Thoughts on This $1,000 AMD Build

[maddawg]

Compatibility check please. I know the general thought is not to use Nvidia on the north bridge but I would like to do 3D vision at some point in the future. Also would like to get this build down to $800

CPU
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX

Motherboard
ASUS M4N75TD AM3 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
Newegg.com - ASUS M4N75TD AM3 NVIDIA nForce 750a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard

Mem
CORSAIR XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 Desktop Memory Model CMX8GX3M2A1333C9
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

GPU
EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
Newegg.com - EVGA 01G-P3-1561-AR GeForce GTX 560 Ti FPB (Fermi) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

Hard Drive x 2
Western Digital AV-GP WD10EURS 1TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital AV-GP WD10EURS 1TB 64MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Newegg.com - Western Digital Caviar Black WD5002AALX 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive

Case
Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BA-WOPSU Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case
Newegg.com - Sunbeam Transformer IC-TR-US-BA-WOPSU Black Steel ATX Full Tower Computer Case

PSU
CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply
Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

[jdeb]

Looks good to me. I assume you will adding another card in the future which is the main purpose of the board.

Cutting 200.00 would be tough if you plan on adding an additional videocard in the future. I would stick with your selections.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Neat case. Looks roomy.

[maddawg]

And it's super cheap

[bigsully]

I guess thats one of those like it or hate it.

No offense and to each his own, but to me the case looks really cheesy and tacky.

Sorry....

[flanzig1]

Don't see an DVD optical drive or an OS listed. That will add another $130 to your budget.

[maddawg]

Better case?

XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case

Newegg.com - XCLIO Windtunnel Fully Black Finish 1.0 mm SECC Chassis ATX Full Tower Computer Case

[Nuclear Krusader]

What are you looking for in a case?

My neat rating was based in roominess and ease of working inside it. I hate cramped cases. I also took into consideration the number of hard drive bays and that the PSU is mounted at the top, as I dislike bottom-mounting PSU designs.

When it comes to aesthetics, a wife is the only person whose opinion I'd seek and value. Lacking that, I'd buy something that looked good to me, as I'm gonna be the one looking at it every day; and if my neighbour finds it tacky I care not a whit.

[glc]

I personally like the Coolermaster CM690 series cases for the money.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

[bigsully]

Sadly, I guess they don't make these anymore for some strange reason, maybe aluminum cost got prohibitive. I bought one several like 4-5 years ago, and Newegg was selling out almost as quick as they could get 'em in. Awesome quality, good looks, huge size. I can't find anything not to like about it.

Amazon.com: Cm Stacker 830 Black: Electronics

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Stacker 830 Evolution RC-830-KKN3-GP Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Computer Case

I guess these are similar, but without the front and right side grills and with extravagant and wayyyy too expensive wild paint jobs.

Amazon.com: coolermaster stacker 830

If ever I was to buy another Case, I would def look at Cooler Master again, their better stuff anyway.

[Dave in Houston]

GLC once said he didn't like cases that looked like Darth Vader, and that made me realize that I use cases that look exactly like Darth Vader:

Newegg.com - Antec Two Hundred(v2) Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

I have three of them, and I like them quite a bit, expecially because they were bought on sale for $20 to $30.

[jdeb]

GLC once said he didn't like cases that looked like Darth Vader, and that made me realize that I use cases that look exactly like Darth Vader: Newegg.com - Antec Two Hundred(v2) Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case I have three of them, and I like them quite a bit, expecially because they were bought on sale for $20 to $30.

That is the best case for the money (when on sale) for sure and they are not as ugly as they look in that picture but they are still ugly. I bought a few of them on black friday for budget gaming builds and they are very nice to work with.

I personally like the Coolermaster CM690 series cases for the money. Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKN1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

but george, yours does not look like an alien.


LOL, people stop dissing the man's alien pc case

[maddawg]

Nuclear Krusader, I'm not hard to please when it comes to cases something easy to work in, good venting and simple if any assemble.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Look for a roomy and tool-less case then.

[glc]

The CM690's are both roomy and easy to work in.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by Nuclear Krusader What are you looking for in a case? and that the PSU is mounted at the top, as I dislike bottom-mounting PSU designs.

I always had top-mounted PSU until I got the 650w Corsair and glad the case wanted it on the bottom. Seems way to heavy for 3 little screws to support if on top.

[glc]

You are missing a screw, Sarge..........

Standard ATX is 4 screws.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by glc You are missing a screw, Sarge.......... Standard ATX is 4 screws.

You've known that for how many years now? When I put the PS in this case I thought it odd there were only holes for 3 screws in the case. But since it was being installed on the bottom I thought nothing more about it, figuring they compensated. I just looked again - 3 screws. Bottom left and right corners, and one at top about an inch in from the left. I'll pull the PS if need be, but am sure I questioned it last year and counted the holes and likened with the case. Shall I report back?

[David M]

Look for where the fourth screw hole should be by looking at the threaded holes in the PSU. You will have to remove it to see the four threaded holes. Your case manufacturer may have screwed up and not drilled the fourth hole, or you may not be seeing it. The pattern is not symmetrical. You may want to drill it yourself if it is not there.

Just wondering, is there an adapter plate between your case and PSU? If so, I am wondering if you have that on wrong?

If the three screws seem to be holding the PSU on well enough then I would leave it alone. It's not a big deal. Everyone has a missing screw here or there and most of us do okay.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by David M If three screws seems strong enough then I would leave it alone. It's not a big deal. Everyone has a missing screw here or there and most of us do okay.

But you already know that I have to know, thus gotta tear everything apart just to satisfy. This particular case has holes all over it but only 3 match the PSU. As you wrote, no big deal...but we deal in facts or closest we can get.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Cases have a plate or a rail to support the back of the PSU, they don't rely solely on the screws.

[SARGE]

I asked for the best parts last year on this build and got it. My case didn't make an oops, trust me. Best piece of hardware I've ever seen. Just gotta figure out how to hook up 7 - 120mm fans - but I will, and have the PSU to do it. No adapters for PSU. I removed the PSU a few minutes ago, and to confirm what I wrote earlier, there are indeed 4 holes in it. One must eyeball very closely to align that 4th one though. I did write that, right?

BTW, if you ever want a great case, per glc and my build:

CM 690 - Cooler Master

[bigsully]

Hey Sarge,

You'd look good driving this tank too.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/prod...roduct_id=2988

[Jmarcelo]

I recommend this one as it's the one I use and it runs cool all stock Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case look for it at a electronics store that sells pc parts save shipping. Or fry's

[David M]

Originally Posted by SARGE I asked for the best parts last year on this build and got it. My case didn't make an oops, trust me. Best piece of hardware I've ever seen. Just gotta figure out how to hook up 7 - 120mm fans - but I will, and have the PSU to do it. No adapters for PSU. I removed the PSU a few minutes ago, and to confirm what I wrote earlier, there are indeed 4 holes in it. One must eyeball very closely to align that 4th one though. I did write that, right? BTW, if you ever want a great case, per glc and my build: CM 690 - Cooler Master

So the hole in the case is not there or you didn't see it at first?

One way to align the hole perfectly would be to mount the PSU as you normally do but put a very shallow stud in the fourth hole in the PSU. Put a piece of tape roughly where the stud would push against the case. Press the stud against the tape to make an impression in the tape. That's where you want to drill your fourth hole.

Or make a template of the holes in your PSU. Put tape roughly where the fourth hole goes. Align the three holes and then mark the fourth hole with a Sharpee.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by SARGE Just gotta figure out how to hook up 7 - 120mm fans - but I will, and have the PSU to do it.

be careful sarge, it might fly away like glc's pig

[maddawg]

I'm not too worried about the number of screws used. I work on C-130. Really there are only two screws that hold on those engines. Way under sized given the proportions.

[SARGE]

Originally Posted by maddawg I'm not too worried about the number of screws used. I work on C-130. Really there are only two screws that hold on those engines. Way under sized given the proportions.

Yeah, and going from Okinawa to Da Nang I swear there were way more than 2 that fell in my lap. Obviously weren't from engines though.

[David M]

Screws? Not bolts or pins?

[rwest]

Originally Posted by SARGE Yeah, and going from Okinawa to Da Nang I swear there were way more than 2 that fell in my lap. Obviously weren't from engines though.

Screws falling into the lap from a plane in the air..hmnn, any chance those screws made you a little nervous?

BTW I like the case you picked maddawg, except for the window. I personally just don't like windows.