AMD Build. . . Any suggestions?

[Genforcer]

Well I am building an AMD machine for gaming, and was looking at something like this. Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated. This will be my third PC build but have not kept up with all of the new items and formats that have come out over the past years. . . . I think I looked over most of it, but if you see an issue with anything let me know. Just looking to build a good sturdy gaming PC, no overclocking here, that will last me for some time.


CASE: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129021

MOBO: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131013

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103773

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146692

GRFX: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814143117

SOUND: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102017

HDD: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136037

OPTICAL: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106077

POWER: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817153028

I will use Vista Ultimate 64bit with this setup. One question I had is with the sound card. I just have a 2.1 setup but mainly use my Fatality headset for gaming. Is this card good for the quality sound I want for gaming or is it overkill since I will not be utilizing the 7.1 feature.

If you have any suggestions on changes in the format, I would love to hear before I go through with this setup, as you can see my signature my system is getting a little outdated and want to switch up to AMD this time. Thank you in advance!

[RazR]

with the sound card, i would first try out your onboard first..
then if need be, pick up the sound card
it the onboard somehow performed better than the sound card, then that would be a waste of $70
just my 2 cents

[hitchface]

Not that I want to ruin your day, but...

An Intel build is still more cost effective, especially if you are gonna go for an nVidia card. If you want the immdeiate power (bang for buck being the operative words) than go with a C2D platform. In that event, you can drop your RAM speed down to 667, since you won't be overclocking.

If not, however, go for a full on Spider platform. Phenom chip, HD 3800 series card, and a new mobo with the 790X or 790FX chipset. That way you can ensure one heck of a long upgrade path, and maybe save a few bucks in upgrades down the road. Keep your RAM as is if this is the case.

Creative is gearing up to launch a PCIe based sound card, which is a very good thing. You might consider waiting for it before you buy one. Like RazR said, go onboard first.

Aside from all of that, ditch the Thermaltake PSU. Corsair has some good untis right now.

And finally, be prepared for possible errors using a 64-bit OS. You might come out unscathed, but 64-bit isn't the norm, and much of today's software wasn't designed for it.

[Genforcer]

Looking through Newegg I noticed all of the Intel Chips are more expensive at a lower speed.

[Lespaul20]

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_20...=882&chart=444

Take a look a these charts. The price per performance is interesting to look at since AMD seems to have control on these charts. I don't know how up-to-date that chart is now.

[wildfire]

I'd say to build Intel and get a E6750, 2.66ghz, $200.

AMD may have their chips clocked at higher speeds, but that's not all that matters. Yes clock speeds do matter, but how the chips function and work also effect their speed.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

If you look, in the charts, the E6750 wipes the floor with the AMD 6000+. Although the AMD is clocked higher, the E6750 was built better.

[Genforcer]

What do you think of the current ram I have and if I go with Intel what would be a good board?

[Genforcer]

And sticking to Vista Ultimate 32 bit would be wiser for gaming?

[hitchface]

Like I said in my previous post, drop the RAM speed down to 667 mHz. 800 won't do you any good unless you overclock. Also remember what I said about the PSU. All of that fancy shmancy hardware won't last long and be all for naught should it decide to die on you.

A 64-bit OS does have its advantages, like increased RAM useage, but most software still doesn't work well with it. I'd stick with a 32-bit OS for now...soon enough, we'll all be switching over. Just not yet.

[Genforcer]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220230 For my ram is Patriot a good name? Now what about the MOBO
And I switched the PSU to the Corsair 550W

[hitchface]

OCZ is good, as is Corsair and Crucial. I've never used Patriot so I can't say.

[dabro15]

I think your first choice of RAM was better. Why go with a lower MHz rating for the same price? You can also lower your RAM MHz frequency down to 667 form 800 just by simply going into your BIOS and changing it. I would go with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820227269 for the same price range your looking at or any other OCZ RAM. I have the same OCZ SLI Edition RAM except the 2GB (1GB X 2) version and it runs perfect.

[hitchface]

I'm not sure what the warranty policy would be, but be aware of changing the speeds manually because you might void it.

[Genforcer]

Thanks for all the help, My parts should be in by Jan. 3rd. . . . can hardly wait to get it running