New AMD Build

[silentbobdrummer]

I am building a new AMD system. It will be my second build but first in four years so in some areas, I haven't kept up on hardware.

These are the components that I am considering. Most of these are available at CompUSA but anything else, i would order from newegg. I want to stay around $600. $700 max. I already have a hard drive (Western Digital 320GB 7200 RPB SATA).

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGMBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103727

ASUS M4A785TD-V EVO AM3 AMD 785G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131398

Kingston ValueRAM 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR1333D3K2/4GR
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820134792

COOLER MASTER Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119115

Rosewill Green Series RG630-S12 630W Continuous @40°C,80 PLUS Certified, Single 12V Rail, Active PFC "Compatible with Core i7,i5" Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182200

LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer Black SATA Model iHAS424-98 LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335


Since the motherboard has onboard Video, I would use that for the time being and upgrade to a video card at a later date.

The main uses for the computer would be some moderate gaming, CAD, some video editing and other misc. Any advice on this build would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[ryuk999]

If your going to save your money up a bit more for a video card later on, as well as do moderate gaming then I'd save my money up for this Diamond 5770 or else this Asus 5830. But if you plan on doing more heavier gaming I'd suggest this Diamond 5850.

The only thing I'd change with your build is your Power supply. Try this one instead Corsair 650TX

[silentbobdrummer]

Originally Posted by ryuk999 If your going to save your money up a bit more for a video card later on, as well as do moderate gaming then I'd save my money up for this Diamond 5770 or else this Asus 5830. But if you plan on doing more heavier gaming I'd suggest this Diamond 5850. The only thing I'd change with your build is your Power supply. Try this one instead Corsair 650TX

Thanks. Yeah, the power supply was the one area where I have no idea what's good and what's not good. All I know is I will probably need around 600W.

I'll have to look into those video cards. I plan on getting on once I have more saved up but I want to do the core build probably this weekend.

[David M]

For gaming, you wont be happy with onboard video unless you plan on running really old games. You can forget trying to run the newer graphics intensive games unless you turn them down to Mario Brothers like resolutions and game settings.

Get a PSU that will more than power the graphics card you think you may be getting. A 750 watt PSU will power all the single card setups. Corsair or Antec PSU's are fine.

[silentbobdrummer]

Originally Posted by David M For gaming, you wont be happy with onboard video unless you plan on running really old games. You can forget trying to run the newer graphics intensive games unless you turn them down to Mario Brothers like resolutions and game settings. Get a PSU that will more than power the graphics card you think you may be getting. A 750 watt PSU will power all the single card setups. Corsair or Antec PSU's are fine.

Thanks.

Right now, most of the games I play are from 2004 or older (with the exception of Sims 3). But I will most likely be getting a video card once I get more money. In the mean time the onboard video should be adequete.

[glc]

CAD and video editing won't be so hot on the onboard video either.

[silentbobdrummer]

Originally Posted by glc CAD and video editing won't be so hot on the onboard video either.

I'm starting to think that too so if I have enough left after I buy the rest of the components, then I might get the video card right away. If not, I might have to wait a month.

[Doom]

Like others here, I highly recommend Corsair for your PSU.

For the video card, you don't need to get some screaming $300 card to play moderate games. Up until a few weeks ago, I was using a 512MB nVidia 9600GT and was playing recent games at great resolution and quality.

Some cheap options for under $100 are:

SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB
ASUS ENGT240/DI/1GD3/A GeForce GT 240 1GB (reviews on this one have had gamers playing StarCraft II beta on full settings...should be good to go for your current requirements).

[Khalil]

The 4670 is a good card but I would not buy Sapphire as they do not provide consumer support. Diamond is their consumer supported line and I would get a Diamond or an Asus.

[glc]

For a video card in the $85 or so range I'd probably get a Radeon 5670 to get the DX11 compatibility.

[silentbobdrummer]

Originally Posted by glc For a video card in the $85 or so range I'd probably get a Radeon 5670 to get the DX11 compatibility.

What are some good brands?

and thanks to everyone for all the help. I'm going out today to get everything so hopefully, everything will work.

[David M]

Originally Posted by silentbobdrummer What are some good brands? and thanks to everyone for all the help. I'm going out today to get everything so hopefully, everything will work.

Khalil just said...

Originally Posted by Khalil The 4670 is a good card but I would not buy Sapphire as they do not provide consumer support. Diamond is their consumer supported line and I would get a Diamond or an Asus.

HIS is also good.

[silentbobdrummer]

Thanks for everyone's help. So far everything is working and Posted. Installing windows now.

Two things that I did change to the build. I ended up going with the Corsair 650W Power Supply and Patriot memory (still stayed with the 4GB (2X2GB) DDR3 1333.