Curse

moriz · May 24, 2008, 12:38 AM // 00:38

alrighty, i'll be getting my money next week: $1000 exactly. i'm going to use this to build my new computer. (all prices are canadian btw)

as of right now, i'm going to wait for the radeon HD4xxx series (to be released in june), so the computer will not have a graphics card. i'll be using the integrated graphics for the time been.

as such, i'm pretty much dead-set on AMD's 780G chipset, paired with a high end phenom or athlon 64 x2 6400.

anyways, here's the stuff i've picked out myself:
case fan: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=S457-1054 $12.99
wireless adaptor: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=N100-1667 $18.99
case: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=TC3J-4012 $48.99
CPU: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...u=CP1-AM2-9850 $287.99
motherboard: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=S458-1302 $91.99
RAM: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...5&sku=C13-6076 $69.99 (also has a $25 mail in rebate)
powersupply: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...&sku=T925-1177 $73.99
hard drive: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...ku=TSD-160AAJS $60.99
DVD writer: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...-GH20NS10%20CA $29.99

total: $695.91
after taxes: $786.38

if anyone can improve on this, i'm all ears. thanks in advance.

Lord Mythirion · May 24, 2008, 01:00 AM // 01:00

I personally think that you should get a better mobo, one with 2 pci-e X16 slots so you can go crossfire, like this one:

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...727&CatId=2838

and a hard drive with a 16mb cache, yours only has an 8mb cache.
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...9070&CatId=139

otherwise it's fine. I have that PSU, and it works fine.

FlamingMetroid · May 24, 2008, 01:00 AM // 01:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by me from another thread

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813136044
CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103252
GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130318
PSU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139006
RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231122
Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827129020
HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148262

what I'm getting
gonna pick up a case from a local store, just under $1k US

Lord Mythirion · May 24, 2008, 05:24 AM // 05:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamingMetroid

what I'm getting
gonna pick up a case from a local store, just under $1k US

if u forgot, don't forget the OS

My friend did that before. he finished, than I was like "ok, just have to install the OS" "what OS?...@#%*@&*"

LockerLoad · May 24, 2008, 06:19 AM // 06:19

Moriz, don't buy the ECS A780GM-A if you plan on using Phenom X4 9850.

The 4 phase voltage regulation is inadequate for a 125w CPU you will destroy the motherboard.

Here's an article from Anandtech that explains the incompatibility issue.

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3279&p=2

Also quad core CPUs won't improve your gaming experience. A higher clocked dual core will generate less heat than a quad while delivering more performance.

Although my gaming rig runs on an Opteron 180 I can't think of ANY reason I'd buy an AMD CPU at this time. Intels processors from last year give AMDs latest and greatest a thorough kicking.

I'd recomend an Intel e8400 it's cheaper and faster than the Phenom you're considering plus It's a 45nm CPU and should run much cooler(and use less power).

If you're determined to purchase an AMD quad core CPU with a 780g chipset then consider the DFI LP UT 790FX-M2R mobo, it has a six phase digital voltage regulator which should be more than adequate for that 125w Phenom.

I'd also recomend a different chassis. The CoolerMaster CM690 has excellent cooling options with all the possible 120mm fan locations as well as decent aesthetics. It's basically the Cosmos' little brother. http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...497&CatId=1509

The masscool fan you linked to is a sleeve bearing fan. Sleeve bearing fans should only be run in a vertical orientation or the bearing will dry up and the fan will fail. Make sure to use ball bearing or Sony FDB fans if you plan to mount them horizontally. My pick would be the Scythe S-flex: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...0&cid=FN. 505

I just picked up a 500Gb WD HDD from Canada Computers for $80: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...d=HD. 443.877

The rest of your component list looks fine.

Admael · May 24, 2008, 09:01 AM // 09:01

Those DIMMs are crap, Corsair uses the term "low latency" pretty loosely, my PC2-8500's run at lower latencies than those. Here's something slightly better:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...597&CatId=2368

moriz · May 24, 2008, 11:56 AM // 11:56

hmm, maybe i should go with the phenom x3 8750 then. it uses 95W, which the board should handle just fine.

the reason i'm going AMD and 780G is because of the HD3200 onboard graphics, which i'm planning to use until the HD4870 comes out in a month. i've heard NVIDIA has a board that use the geforce8200, but i don't know the prices on those things.

bhavv · May 24, 2008, 01:52 PM // 13:52

That CPU is crap for that much money. You would be far better off with a core 2 duo or quad setup.

moriz · May 24, 2008, 02:28 PM // 14:28

yeah, and unfortunately, AMD's 780G chipset is not compatible with intel chips. until i can find nvidia's comparable chipset motherboard selling for ~$100, it's AMD for me.

P1RATE · May 24, 2008, 06:33 PM // 18:33

Two good budget cases.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119068
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...119152&Tpk=590

LockerLoad · May 24, 2008, 06:50 PM // 18:50

Morriz,

If you must buy a 780g board then buy a board with 5 phases or more on the voltage regulator. Any Amd CPU worth considering will consume more wattage than that ECS board is designed to handle.

Answer a few questions for me and I'll help find you the best system within your budget and locale.

1. are you capable of upgrading firmware(flash the mobo bios)?

2. do you intend or want to overclock the CPU in this system for extra performance?

3. do you absolutely need integrated graphics or is a throwaway video card equivalent to the 780g(hd2400) enough to fill the gap until the new cards come out.

moriz · May 24, 2008, 06:55 PM // 18:55

1: yes, but it's been a while since i've done it. i've last done it on my old P3's motherboard

2: maybe, but probably not

3: i think buying a "throwaway" graphics card is a waste of money, so i'd like the integrated graphics to be as powerful as possible... or at least be able to play games like guild wars, L2, shaiya, etc.

LockerLoad · May 24, 2008, 07:47 PM // 19:47

a point about 3. Integrated graphics sequesters a portion of system RAM for its own use. So it's either a waste of RAM or a Waste of Vid card(E-Bay perhaps?).

My picks:

Case Fan: Scythe S-flex http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...0&cid=FN. 505 $16.99
Case: CoolerMaster CM690 http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...497&CatId=1509 $97.99
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...?EdpNo=3574211 $243.99
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...8&cid=MB. 157 $96.99
RAM: http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...646&CatId=2531 $74.99
or http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applicatio...597&CatId=2368 $34.99 if you're budget constrained.
PSU: Corsair CMPSU-550VX http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...1&cid=PS. 808 $77.99
HDD: WD2500AAKS http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...d=HD. 443.877 $56.99
DVD you picked will do fine.
Wireless adapter ditto.
Video card: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...=999 .243.390 $175.99
or
HD2400pro throwaway(basically what's on a 780g mobo) http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...=999 .243.272 $32.99

If you choose the most expensive ram and vid card I mentioned you'll still be under budget.

The Zotac 8800GT is probably the best deal on a video card I've seen EVER!

If you plan to purchase one of the new DX10.1 cards this fall be prepared to spend $500 or more(and install the malware known as Vista).

If you still want a 780g AMD system I'll do up a spec for you, but it won't compare to this Intel machine.

Cheers

moriz · May 24, 2008, 10:21 PM // 22:21

the HD4800 series looks to be in the $200-$300 range. apparently, the HD4870 with 1gb GDDR5 will retail at $299ish. of course, this is from tom's hardware, and is definately not official.

and yeah, i'm installing the malware known as vista. vista business 32bit to be exact, which i got for free.

anyways for that integrated graphics ram part... yes, i'll be cutting into my system ram, but it should be a simple matter of setting it to 128MB and use it as usual. GW does not need more than 128MB, so the performance hit shouldn't be big. not to mention, i'll be getting it all back once i install an actual graphics card.

Why_Me · May 24, 2008, 11:13 PM // 23:13

You're price-performance ratio is far worse by getting some half-assed amd integrated amd system than getting a powerful intel base with some temporary card until the 4800s come out.

LockerLoad · May 24, 2008, 11:22 PM // 23:22

Ok Moriz I'll stop trying to push Intel kit on you

Here's a 780g mobo you can use with confidence: Sapphire PI-AM2RS780G http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...9&cid=MB. 350 $99.99

This board has five phase voltage regulation and should stand up to the 125watt processor you'll wan't to use. You will have to upgrade the firmware(flash the bios) to latest release for use with AM2+(Phenom) processors.

Here's your Quad core 9850 for cheaper: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...&cid=CPU .907 $258.99 only $2.00 more than a x3 at TigerDirect...

Although I'd recomend this instead: http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...&cid=CPU .907 $170.99

IMHO save your money until Phenoms are available at higher clock speeds.

My other component recommendations remain unchanged excepting the video card since you'll be going with the integrated *shudder*.

Good luck with you're build I'll monitor the thread in case you have more questions. BTW I'm in Toronto so if you're local and run into a snag lemme know.

moriz · May 24, 2008, 11:48 PM // 23:48

hard part with flashing bios is... i'll need an AMD processor to do the flashing. unfortunately i don't own one. if that's the case, i'll go back to my original plan of getting an athlon 64 X2 6400 black edition from tigerdirect for $165. however, at the time of writing this post, that part has disappeared from the website. damn.

anyways, the resulting system needs to beat my current POS, which is a P4 3ghz, 1gb ram (don't ask me how fast, i don't know), and geforce fx5500 PCI. that's right, PCI.

i live in ottawa, so it's too far for me to visit you in person. thanks for your help anyways, i really appreciate it.

Blackhearted · May 24, 2008, 11:51 PM // 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by moriz

and yeah, i'm installing the malware known as vista. vista business 32bit to be exact, which i got for free.

Even though it's free i still wouldn't say 32bit vista is too wise to go to these days. Mainly due to that nice little memory limitation that you'll hit if you ever put in any more ram.

LockerLoad · May 24, 2008, 11:56 PM // 23:56

the other processor I linked to was a 6400+ Canada computers does mail order so you're still in business

edit: Blackhearted makes a valid point, I run xp64 to support my 4Gb ram. Vista requires way more system resources, particularily memory, consequently invest in 4GB ram even though Vista 32 will only see 3.25Gb.

moriz · May 25, 2008, 12:16 AM // 00:16

well, i can get the 64bit for free as well. gogo university. it's just that i've already downloaded the 32bit version. the 2.54GB download will weight rather significantly into my 60GBit bandwidth. does the 32bit version include the files for the 64bit as well?

the thing is, the 32bit is bound to have better driver support, and i really don't see myself actually using 4gb of ram.

of course, i might be a little out of the loop with the ram part. is 4gb suddenly the new standard now?