AMD Llano A8-3870 Build tips

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Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
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Hello, I plan to build a A8-3870 PC.

* It will be used mainly for gaming (strategy, RPG, including Skyrim, DX:HR, EVE Online)

* There will be no discrete GPU

* The PC will be bought outside the USA and UK (Lithuania)

* The budget is not limitless, but I can afford a high-freq RAM and a motherboard with functionality I need.

* I'm aiming for a very fast RAM memory

* Motherboard should support SATA3, probably mATX, a good integrated sound chip is a priority (I'm looking at gigabyte)

* a Samsung F3 Spinpoint 1Tb hard drive + 64Gb Samsung 830 SSd will be used. I already have the 1Tb HD.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Especially on the choice of motherboards and choice of CPU coolers for this socket.
 
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Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2001
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01-29-2012 is the only ETA i've seen posted on a website with preorders
you could be waiting 1+ month, maybe longer due to your region
 
Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

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Nov 23, 2001
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hmmm interesting

All your intentions seem good.
From the reviews i've seen, the gigabyte fm1 motherboards are the best for overclocking
fast memory is a definite plus, I got 2133 memory, but can only run at 1866 because my asrock motherboard sucks.
 
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Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

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Nov 23, 2001
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Kristijonas said:
If I bought this mb: http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3928#sp
Would I be able to use 2000mhz RAM on 2000mhz frequency? Or perhaps I'd be able to overclock RAM to 2400?? The highest frequency RAM memory in Lithuania is stock at 2133mhz... but price of 2000mhz RAM is pretty low too.
Click to expand...

The ram is tied to a multiple of the base clock
basically you set say 1866 speed, then start upping the bclk and it moves with it
same with the gfx
since you are getting the "unlocked" llano and a good motherboard
you should be able to get the ram well over 2000MHz and have a lot of different combinations to play with

Also worth noting, it's doubtful you'll need to set high voltages on anything
Don't set 1.5-1.6v or something crazy just because other reviewers are (some crazy people out there)
 
Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

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Nov 23, 2001
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Here is a good image that breaks down the dividers/multipliers
I found this very usefull
Everything is tied to the bclk including hard drives, usb, etc. So be carefull
A75-clocking.png
 
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K

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
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Soulkeeper said:
Also worth noting, it's doubtful you'll need to set high voltages on anything
Don't set 1.5-1.6v or something crazy just because other reviewers are (some crazy people out there)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I just want a soft and safe overclock of CPU and a completely safe maximum of GPU overclock.
 
K

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
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What would be a good socket FM1 cooler for medium overclocking? I love running on low temperatures. Above 35C on idle - I don't like that.
 
K

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
4
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Are you sure though, that this cooler is fit for FM1? It isn't mentioned anywhere. (Also, is H40 any good?)

I also agree that it's worth the wait for Trinity, and normally I would, but perhaps I'll make the change once the Trinity "black edition" is out ;) We'll see.
 
K

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
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Alright, I have checked on the Corsair site that FM1 POSSIBLY supports Hydro Series H40 and H70 coolers. It would be appreciated if anyone could confirm?
 
Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2001
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why wouldn't it ?

939, am2, am3, am3+, and fm1 all have the same mounting as far as I know
so if It mentions 1 of those, it should support all of them.
 
K

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
4
76
Also, an important question.

I have a Samsung F3 Spinpoint 1Tb Hard Drive. It has windows 7 Enterprise 64bit installed and fully updated. It was however in a PC that is in my signature. Will I need to reinstall windows, or will I be able to use them with all the new hardware without reinstalling?
 
Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2001
6,732
155
106
Kristijonas said:
Also, an important question.

I have a Samsung F3 Spinpoint 1Tb Hard Drive. It has windows 7 Enterprise 64bit installed and fully updated. It was however in a PC that is in my signature. Will I need to reinstall windows, or will I be able to use them with all the new hardware without reinstalling?
Click to expand...

yes, you should be fine.
 
M

micrometers

Diamond Member
Nov 14, 2010
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Another thing to consider: look into smaller form factors. I think there are some good itx cases that could fit it. Since it is all in one and you are using water-cooling, itx might work out nicely.

keep it updated with pics pls :)
 
K

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
4
76
Thank you Soulkeeper!
Glad you are interested karmypolitics, but I will only receive this PC in January 5-7. I will consider itx cases, I like compactability and neatness.
 
Soulkeeper

Soulkeeper

Diamond Member
Nov 23, 2001
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pc-q11 is the ITX case I use, mostly because it supports a standard atx psu and full size cdrom drive

just note that no current FM1 ITX motherboards support bclk overclocking
5MHz is about all they'll do

the gigabyte matx options are much better if you don't mind the extra few inches of case space imo
 
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K

Kristijonas

Senior member
Jun 11, 2011
859
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76
Also I will be using 1866 or 2000mhz RAM memory, which will also help by almost 20%! I just hope I can play Deus ex Human Revolution in high settings...!
 
Vesku

Vesku

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Aug 25, 2005
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Is this an additional machine to your sig rig or for someone else? Otherwise, I would also suggest just throwing a 6850 or 560 in your current computer to replace the 9600GT.
 
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