IEMC

I'm building a computer that's going to be mainly for gaming.

My budget is about $750 (USD) for these components (I'd like to stay at or under). Other things aren't included as I've already got that picked out.

So yes, I need:
Motherboard
CPU
Memory
Graphics card

For memory I'd like to have 4 gigs.
And I'd say I want to stick with Intel and Nvidia, but honestly if something is going to be a better bang for my buck (or offer better upgrades in the future), I'd be all for it.
Also, with my graphics card, I'd like to get something pretty high-end. The cards I had in mind currently run around $250 on Newegg. I would drop names, but that would almost be unneeded.

Also, I need at least 2 PCI-E ports on the motherboard. I want to use my old graphics card for physics processing just for the hell of it. Also leaves open the possibility for SLI.

I haven't kept track of the hardware scene while at school, so I would really love some help.
So far I've looked at the i5's, as I hear the i7's are unnecessary for what I need a CPU for.

Thanks in advance!

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IEMC

Today I was looking at both graphics cards and CPUs, and it seems like AMD is a better bang for the buck right now.

This is what I mean when I need help, as I have no idea what's going on with these things.

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IEMC

I'm really considering the Phenon II X4 965 Black.
Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor

From what I can tell, it's cheaper yet faster to similar i5 models.
This is where I need help, because I'm not sure how this model compares to an Intel. I just want to get the most out of my money.

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Liqourice

It all depends what you're gonna do with your system of course but yes, when it comes to getting most for your money that's a good choise for a CPU. The X6 is of course better but it costs a lot more as well and I don't think you'd notice that much of a difference in most games and apps today with it.

Getting the X4 965 and then upgrade when AMD releases it's coming Bulldozer CPU is a much better choise.

Exactly what Intel CPU it compares closest with is not easy to say, I know to little about Intels to really say but I don't think you'll be disappointed with it. All I can say is, when it comes to gaming the AMD's compare very well with higher end Intels. The intels are better when it comes to encoding/decoding/archiving and such things. This is due to the higher memory bandwidth. Games rely more on graphics cards so system memory doesn't play as big a role in those.

So, this is the motherboard I'd suggest you pair with it:

Newegg.com - ASRock 880G EXTREME3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

It's a very good board with lots of good reviews. You have SATA3 and USB3 and it will most definately be ready for Bulldozer when it arrives. Asrock is good with that, they're fast to release BIOS updates for new CPU's, and the quality of their boards have only gotten better and better.

IEMC

Other than gaming, all's I plan on doing is working with Visual Studio and probably some Photoshop / Dreamweaver / Flash stuff.

I know Intels are good for encoding, decoding, and all that jazz. And I keep reading that AMD is just a better deal when it comes to gaming.

I do think I'm going to get the Phenom II. It just makes more sense in terms of saving money and what I'm going to use it for.
I'll use the money I save to put into a nice graphics card.

Speaking of which, I need to pick one. I figure if I'm going with an AMD processor / setup, I might as well go with an AMD GPU. That way I can CrossfireX it if I wanted to later on.
Because of this, I was looking at cards like the 5830 or the 5850. I'm still shopping around for those, and I still haven't decided how high I should go in terms of price.

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Liqourice

The sweetspot for a card is the 5770. It's cheap, performs very well for it's price and if you throw in a second one you'll have the performance of a 5870 for less money.

More or less anyway. I've checked on benchmarks online and in many 2 5770's perform almost the same as a single 5870. You can almost get 3 5770s for the price of one 5870 so, it's a good choise.

Not that I'm regretting the move from a 5770 to a 5870. I'm extremely happy with the it.

Many 5850's have been easily overclocked to 5870 speeds as well so, I'd say those are good choises too.

IEMC

I was just looking at a lot of benching between a 5870 or two 5770's, and I must say I'm very impressed.

However, the more I think about it, the more it just makes sense to buy the 5870. In the future, the price of that will go down, and I'll be able to buy another one just to keep up with new games. I can't do that with two 5770's.

I'm thinking I'll either get a 5850 or a 5830. We'll see how the rest of my hardware costs and I'll make my decision.
I'd get a 5870 if they weren't so much. But you never know.

You're helping a lot, though, Liqourice. Thanks a lot.

EDIT: I've been looking at this one-
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150494

For whatever reason it's about 30 dollars cheaper than other 5850's. Is there anything fishy about that?

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Cow_160483

thats a good card nothing fishy about XFX at all, also check out these two cards Sapphire Radeon HD 5830 1GB and Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 TOXIC 1GB
two killer cards, am not sure of the prices though.

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Decode!
Muhahahahah!

IEMC

The 5850 is about 50 dollars more than what I'd like to buy. Idealy I spend around 250 on a graphics card, but I'd say my max is 300.

Just read into it some more, and I decided the card I linked above is right for me. Perfect price, and is going to play what I need it to.

Now I just need to pick a motherboard and a set of RAM. Any help in that area would be awesome.
I want to spend $120 or below on RAM, and possibly around $150 for a mobo.

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IEMC

So I was suggested this motherboard:
Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-790XTA-UD4 AM3 AMD 790X SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

How does it look? I plan on OCing in the future, so I was hoping this would be good for such an application.

Otherwise, I'd love to be suggested something else. I can always go higher in price.

EDIT: Just found another one I like
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131402

I think I like the layout of this second one better.

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OldBuzzard

If you are looking for a MB in the $150.00 range, then this would be the one to get:
Newegg.com - ASRock 890FX DELUXE3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

For RAM, you could go with:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C8

That combo breaks your 'budget' by @ $15.00

You could go with a wee bit less aggressively timed RAM like this and still have a good performing system and be 'under budget':
Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

IEMC

That second set of RAM you posted jumped up 20 bucks since when I looked at it this morning. I am so disappointed.

I like the motherboard. A lot. I think I'll go with that one.

Here's a good deal on TigerDirect:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...LwVWlUMngUsMog

A little bit slower speeds, but a good deal.

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Judas

just a fyi.... for majority of the people i've seen considering the "well i'll just get such and such and throw in another down the road to keep up" has generally RARELY ever panned out, they have rather just went for a newer series card anyways.

AMD's x4 phenom II or intel i7 930 (or the intel socket 1156 i5/i7 are WORTH a look)

I've got both and have played with many of the intel and amd cpu recently.... and i can say.. the intel i3/i5/i7's are all amazing and the 1156 socket boards/cpus are quite cheap.

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IEMC

I thought about this. And it's probably going to be true for me. I am, however, still getting the best I can with my money.

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Liqourice

If you want to stay more future proof then that ASUS board is not a good choise. No SATA3 and no USB3.

If you want to keep it cheap and still have a good motherboard Asrock is the way to go.

IEMC

By the way, here's my final decisions:

CM 690 II Advanced ( Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER RC-692-KKN2 CM690 II Advanced Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case )
ASRock 890FX Deluxe ( Newegg.com - ASRock 890FX DELUXE3 AM3 AMD 890FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard )
AMD Phenom II x4 965 ( Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor Model HDZ965FBGMBOX )
Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1600 4GB ( Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C9 )
XFX 5850 ( Newegg.com - XFX HD-585X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity )
OCZ Vertex 30GB SSD ( Newegg.com - OCZ Vertex Series OCZSSD2-1VTX30GXXX 2.5" 30GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) )
Corsair 650W ( Newegg.com - CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply )

And maybe this CPU cooler:
Newegg.com - ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro Rev.2 92mm Fluid Dynamic CPU Cooler
It comes in a combo deal with the CPU that's 15 dollars off. I'd say that's fairly worth it, unless there's better suggestions.

Also, thanks for all the help, Buzzard and Liquourice.

Still open to changes, too, as I'm buying this computer next Sunday.

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OldBuzzard

With the exception of the SSD and CPU cooler, that looks like a system I'd build for myself.

That SSD is going to be nice for seeing your system boot up really fast, but with it being only 30GB, you aren't going to be able to install much in the way of applications on it. You will still need a drive for applications, and those will only load as fast as the drive you put them on.

I'd recommend that you go with one of the Seagate 7200.12 drives instead. They are plenty fast, altho admittedly not as fast as an SSD, and you will have room for applications. Shucks, the 1TB Seagate 7200.12 is only $79.99 on Newegg right now.

As for cooling the CPU, I'm a big believer in Water Cooling. IF your budget has the room for it, you might want to check out the CORSAIR H-50.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

IEMC

Honestly, I don't think I'd ever touch watercooling.

Firstly the price. I'm a uni student and it's just too expensive.
Second I don't trust any type of liquid by my computer, let alone inside of it.

As for the hard drive. I'm reusing an older Seagate I have. While it's not quite a 7200.12, I'm sure it's fast enough to get the job done.

I'm waiting for SSD's to drop in price, then I'm going to buy a big one for games and the like.

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OldBuzzard

Cost is why I mentioned the H-50. It's a standalone cooler for just the CPU, and is $79.99 at The Egg:
Newegg.com - CORSAIR Cooling Hydro Series CWCH50-1 120mm High Performance CPU Cooler

Water cooling has come a LONG, LONG way over the years, and it's really not as scary as it used to be. Fittings, and connections are pretty foolproof now, and leakage is rare. And, for the 'paranoid', there are NON-CONDUCTIVE cooling fluids available, that won't harm your system even if the cooling loop does leak.

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When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Liqourice

I second the H50, it's absolutely fabulous. Running at 3.9GHz and it doesn't go above 45C on max load here....

Neshi

there is a review about that cooler here on HH. check the review section!

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If one does not attach himself to people and desire, never shall his heart be broken. But then, does he ever truly live?

Life is just too damn short for if's and maybe's

kris23

mobo - Newegg.com - GIGABYTE GA-890GPA-UD3H AM3 AMD 890GX HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
cpu - Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ955FBGMBOX
memory - Newegg.com - CORSAIR XMS3 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model CMX4GX3M2A1600C7
gpu - Newegg.com - XFX HD-585X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5850 1GB 256-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ Eyefinity

$724 before taxes and shipping... all good brands with good support, loaded with features you will use and less of what you wont use.

if the gpu is too much the 5830 is nice too.

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IEMC

Even so, that cooler is way out of my budget. Maybe down the road. Still. I doubt it.
Thanks for the idea, anyways.

By the way, already bought my 5850. It was 20 dollars off today, so I jumped on the deal.

I kinda really like the mobo you posted, kris. I'm going to compare that to the one I chose and see if I could make the switch. It'll save me 20 dollars as well.
EDIT: Honestly, there is a lot of benefit to going with that choice Kris. Mainly the cost savings. It's like 20 dollars for a few SATA or USB ports, as well as taking away the onboard graphics. Which is something I can easily disable.

When it comes time to buy and the ASRock is still more expensive, I think I'm going to get that Gigabyte. It's just a better deal.

With the savings I might buy that better timed RAM. We'll see.

Thanks Kris!

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IEMC

I've been purchasing parts as this week goes by, as sales on Newegg have been springing up.

I'm really glad, too, because so far I've saved 70 bucks. Not even mentioning the MIR there are, which when I get back will total about 50 dollars.

Only things left to buy are the case, the CPU, and the memory. I'm super excited.

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