Built my first new rig in years, a microATX AMD rig

[TerryMathews]

It was time for a new desktop computer, I was using Opteron 270s on an ASUS K8N-DRE. Due to some issues at home, I also wanted to move into a smaller tower, one that would fit on my desk without taking up the whole thing. Finally, I had a lot of expensive-ish parts to carry over which drove part of the specs on this build.

First off, I got a great deal on an AMD FX-4100 from Durville here on the AT FS/T forum (Thanks Durville!). I know Intel holds the performance crown but it's much faster than what I was using, the price was right, and it performs very well overclocked to 4.4GHz.

Case: Apevia X-QPack2 microATX cube
Motherboard: MSI 760GM-P34(FX) - supports 125W AMD AM3+ processors
Processor: AMD FX-4100 at 4.4GHz (1.35v 22x multiplier)
RAM: Corsair 8GB DDR3 1333 pack (2x4GB)
Video card: NVidia GeForce 550TI (Had this from an old PC)
Burner: LG 24X SATA DVDRW
HDs: WD RE2 750GB for OS/Apps, WD Black 1.5TB for data storage/backups (Had on hand)

Runs like a top and gives me a smooth BF3 experience. Couldn't be happier for under a $300 outlay and some MIRs coming back. And yes, I realize this isn't a $300 build due to the intrinsic value of the HDs and the graphics card.

Next step is probably going to be a faster graphics card. Since my new PC supports full length graphics cards, I'm going to keep my eyes out for something in the x8xx or x9xx series from AMD or a x80 from NVidia on the cheap.

After I put it together and used it for a week I had to replace my keyboard and mouse as well. I was using a Microsoft Wireless Desktop Elite, the same set I had used for over a decade. I probably could've taken it apart and cleaned it up but I just wanted something new.

Keyboard: CM Storm Trigger MX Browns
Mouse: Mionix NAOS 8200

So, here it is. I'm not married to AMD or Intel, but for now I find the performance acceptable for the price. When I get ready to upgrade again, and I'm not going to wait 7+ years again, I can always yank the MB and swap to Intel if they have a product I like in the price point I'm shopping for.

Feel free to comment, but please keep the AMD vs. Intel demagoguery out of it. I'm fully aware of the performance gap. There's nothing on the Intel side that would match this processor at the price I paid for it.

 

[lehtv]

Would've gone with a different brand case, too much plastic in Apevia cases. They just seem cheap. Fractal Design Core 1000 would've been my pick.

I think you spent way too much on the keyboard. That money could've been saved for a new GPU.

What is your monitor?


Looks good other than that for a budget build

 

[Durvelle27]

Nice build but if was you i would have considered 1600MHz RAM as AMD chips love higher frequency ram from my experience

 

[TerryMathews]

Would've gone with a different brand case, too much plastic in Apevia cases. They just seem cheap. Fractal Design Core 1000 would've been my pick.

I think you spent way too much on the keyboard. That money could've been saved for a new GPU.

What is your monitor?


Looks good other than that for a budget build

I thought $60 was a good price for a mechanical keyboard.

I looked at the Core 1000, but it was too tall. I'll post a pic of my setup once I get everthing cleaned up, but with the pieces I've got this case or one with a similar set of dimensions is all that would fit the way that I want it to. For what it's worth though, this case is mostly metal although it's thin. Are you thinking of the QPACK1?

My monitor is a deal I got from tech.woot.com when it launched, a pair of HP ZR22ws on a Ergotron Neo-Flex dual display stand. Those are sitting on a Pyle soundbar speaker system.

 

[TerryMathews]

Nice build but if was you i would have considered 1600MHz RAM as AMD chips love higher frequency ram from my experience

See, I had read that RAM frequency wasn't a concern if you weren't using a Trinity chip that had onboard GPU. Regardless, I tried to build to a relative performance factor. I'll probably go with a faster CPU and more, faster RAM when I upgrade down the road and sell this as a combo.

 

[Durvelle27]

See, I had read that RAM frequency wasn't a concern if you weren't using a Trinity chip that had onboard GPU. Regardless, I tried to build to a relative performance factor. I'll probably go with a faster CPU and more, faster RAM when I upgrade down the road and sell this as a combo.

Well most of AMD's APU's and FX chips love faster RAM but its still a great rig i had one similar.

AMD FX 4100 @4.4GHz
MSI 760GM-P21(FX)
G.Skill 8GB(2x4GB) DDR3 1333MHz
Sapphire HD 6950 2GB OC'd 900/1400 ( Also had a GTX 560 for it )
Lite-On Blu-ray Burner
Toughpower 850w
Rosewill Challenger

http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/4472200

http://www.3dmark.com/3dmv/4303549