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Help me build a budget AMD pc :)

Darren

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What about this case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119189

I am sure you are factoring in good cooling, as that will obviously be necessary for me to OC well and have it last for as long as I want it to. Also, I must admit, I am a free shipping whore :laugh:

Its a good case, I'm actually using the same case, except mine came with a PSU. However that case costs more than the one's we've recommended which is going to eat a piece of your budget and therefore limit you to a slower processor or video card etc. The case will play a small factor in overclocking any adequate case would do that can accommodate 120mm at the rear and 120mm at the front.
 

Dreadnought33

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The Elite is a good chassis, but bear in mind that it has only 7.5" width which could limit you if you choose to install a tower heatsink
 

SirJangly

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Storage Samsung F3 500gb
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Shipping on the $24.99 case brings it right on the heels of the free shipping $39.99 case. A few dollars difference is no big deal to me if its a higher quality product.

What is a tower heatsink? Does that go on the proc?
 

SirJangly

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Video Card(s) XFX 4870 1gb
Storage Samsung F3 500gb
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Power Supply Rosewill 630w
Software Windows 7 RC
I just realized no one has asked what resolution I will be playing games on :).

Most likely 1440x900 and 1650x1050 max.

Does this affect any reccomendations made thus far?
 

Dreadnought33

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Case Cooler Master HAF X
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Power Supply be quiet! Dark Power Pro 1200 W
Software Windows 7 x64 HP

Darren

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System Name Cheap yet powerful gaming and entertainment rig!
Processor AMD Athlon 3800+ X2 Windsor, 1 MB L2 Cache (512k L2 Per Core), 65W Energy efficient, 2GHz @ 2.78 Ghz
Motherboard Asrock ALiveNF7G-HD720p Rev v5.0
Cooling Freezer 64, 2x120mm, 1x92mm
Memory 8 GB DDRII PC6400 @ 929 MHz OCZ (2GBx4) timing: 5-5-5-5-16-2T
Video Card(s) XFX ATI4830
Storage Seagate 320 GB SATA (16 MB Cache)
Display(s) 19' HannsG (1440x900 @ 75hz)
Case Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Case
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Meridian, Pioneer VSX-516 Receiver 7.1 with DD/DD EX/Prologic II/DTS/DTS-ES//DTS: Neo
Power Supply Cool Master eXtreme Power 460W PSU
Software Vista Ultimate X64 Corporate Edition
I just realized no one has asked what resolution I will be playing games on :).

Most likely 1440x900 and 1650x1050 max.

Does this affect any recommendations made thus far?

1440x900 is an easy resolution to run, shouldn't have a problem with that what so ever. I'm not sure about 1650x105 but anything at the 4870s level and higher shouldn't have an issue.

If you are unsure about how well games will play take a look at this comparison review. (Although its about the GTX 295 it has other video cards in it too) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Inno3D/GeForce_GTX_295_Platinum/7.html


Edit:


Shipping on the $24.99 case brings it right on the heels of the free shipping $39.99 case. A few dollars difference is no big deal to me if its a higher quality product.

The $79.99 case and the $24.99 case seemed very similar, however the $79.99 case came with a 500w Rosewill PSU whereas the I found a $49.99 550w Rosewill PSU which works out cheaper when bought with the $24.99 case.

..wait a min, there was no $39.99 case?
 
Last edited:

KH0UJ

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AMD system build FTW:rockout:
 

SirJangly

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Oops it is 44.99. I just like free shipping on whatever I buy because it will save a lot with all of these components :)
 

Zoelef

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<Build deleted, CPU incompatible with motherboard>
 
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Why would anyone buy windows? :laugh:
 

SirJangly

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SirJangly

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I read in another post that AMD is releasing new budget processors in two weeks that are much better than what is currently out. Is this true? If so, maybe I can buy the 245, and exchange it when those come out?
 

SirJangly

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Also, I see that there are a bunch of good combos with the x4 945. The mobo's basically come out to be like $15 after the savings!
 

SirJangly

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Also, as far as graphics go, is the 4870 better than the 250? Sorry for all the questions, I have so many! :(
 

Darren

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Case Coolermaster Elite 330 Black Case
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Meridian, Pioneer VSX-516 Receiver 7.1 with DD/DD EX/Prologic II/DTS/DTS-ES//DTS: Neo
Power Supply Cool Master eXtreme Power 460W PSU
Software Vista Ultimate X64 Corporate Edition
Also, as far as graphics go, is the 4870 better than the 250? Sorry for all the questions, I have so many! :(

The ATI 4870 is faster than the GTS 250.

Also, I see that there are a bunch of good combos with the x4 945. The mobo's basically come out to be like $15 after the savings!

If your budget allows I'd recommend getting a Phenom X3 or X4, the 945 and 955 are a good choice, but that will put you over budget by over $100. Your best chances to stay within your $500 budget would mean purchasing the Athlon II X2.


I read in another post that AMD is releasing new budget processors in two weeks that are much better than what is currently out. Is this true? If so, maybe I can buy the 245, and exchange it when those come out?

AMD are releasing the new Athlon II X4s, they are suppose to be priced bellow $100 with performance rumoured to lay between the X3 720 BE and X4 810. On the release date do not expect the pricing to be good immediately, it usually takes a few weeks for the prices to stabalise.

Why would anyone buy windows? :laugh:
I want to play some games :)

SirJangly, I think he is talking about one getting the software through other methods. Wink wink.
 

SirJangly

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Video Card(s) XFX 4870 1gb
Storage Samsung F3 500gb
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Would you guys suggest an x4 945 if the budget allows it?
 

1Kurgan1

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Zoelef

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Let me try this again:

$174 - Athlon X2 7850 + Vista x64 + Win7 upgrade
$144 - Sapphire HD4830 + Biostar TA780G AM2+ Motheboard
$130 - Antec Three Hundred + Basiq 430W PSU + 4 GB Corsair DDR2-800 RAM
$60 - Western Digital 640GB WD6400AAKS
$27 - Samsung SATA DVD Burner

Subtotal $551.

I splurged a bit on the hard drive as for $11 more I was able to get a 640GB instead of a 320GB, but after a certain point it's a drag because there's a minimum cost to so many of these parts.
 
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