I need solid advice on a new build.

[kid41212003]

The Phenom II AM2+ socket will not support DDR3, only Phenom II AM3 socket.

And, the board you got above is the best one I could find at tigerdirect. They don't have many AMD boards...

I found this one online... I think it's the only one 790GX with 3 PCIE...

http://vozforums.com/showthread.php?p=2142960#post2142960

TD don't have an 790FX board, I think you said they are out of stock? Do you when they will restock those boards?

 

[TheMailMan78]

The Phenom II AM2+ socket will not support DDR3, only Phenom II AM3 socket.

And, the board you got above is the best one I could find at tigerdirect. They don't have many AMD boards...

I found this one online... I think it's the only one 790GX with 3 PCIE...

http://vozforums.com/showthread.php?p=2142960#post2142960

TD don't have an 790FX board, I think you said they are out of stock? Do you when they will restock those boards?

No clue and I don't have much time. The girl is leaving in two weeks.

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

Well based on the prices you will get i dont think DDR3 is the biggest concern really. Something that can take the Phenom x2 when it arrives and some other random chip to hold you over would be the best bet IMO.

 

[PaulieG]

Thanks guys. But I dont want to turn this in to a fanboy contest. (Not that it is yet) However if the board I picked is sub-par then I would like some suggestions that can be bought at Tiger Direct.

1. AMD (No debate. I own stock.)
2. Crossfire Ready
3. Can upgrade to a Phenom II later.

Also can someone tell me if any of the AMD boards today support DDR3? If so do they fit into the same slot as DDR2? I ask because I read elsewhere its just a bios update. That just didnt seem correct.

Phenom II DDR3 boards come out in February. You cannot get a bios update to run DDR3 in a DDR2 dimm slot. You can however get some wicked DDR2 sticks...Like 1066 Firestix. Mine ran at about 1300 stable.

I'd say stay with the Biostar. The one you chose, and a similar ASUS board are certainly the best options you have from TD.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Phenom II DDR3 boards come out in February. You cannot get a bios update to run DDR3 in a DDR2 dimm slot. You can however get some wicked DDR2 sticks...Like 1066 Firestix. Mine ran at about 1300 stable.

I'd say stay with the Biostar. The one you chose, and a similar ASUS board are certainly the best options you have from TD.

Well the deal I am getting is for 446.78. Thats with a Phenom BE. If I went cheaper I could be under 350 bucks. I know there are better things coming out but I use this computer for gaming and Photoshop. I have only seen two games so far that exceed my current CPU. Crysis and Frontline. I would love to get a Phenom II but I think the Phenom BE will do fine for 3 or 4 years to come before I'm FORCED to upgrade again.

Like I said my wife is super picky when I buy stuff for my computer and the only reason I'm being able to do this now is because I'm getting the stuff at cost. By the time Phenom II is relesed I wont have that option anymore and Ill be stuck with my 4200+

I guess I should have said that to begin with.

 

[TRIPTEX_CAN]

If you bank manager (wife) is only approving the upgrade on the terms of "it's a great deal" then I think your proposed build will be good for you.

 

[erocker]

If you bank manager (wife) is only approving the upgrade on the terms of "it's a great deal" then I think your proposed build will be good for you.

I agree. Though, can you get a deal on Intel stuff?

 

[TheMailMan78]

I agree. Though, can you get a deal on Intel stuff?

I can. Anything Tiger sells. However I own stock in AMD currently. I kinda wanted to help myself out a little bit

 

[erocker]

I can. Anything Tiger sells. However I own stock in AMD currently. I kinda wanted to help myself out a little bit

I own that lousy stock too. Are those dual-core Kuma chips available yet?

 

[HolyCow02]

Go with what you proposed. No reason to go with anything else with what you will be doing. Get it while you can!

 

[TheMailMan78]

Good news. The wife gave me the go ahead! I'm placing the order today!
The only difference is I'm going to go cheaper on the CPU as you guys suggested. After all there is always my birthday

Anyway what do you guys think of this one?
AMD Phenom X3 8750 Processor HD8750WCGHBOX - 2.40GHz, 3.5MB Cache, 1800MHz (3600 MT/s) FSB, Toliman, Triple-Core, Retail, Socket AM2+, Processor with Fan Link.

Also is this better ram?
Patriot Dual Channel Viper 4096MB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory (2 x 2048MB)Link.

I own that lousy stock too. Are those dual-core Kuma chips available yet?

I haven't received a newsletter yet so I'm assuming no. The last one I got months ago said "Big things are happening" and we got the Phenom II coming out. If this damn Phenom II is a flop like the Phenom was I'm selling these damn shares as soon as I break even.

 

[ShadowFold]

8750's have good and bad batches.. Some OC great(2.8-3.2ghz) and some can barely do 2.5ghz.

 

[Darknova]

Quick advice before you order, but get the GX3 version of the board and not the GX. All solid caps, more RAM for onboard (makes a difference when you're forced to use it).

I've got my 8750BE running at 3ghz with 1.28v, and the IGP is overclocked to 900Mhz (500 stock). It's a great little set up this, and you'll be able to use Phenom II when it comes out next year.

 

[PaulieG]

Quick advice before you order, but get the GX3 version of the board and not the GX. All solid caps, more RAM for onboard (makes a difference when you're forced to use it).

I've got my 8750BE running at 3ghz with 1.28v, and the IGP is overclocked to 900Mhz (500 stock). It's a great little set up this, and you'll be able to use Phenom II when it comes out next year.

I believe the issue was that TD didn't have any GX3 boards.

 

[Darknova]

I believe the issue was that TD didn't have any GX3 boards.

Ah, I missed that bit.

And to answer a previous question TheMailMan78, the GX only has solid caps for the CPU, the rest aren't.

 

[PaulieG]

That Patriot ram looks decent. I had one set of 800's that flew, but the 1066 Vipers I tried hated me. Couldn't get them to work in a DFI or Gigabyte p35 board.

 

[TheMailMan78]

Quick advice before you order, but get the GX3 version of the board and not the GX. All solid caps, more RAM for onboard (makes a difference when you're forced to use it).

I've got my 8750BE running at 3ghz with 1.28v, and the IGP is overclocked to 900Mhz (500 stock). It's a great little set up this, and you'll be able to use Phenom II when it comes out next year.

Thats strange but the website says there all solid caps. As for the ram it goes up to 16gigs. The CPU slot is also 140watts so I should be able to do Phenom II later. Please correct me if I'm wrong. I don't need to make any mistakes. FYI I don't do much if any OC. Please keep that in mind.

Edit: I just saw the GX3. Thats the one I was looking at by mistake. Your correct. 128meg side bus and 100% solid caps on the GX3. The only on I can get a deal on is the GX damn it. Thank you for pointing that out. If I'm not OC will it make that much difference? If I ever did it wouldnt be anything insane. However I can still go Phenom II later. Am I correct?

That Patriot ram looks decent. I had one set of 800's that flew, but the 1066 Vipers I tried hated me. Couldn't get them to work in a DFI or Gigabyte p35 board.

What would you recommend?

 

[TheMailMan78]

Also since I am "downgrading" to a Phenom X3 will I still be able to use PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz Memory?

 

[PaulieG]

I would recommend these:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3986479&CatId=2531

No problem at all using PC8500's with that Phenom. Your memory speed is more motherboard dependent.

 

[Darknova]

Edit: I just saw the GX3. Thats the one I was looking at by mistake. Your correct. 128meg side bus and 100% solid caps on the GX3. The only on I can get a deal on is the GX damn it. Thank you for pointing that out. If I'm not OC will it make that much difference? If I ever did it wouldnt be anything insane. However I can still go Phenom II later. Am I correct?

Both will allow you to use Phenom II later on, the only real difference is the 100% solid caps (GX is solid caps only on the CPU) and the 128mb sideport (64mb sideport on the GX). I don't think it will make any different to your OC potential, but I could be wrong. I just preferred to have solid caps as I've seen what happens when non-solid caps blow.

And to Paulieg your RAM speed is decided by the CPU, not the motherboard. The CPU has the Memory Controller and on all Phenoms they support 1066 via a dividers.

 

[kysg]

phenom x3 should hold ya down pretty dang well. It holds its own vs most procs,

 

[Darknova]

phenom x3 should hold ya down pretty dang well.

I love my x3, feels so snappy compared to my E8400.

 

[kysg]

I love my x3, feels so snappy compared to my E8400.

I agree I had an 8450 before I damaged it, there pretty decent. I might go back to it if I find deneb, heka, or propus to expensive to move onto. because the x3's should either fade in price or most likely end up being deactivated.

 

[ShadowFold]

Phenom II X3 is what I am gonna go for

 

[kysg]

Phenom II X3 is what I am gonna go for

depends on price of the x3, though that 7mb cache is tempting.