How does this build look? $650-$700 Budget Build

[Death2All]

1. What is your budget and does that include shipping/taxes? Around $650-$700

2. Where do you live?Midwest, United States

3. What do you need this computer to do (like gaming, Photoshop, and so on)? Mostly gaming, high performance, not having to worry about upgrading for a few years.

4. What parts will you need for the computer? Please list what parts specifically. Everything, building a brand new one.

5. Are you reusing any parts for this computer? If so please say what parts. None

6. What kind of monitor/resolution do you have or want to get to use for the computer? 18" 1366x769 native resolution monitor currently. Will probably get one with a larger resolution in the future.

7. Do you have a legit OS? If so what OS and is it 32-bit or 64-bit? Going to pick Windows 7 64 bit along with the computer.

8. What are you looking for the motherboard to have feature wise? Like SLI, Crossfire, Firewire, USB 3.0, Sata 6.0 Gb/s, and so on. The motherboard I've chosen has most of these features (Crossfire/Sata 6.0/USB 3.0). I probably won't be taking advantage of any of these features right away as I'm going to be using Crossfire quite yet and I don't have any USB 3.0 devices, but again I want it to be future proof and I think I've chosen a good motherboard

9. Any plans to overclock the CPU or GPU? In the future, perhaps. But right as I buy the computer? No.

10. What time kind of time frame are you planning on ordering these parts? Within the next few months. 1-2.

EDIT: Sorry about that. I've read the sticky but I still didn't go ahead and fill it out.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Case - HAF 912 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119233

HDD - WD 320GB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136098

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138303

GFX - Sapphire 6850 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102908

PSU - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817207013

RAM - 8GB G-Skill - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231311

CPU - AMD Phenom II X4 955 Deneb Black Edition - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103808

Optical Drive - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151250

Total Price: $650.92 - $40 in rebates = $610.92



First time builder here. Overall, I'm very happy with what I'm getting and the price I'm getting it all for. I would just like some further suggestions/clarifications.

Any possible alternative parts I should get?

Is my system bottle necked at all?

Are all of the components compatible with one another?



Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Goku]

Please answer the questions I have pinned in thus forum for better feedback.

[Vancha]

550w is overkill for a single 6850. The only reason to get that is for future crossfire plans, which are never usually executed...

I'm wondering if you shouldn't get a 970/990X motherboard. It'll work with your 955, but it should also support AMD CPUs that haven't even been released yet, thus giving it a much longer shelf-life than the 870 you picked which can't support anything beyond a Phenom II.

Finally, I'd try and wait until AMD release their mid-range HD7000 GPUs (March-ish). They'll probably push down the prices of the HD6000s and you'll be able to get something better within your budget.

Edit: Do you know that Newegg will be getting more 955 Phenoms in stock? I'm pretty sure the only 4x Phenom IIs being made since Bulldozer launched are the 960Ts.

[Goku]

Here is what I came up with:

CPU - $125
GPU - $130
MOBO - $118
PSU - $60
Case - $60
HDD - $80
RAM - $37
DVD Drive - $24
Windows 7 64-bit - $100

Total - $730ish

Do not bother with AMD as their processors are not worth buying at the moment. The 2100 will out perform the 955 in most tasks especially gaming. The Z68 Gen 3 mobo will allow for a future upgrade to a ivy bridge quad that will out do all upcoming AMD CPUs. It also gives access to PCI-e 3.0 with a in CPU. The GTX 460 will be better supported in PlanetSide 2 and can out do a 6850. Even a 6870 when overclocked.

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by Goku

The Z68 Gen 3 mobo will allow for a future upgrade to a ivy bridge quad that will out do all upcoming AMD CPUs.

How do you know Ivy Bridge will out-do Piledriver when we know nothing about it, huh?

Oh, how I wish I could ask that with a straight face...

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by Vancha

Oh, how I wish I could ask that with a straight face...

[Goku]

Rather easy as BD was a failure and AMD is still stuck on the 32nm process. AMD can only do so much. If you are expecting AMD to out do Intel with PD that is wishful thinking.

[Bags]

The card you linked is out of stock.

[Death2All]

Originally Posted by Bags

The card you linked is out of stock.

Yeah...That was just the CPU I had in mind, one that someone suggested for me. I just linked from Newegg because I was lazy.

I also heard that they stopped making the 955? I could be wrong though..?

[Vancha]

Originally Posted by DeeTwoEh

Yeah...That was just the CPU I had in mind, one that someone suggested for me. I just linked from Newegg because I was lazy.

I also heard that they stopped making the 955? I could be wrong though..?

Well you heard it from my first post, for a start.

I'd probably take Goku's advice about the i3. I don't pay attention to intel so I assumed AMD still had the price-performance crown, but unless you aim as low as a fusion rig intel look to be the better option now.

[Goku]

AMD used to be the way to go for budget gamer builds, but once the i3 2100 came out that changed. Look up some reviews up to see this if you haven't yet.