New computer build time, need advice/help

[bigblockmatt]

It's time. $700 in my pocket...

[pwcmed]

The Major posted a pretty good list. I like AMD and would recommend a 4870. Here is one for $139.99 after MIR

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814121288

I don't know what kind of heatsink the X3 720 comes with but I would recommend getting an aftermarket one. Here's a fan favorite

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6835233003


Oh yea, I would really suggest you try windows 7 and not even bother with XP, just a thought.

[Major_A]

Sounds like you are ready to get started. Let us know what you end up buying.

[bigblockmatt]

thanks everyone for suggestions. I will keep you all posted. i need to spend some time and start picking stuff. i will probably need some help with the mobo. I'm gonna take a look at some tonight when i get home and post up with which i am thinking.

[bigblockmatt]

so, i am a bit confused on the mobo... what socket do i need if i am going to go with the AMD X3 720? AM3?

is the AM2 ddr2 and the AM3 ddr3?

[ibleet]

Socket AM3 and can use either DDR2 or DDR3 memory. It is, however, backward compatible with AM2+ socket motherboards.

[Major_A]

is the AM2 ddr2 and the AM3 ddr3?

To oversimplify things, yes. If you want DDR2 pick up a AM2+ board, if you want DDR3 pick up a AM3 board.

[bigblockmatt]

cool. i think i am going to go with an AM3 board.

[bigblockmatt]

here is my list. tell me what you think or if you guys see any issues. I got a buddy who wants to build a new comp also and he works for some tech company and is seeing if he can get any discounts through the company (probably not though.) you think a place like zipzoomfly would give a discount if i purchased 2 of everything?

Item No. Description Qty Unit Price
10009531 OCZ OCZ700SXS 700W Active Power Supply Retail 1 $88.49
10009678 ASUS EAH4870 DK TOP/HTDI/512MD5 Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express x16 (2.0v) Video Card Retail 1 $168.99
10010032 OCZ OCZ3X1600LV6GK 6GB PC3-12800+ (DDR3-1600+) Triple Channel Memory Retail 1 $89.99
10010064 AMD HDZ720WFGIBOX Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition 2.8Ghz Socket AM3 95W 2.80 GHz Desktop Processor Retail 1 $139.00
10010084 WESTERN DIGITAL Caviar Green WD5000AACS 500GB SATA II 7200 RPM 16MB Buffer Hard Drive Bulk 1 $57.89
10010088 GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AMD 790X AM3 Phenom II Socket AM3 5200 MT/s PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333) ATX Motherboard Retail 1 $119.99
10010321 Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk 1 $28.99
617010 Battle Forge PC Game 1 Free Gift
Estimated Subtotal $693.34

[DMB2000uk]

Everything looks alright to me.

Dan

[bigblockmatt]

and i get a 'free' gift - Battle Forge: woohoo!

[DMB2000uk]

One thing I forgot about, AMD chips are only dual channel with their DDR3, so with your 6GB kit you wont be able to run it in dual channel (because you've got an odd number of sticks).

You can either live with the single channel-ness or just get a 4GB kit.

Odds are that you probably won't notice that it's running single channel compared to dual channel, and more memory is always a good thing. In my mind there's something about having 6GB of RAM, though 4GB is still plenty (ironic really that i'm still running my main machine on 2GB >_> ). But it's up to you if you want to have it running at full tilt (dual channel) even if it comes with the 'penalty' of slightly less RAM).

Dan

[pwcmed]

I would a black series wd drive, the speed difference should be noticeable. If your looking for a quiet drive the one you pick will work.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe ... e=10010082

[bigblockmatt]

One thing I forgot about, AMD chips are only dual channel with their DDR3, so with your 6GB kit you wont be able to run it in dual channel (because you've got an odd number of sticks).

You can either live with the single channel-ness or just get a 4GB kit.

Odds are that you probably won't notice that it's running single channel compared to dual channel, and more memory is always a good thing. In my mind there's something about having 6GB of RAM, though 4GB is still plenty (ironic really that i'm still running my main machine on 2GB >_> ). But it's up to you if you want to have it running at full tilt (dual channel) even if it comes with the 'penalty' of slightly less RAM).

Dan

i guess i could go 4 gig now then upgrade another 4 later to get an extra boost. the board has 4 slots. so i would be able to take advantage of the dual channel right?

pwcmed: thanks for the recommendation. noise is not a big deal for me.

[DMB2000uk]

The 4GB now 4GB later would work while keeping dual channel

Dan

[dicecca112]

Yes

http://lifehacker.com/5126781/how-to-du ... p-or-vista

[Skippman]

I would a black series wd drive, the speed difference should be noticeable. If your looking for a quiet drive the one you pick will work.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDe ... e=10010082

+1

Make sure that ASUS board is a reference design as I've had nothing but trouble with my PowerColors non-ref. I'm running a OCZ GamerXStream 600w PSU in my server and it's a fantastic PSU although my preference is still for Corsair these days. All in all looks like a pretty awesome machine brother!

[bigblockmatt]

Make sure that ASUS board is a reference design as I've had nothing but trouble with my PowerColors non-ref. !

What is reference design and how would i check? is that something that would be on the spec sheet on say zipzoomfly or newegg or go to Asus' website directly?

[Major_A]

Few things:
I'd save yourself a few bucks and pickup a Samsung Spinpoint F1 hard drive. They run cooler than most drives and are very quiet.
http://forums.legitreviews.com/about20380.html
Performance of the drive should be pretty comparable to the Samsung 750GB I also tested (it's also a Spinpoint F1 with 32MB of cache).

About the reference design he's talking about the PCB they are using. Although I think your ASUS card is "over built" so I see nothing wrong with it.

For the price you are paying for the OCZ PSU I'd pick up a Corsair but that's mostly my own preference.

[bigblockmatt]

i made some adjustments and with these item (if i buy before the 31st, i will get $80 worth of MIR!) thanks for the recommendations!

Item No. Description Qty Unit Price
10007193-RFB SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD753LJ 750GB SATA 7200 RPM 32MB Buffer Hard Drive Bulk Refurbished 1 $69.99
10008034 CORSAIR TW3X4G1333C9DHX 4GB PC3-10666 (DDR3-1333) DDR3 Memory Retail 1 $77.50
10009678 ASUS EAH4870 DK TOP/HTDI/512MD5 Radeon HD 4870 512MB GDDR5 PCI Express x16 (2.0v) Video Card Retail 1 $168.99
10010064 AMD HDZ720WFGIBOX Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition 2.8Ghz Socket AM3 95W 2.80 GHz Desktop Processor Retail 1 $139.00
10010088 GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AMD 790X AM3 Phenom II Socket AM3 5200 MT/s PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333) ATX Motherboard Retail 1 $119.99
10010321 Sony Optiarc AD-7240S-0B SATA DVD Burner Black Drive Bulk 1 $28.99
373110 Corsair HX Series CMPSU-620HX 620W Power Supply Retail 1 $129.99
617010 Battle Forge PC Game 1 Free Gift

Estimated Subtotal $734.45