First build - Phenom II x3 720

[mlaidman]

Hi folks.
I'm a long time Anandtech reader, but first time poster.

I've decided that it's finally time to build a computer. This'll be my first build, but I'm confident and am willing to sepnd the time online with a guide figuring stuff out if need be.

I always read the Anandtech PC buying guides, plus most other articles and random forum posts as well, so I've a good idea of what needs doing, but would love some reassurance.

I am currently living in South Korea, on Jeju island. All products will be ordered from Gmarket (http://global.gmarket.co.kr/), Korea's biggest online retailer, as import duties are apparently horrendous. I've debated heading up to Seoul to shop up there for better proces, but the airfare and time spent make it not worth any price differences. Some of my decisions have been based on the fact that some items are simply not offered on Gmarket.

The computer will be used for most everything except serious gaming. Maybe down the road I will buy a 4870 or something, but for now I'll make due with the onboard GPU.
So, general web surfing, Photoshop/Lightroom work, movies (HD stuff). Essentially "typical" computer use.

I will buy everything new except the monitor (I'll continue to use my old one for a while), and as for a new mouse/keyboard, I can always just pick one up at a box store unless there is a unit that someone really recommends.

I'd love to keep this build under 1,000,000 won for now (~$720 US), but for quality parts I don't mind spending a little more.

I would like to overclock sometime in the future (maybe when/if I throw in a seperate GPU), so if you can suggest a different mobo, go for it. Also, I'm not worrying about any aftermarket coolers for now. I'll keep it stock and not be overly ambitious for now.

I'm not stuck on a particular brand either. I pieced together an AMD system as it was cheaper, but as for other components, whatever is better/cheaper makes it in.

So, here is what I got with my reading and research:

CPU - AMD Phenom II x3 720 BE

Motherboard - Gigabyte GA-MA790GP-DS4H
- not an AM3 mobo, but with the 790 chipset which I've read is much better than the 780 in terms of onboard video. Apparently the HD3300 GPU with the sideport memory is a decent step up over the HD3200. But this is one of my difficulties here. I've read that DDR3 just isn't worth it yet, so mayeb I shoudl go with a cheaper mobo and a midrange GPU instead of a 790 with better onboard?

Memory - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Hard Drive - Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

Optical Drive - LG Black 6X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model GGC-H20L
-Attractive as it's a decent price and has both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD playback. I've got some HD-DVDs at home that I'd still like to play.

Case - Cooler Master Centurian 5

PSU - Seasonic SS-500ET (500W) ?

For the Photoshop work I'd do I'm sure it'll be fine (nothing too intense), and I really just want smooth HD playback (and most mobos seem to be able to offload/decode fine).

I'll be running XP (not 64-bit) until Windows 7 comes out, so I'll have to wait till then to use all 4GB of RAM I guess.

I hope I remembered everything. It took a bit of time to make sure the proc/mobo/RAM and case/mobo were all compatible and would fit, but I think they do.

Anyway, none of this is set in stone, so please give me some advice!

Sorry for the crazy long post.

Mike

 

[heyheybooboo]

I think you are good.

You may want to purchase an extra smaller hard drive and install your OS/Apps on it - use the larger drive to store your data/projects. This will improve system performance in your media work.

 

[JimKiler]

keep in mind if you can get a DDR3 mobo your CPU upgrade roadmap will probably last longer than a DDR2 mobo. This might be incorrect information but at some point AM2+ will end. i recently went for AM3 and DDR3 since I was able to get the cheap Gigabyte AM3 mobo for $140 and DDR3 was only $60 or $70 after rebate.

 

[mlaidman]

Thanks for the info.

I found an x3 720 kit that includes the MSI 790GX-G65 motherboard which is fully AM3 for only a few bucks more, so I may go that road. Newegg doesn't have any reviews and with a quick search I didn't see any online. Anyone know anything about this board?

And as for memory, the cheapest 4GB DDR3 kits on Gmarket are about $100 US. Since I won't be looking to overclock much, should I get the DDR3 1066 (PC3 12800) speed (the fastest the mobo supports), or is there really that much of a speed difference? (~a 25$ difference)

Mike

 

[Moonbeam]

I see 20 reviews at newegg 10pm PDT May 20

OCZ Intel Extreme Edition 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ3X16004GK - Retail is 70 bucks after a 30 dollar rebate.

 

[Eureka]

Originally posted by: mlaidman
Thanks for the info.

I found an x3 720 kit that includes the MSI 790GX-G65 motherboard which is fully AM3 for only a few bucks more, so I may go that road. Newegg doesn't have any reviews and with a quick search I didn't see any online. Anyone know anything about this board?

And as for memory, the cheapest 4GB DDR3 kits on Gmarket are about $100 US. Since I won't be looking to overclock much, should I get the DDR3 1066 (PC3 12800) speed (the fastest the mobo supports), or is there really that much of a speed difference? (~a 25$ difference)

Mike

There's not much of a difference right now between DDR2 and DDR3. DDR3 is a good option if you plan to keep your motherboard for a long long time though and actually upgrade it. However, a powerful DDR2/AM2+ system will still last you many years if you really wanted it to.

 

[zerogear]

I would get a Spinpoint F1 or a WD Caviar Black considering Green drives are quite a bit slower. If you are using it as storage, then its fine.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: zerogear
I would get a Spinpoint F1 or a WD Caviar Black considering Green drives are quite a bit slower. If you are using it as storage, then its fine.

Does he need what you are suggesting if he is not a gamer?

 

[zerogear]

A faster hard drive would generally improve performance across the board, I don't see why not even if he isn't a gamer.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: zerogear
A faster hard drive would generally improve performance across the board, I don't see why not even if he isn't a gamer.

actua,lly what he really needs that is cost effective is at least a harddrive that spins at 7,200 rpm and it`s always nice to have at least 8 mg cache....now a hard drive that spun at 10,000 rpm would be nice but usually those are substantially more expensive.

Peace!!

 

[brblx]

all 7200rpm drives are not created equal and the better drives are now typically at 32mb cache.

 

[JEDIYoda]

Originally posted by: brblx
all 7200rpm drives are not created equal and the better drives are now typically at 32mb cache.

exactly!!

 

[Moonbeam]

I just bought the 74g rapter at newegg for 80 dollars. I have 48G on a 140 gig drive I have been using for years.