****Help !! Best AM2 Mobo, CPU, Ram Combo****

[BiGg RiE]

Hi all, I'm getting ready to build a new rig and I'd like any and all input on the best AM2 Motherboard, memory, cpu combo.

I've all but decided to go with the following:

MoBo: Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe/Wireless Edition
RaM: Corsair XMS2 Xtreme w/Heat Spreader 2GB kit (1GBx2)
CPU: AMD am2 X2 +4600

the cpu ismn't really all that important for me right now as I plan to upgrade that in a few months.

The main focus for me is the motherboard and memory combo.

The rig will be used for gaming (FEAR, PREY, NFS:Carbon, R6: Vegas etc), encoding video, 3ds Max, Graphic/Web Design (Flash, Dreamweaver, photoshop etc)

This will be my first dive into the am2 platform as well as ddr2.

I'm not doing to much 3ds Max redering these days so that's not a big factor. However gaming is, and I'll eventually be getting more ram. I have 4 dimms of OCZ EB DDR PC-4000 1024MB Platinum Edition of which I'll probly sell 2 to get more ddr2 for the new rig since i only use 2gb in my current rig i've got 2 512mb of value ram cosair of corse and a dimm 1024GB of the same value ram that i'll probly let go too.

Yes, i'll be overclocking the system but not to drastically not at first anyway since I'll be working with an air cooling solution. Eventually i'll ugrade my cooling system so that I can do some better overclocking in the rig.

So there it is in a uhh rather large nut shell thanks in advance to all who contribute to this decision making process.

~~BiGg RiE~~

HEY Kenc51 u out there? I need'ya again buddy

[The Black Pumpkin]

What would you be upgrading the cpu to later on? If you're planning on like the X2 5000 or FX-60, the 4200 would be the better buy right now in my opinion. It would save you money in the long run, and you could overclock to 4600 speeds and + a little easily.

[BiGg RiE]

ok, so I'd be willing to go with the 4200. Especially if you're saying I could get 4600 performance easily. What exactly is your definition of easily? Is this attainable with my aforementioned default setup with air cooling?

Also does anyone know of any good sites for prebuilt systems like cyberpowerpc.com & ibuypower? something that'll give me a good deal on mobo, cpu & memory? graphics are already taken care of.

Thanx.

[The Black Pumpkin]

Since it's only a 200 mhz increase to get it to the 4600 level, it should be no problem for the stock cooling, especially since the cooling for the 4200 should be the same as for the 4600.

If you do it right and get upgraded cooling, you could possibly make it go as high as 5200 or even 5600 levels. Maybe. But you might be better off with them, if only to get the doubled cache.

Afaik the cheapest way to get a good motherboard, cpu, and memory is to buy them yourself and put it together. I have yet to see a prebuilt place that would be cheaper.

Afraid I can't offer any opinions on mobos though, I haven't made the AM2 foray yet.

[Pengwin]

are AM2 opterons not as good as the 939 ones?

[kenc51]

BiGg RiE what's your budget?

[BiGg RiE]

No More than 1,000 for mobo, cpu, ram, hdd, case, keyboard, mouse, optical etc. basically a whole system including all components. I plan to skimp on everything but the mobo and ram which is where i want the bulk of the $ to go. The only thing i don't need to find under that $1,000 is the monitor, if it does that'd be great but if not it's ok.

Thx,

[kenc51]

You can't go wrong with the Asus M2N32-SLI board!
That leaves you with ~$700 for other parts.

What about you GFX card? Is that incl. in this budget or do you have it already?

G.Skill F2-6400PHU2-2GBHZ 2GB 4-4-4 PC6400 Ram is sweet!
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6820231065
It can do over 1GHz with the right tweaking and voltage!
$270

This leaves ~$430 left.
4200+ = ~$170
With ~$260 left

IF the $1000 budget is to incl. your GFX card, this will be very hard to get a top-end motherboard and RAM combo!

[BiGg RiE]

Hey Kenc51 thanks for the input, to answer your question no the Grafx Card is not included with the 1000 i have it already. It's the same card that's in my sig, but I will be upgrading this later to the new 8800gtx around the same time i upgrade the cpu.

[hq5]

4200 (2.2GHz) have an odd multiplier, so your memory would run at DDR2-742. I think 4000 (2GHz) better than 4200. -200MHz but have a bigger cache (1Mb against 512Kb)

[BiGg RiE]

4200 (2.2GHz) have an odd multiplier, so your memory would run at DDR2-742. I think 4000 (2GHz) better than 4200. -200MHz but have a bigger cache (1Mb against 512Kb)

What would be the next am2 cpu with that cache benifit?

Any other thoughts on the 4000 vs. 4200 performance wise?

Also which board is better:

ASUS CROSSHAIR Socket AM2 NVIDIA nForce 590 SLI MCP ATX

or

m2n32-sli deluxe 590 mcp


BiGg RiE

[BiGg RiE]

hey I know this is the AMD forum but I have to ask...

Wouldn't it make sense to go with core 2 duo? I mean being that I'm getting new cpu, ram, and Mobo any way and the fact that the core 2 duo's fastest are faster than amd fastest chips.

I wouldn't even know where to begin on the core 2 duo side though what would be the equivalent to the options previously selected in price as well as parts?

cpu: x2 4200+
mobo: asus m232 sli or crosshair
ram, ocz or g,skills

thanx,

I know anything intel is like four letter words in AMD forum but I'd like input from those who've offered it on the AMD stuff.

BiGg RiE

[BiGg RiE]

My final config:

Asus Crosshair
AMD X2 4200+ @ 2.5Ghz
2GB Crosair XMS2 @ 845Mhz
5 HDD's
XP Pro
Vista Ultimate
8800gts
Tsunami thermaltake
Ultra 600 sli psu
Thermaltake Mini 250W

[Zertz]

Your CPU won't go further or did you just stop there?

[BiGg RiE]

Well that's as high as I can get it at the stock voltage. Due to the fact my first crosshair's southbrige fried when I bumped up the voltage I not so willing to experience deja vu.

I'm thinking of getting a 6000+ soon so it won't be an issue for much longer.