Building a new AMD rig...

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SlowSpyder

Lifer
Jan 12, 2005
17,305
1,002
126
The Phenom is fine for gaming. With a 4870x2 you may have some situations where you are CPU limited, other situations you will still be GPU limited (assuming you are using a big monitor). I have no doubt you'll be quite satisfied with the performance.

I'm not 100% sure when the 45nm Phenoms are coming out, but getting 3+GHz out of the 65nm chips isn't all that uncommon, especially since you'll be using water and the new south bridge. Also, it looks like you should have a decent upgrade path with an AM2+. So far AMD is claiming that AM3 chips will be compatable.
 
G

Grunt76

Member
Feb 28, 2008
36
0
0
Originally posted by: SlowSpyder
The Phenom is fine for gaming. With a 4870x2 you may have some situations where you are CPU limited, other situations you will still be GPU limited (assuming you are using a big monitor). I have no doubt you'll be quite satisfied with the performance.

I'm not 100% sure when the 45nm Phenoms are coming out, but getting 3+GHz out of the 65nm chips isn't all that uncommon, especially since you'll be using water and the new south bridge. Also, it looks like you should have a decent upgrade path with an AM2+. So far AMD is claiming that AM3 chips will be compatable.
Click to expand...

That sounds very good. I remember when the S939 first came out, I got an A64 3200+ on the premise of upgrading later... I now run an opteron 185 on that same board, changed video cards twice, changed RAM once... HDD's everything.

I love upgrade paths that let me update what I choose when I choose, rather than having to build a new machine from scratch all the time. Intel had been doing that for years and I hope AMD keeps its word about the AM3 chips.

I am looking to get that Samsung 30" LCD so that's why I think two HD4870X2 would eventually have to find their way into my machine... That's lots of pixels right there... ;)
 
I

Idontcare

Elite Member
Oct 10, 1999
21,110
64
91
Originally posted by: Grunt76
Originally posted by: TridenTBoy3555
Originally posted by: Grunt76
Any word on when the good mobo's are coming out?

I will need at least 2 PCIe16 and one PCIe8... And hopefully it will let me do a good crossfire with them 4870x2... :D
Click to expand...

You'll be severely CPU limited before you hit any GPU barrier.
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Well yeah, but I certainly HOPE there will be future CPU ugrades. I mean big time. The AM3 CPU's are supposed to be backward compatible with AM2+ so I heard last time I looked - granted that was a while ago - so I think there should be headroom?

Plus I watercool, so I just might upgrade my pump and go for the high GHZ on the 9950 until a much better CPU appears...

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Given the trackrecord of AMD's mobo partners for releasing BIOS's to enable backward compatibility (Phenom on AM2 boards) as well as AMD's own trackrecord of cancelling socket releases (quadfather, FX, etc) I would not base a purchasing decision today on the expectation of there being a viable upgrade path down the road.

This is not just advice for AMD buyers, it applies to Intel systems as well (680i + yorkfield anyone? Skulltrail + Nehalem? sorry).
 
edplayer

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
0
0
Yes, they are out. Go over to newegg and put sb750 in the search engine and you will get 9 results
 
edplayer

edplayer

Platinum Member
Sep 13, 2002
2,186
0
0
Jefe: I have put many beautiful pinatas in the storeroom, each of them filled with little suprises.
El Guapo: Many pinatas?
Jefe: Oh yes, many!
El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
Jefe: A what?
El Guapo: A *plethora*.
Jefe: Oh yes, you have a plethora.
El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
Jefe: Why, El Guapo?
El Guapo: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora.
Jefe: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?
 
T

thilanliyan

Lifer
Jun 21, 2005
12,062
2,275
126
Originally posted by: Grunt76
So are them new mobos out yet?
Click to expand...

Yes they definitely are. I got the Gigabyte DS4 motherboard...unfortunately all my parts haven't arrived yet so I haven't been able to test/overclock anything yet.

EDIT: If you're gonna put more than one full-length card in (ie. 4870x2, GTX 280/260) don't go with the DS4 as ALL the SATA ports will be blocked by the card in the lower PCI-e slot.
 
I

Idontcare

Elite Member
Oct 10, 1999
21,110
64
91
Originally posted by: edplayer
Jefe: I have put many beautiful pinatas in the storeroom, each of them filled with little suprises.
El Guapo: Many pinatas?
Jefe: Oh yes, many!
El Guapo: Would you say I have a plethora of pinatas?
Jefe: A what?
El Guapo: A *plethora*.
Jefe: Oh yes, you have a plethora.
El Guapo: Jefe, what is a plethora?
Jefe: Why, El Guapo?
El Guapo: Well, you told me I have a plethora. And I just would like to know if you know what a plethora is. I would not like to think that a person would tell someone he has a plethora, and then find out that that person has *no idea* what it means to have a plethora.
Jefe: Forgive me, El Guapo. I know that I, Jefe, do not have your superior intellect and education. But could it be that once again, you are angry at something else, and are looking to take it out on me?
Click to expand...

El Guapo: STFU Jefe.
 
H

heyheybooboo

Diamond Member
Jun 29, 2007
6,278
0
0
V

v8envy

Platinum Member
Sep 7, 2002
2,720
0
0
Originally posted by: eternalone
Bang for your buck Combo Price: $233.99
9850 plus this board.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813138128
Click to expand...

Very nice. I need to build another quad by the end of the month, and this deal would be very tempting. I'll need to go with another Q6600 because the box will be up 24x7 and the phenom power suckage will easily make up the ~$35 upfront difference well before the box is EOLd, but for a casual user you can't beat this deal.
 
L

Liberator21

Golden Member
Feb 12, 2007
1,003
0
0
Hey Grunt76, enable your profile.

Anyway, I didn't read all the posts and don't know what you decided to do, but if you're still in the market for a dual-CPU system I have two AMD FX-72's for sale. Socket 1207[F]. I also have an MSI dual socket E-ATX motherboard. PM me if interested. I'll let them go super cheap!
 
G

Grunt76

Member
Feb 28, 2008
36
0
0
So I guess right now the best will be to wait for the Phenom II X4 910 and build with that? Any idea when that's showing up? How 'bout the 925???? I thought they shoulda been out already and what with the OC'ing going on, I think they do look good...

Thoughts?
 
K

kmmatney

Diamond Member
Jun 19, 2000
4,363
1
81
Wow - this is a pretty old thread - you still haven't upgraded yet?

Anand's latest article shows the Budget $135 AMD Phenom II X3 720BE to be great for gaming - not losing too much ground to more expensive cpus. This article shows results with an without crossfire:

http://www.anandtech.com/mb/showdoc.aspx?i=3533

It's a black edition so has unlocked multiplier for easier overclocking.

for quad core, you can go with the Phenom II X4 920 for $165 at NewEgg. Once you overclock (you should give it another try if you want the best value for money).

Those are great bang-for-buck choices, especially taking Anands article in mind.
 
Dadofamunky

Dadofamunky

Platinum Member
Jan 4, 2005
2,184
0
0
It's GOOD that he hasn't upgraded, the AMD CPUs are a more realistic proposition now, particularly for gamers. Couldn't believe the age of the thread, I didn't notice that until I saw the Phenom 9950 reference. THEN I got a clue (possibly my first one ever :D
 
G

Grunt76

Member
Feb 28, 2008
36
0
0
Yeah it's old... I upgraded other things, got an expensive Xerox solid-ink printer, my radeon HD4870 1Gb and WAITED for the new generations of CPU to come out, since AM3 seems to future-proof my stuff pretty well. Remember I'm running a socket 939 and changing everything to AM2 and DDR2 only to see everything move to AM3 and DDR3 a couple months later really made NO SENSE AT ALL, especially given the beautiful longevity of the s939 platform. I do believe AM3 has a long and bright future ahead. Any idea when the better Phenoms will be showing up?
 
M

Martimus

Diamond Member
Apr 24, 2007
4,490
157
106
Originally posted by: Grunt76
Yeah it's old... I upgraded other things, got an expensive Xerox solid-ink printer, my radeon HD4870 1Gb and WAITED for the new generations of CPU to come out, since AM3 seems to future-proof my stuff pretty well. Remember I'm running a socket 939 and changing everything to AM2 and DDR2 only to see everything move to AM3 and DDR3 a couple months later really made NO SENSE AT ALL, especially given the beautiful longevity of the s939 platform. I do believe AM3 has a long and bright future ahead. Any idea when the better Phenoms will be showing up?
Click to expand...

Back when I was paying attention, I believe the 910 and 925 were scheduled for April and the 945 and 955 were scheduled for June. I don't know how that has changed in the last few months though.
 
Markfw

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
27,277
16,121
136
Originally posted by: Grunt76
Yeah it's old... I upgraded other things, got an expensive Xerox solid-ink printer, my radeon HD4870 1Gb and WAITED for the new generations of CPU to come out, since AM3 seems to future-proof my stuff pretty well. Remember I'm running a socket 939 and changing everything to AM2 and DDR2 only to see everything move to AM3 and DDR3 a couple months later really made NO SENSE AT ALL, especially given the beautiful longevity of the s939 platform. I do believe AM3 has a long and bright future ahead. Any idea when the better Phenoms will be showing up?
Click to expand...

The Phemon II is out now, and not bad, but Intel still wins bang/buck IMO.
 
F

Flipped Gazelle

Diamond Member
Sep 5, 2004
6,666
3
81
Originally posted by: Markfw900
Originally posted by: Grunt76
Yeah it's old... I upgraded other things, got an expensive Xerox solid-ink printer, my radeon HD4870 1Gb and WAITED for the new generations of CPU to come out, since AM3 seems to future-proof my stuff pretty well. Remember I'm running a socket 939 and changing everything to AM2 and DDR2 only to see everything move to AM3 and DDR3 a couple months later really made NO SENSE AT ALL, especially given the beautiful longevity of the s939 platform. I do believe AM3 has a long and bright future ahead. Any idea when the better Phenoms will be showing up?
Click to expand...

The Phemon II is out now, and not bad, but Intel still wins bang/buck IMO.
Click to expand...

I think you are in the minority about that... not that there's anything wrong with that, you F@H fan, you! ;)

Interestingly, Techreport shows PhII PhII does pretty well with F@H.
 
Markfw

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
27,277
16,121
136
Originally posted by: Flipped Gazelle
Originally posted by: Markfw900
Originally posted by: Grunt76
Yeah it's old... I upgraded other things, got an expensive Xerox solid-ink printer, my radeon HD4870 1Gb and WAITED for the new generations of CPU to come out, since AM3 seems to future-proof my stuff pretty well. Remember I'm running a socket 939 and changing everything to AM2 and DDR2 only to see everything move to AM3 and DDR3 a couple months later really made NO SENSE AT ALL, especially given the beautiful longevity of the s939 platform. I do believe AM3 has a long and bright future ahead. Any idea when the better Phenoms will be showing up?
Click to expand...

The Phemon II is out now, and not bad, but Intel still wins bang/buck IMO.
Click to expand...

I think you are in the minority about that... not that there's anything wrong with that, you F@H fan, you! ;)

Interestingly, Techreport shows PhII PhII does pretty well with F@H.
Click to expand...

Except they don;t show "best overclock at a price point" then compare results....

Hoever, I just got another 940, since it was the cheapest (in the combo), and the PPD difference is not that much. I needed a 3 slot PCI-E motherboard, and preferred a quad. For $284, motherboard and quad, its was pretty good deal.
 
Dadofamunky

Dadofamunky

Platinum Member
Jan 4, 2005
2,184
0
0
Originally posted by: Grunt76
Yeah it's old... I upgraded other things, got an expensive Xerox solid-ink printer, my radeon HD4870 1Gb and WAITED for the new generations of CPU to come out, since AM3 seems to future-proof my stuff pretty well. Remember I'm running a socket 939 and changing everything to AM2 and DDR2 only to see everything move to AM3 and DDR3 a couple months later really made NO SENSE AT ALL, especially given the beautiful longevity of the s939 platform. I do believe AM3 has a long and bright future ahead. Any idea when the better Phenoms will be showing up?
Click to expand...

I :heart: S939. No, I think you're wise to wait for AM3. The unfortunate thing is that the first AM3 mobos will probably have teething problems.
 
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