Phenom II Build

[vke]

Hey guys. I just sold my i7 940 to a neighbor since I've lacked the cash to finish my computer. I'm looking online, and I've found a AMD Phenon II 3.4 Black Editon for super cheap (~$200) Is this any good? How does the amd compare to the i7 in gaming?

 

I've got $850 bucks, plus a brand-new still in the box GTX 275. What kind of stuff should i be looking at? I'd like to use the AMD chip, since its cheap, and i plan on Oc this thing anyway.

 

I need a Power Supply, RAM, a case and a mobo. The optical drive i have, as well as a 320 gb hard drive.

 

Any suggestions would be super helpful, since this is my first build and over clock ever.

[-=Medic=-]

I have a nice PC right now based on intel Q9550 with ati 4850 but I really wanna change all this for:

 

AMD Phenom II X4 9650 BE careful if you gonna buy take last stepping C3 at 125W

 

Asus Crosshair III Formula

 

Noctua NH-U12P

 

ATI Radeon HD 5850

[!Chuck4Abuck]

dude u cant compare and amd to a i7 or an i5 even the i5 takes out any of the amd high end cpus u could all ways build a nice rig with a i5 1156 soket with u have $750 u could get this on compusa

 

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5325884&CatId=4910

[vke]

I know an i7 is "better" but i just sold my i7 for $450. It has been in my closet for a few months, I decided just to get rid of it and build a cheaper comp. these new amd chips have actually improved compared to 3 years ago. Granted the amd doesn't have hyperthreading or turbo, but I can live without those. its not that big of a deal.

 

That compusa deal is ballin, but i want to build this entirely myself xD

 

@ medic Thanks!!! thats exactly what i'm looking for. I might actually go with the 5870 though depending on my christmas bonus.

[!Chuck4Abuck]

dude u had a 940 is lik so over price from an i7 920. i know amd is gettin better but no match against an i5 , i ratter u get a 1156 soket then an am3 based cpu

[hazazil]

i built a gaming computer about 6 months ago with a phenom II cpu. check it out

 

http://fearless-assassins.com/topic/4393-my-gaming-computer/

[vke]

i built a gaming computer about 6 months ago with a phenom II cpu. check it out

 

http://fearless-assassins.com/topic/4393-my-gaming-computer/

 

 

Very nice! you should put up some pics

 

As far as cooling goes, is water cooling better than air?

[wreck]

watercooling is better but you can get by for cheaper with a good air cooler +good fans

[hazazil]

pics are up. the max temp for my quad core processor is about 160F. It was running from 105F-115F but since i replaced the stock heatsink it doesn't get above 90F. I haven't overclocked it though much. I had it overclocked a very little but didn't see a point. it runs flawlessly as it is

[vke]

wow nice temps

 

I just ordered a xfx 5850 black edition, the cpu, and a asus crosshair III mobo. Still looking at case, ram and psu. within the next 2 months i will be up and running I'm also looking at a watercooling system, are any of the packages any good? I want to cool cpu and gpu.

[TulsaGeoff]

wow nice temps

 

I just ordered a xfx 5850 black edition, the cpu, and a asus crosshair III mobo. Still looking at case, ram and psu. within the next 2 months i will be up and running I'm also looking at a watercooling system, are any of the packages any good? I want to cool cpu and gpu.

 

Hey Valk just saw you live in Utah. Is it near Provo by any chance? Going boarding this weekend

 

Nice GPU. I would recommend aircooling with the megahalem and 2 Scythe 25x38 monster fans and a fan controller. Sunbeam rheobus is a simple controller.

 

These fans only if you have a fan controller to adjust the speed/noise: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=36_403&products_id=22540

 

There are no good kits for watercooling that I am aware of. Petrastechshop.com used to have some, but I guess they have gotten rid of that. Expect to pay $60 for CPU, $100 for GPU, $100 for radiator, $15 for tubing, $40 for fittings/fillport, $60 for pump. You would want atleast a 120.3 size radiator to cool a CPU and GPU in the same loop. Those are conservative figures. You would also need either coolant or distilled water + an algea killer. These are big and require big cases. Most people like to cut their cases to put the radiator inside. If you wanted a pre-prepared case for the radiator the Corsair 800d can fit a 120.3 up top. It is a $300 case. I absolutely love the case. Or you can buy a $200 Lian Li and buy the seperate top pre cut for the radiator. Performance-pcs.com can give you estimates on prices. They can also do custom case work and it's top of the line quality.

 

If you want to experience the fun that is watercooling go for it. I love it. It takes time, but the parts will last you for awhile. My parts, except the CPU block, are more than 4years old and are still pretty darn good by today's standards.

 

Corsair makes the H50 or h20 something that works pretty well, but at high temperatures the air cooling setup that I stated earlier will cool better.

[vke]

I'm about 20 minutes north of Provo. Are you boarding at sundance? I hear the snow is pretty good there right now, with some more on the way this weekend. I wish I could board again, I tore my acl and my achilles back in 08 :/

 

Those prices are about what i was expecting, thats good news. As far as cases go, full vs midtower? I've found a few mid-tower cases i like, but I'm worried about not being able to fit the coolant resivoir, psu, and the monster card in there. I think performance-pcs is one of my new favorite sites Although $800 bucks for some of the cases? thats whack!

[TulsaGeoff]

Alright bud. My brother and I plan on hitting up all surrounding good mountains

If you want to hang out we can I'll be up there for 5 nights. Staying at the new Mariot in provo.

 

You definitely want a full tower. It will stay cooler, and will be ALOT easier to work inside.

 

Corsair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811139001&Tpk=corsair%20800d

This guy pretty much did nothing special with his PC, but the inside looks super clean. This case has awesome cable management.

Weak: http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=47868&high=800d

Better: http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=1103&high=800d

Watercooled with good shit and pimped!!! http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=42012&high=800d

 

It's a really easy case to make look sweet

 

Here are the Lian Li tops: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=130_387

Just find one to fit on a Lian Li

 

Also look at silverstone. However, I do not believe they have any cases with pre-configured areas.

 

You can always use whats is called a rad-box and mount the radiator on the outside but it looks cleaner internally in my opinion.

 

yes www.performance-pcs.com is the pimp shit

 

Mountain Mods also sell the UFO cases which are beastly for watercooling. They can custom paint the cases. Expect to pay more than the Corsair case.

[wreck]

the 800d is one sexy case, i just bought it, its soooo nice