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ForumsDiscussion Forum → Building new comp, need advice
Building new comp, need advice
2009-07-06, 7:36 PM #1
So my 5 year old comp is starting to show its age just a little (I play TF2 on almost all the lowest settings). I've finally broken down and begun to buy some new parts so that I can build a new system. But its been a while since I've done this so I'm looking for some advice on what to buy. I've already bought a WD 640 gig HD and a 650 watt Corsair PSU (not going to be doing any Crossfire or SLI or anything like that, so 650 watts should be plenty from what I'm seeing). I've got a nice tower all picked out too.

But as far as good motherboards, AMD vs Intel, NVidia vs Radeon, I'm not up on. I remember Radeon used to have more compatibility issues then NVidia. I hear the new Phenom II's are pretty good, but what about slightly cheaper stuff then that (I'm on a college student's budget here, I can always upgrade later if I get a nice mobo).

So I turn to you, my fellow Massassians, who I know quite a few of you are much more knowledgeable about this stuff then I am, for advice. What say you all?
Life is beautiful.
2009-07-06, 7:46 PM #2
Either get a Phenom II or don't go AMD. Everything else AMD's made (particularly the Phenom I) recently is terrible.
2009-07-06, 7:50 PM #3
I wouldn't go AMD at all
"Nulla tenaci invia est via"
2009-07-06, 8:32 PM #4
Microcenter's $200 i7 deal is still going. I'm actually planning on doing a build this weekend. I already snatched the i7 and am waiting for the rest of my parts from newegg.

You can build a pretty solid i7 machine (w/ the $200 from microcenter) for ~1000-1100 including keyboard / mouse etc but not monitor.


If you just wanna build a primarily gaming-oriented rig, I suggest the Phenom II X3 720. I def think it's the best value right now. It was only $120 from newegg a couple weeks ago ... the price went back up momentarily and I dunno if it's back down yet but it should be. Pair it with a decent AM3 board and an XFX 4870 (~145 on newegg... I snatched this) and you should be in the 700-800 range.

If you feel comfortable going AM2+ (because the mobos are cheaper and the ram is a little cheaper), then go with the Phenom II X4 940.

Both these AMD chips are Black Editions which means unlocked multis which means easy OC.

For a CPU cooler, the Xigmatek Dark Knight is an awesome choice (~$30)

Edit: The X3 720 did go back down:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103649

Here's the Dark Knight:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233029

The aforementioned 4870 went back up to $150 (from $145) but it's a $5 diff so whatever.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150394


Condensed version: (This is my opinion after a ****ton of research based on what was right for me ... so it might not be right for you but it's just what I've found)

- For primarily gaming, and on a budget, go X3 720
- If you don't feel like you need AM3 / don't see yourself upgrading within the next two years, go AM2+ and X4 920
- If you go Intel, go i7 since prices are probably the lowest they will be (unless you want to wait til Septemberish for Lynnfield/i5), as LGA775 is a dead end upgrade-wise.
一个大西瓜

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