Budget Gaming build

[Burkdaddy]

Building two rigs. For my wife and I. Want to keep price low obviously.

Here's my real question. This is about the level I want. I don't care about AMD vs Intel except the obvious price difference. I want something that I won't have to upgrade for a good long while. And when I do make my next upgrade I don't want to have to build a complete system. Maybe just RAM or something like that...am sure you know where I'm heading.


Processor, I've read that Quad core is over kill for the gamer. Especially since I'm mainly a WoW gamer. However, I want to keep the CPU for a good long time. This Tri-core below is my first choice. Do you have reccomendations for a better one that won't cost me much more?

2x AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Processors - Desktops

Ram - You guys hooked me up in another thread for some good reading. Am still processing the info so may not fully grasp it. This is my first choice. I understand that "DDR3 still needs to mature some" but, again, when I upgrade RAM in 6mo-yr, I don't want to get a new MB/CPU to keep up. Am I on the right track?

2x OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GKNewegg.com - OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G1600LV6GK - Desktop Memory

Motherboard - I've always used Asus/Gygabit(sp). Am I selling myself short? Reviews were great and it has the features I wanted at the price I wanted. Am open to suggestions. Would like it to last me about 1 year. I know this tech will also mature and prices will come down.

2x ASRock M3A780GXH/128M AM3 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard Newegg.com - ASRock M3A780GXH/128M AM3 AMD 780G HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

I have a Sapphire 4850 512mb DDR3 currently. It's decent. My current rig won't let it run to max potential anyway and I'm still running XP pro. I will be picking up two copies of Vista when I make this purchase. Should I grab a couple 4890's instead of the card linked below? I see sales where 4890's are similarly priced.

Newegg.com - Recertified: EVGA 896-P3-1255-RX GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
EVGA 896-P3-1255-RX GeForce GTX 260 896MB 448-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video

Also included in this purchase will be the items listed below. I'm trying to keep close to that budget.
1 x Newegg.com - RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-630SS 630W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Modular LED Power Supply - Power Supplies
1x Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER ELITE 335 RC-335-KKN1-GP Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Computer Cases

total cart is $1050ish - Wiggle room approx $100 one way or the other. I have 1x case, PSU at the house already.




I appreciate your input and look forward to comments. If you any of you have hardware for sale on the level I'm trying to achieve, I'm open to negotiations. Keep in mind, I'm US (Arkansas) so shipping is to be considered.

Hell, I'm all about negotiations. I'll trade anything from an old laptop to some chickens I'll steal from down the road.... =) (Cash...there's that too)

[Safearus]

Well, I've never been a fan of ASRock motherboards, and why buy a motherboard with onboard video if you plan on buying video cards?
I'd say go with something more like this: ASUS M4A785TD-V Evo 785G Socket AM3
IMO it'll last you a bit longer, and won't be wasting space on the onboard graphics.

[Burkdaddy]

I'll take that. Ty

My experience with Asus has always been good. Running one now and have been for 3 years. (Same board)

[grifter11]

I'd Go for this card.

Newegg.com - Recertified: XFX HD487AZDF Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

Instead of the card you picked because you will save more money.

[DokkRokken]

Out of curiosity, is that tri-channel memory even be compatible with the AMD platform? You could probably knock off a considerable amount off your total if you use a set of 4GB, DDR3 kits that are dual channel. I could very well be wrong, though. :)

[CMetaphor]

Originally Posted by DokkRokken

Out of curiosity, is that tri-channel memory even be compatible with the AMD platform? You could probably knock off a considerable amount off your total if you use a set of 4GB, DDR3 kits that are dual channel. I could very well be wrong, though. :)

you might have a point there. I think the DDR3 kits for i7 use much lower voltage than regular DDR3, so putting an i& kit into an AM3 motherboard may cause some issuse with overvoltage on the ram.

PS> The Asus board suggested earlier also uses integrated graphics... You can probably get a full size ATX board using the 790X/790FX chipset for around the same price with more expansion abilities.

[Burkdaddy]

you guys are right about the ram. Tri channel isn't supported. I'll switch.

On the vid card...Grifer, I was looking at that one. THEN I decided I would keep my 4850 and get the wife a 4890. This way, in 6 months, I'll be able to get one even better than hers! See how I manipulate this?
Newegg.com - XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards

Muhaha - We're on the same page though. RAM....will work on that next break. Thanks fellas

[Burkdaddy]

Revised to the below list.

ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - ASUS M4A79XTD EVO AM3 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - AMD Motherboards

XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
Newegg.com - XFX HD-489A-ZDFC Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Desktop Graphics / Video Cards (to butter up the wife. I'll get one later like I said above.)

mushkin XP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996657
Newegg.com - mushkin XP 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996657 - Desktop Memory

AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor Model HDZ720WFGIBOX
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X3 720 2.8GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Black Processor - Processors - Desktops


Better?

[CMetaphor]

Originally Posted by Burkdaddy

Better?

Much! You might want to invest a few buck in aftermarket cooling though, for more silence and to keep things cooler as well.

[grifter11]

Here's a suggestion for a CPU Heatsink.

Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RR-B10-212P-GP 120mm "heatpipe direct contact" Long life sleeve CPU Cooler - CPU Fans & Heatsinks

[Safearus]

Or you could go with: Scythe MUGEN-2 SCMG-2000 120mm sleeve CPU Cooler

[DokkRokken]

I'm interested to see how that Asus 790X works out if you get it, because I'm assuming it goes toe-to-toe with the Gigabyte 790XT, and that board seems to be in a real sweet spot for price/performance.

[Burkdaddy]

Added the cooler. Reviews said they OC'd my cpu to 3.2.... sounds about right.

Folks, you've been great. Thanks!