Gaming build - tight budget

[trireme32]

I'm on a pretty tight budget but it's definitely time to upgrade... How does the below build look?

• CPU: AMD Phenom ii x4 965
• Mobo: ASUS M4A87TD/USB3
• GPU: Saphire Radeon HD6870
• RAM: Corsair 4GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10666) CL9 Dual Channel
• Hard Drive: WD Caviar Blue 1TB 7,200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s
• Optical Drive: Samsung 22x DVD±RW w/ Dual/Double Layer Support
• PSU: Antec 520W High Current Gamer
• Case: Xigmatek Asgard ii

[glc]

The only things I might replace are the hard drive and optical drive - change from a Blue to a Black and to anything except a Samsung.

[trireme32]

Thanks - did some further digging on the hard drive and from what I've read the Spinpoint F3 might even be a better option for me than the Caviar Black (performance for the price wise)???

I've switched the HD to the Spinpoint for now and the optical to Asus.

I also came across a special for 2x2gb of Ripjaws DDR3 1600 for about $15 less than the Corsair 1333... This is a better option, right??

It's been ages (15+ years) since I've built a computer... the amount of options out there right now is staggering...

[glc]

Samsung has had reliability issues, hence the WD Black recommendation. In fact, Seagate is buying out Samsung's hard drive division. G.skill has also had issues, we recommend Corsair, Crucial, Kingston, or A-Data.

[Deringer]

You could also do a little tweaking for gaming performance. Tom's Hardware states that the i3-2100 will outperform the Phenom II x4 you listed for gaming. Pricing out a i3-2100 and an ASUS P8P67 mobo will only run you $20 more.

Core i3-2100: Newegg.com - Intel Core i3-2100 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz 2 x 256KB L2 Cache 3MB L3 Cache LGA 1155 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I32100

ASUS P8P67: Newegg.com - ASUS P8P67-M (REV 3.0) LGA 1155 Intel P67 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

To make up that $20, you can switch to the HIS 6870 or drop down to one of the 6850s. According to Tom's charts, there isn't much difference between the 6870 and the 6850. (I chose the HIS brand based on Khalil's charts)

HIS 6870: Newegg.com - HIS H687F1G2M Radeon HD 6870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

HIS 6850: Newegg.com - HIS H685F1GD Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

Otherwise, GLC's comments are spot on. Grab a WD Black and stick with your original choice of Corsair ram and your build is good to go. Personally I don't like the case, but everyone has a specific taste.

Good luck!

[glc]

Thing is - more and more games are coming out that can utilize more than 2 cores - and this is coming from a 100% Intel builder (me). I have no quarrel with your processor choice.

Tom's rated the X4 955, not the 965.

What would I personally build with? I'd spend more money and get an i5-2300 or better. I also wouldn't use a micro-ATX board.

Sapphire is now acceptable, as is Asus, Diamond, and HIS. I have recently validated their support and RMA procedures.

[Deringer]

Originally Posted by glc Thing is - more and more games are coming out that can utilize more than 2 cores - and this is coming from a 100% Intel builder (me). I have no quarrel with your processor choice. Tom's rated the X4 955, not the 965.

I was basing my comment off of the Gaming CPU Hierarchy Chart at the end of the Best Gaming CPUs For The Money: May 2011 article. The 965 and 955 are both rated one rung under the i3-2100.

Originally Posted by glc I also wouldn't use a micro-ATX board.

GLC is the expert, I'm now striking M-ATX boards from all my potential builds

[glc]

However, I WILL build with micro-ATX for general purpose onboard video builds. When a real video card is involved, especially for a gaming rig, I prefer the full size boards.