AMD Build...

[xExDiesel]

Hey guys I've reading over the forums and see that there are lot of very helpful people here so I thought I would share new build with you guys in hopes of maiking my first build go smooth.

As I said, this will be my first build and I'm looking to do a little gaming, web browsing, photoshoping, and a little multi media with it. In the future, I may also venture into the world of overclocking too, nothing extreme, just some mild OC'ing. I would like to keep my buget somewhere around $800-$900 range, but I don't want to cut myself short or spend too much on things that I don't nessisarily need to. As it says in the title, I would like to go with AMD, as they seem to have more bang for the buck and I don't plan on upgrading any time soon either, hell, I'm still using a P4 3.2g machine.

Here's what I have come up with so far...

Prcessor
AMD 955 be

Motherboard
MSI 790FX-GD70 AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard

Memory
OCZ Gold AMD Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LVAM4GK

Graphic Card
Radeon HD 4770

HDD
WD Caviar Black SATA 500g (one for now but will add another later)

CD/DVD Rom
PLEXTOR 20X DVD Super Multi Qflix Drive Black SATA Model PX-806SA SW

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W

Case
RAIDMAX SMILODON Extreme Black ATX
or
Antec Three Hundred Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

[alanebro82]

Looks like an excelent build. Someone may comment on the RAM though, as I don't think you need that fast.

Also, I've had good luck with MSIs, but I know they're not typically recommended here, so no comment there either.

One little comment I will make is your choice of harddrives. I compiled a little spreadsheet for my own purposes earlier today using only the WD Blacks.

Price ($)	Size (GB)	Price/Size ($/GB)
69.99		500		0.13998
74.99		640		0.117171875
79.99		750		0.106653333
109.99		1000		0.10999

Lower is better, and as you can see, the 750GB model is actually the best bang for your buck, and it's only an extra 10 bucks.

Just my two cents.

Edit: Prices from Newegg.com

[pam123]

Thanks for the chart.



He's going to need that ram with that motherboard, especially since he wants to over clock, and that's a decent price for DDR3 memory ($75.99 at Newegg).

MSI has hit a really good stretch so I have no qualms about their current AMD motherboards and neither does Maximum PC.

[Khalil]

MSI's lacks support, thats a lot of money to spend on an iffy product. After 30 days if something goes wrong, Newegg won't cover it. Here is a paste from newegg.com regarding return and exchange policy.

"Limited Replacement Only 30-Day Return Policy

* Return for refund within: non-refundable
* Return for replacement within: 30 days

Products that state "This item is covered by Newegg.com's Replacement Only 30-Day Return Policy", or items labeled as “Non-refundable” (or similar labeling) must be returned to Newegg within 30 days of the invoice date for this policy to apply. Products covered by this return policy may only be returned for a replacement of the same or equivalent item. “Return” constitutes receipt of the product by Newegg, and not the mere issuance of an RMA."

Go Asus and save yourself the possibility of a major headache.

[pam123]

Here is MSI's General Warranty page : http://us.msi.com/support/sup_genwar.asp


Newegg's 30 day limited replacement policy applies to boards once they pass the $150 price point and not just to MSI. You will find the same thing for Asus AM3 boards as well.
It seems to have the most to do with current boards that are major sellers, so an AM2 board at or near that price point would be standard return policy but the AM3 board would be limited return policy.

Strictures on their past behavior were deserved but this has not been a current problem.

[Khalil]

There are current problems Pam, big problems. I have 8 motherboards here from 4 months ago that I cannot get RMA from MSI.
No one calls back, they do not respond to emails. Distribution can only take the motherboards back for 6 months and its passed it. These boards all failed around the same time and they are still under MSI warranty.
If these boards were Asus they would have issued me an RMA while I was on the phone with them and this issue would have been resolved. I know they paint them in pretty colors and all but I have to say it how it is. If people still want to buy MSI then that is their call.

[alanebro82]

Originally Posted by alanebro82 Price ($) Size (GB) Price/Size ($/GB) 69.99 500 0.13998 74.99 640 0.117171875 79.99 750 0.106653333 109.99 1000 0.10999

I just looked and Newegg just dropped the price of the 1 TB model. It jumped into the lead by a good margin!

Price ($)	Size (GB)	Price/Size ($/GB)
69.99		500		0.13998
74.99		640		0.117171875
79.99		750		0.106653333
99.99		1000		0.099999

[xExDiesel]

Thanks for the info guys.

Alanebro - I had actually planned on putting in a 750g because as you pointed out, it's a better deal, but I copied this from a list that I hand saved on newegg which had the 500g on it. Nice Lists too!

So, everything looks pretty good then?
Cool, imagine that, after following these forums for only a few days I was able to put that build together. lol

I was also considering an ASUS MB, but read a lot of good reviews on the MSI so I thought I would give it a try. I may indeed go with the ASUS, but I'm not ruling this MSI one out quite yet(currently using an Asus P4P-800MX lol ). Which of these will I not have to flash the Bios on for it to work with my configuration? Being my first build, I really don't wanna have to flash the BIOS until I learn a little more about what I'm doing.

This is the Asus I was looking at ASUS M4A78T-E AM3 AMD 790GX HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

Any other recommendations on a cheap case that will cool well? I want something pretty much just plain black, plenty of cooling, easily accessible front I/O panel and room enough for a first time builder.

[pam123]

Originally Posted by Khalil There are current problems Pam, big problems. I have 8 motherboards here from 4 months ago that I cannot get RMA from MSI. No one calls back, they do not respond to emails. Distribution can only take the motherboards back for 6 months and its passed it. These boards all failed around the same time and they are still under MSI warranty. If these boards were Asus they would have issued me an RMA while I was on the phone with them and this issue would have been resolved. I know they paint them in pretty colors and all but I have to say it how it is. If people still want to buy MSI then that is their call.

Gahhh!!!
I got RMAs for two boards about 3 1/2 months ago.
From initial e-mail to new boards received was about 12 business days.

From what happened to you it sounds like I was an anomaly.

[pam123]

I like plain black cases and this is one I've been happy with : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811112192

[Khalil]

About a year ago I ordered a large number of MSI boards for an Intel build, close to half of them were bad, luckily Distribution took them back and we spent a little more and got Gigabyte. The Gigabytes have performed very well but 3 of the remaining MSIs came back recently with defects, I did not bother with them, threw them straight in the garbage and replaced them with Asus boards.
Its simply not worth the time for $5 you end up saving per board, it ends up costing you a lot more in time and hassle.

[shadowpr]

I like the antec 300 for a case.

And that wd caviar black 1tb drive is about $5 cheaper from zipzoomfly.com Just made an order earlier today.

[Khalil]

I agree with shadow the Antec 300 is a great case. Used a ton of them and never had anything but complete satisfaction, great fit and finish.

[xExDiesel]

I think I'll give the Antec 300 hundred a try.

I guess once I get all my parts (hopefully in about two weeks ) I guess I'll be on here asking all kinds of noob question.

Thanks for the advice/comments, I really appreciate it.

One more Q, is the this Asus worth me getting over the other one I posted. I'm not sure really what the difference is.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131363

[Khalil]

Do you plan on using 3 Video cards? If not then that motherboard is a waste of money.

[xExDiesel]

Not quite! lol

Thanks, I wasn't too sure, glad I asked.

[xExDiesel]

Instead of starting a new thread, I'll just ask here....

OS...should I buy Vista64 and look to upgrade later (not sure how much more this will cost me in the long run) or just install Windows 7 RC until it's released?

I guess another part to that question would be, do I need to go ahead and get the OEM/builders version now while I'm buying components or does that matter? I was told that the only way to get the OEM version was to buy the MB/CPU with it...any truth to that? It may be more cost effective to buy the OS now if indeed I have to purchase component with it...Am I making any sense?

thanks

[xExDiesel]

I getting ready to order my build now and I need to now what length cables to order?

Everything going into a Antec 300 and will be connected SATA. I'm guessing 18" cables will be sufficient, I'm also going to order two extras with 90* connectors just in case.

[Khalil]

What cables? The motherboard comes with cables that will work fine.

[xExDiesel]

Originally Posted by Khalil What cables? The motherboard comes with cables that will work fine.

Haha. I didn't realize that. I just got my HDD yesterday and it didn't come with any, so that's what I was thinking.

Speaking of my HDD.....OEM version HDD's, wow, I now see why people were complaining on the shipping/packing, I didn't realize that it wouldn't include the "retail" box or anything.

As you can see, I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks for all your help bud.


OH, BTW, I went with the Sapphire HD4890, newegg has a combo deal and I got theAMD 955BE and the Card for only $404, so it really on cost me about $150 (plus I got and additional $15 MIR, so that's $135), so if figured why not.

*I just seen that the "free" cpu magazine subtracted from the CPU price and re-added at the end. so add another $35 to that great deal.

[xExDiesel]

Final specs of my build -

AMD 955 BE

MSI 790FX-GD70

OCZ Gold AMD Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600

SAPPHIRE 100269SR Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP

CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V

Western Digital Caviar Black WD7501AALS 750GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Hard Drive

SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q

Antec 300

[Khalil]

Sapphire are really good cards, not likely to fail, so you are in good shape. The 4890 Card is really awesome and plays games very smooth.

[xExDiesel]

I'm a gamer, just never really had the hardware that could play'em, so pretty much I just play on consoles. Now that I'll have a descent rig. I'll probably get into PC gaming a little more. Infact I went ahead and ordered Crysis and will probably be using my Steam account in the near future. I look forward to playing some of those HL2 mods too.



Thanks again for everyone's help, I felt so much more confident ordering everything for my new build.....now I just hope that confidence doesn't go away next week when I start opening all that new hardware. lol

[LeftyAce]

Welcome to PC gaming :-) HL2 will run full settings no problem. It's a very well optimized game, ran great on the hardware that was current when it launched. You might check out the Cinematic mod for HL2. Updates the skins/textures, making them higher resolution. Also adds very epic movie-like music.

Follow these directions when you start putting the parts together and you'll avoid a bunch of headaches: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=168456

[nicolaus corelius]

you dont theoreticly need 650watts, but hell, its so cheap that you might as well. you could probably even use it for your next build as single gpu builds would never exceed the 500-550 consumption limit. actually the real consumption is like 350-400, but you wanna leave room.

[xExDiesel]

Originally Posted by nicolaus corelius you dont theoreticly need 650watts, but hell, its so cheap that you might as well. you could probably even use it for your next build as single gpu builds would never exceed the 500-550 consumption limit. actually the real consumption is like 350-400, but you wanna leave room.

Yeah, I wanted to make sure I had enough power. lol I might even venture into crossfire later, hopefully this will work for that too.

[xExDiesel]

Originally Posted by LeftyAce Welcome to PC gaming :-) HL2 will run full settings no problem. It's a very well optimized game, ran great on the hardware that was current when it launched. You might check out the Cinematic mod for HL2. Updates the skins/textures, making them higher resolution. Also adds very epic movie-like music. Follow these directions when you start putting the parts together and you'll avoid a bunch of headaches: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=168456

Thanks for the info, I'll definitely have to check out HL2 in high res, man I love this game.

[glc]

The PSU certification list is not out yet for 4890's in Crossfire. I don't think 650 will be enough.

[xExDiesel]

Well, the UPS man decided to deliver my stuff a day early. Too bad I forgot some how to add a DVD drive to my cart, so I guess I'll order that tomorrow. lol

So I got everything install and turned on the power and everything looks good so far(well actually, I haven't hooked it up to my monitor yet but you know what I mean). I do have one question though, do I need to connect the PCIE power to my video card? and what the small connector that is attatched to it for? Haven't found anything yet in the manuals about this, only seen a blurb about it if you're using crossfire.

Also I noticed that the power button will only turn it on, but not turn it off, something backwards maybe? reset works fine though.

[LeftyAce]

Newegg + UPS shipping always = surprisingly fast delivery :-)

You need to connect the PCI-E power cord. Small connector attached to what? To the PCI-E power plug? I think it's the add-on to allow you to power cards that need a 2x4 connector. If yours is 2x3, just detach the extra 2 pins from the power cord and you're set to go.

I wouldn't run the computer much before you get the monitor hooked up; you can't see to check temperatures to make sure you installed the heat sink correctly.

Momentarily pushing the power button won't turn off the computer; you have to hold it down for possibly as long as 6 seconds, then the machine will power down.