungry the CPUs get when you overclock them. I'm reluctant to say sites like Tom's has been "unfair" to Bulldozer, cus they're right, Bulldozers initially were way to expensive for the performance they offered. But Intel most definitely has federal fines to prove they're not adverse to shady business tactics to get ahead. So who knows whos on the payroll? Either way, I think actually taking things into context, the anti-Bulldozer crowd is more hype than fact in my opinion. But such as it is, I have to balance this with the fact that I chose a Phenom II (and still recommend them over Bulldozer so long as 960T-980 Black editions still remain in availability), mainly because they have a more consistent performance record instead of some of Bulldozers night and day performance ratios. In fact if Phenom II 1100Ts were still available from Newegg, I would be recommending that for infAmos' build today.

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

infAmos,

I stuck with the higher end mobo for future upgrade compatibility with the AM3+ socket and AMD processor with lots room for RAM.

That was my desire as well, I won't tell you a Sabertooth isn't worth the price, I have one and I love it. It has a 5 year warranty, which most motherboards do not have, and you can feel it by the weight its a very solid spare-no-expense construction.

No Intel please, I'm still not convinced that once the software catches up, this processor won't RIP. Not taking anything away from the Intels you've recommended but they are a bit more expensive and I'm hoping atleast some of the differences in performance will be adjusted by say...windows 8?

The last I heard Windows8 is expected to allow Bulldozers to perform roughly 5-10 percent better than they do on Windows7, although as you can see by that link I gave, assuming that guy is to be believed, clearly the 170 dollar FX-8120 at 4.5GHZ can step right up to the 220 dollar 2500k at 4.4GHZ in most scenarios.

Over clocking? ---- YES! absolutely, most likely within a year I will spend money on an SSD, liquid cooling and another graphics card.

One thing I would keep in mind about adding graphics cards, as a general rule, 2 cheaper graphics cards will not outperform a single better card. For example, two GTX 550 TIs in SLi are not going to perform better than a single GTX 580 in most gaming scenarios. As such, I would recommend that you get the best graphics card your budget allows today. But absolutely all of the cards mentioned in your thread will handle Diablo 3 "to hell and back" , (Diablo 3 isn't a very resource demanding game)

On the power supply issue, I cant offer much first hand experience with Thermal take PSUs, but I can say the Corsair TX series are very well made power supplies, as you can see from my sig, its the brand I trust to power my system, you can take that for what its worth.

I will say if this is the thermaltake PSU you're looking at, note that it only has 1 review so far on Newegg, and not a very positive one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817153153

 

[Outlander_04]

Here is a power supply guideline

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page362.htm

even with two 7850's you can use a sub 600 watt unit .
If you buy a higher rated psu it will run less efficiently so it costs you more to start with and more through the life of the computer .



The asrock board I mentioned above is also AM3+ . The only difference between the 990 and 970 chipsets is the number of pci-e lanes . Performance is identical . I would not buy an expensive motherboard if it stopped me buying a stronger graphics card .

 

[infamos]

even with two 7850's you can use a sub 600 watt unit

What about when I start the OC? I don't know anything about the power consumption when that starts....

I would not buy an expensive motherboard if it stopped me buying a stronger graphics card .

If I was an avid gamer then you would be correct, however I couldn't say no to the Sabertooth with all it's praise and 5 year warranty. I want this thing to last, I'm not familiar with Asrock mobos, have always trusted ASUS, never had a bad experience.

Now if I do end up sending the case and thermaltake psu back, I'd most likely put all of that cash into the graphics card and replace the SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 6850 . That would give me about 350 - 400 to spend.. should I go with 2 decent cards and setup my crossfire? Or if 2 is not better than one should I spend it all on one and an SSD?! Then later on when prices drop setup my crossfire with another graphics cards?