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Having a heck of a time picking CPU and mobo...help!

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thecoffeeguy

thecoffeeguy

Senior member
Apr 12, 2001
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Ok...so I have been researching and researching for the past couple weeks and still cant seem to make a decision for a CPU and mobo.

here is what I know.

I know I am going AMD.
AllI need to buy is a CPU, mobo and DDR3 memory.
I have a case, fans, PSU and GPU.
No plans to OC at this time.

This system is going to be primarily for gaming. Emphasis on that.
Now, I would like, if possible, to pay at most, $350 for a CPU, mobo and memory. I really am on a budget here.

Since I am going AMD, I have looked at these CPU's:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103808

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103809

Been leaning towards the 945 chip. Is there that much of a difference that should push me to the 955? I read that having L3 cache helps games, so I am leaning that way.

Secondly, mobo.
All that will be connected to the mobo is:

-CPU
-DVD burner
-(2) hard drives, (1) 10,000rpm 300db drve and (1) 7,200rpm 500gb drive. no raid
-possibly, external sound card
-some fans
-GPU (Nvidia 260GTX)

That is really it.

Couple of mobos I was looking at:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157198

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131654

I am open to suggestions for others as well.

With that, anyone have some suggestions and feedback to help my decision?
Oh, RAM. I was going to go with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231277

As above, is something is better, please suggest.


Thanks for the help.
Hoping to order this week.

Cheers.

TCG

EDIT: Let me ask this. For the above CPU's I posted, how long would they last for good gaming? Obviously, I could always replace my GPU in the future (which I plan to when necessary), but I wanted to make sure I get a CPU that lasts a couple of years. Games I play: Left 4 Dead 2, Mass Effect (1 and 2), Dragon Ages, BFC2, Diablo III (when it comes out)...to name a few.
 
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muskie32

muskie32

Diamond Member
Sep 13, 2010
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What are the components you already bought?

Edit: I know you already have the case fans and gpu but what are they?
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
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www.mfenn.com
If you're not going to OC, you might as well get the 945. The minor clock speed difference isn't worth the $15 IMHO.

As for mobo, since it's been confirmed that the current 800 series of mobo's will most likely NOT support a future upgrade to Bulldozer, you might as well get a 700 series board (probably a 770) since they are cheaper. The GA-770T-USB3 is a good basic board for $70 AR. Newegg seems to have gotten ahold of a bad batch recently, but I wouldn't worry about that too much because it can happen to any board and Newegg and Gigabyte are top notch when it comes to RMA.
 
thecoffeeguy

thecoffeeguy

Senior member
Apr 12, 2001
344
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muskie32 said:
What are the components you already bought?

Edit: I know you already have the case fans and gpu but what are they?
Click to expand...

GPU is a Nvidia GTX 260.
PSU is a 550watt seasonic
Have a mix of fans in my case making a nice flow of air in and out.

thanks
 
thecoffeeguy

thecoffeeguy

Senior member
Apr 12, 2001
344
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mfenn said:
If you're not going to OC, you might as well get the 945. The minor clock speed difference isn't worth the $15 IMHO.

As for mobo, since it's been confirmed that the current 800 series of mobo's will most likely NOT support a future upgrade to Bulldozer, you might as well get a 700 series board (probably a 770) since they are cheaper. The GA-770T-USB3 is a good basic board for $70 AR. Newegg seems to have gotten ahold of a bad batch recently, but I wouldn't worry about that too much because it can happen to any board and Newegg and Gigabyte are top notch when it comes to RMA.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help.
Ya, was trying to figure out a build that would last me for a couple of years. I would prefer AMD, but if Intel is a bit more but gets me more, I would strongly look at that.

For the memory, should I look at the 1600 or go with 1333 speed memory?

Thanks again

TCG
 
crucibelle

crucibelle

Senior member
Feb 21, 2005
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thecoffeeguy said:
Thanks for the help.
Ya, was trying to figure out a build that would last me for a couple of years. I would prefer AMD, but if Intel is a bit more but gets me more, I would strongly look at that.

For the memory, should I look at the 1600 or go with 1333 speed memory?

Thanks again

TCG
Click to expand...

There's not huge difference between 1333 & 1600. You really only need the higher speed if you plan on overclocking. The RAM you have chosen is a very good deal, however.

Just to throw another mobo option out there, here is the 770 version of the Asrock mobo you posted: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157195
 
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thecoffeeguy

thecoffeeguy

Senior member
Apr 12, 2001
344
0
76
crucibelle said:
There's not huge difference between 1333 & 1600. You really only need the higher speed if you plan on overclocking. The RAM you have chosen is a very good deal, however.

Just to throw another mobo option out there, here is the 770 version of the Asrock mobo you posted: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157195
Click to expand...

Much appreciated. Good information.

Let me ask this; what would give me better performance (gaming specific) between AMD and Intel at this point? I ask because I am tweaking my options here, trying to gear for the long term (couple years) so wondering if I should pay a bit more say for something intel? Hate to switch gears here but as I look at this, just made me think.

Was looking at these two intel CPU's:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

compared to this AMD CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103809

I am just wondering if I should look at Intel now. (FYI, not a AMD or Intel fanboy...just a gaming guy :) )
Much appreciated.

EDIT: If i decided to go the Intel route, and I will not be OC'ing, what proc/mobo and memory would you suggest? Should I go with 1333 memory since i wont be OC'ing?

Cheers.

TCG
 
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M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
5
71
www.mfenn.com
thecoffeeguy said:
Much appreciated. Good information.

Let me ask this; what would give me better performance (gaming specific) between AMD and Intel at this point? I ask because I am tweaking my options here, trying to gear for the long term (couple years) so wondering if I should pay a bit more say for something intel? Hate to switch gears here but as I look at this, just made me think.

Was looking at these two intel CPU's:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115067

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

compared to this AMD CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103809

I am just wondering if I should look at Intel now. (FYI, not a AMD or Intel fanboy...just a gaming guy :) )
Much appreciated.

EDIT: If i decided to go the Intel route, and I will not be OC'ing, what proc/mobo and memory would you suggest? Should I go with 1333 memory since i wont be OC'ing?

Cheers.

TCG
Click to expand...

Intel is faster, no doubt. Is it $100 faster? (taking into account platform cost, sorry David but EVGA mobos SUCK) In the long-term I think the answer is no. When they do finally get slow, 10-15% between the two isn't going to matter much.

IMHO, for longevity, you would want to get the AMD build and put the money saved towards a new GPU in 6-12 months.
 
thecoffeeguy

thecoffeeguy

Senior member
Apr 12, 2001
344
0
76
thecoffeeguy

thecoffeeguy

Senior member
Apr 12, 2001
344
0
76
mfenn said:
Intel is faster, no doubt. Is it $100 faster? (taking into account platform cost, sorry David but EVGA mobos SUCK) In the long-term I think the answer is no. When they do finally get slow, 10-15% between the two isn't going to matter much.

IMHO, for longevity, you would want to get the AMD build and put the money saved towards a new GPU in 6-12 months.
Click to expand...

Ahh, thanks. That answers a lot. My initial thoughts were to go AMD, save money towards a GPU here shortly.

Which brings me to the question, the 945 chip pretty good? 1333 speed memory sounds good, but the mobo is the final piece. Maybe that asrock mobo (never owned a asrock, dont know much about them)

Thanks for your help.
Cheers.
 
M

mfenn

Elite Member
Jan 17, 2010
22,400
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71
www.mfenn.com
thecoffeeguy said:
Ahh, thanks. That answers a lot. My initial thoughts were to go AMD, save money towards a GPU here shortly.

Which brings me to the question, the 945 chip pretty good? 1333 speed memory sounds good, but the mobo is the final piece. Maybe that asrock mobo (never owned a asrock, dont know much about them)

Thanks for your help.
Cheers.
Click to expand...

Asrock is fine, but so are the $70 770 boards that David and I posted.
 
thecoffeeguy

thecoffeeguy

Senior member
Apr 12, 2001
344
0
76
Davidh373 said:
I myself would do this, even though it's a tad overkill.'

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-851-_-Product

Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-290-_-Product

RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-274-_-Product

$357.99 with shipping. Little over with the shipping, but a HUGE performance boost.
Click to expand...

Strongly thinking of this build. Definitely sexy.
Never owned a MSI board before. Good quality?

I would imagine, a different heatsink would be a wise choice? Any suggestions?

Cheers
 
Davidh373

Davidh373

Platinum Member
Jun 20, 2009
2,428
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71
If you aren't overclocking or wanting a super silent build you won't need a 3rd party cooler. The stock cooler is intended to adequately cool the CPU at stock speeds. MSI is good. I haven't heard much bad about EVGA, but apparently they're bad.
 
T

ther00kie16

Golden Member
Mar 28, 2008
1,573
0
0
If you want AMD x6, I'd say keep an eye on deals (search on slickdeals reveals many good combos recently for x6 + mb). If you live near a Fry's or Microcenter, they'll have deals better than any online.

If you really can't wait, look into these combos:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.500626
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.500629
Having an igp is never a bad thing and allows you to connect more displays if you ever wish to.

Lastly, if USB3 and SATA3 are of any concern to you, check out this combo:
https://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=MB-890GPA3

superbiiz tends to have some $10 or $15 off coupons that would make this worth considering (1 coupon ended yesterday)
 
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