New AMD rig opinions please!

[Manute]

Hello all,
I am looking at building a new computer as my current configuration is 6+ years old.
I am looking for a computer that will be "current" for a while, but not break the bank.
I have no need for Peripheral's.
My Price point is around $800 to $1000CND.
Purchases will be made on NCIX or similar Canadian sites.
This is what I have in mind.
I would appreciate comments and or suggestions that would help me make my decision.
Purchase date is within 1 month.

Cooler Master HAF 932 Full Tower
Corsair 750 Watt Power Supply (CMPSU-750TX)

ASUS M4A89GTD PRO/USB3 (M4A89GTD-PRO/USB3)
AMD Phenom II X6 1055T (HDT55TFBGRBOX) or AMD Phenom II X4 965 (HDZ965FBGMBOX)

LITEON 24X24 DVDRW Sata, Lightscribe (IHAS224-06)
1 TB Hard Drive

Now I was going to go with GSkill RAM (1600), but I have read a lot about that RAM not functioning properly with the M4A89GTD board. I was wondering if this is a big issue or if it was just blown out of proportion on the ASUS and GSkill forums. Should I stick with GSkill or move to something else?

Vid card is also up for debate. Maybe a future purchase depending on cash flow. I am not a serious gamer, but do enjoy some gaming. I plan to get StarCraft II as I am a fan of the original.Comments welcome... Thanks

1. What YOUR PC will be used for.
Some gaming (starcraft2 for sure),
2. What YOUR budget is.
$800-$1000CND
3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference.
Not Really, but will be going with AMD CPU.
5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Just the Peripherals
6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
YES
7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Default speeds for now, maybe slight OC in future
8. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Soon, less than 1 month

[yamawho]

Check this out ...
Bench - CPU - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

Play around with the settings for different categories and cpu's.

I decided on a x4 965 BE

[martin_metal_88]

First of all, welcome to the forum!

I would see at the end of the build if you can swap the PSU for a Seasonic X 650W. This design is new compare to the over 2 years old one of the corsair ( still a good PSU ). The seasonic is also fully modular so you will have a dead clean computer without any extra cable laying in. Also look for the silverstone one in the strider + series. here are some of them.

NCIX.com - Buy Seasonic X650 Gold ATX 12V 24PIN 650W Active PFC 80PLUS Gold Modular SLI Ready Power Supply - X650 Gold In Canada.
NCIX.com - Buy Silverstone Strider 750 Plus 750W Modular Power Supply ATX 24PIN 135mm Fan 60A 80+ Silver Black - ST75F-P In Canada.
NCIX.com - Buy Silverstone Strider 850 Plus 850W Modular Power Supply ATX 24PIN 135mm Fan 67A 80+ Silver Black - ST85F-P In Canada.

If you plan to play starcraft 2 get a GTX 460 1GB or find a good deal for under 160 on a 5770. These card are not thtat expensive and will give you headroom with this game and you can always add another one later. I would also swap the Lite-on dvd drive for a samsung or a Pionner question of overall quality. Finally if you are looking for a 1TB HDD take a look at the samsung setpoint F3 they are dead fast and pretty great drive. No need for SATA 3 since you wont see any real speed difference until they add the controller to the chipset ( which is not plan before around 2012 ).

GL with your build!

[jcmaz]

Welcome to the forums :)

I would take the 1055T than the 965BE because the prices are nearly the same, but you get 2 extra cores. Apparently the 1055T is easy to overclock to 4.0GHz, but your mileage may vary...

I would get a Gigabyte board because I think they support their products better than ASUS. For example, my ASUS 690G was not supported for Phenom II processors while the nearly identical one from Gigabyte did. (Fine, ASUS eventually did release a BIOS for but it was 1.5 year LATE!!!)

The Gigabyte 870G board that was reviewed here did well. Get that one.

If the budget allows, get the WD Black 1TB hard drive, if not, then teh 640GB Black.

I like Corsair ram due to their stability and warranty and compatibility.
Corsair XMS3 CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL 9-9-9-24 Core i5 Dual Channel Memory Kit

It is on sale right now. Ignore the Core i5 part, it will work with AMD.

I recommend the CM 212+ cooler. It is dirt cheap and does its job well.

As for video card, i would get an EVGA GTX460 1GB (AR version). It might be more expensive, but I does have lifetime warranty (if you register for it) because I think you will be keeping this computer for quite some time :)

[_dangtx_]

the 932 is a bit overpriced, look for a 922, or ps04b on the cheap. looks and feels liek a much more expensive case, less airflow options vs the cm 922 but hey its less than half price :)

[DkRk]

Bit of a tossup. The 1055T's two extra cores will not provide any real benefit to gaming or basic productivity, but the CPU's 'Turbo-Core' technology will tick three cores to 3.3GHz, which is a hair below the 965. So even if you don't decide to overclock, you'll still get compelling performance. However, the 965 will operate all four cores at 3.4GHz, and has an 'unlocked multiplier' which facilitates easy overclocking; that's handy if you're a beginner and don't want to get your hands too dirty at the start. If I were in your boots though, I'd probably pick the 965.

jcmaz's recommendation of the Gigabyte 870A-UD3 is an excellent one. I'd check out that option. If you must have an integrated graphics option, then the 890GPA-UD3H offering from Gigabyte is another good choice.

GIGABYTE 870A-UD3 AM3 Motherboard Review

GIGABYTE 890GPA-UD3H 890GX AM3 Motherboard Review

If you're not a serious gamer, perhaps finding a used, or heavily rebated Radeon 4870 1GB would help you stay within your budget. The card is a generation old, but still packs a real punch at 1680x1050. Newegg.ca has an Asus 4870 1GB that is retailing for $135, and you get a $30 rebate. The offer expires on the 31st, though.

Good luck on your build!

[Manute]

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments
after reviewing this is where I stand.

CM Haf 922 (I actually meant that case, typo)
I will look at some of the Modular PSU's recommended above

Looking at the Gigabyte 890GPA-UD3H now (thanks for the suggestion, cheaper too!)
thinking of pairing it with either of these 2 RAM kits. They are both on the QVL.
G.SKILL F3-10666CL8D-4GBECO Eco PC3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL8-8-8-24 1.35V Memory Kit
G.SKILL F3-12800CL7D-4GBECO Eco PC3-12800 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1600 CL7-8-7-24 1.35V Memory Kit
with the x6 1055T

Also I might look at a SSD as well for the OS. (Win7)
Kingston SSDNow V Series Gen II 64GB 2.5IN SATA2 is on sale right now,
I probably won't make that sale, but I might get one if they go back on sale.
Still looking at a 1TB drive, probably the WD black.

As for Vid Card I saw this
XFX Radeon HD 5770 850MHZ 1GB 4.8GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI HDMI Display Port DIRECTX11 PCI-E2.0 Video Card
again i might miss the sale, but it looks like what I am looking for.

If I can order this b4 Sept 1st, (and everything is in stock) I can sale A LOT!

Thanks everyone.

[_dangtx_]

the 870a is cheaper, last time i checked. also there is the 120 dollar gd70 msi fx on sale at newegg. pm it at ncix and try for the additional 20 dollar mail in rebate

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/forum...tml#post421755

thank cray for the spotting.

that fx should do the trick at that price point,plenty. you cant find used ones for that low, lol.


ddr31600

you sure you wanna go for the 5770? :)

[JD]

G.SKILL ECO RAM works great with the 890GPA-UD3H. I personally have the X6 1055T, 890GPA-UD3H, and G.SKILL ECO DDR3-1333 2x2GB. Booted up flawlessly first try. It does default to 1.5V on the memory, so you'll probably want to go in and turn it down to 1.35V.

I'd shy away from the SSD at your price-point. Also I hear AMD chipsets may be a bit flaky with TRIM support, so might want to look into that before buying one.

Consider the Samsung F3 1TB as well, typically cheaper than the WD Black and still a top performer.

And the GTX460 is definitely a better performer if you can afford it.

[Manute]

Ok this is my build so far

MB $120 MSI 890FXA-GD70 (PM'd from the egg) Thanks dangtx
RAM $115 GSkill F312800CL7D-4GBECO
CPU $210 AMD X6 1055T
VID $195 XFX 5770
HD $104 WD 1TB Black (cannot find samsung F3 on NCIX)
Case $129 CM Haf 922
PSU $100 Seasonic M12II 620W
Heat Sink $29 CM 212+
TOTAL $1002 plus the TAXES!
Hopefully NCIX will honour the PM.

Will 620W powere this system? I have no plans to Crossfire.

Thanks all for your help.