Good APU build?

[MightyMalus]

Been working on this most of the day, lowering its price.(After trying a FX8320 build which I couldn't lower much below $850.)

Case: Thermaltake Soprano
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811133205
Mobo: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157334
PSU: Rosewill 550W Platinum
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817182271
APU: A10-5800K
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113280
RAM: G.Skill Sniper 8GB 2133Mhz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231518
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148840
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS125-04
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106289

All comes out to about $654, with shipping.(It seems)

What do you guys think? Its my first attempt for a Desktop, kinda went and picked parts that could last for some time hopefully. This should work well together, right?

Not missing anything right? I'm planning on plugging this on my TV.

 

[Sleepingforest]

It's a bit expensive for an APU build. When I think APU, I think <$400 (totally possible). If you're willing to to spend over $500, you're getting into Intel+7770 territory:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($122.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Biostar H77MU3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($43.98 @ Outlet PC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($67.99 @ Microcenter)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $476.80
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 17:39 EST-0500)

Already stronger than any APU and still under $500. If you want silence, swap out that HDD for a 256GB SSD like this $170 Samsung 840 for a total cost of roughly $575.

 

[Torn Mind]

What do you intend to do with the computer?

 

[Sleepingforest]

Actually, yeah, Torn Mind has a good point there. Can you answer these questions?

PLEASE when you POST threads asking for input on system builds tell us...

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?
Note that it is usually not cost or time effective to choose your build more than a month before you actually plan to be using it.

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?


At the end of the day it's your money. There's only so much we can do.

 

[MightyMalus]

Shipping is to Puerto Rico, so no "free" shipping. More like, extra ='/

And I want the FM2 socket, I looked for that Athlon 750k...nothing.
Actually, no Athlon's at all in the U.S.A area it seems.

Any cases like the soprano? I really like the look of it. Plus, its almost fully closed.

Edit: My bad, give me a bit to answer.

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Slight gaming, multitasking, programming(VS and NetBeans) and OpenCL/HSA "stuff" sooner or later.

2. What YOUR budget is.

~$700

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

Puerto Rico

4. IF you're buying parts OUTSIDE the US, please post a link to the vendor you'll be buying from.
We can't be expected to scour the internet on your behalf, chasing down deals in your specific country... Again, help us, help YOU.

Newegg, I think. Amazon won't ship all parts.

5. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

AMD, I'm interested in HSA.

6. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Have no parts.

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

Probably the GPU and RAM. Maybe limit the cpu or take out the "turbo". Not sure what can be done, new and first build.

8. What resolution, not monitor size, will you be using?

TV can do 1080p, 1080i and 720p.

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

ASAP, unless Richland is at the same price of the 5800k -.-''

X. Do you need to purchase any software to go with the system, such as Windows or Blu Ray playback software?

Nope.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Right how, HSA isn't developed enough to justify getting an APU over a CPU+GPU. You are far better off getting an AMD dedicated GPU for OpenCL work too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar B75MU3+ Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 18:35 EST-0500)

 

[MightyMalus]

All things "equal".

The A10-5800k alone ends up at that price of $654.
An A6-5400k+7750 at $715.
And the FX-8320+7750 ends up at $844.

Your mobo + cpu + my parts puts that build at around $690...not including shipping. Or rebates(which I didn't include on my prices either.) That is way over. Shipping add's about $85~$100.

Is there a cheaper platinum PSU than mine around?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Right how, HSA isn't developed enough to justify getting an APU over a CPU+GPU. You are far better off getting an AMD dedicated GPU for OpenCL work too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar B75MU3+ Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 18:35 EST-0500)

This

 

[mfenn]

Your mobo + cpu + my parts puts that build at around $690

Why would you do that? SF has given you a complete build.

 

[Torn Mind]

Ok, I see where the OP is coming from.
After trying out some Puerto Rico zip codes, on Newegg, I see two options on Newegg. One with FedEx and the other with Newegg 2 Business Days. The FedEx option is more expensive. It seems the case balloons the shipping cost. To reduce that, a smaller Micro ATX case might be in order.

Puerto Rico's energy costs are expensive as heck, at about 30 cents per KWh.

However, efficiency of a PSU is at its max when it is at half-load, so a 80 Plus Gold unit is guaranteed to be 90% efficient at that load.

 

[MightyMalus]

My parts(HD7750) + your i3 = $775 total(includes shipping)

However, efficiency of a PSU is at its max when it is at half-load, so a 80 Plus Gold unit is guaranteed to be 90% efficient at that load.

I'll look around for such PSU. My chosen one is a 550w Platinum and its $80.

 

[mfenn]

My parts(HD7750) + your i3 = $775 total(includes shipping)

It would be helpful if you break it out. Is shipping really $275?

 

[Sleepingforest]

It's actually not. I just checked my parts (i3, 7770, Silverstone PS08, and so on) to San Antonio, Puerto Rico (zip code of 00690), and it comes out as $63.21 shipping, $560.14 total. You can check using this build: https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=21828872 and putting in the appropriate zip code.

Also: you can get free 2-day shipping with Shoprunner by signing up for their free 30-day trial (try promo code RUNNER to get it for a year, though it may have expired). Simply cancel your trial immediately after placing the Newegg order to avoid any extra fees.

 

[Torn Mind]

It would be helpful if you break it out. Is shipping really $275?

 

[MightyMalus]

Its $95 for that setup. Not fed ex, the 2 day one.

That "partpickerthing" takes into account rebates. I do not. Sometimes rebates not work, so why bother taking them into account?

Its the parts I chose, only changing the mobo and cpu. Came out to $775.
The parts he chose where just too "cheap", RAM at 1333? The PSU was bronze and only around 400watts. And the case was horrible.

 

[Sleepingforest]

There is nothing wrong with DDR3 at 1333MHz. Once you're out of APU territory, the difference amounts to nothing noticeable. You only need 400 watts for that system. And the case is not "horrible." I'm sorry if it doesn't appeal to you aesthetically, but it does what it needs to do: hold the parts and help keep them cool.

You want to pay an extra $70 upfront in cost, plus another huge amount for shipping so you can feel better about how a case looks. You know, the case that goes under your desk and you look at every day once to turn it on.

Here's an updated build that factors in a more efficient PSU (because your electricity is pretty expensive):
https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=21828872

It comes out to $603.13 with shipping to Zip Code 00720.

 

[Torn Mind]

80 Plus is not a great indicator of reliability or quality. There are even horrible CoolMax PSUs with the certification. Efficiency simply is the ratio of DC power/AC power.

 

[Torn Mind]

There is nothing wrong with DDR3 at 1333MHz. Once you're out of APU territory, the difference amounts to nothing noticeable. You only need 400 watts for that system. And the case is not "horrible." I'm sorry if it doesn't appeal to you aesthetically, but it does what it needs to do: hold the parts and help keep them cool.

Well, the GPU would certainly likes faster RAM though for better fps. Although, a low voltage pair could easily overclock to faster speeds.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Well, the GPU would certainly likes faster RAM though for better fps. Although, a low voltage pair could easily overclock to faster speeds.

Exactly. He could bump it up to the standard 1.5V to get the less than five percent performance increase or save a bit on electricity.

Also: Since when were dGPUs significantly affected by RAM speed?

 

[Torn Mind]

Exactly. He could bump it up to the standard 1.5V to get the less than five percent performance increase or save a bit on electricity.

Also: Since when were dGPUs significantly affected by RAM speed?

Seems like you need some information to digest. :biggrin:
Well, this is a nerfed Radeon core...Think of it as a discrete card with DDR3, and the RAM is not on the chip...

http://hexus.net/tech/reviews/cpu/46073-amd-a10-5800k-trinity-needs-faster-ram/?page=3
http://www.legitreviews.com/article/1652/1/


@MightyMalus, I think an SSD would definitely help when compiling. Compiling accesses the disk a lot. But cost is a real issue.

 

[MightyMalus]

I get $717.44 on your build with the soprano case and barracuda instead of the toshiba HDD(-$5 if going with the toshiba).

Torn Mind, what should one look for in a PSU? I do want head room for one high end gpu down the line. And Bronze only says 80% efficiency, isn't higher better?

 

[Sleepingforest]

Down the line, a 500W GPU is enough. What matters when looking at GPUs isn't necessarily the 80 Plus rating. What you want to do instead is consult reviews from places like JonnyGURU, or, failing that, at least a chart, like the "Who's Who in PSUs?" By Tom's Hardware to see who the manufacturer is. Delta and Seasonic are top notch. Channel Well (CWI) is good enough.

If you insist on a more "unified" front, try the TJ08-e, which is smaller and thus should be less to ship (it's still around $110 before shipping from Newegg though). This 7750 is GDDR5 (rather than DDR3), $99, and comes with Far Cry 3 for free.

 

[Torn Mind]

I get $717.44 on your build with the soprano case and barracuda instead of the toshiba HDD(-$5 if going with the toshiba).

Torn Mind, what should one look for in a PSU? I do want head room for one high end gpu down the line. And Bronze only says 80% efficiency, isn't higher better?

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=157628
Well, let's start with the basics. Efficiency is simply DC Power/AC power.

Higher efficiency is better because
1. you pull less power from the wall, thereby leading to less power consumption.
2. Since there are less wasted watts, less heat is generated.

Given your locale, both of these things do benefit you. But, nothing in the efficiency measure can tell you about the quality of the parts used. The best resource we have are power supply review sites such as Hardware Secrets, Jonnyguru, Kitguru, and some others who put them to the test.

Also, realhardtechx.com is a great resource for finding the manufacturer of a PSU. For example, the Tachyon is made by Super Flower, which is a decent manufacturer.
http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page2917.htm
Things to consider(Not a comprehensive list since I can't remember everything):
Watts
Efficiency
12V rail amps
Voltage regulation
Noise/ripple control
Fan noise
Capacitors used

 

[MightyMalus]

Will that Temjin case handle this PSU?
Seasonic G Series 550W Gold
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151119

I'm sticking to the APU system. Thanks guys, I learned more than I wanted jaja, now its better.

If those two changes work together, PSU on that Case. I just lowered the total of my build by $20. Which kinda makes me wanna go spend that and a lil more for the 3TB HDD o.o And still be below or at $700.

Should I get the optional 120mm Fan? What makes a great fan? Higher Air Flow? CFM?

I don't get it, some have more RPM yet less Air Flow...and some the opposite. =/

 

[Durvelle27]

Right how, HSA isn't developed enough to justify getting an APU over a CPU+GPU. You are far better off getting an AMD dedicated GPU for OpenCL work too.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i3-3220 3.3GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar B75MU3+ Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($77.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston Blu Red Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($43.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Toshiba 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7770 1GB Video Card ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $497.49
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-03 18:35 EST-0500)

what about FX 6300 build will cost the same and be future proof