A new computer for me? Please comment on these parts.

[mfenn]

That Gigabyte 870 looks very nice and from looking at the specs, the only difference is that it is older and lacks onboard video. It is a good value as well. So basically, it is a cheaper motherboard but just as future proof as the 890 model. I don't really have a need for onboard video so this board would be good for me.

My reasoning behind the Radeon 5770 is that it seems a bit smaller in size compared to the 460 GTX, is cheaper and will probably draw less power. Plus I'm not a big gamer. But if there is a good deal on this board, then I may consider it.

As for the OS, which of Windows 7 versions would be well suited?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...Id=1&name=Home

I think the first one will be the most suitable since all that is needed is the CD.

Thanks.

Whaaaa??? All of the 800 series chipsets are the same age. None is more or less "future-proof" (stupid term btw). If you're going to have a discrete GPU anyway, what value is having onboard video?

As for Windows, I would get Home Premium 64-bit.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Whaaaa??? All of the 800 series chipsets are the same age. None is more or less "future-proof" (stupid term btw). If you're going to have a discrete GPU anyway, what value is having onboard video?

As for Windows, I would get Home Premium 64-bit.

The issue (which may not be an issue at all) is it looks as if the stated intent (we'll find out more on the 24th, I hope) of AMD and backward compatibility with BD Zambezi will be 890FX/GX motherboards.

That's not to say that 870/880 chipsets will not get BIOS updates for BD Zambezi, but some of us are still waiting for PhII/AthII updates for 770/780 motherboards - LOL.

I tend to think the price premium is worth it for the future upgrade path but understand others may feel different.

I hope it does not happen --- but in the future I sense some really P-O'ed folks coming into the forums and complaining about their 870/880 motherboards not getting updates for BD Zambezi (while some others might get updates).





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[mfenn]

The issue (which may not be an issue at all) is it looks as if the stated intent (we'll find out more on the 24th, I hope) of AMD and backward compatibility with BD Zambezi will be 890FX/GX motherboards.

That's not to say that 870/880 chipsets will not get BIOS updates for BD Zambezi, but some of us are still waiting for PhII/AthII updates for 770/780 motherboards - LOL.

I tend to think the price premium is worth it for the future upgrade path but understand others may feel different.

I hope it does not happen --- but in the future I sense some really P-O'ed folks coming into the forums and complaining about their 870/880 motherboards not getting updates for BD Zambezi (while some others might get updates).

That really depends on your motherboard vendor. There is simply no technical reason that the 870 and 880 would not have the same level of Bulldozer support as the 890. As far as I know, the 870 and 890FX are just binned versions of the same chip, are are the 880G and 890GX.

EDIT: For example, ASUS really keeps on top of their bios updates. The M4A77D (not a high-end mobo by any stretch) has full C3 and E0 support. Gigabyte is good as well. The GA-MA770-UD3 Rev 1.0, which is quite an old 770 board has full C3 and E0 support.

 

[raildogg]

This is the final build that I have added to the cart. Please comment and mention anything that can be modified. Thanks.

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3
CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Graphics: XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB
Case: Antec Sonata III w/500W PSU
Hd: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB

Total: $730.92

A few items that look interesting include the CPU and the case. The Phenom II X4 945 is not too much more than the Athlon I have chosen but provides fast performance. Not sure if that extra $40-$50 is really worth it in terms of real world performance. Given that I don't require special uses for my computers, I don't really think it is.

The Sonata III has mixed reviews. I like the design and the quiet factor but I am concerned about the cooling aspect of it, especially since I have the Radeon 5770 in there.

Thanks.

 

[mfenn]

This is the final build that I have added to the cart. Please comment and mention anything that can be modified. Thanks.

OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3
CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 640
Memory: Mushkin Enhanced Silverline 4GB (2 x 2GB)
Graphics: XFX HD-577X-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 1GB
Case: Antec Sonata III w/500W PSU
Hd: SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB

The parts themselves look good. You can save a few bucks with combos like the mobo+memory and CPU+OS.

 

[raildogg]

Thanks, got the Gigabyte+RAM combo already and have the Case+OS combo as well. Should come out to equal savings.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...504.11-129-024

 

[mfenn]

Thanks, got the Gigabyte+RAM combo already and have the Case+OS combo as well. Should come out to equal savings.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...504.11-129-024

:thumbsup: I figured you did, but I just wanted to make sure.

 

[raildogg]

Ok, almost ready. Since time is limited, I am slowly taking my time with this computer order. Just a quick final check up.

I have been looking at the video cards a little bit and have found a single slot card from Powercolor. It looks a bit smaller than the XFX I had originally planned on getting.

Here is the link to the Powercolor that I am now considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131330

It has a 2 year warranty versus the lifetime of the XFX but is smaller.

Here is my original XFX that I planned on getting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462

Should I be really worried about the size of these cards? I'm just wondering because of the size of the Antec Sonata III. I also don't mind smaller components. Just down to these two cards.

Also, the WD 1TB is now $15 cheaper but the Samsung F3 is a better 1TB drive?

Thanks.

 

[Davidh373]

Here is the link to the Powercolor that I am now considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814131330

It has a 2 year warranty versus the lifetime of the XFX but is smaller.

Here is my original XFX that I planned on getting:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150462

Should I be really worried about the size of these cards? I'm just wondering because of the size of the Antec Sonata III. I also don't mind smaller components. Just down to these two cards.

The shipping cost on the powercolor card makes it $1 less. $1 for the security of a lifetime warranty is well worth it in my book.

Should I be really worried about the size of these cards? I'm just wondering because of the size of the Antec Sonata III. I also don't mind smaller components. Just down to these two cards.

The 5770 is a small card, unless you have a itx, I think you should be fine.

Also, the WD 1TB is now $15 cheaper but the Samsung F3 is a better 1TB drive?

That depends on what Western Digital Drive. Are you talking about the Caviar Green or the Black?

 

[jchu14]

I'd go with the XFX for sure. It's a better brand with better support, higher resale value due to the double life time warranty, and a displayport that may be important in the future.The Sonata has plenty of room for a double slot card. The Powercolor isn't a true single slot solution anyways. The heatsink and fan sticks above the height of a single slot. So in cases that only fit one slot, chances are that the Powercolor won't fit either.