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 Thread : First amd/ati build: share your opinions please!
 
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Hey guys I'm planning to do my first pc build before summer ends, I wanted to list parts for the build and to tell if I'm missing anything as it would be my first time building =D
 
As for the parts I chosen newegg(dot)com since its easy to navigate and there are reviews for individual parts ;D
 
 
($39) ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
 
($149.99) COOLER MASTER RC-690-KKA1-GP Black SECC/ ABS ATX Mid Tower Computer Case Real Power Pro 550W Power Supply  
 
($84.99) Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
 
($249.99) Acer AL2216Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support - Retail  
 
($189.99) GIGABYTE GA-MA790FX-DS5 AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX Ultra Durable II AMD Motherboard - Retail  
 
($389.99) (2x) ASUS EAH4850/HTDI/512M Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail  
 
($24.99) Microsoft ZG7-00025 Black PS/2 Wired Standard Desktop 500 Mouse Included - Retail  
 
($95.99) OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Retail  
 
($81.99) AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 65W Dual-Core Black Edition Processor - Retail  
 
($99.99) Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD - OEM  
 
($42.99) Scythe KM01-BK "KAZE MASTER" 5.25" Bay Fan Controller
 
($35.96) (4x) Scythe SY1225SL12SH 120mm "Slipstream" Case Fan - Retail  
 
(49.99) Tuniq Tower 120 P4 & K8 CPU Cooler - Retail  
 
All comes to $1,546.83+ $70.83 for shipping= $1,617.26
 
 
Now I have couple questions.....
 
1. Will the 550w Cooler Master included power supply included with case be enough for all this? (it has 2x 6pin)
 
2. What does System Builders 1pk ***"DSP OEI"*** DVD......I understand its just for single install but dsp and oei? T_T
 
3. I saw people "lapping" their heat sinks to get better surface between it and the cpu......is it worth 4hours doing this......would I see any reasonable temperature drops?
 
 
 
 
Also I picked amd 5000+ black edition beacuse am3 suppose to come out in the end of year (wikipedia:am3) So I fought Ill stick to this and wait for new am3 45nm cpus to come out since they are backwards am2 socked compatible.....what you guys think? Stick with old cpu and wait or get amd quad-core (9950 be 2.6ghz)

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Here is the system requirements for 4850 (sapphire):
_________________
System Requirements
 
–PCI Express® based PC is required with one X16 lane graphics slot available on the motherboard
 
–450 Watt or greater power supply with 75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express® power connector recommended (550 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)
 
–Certified power supplies are recommended. Refer to http://ati.amd.com/certifiedPSU for a list of Certified products
 
–1GB of system memory
 
–Installation software requires CD-ROM drive
 
–DVD playback requires DVD drive
 
–Blu-ray™ / HD DVD playback requires Blu-ray / HD DVD drive
 
–For a complete ATI CrossFireX™ system, a second ATI Radeon™ HD 4850 graphics card, an ATI CrossFireX Ready motherboard and one ATI CrossFireX Bridge Interconnect cable per board (included) are required.
________________
 
Honestly power supplies provided with cases are bad. I don't know about this one but you should get the cooler master cm 690 without psu for ~75$ and get a corsair tx650 or tx750 power supply with the balance.

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Message edited by georgy on 07-01-2008 at 06:06:30 PM
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georgy wrote :

Here is the system requirements for 4850 (sapphire):
_________________
System Requirements
 
–PCI Express® based PC is required with one X16 lane graphics slot available on the motherboard
 
–450 Watt or greater power supply with 75 Watt 6-pin PCI Express® power connector recommended (550 Watt and two 6-pin connectors for ATI CrossFireX™ technology in dual mode)
 
–Certified power supplies are recommended. Refer to http://ati.amd.com/certifiedPSU for a list of Certified products
 
–1GB of system memory
 
–Installation software requires CD-ROM drive
 
–DVD playback requires DVD drive
 
–Blu-ray™ / HD DVD playback requires Blu-ray / HD DVD drive
 
–For a complete ATI CrossFireX™ system, a second ATI Radeon™ HD 4850 graphics card, an ATI CrossFireX Ready motherboard and one ATI CrossFireX Bridge Interconnect cable per board (included) are required.
________________
 
Honestly power supplies provided with cases are bad. I don't know about this one but you should get the cooler master cm 690 without psu for ~75$ and get a corsair tx650 or tx750 power supply with the balance.


 
 
so 550wats should be bare minimum.....thanks very much!!! :D

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This list is a little dated, but is still a good place to start when looking for a PSU.  CoolerMaster PSUs don't do so well here.  I didn't like the one I had IRL either.  Choose something from Tier-3 or better.
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiere [...] ngs?t=anon
 
If you want to Crossfire two high-end cards, be sure you don't skimp on the +12v amperage.  You'll probably be well-served by a quality model in the 650W-750W range.

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Message edited by jtt283 on 07-01-2008 at 06:34:48 PM

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When you spend nearly 5 times as much on your GPUs than your CPU, don't you think you're just asking for a CPU bottleneck?

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jtt283 wrote :

This list is a little dated, but is still a good place to start when looking for a PSU.  CoolerMaster PSUs don't do so well here.  I didn't like the one I had IRL either.  Choose something from Tier-3 or better.
http://www.tomswiki.com/page/Tiere [...] ngs?t=anon
 
If you want to Crossfire two high-end cards, be sure you don't skimp on the +12v amperage.  You'll probably be well-served by a quality model in the 650W-750W range.


 
 
True....its just the good deal.....this case w/550w psu is $150 and same exact one w/o psu is $100 so it comes to $50 for psu.....Ill look at them at newegg.....I just don't want to hurt my wallet getting beafy psu with so many connector that I wont use.......I need 24pin for mobo + 4pin for cpu if im correct, 2x 6pin for cards,  then 4x molex for 120mm cans and one sata for 500gig hd  :bounce:

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I would wait for the 9950 BE, since AMD has said that it is supposed to be overclockable. (3DMARK score >12K)

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rodney_ws wrote :

When you spend nearly 5 times as much on your GPUs than your CPU, don't you think you're just asking for a CPU bottleneck?


 
Perhaps, but by getting an AM2+ motherboard, the OP can step up to one of the Phenom 2950 BE CPUs when they come out. That should take care of any CPU bottlenecking.


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rodney_ws wrote :

When you spend nearly 5 times as much on your GPUs than your CPU, don't you think you're just asking for a CPU bottleneck?


 
Yes I kno, I wanted to get this cpu and wait for 45nm am3 cpus that will come out this year (wikipedia: am3). I dont think I need $250 top of the line amd quad core when they are bad overclockers and they simply run hot......I'd rather wait for something else  :)

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the last resort wrote :

I would wait for the 9950 BE, since AMD has said that it is supposed to be overclockable. (3DMARK score >12K)


 Yes I read about it also,  3.1ghz over clock looks promising! :) It suppose to cost same at 9850BE.....I really would like to wait for the am3 to come out rather than getting those power guzzlers that have 140w rating lol!  :whistle:

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Although I understand the angle the OP is coming from, it's definitely not the path I'd be taking... ESPECIALLY considering how poorly existing AM2 boards supported Phenom. Weren't a lot of people left out in the cold with that? I guess I'm just a little puzzled any time I see an all-new AMD build... just as I'd have said the same thing about Intel pre-C2D.

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rodney_ws wrote :

Although I understand the angle the OP is coming from, it's definitely not the path I'd be taking... ESPECIALLY considering how poorly existing AM2 boards supported Phenom. Weren't a lot of people left out in the cold with that? I guess I'm just a little puzzled any time I see an all-new AMD build... just as I'd have said the same thing about Intel pre-C2D.


 
 
True......I picked to use amd because of the compability (I have no idea how to spell that rofl) *_* I read new am3 cpus will be supported by am2+ mobos (780-790fx chipset)....I didn't want to go with intel because of their prices and they suppose to introduce new socket soon so it be like building pc and finding out you need to get new motherboard and spend extra money or you can say bye bye of future upgrade to new cpus!

perkele
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Hello !
 
1. Save money and take one 4870, ok?
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14990/12
 
 
 

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JPain wrote :

Hello !
 
1. Save money and take one 4870, ok?
http://techreport.com/articles.x/14990/12


 
 
Lol I seen that.......I'm thinking I can get 4870 and save money but then if I want to get another one I need to buy whole new psu.........I don't look at crysis since I played whole game on my laptop on low settings xD

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+1 for rodney_ws. Throw in some extra $110 and go for an E8400.
If your budget is really tight, save $80 ordering one 4870 instead of two 4850. You should get a much more balanced system.

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The cpu won't be a bottlenck at the resolutions he'll be playing at.

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One of the options I'm contemplating for my next computer in a couple of weeks is one very similar to Alvine's, for the same reasons (5000+ BE, but a single 4850/4870, and then a 45 nm Phenom down the line). So he's not alone.
 
Personally, I'm waiting for word and reviews on the new mobos with SB750, but I'm still a bit worried about actual compatibility, regardless of what AMD is saying now. When will the 45 nm Phenoms be out anyway?
 
Regardless, since I've been without a gaming-capable computer for quite a while I will be playing some older games for a while, Age of Empires III, C&C 3, maybe Supreme Commander, etc. Waiting for Starcraft II, like everyone else...  
 
I also intend to get a 1920x1200 screen.

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Message edited by p7389 on 07-01-2008 at 07:15:21 PM
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galta wrote :

+1 for rodney_ws. Throw in some extra $110 and go for an E8400.
If your budget is really tight, save $80 ordering one 4870 instead of two 4850. You should get a much more balanced system.


 yeah Ill get 4870.........and laters get new psu that will have 4x 6pin and another 4870 :)