Holy Crap, I can't decide! First build!

[DerekPDX]

Alright everyone. I finally did it, I made a decision and ordered everything. And it is completely different from everything before. Par for the course, right? Well, here we go:

CPU: AMD A10-6800K $135
Mobo: Asus F2A85-M Pro $109.99
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master 212 Plus $14.99
SSD : Samsung 840 Series 120GB (already owned)
HDD : Seagate Barracuda 500gb 7200RPM $59.99
RAM: G. Skill Ripjaw X Series 8gb (2x4gb) DDR3 2400 $69.99
PSU: Corsair CX4300M $49.99
Case: Enermax Ostrog Mid ATX Tower $37

Sub Total: $476.95
Coupon: -$29
Total: $447.95

There's also about $40 in rebates, so the price is really about $407.95 when all is said and done. For the money, I think I did a pretty good job. I had to use some Best Buy Reward Zone coupons, scour the net for coupon codes, and I got lucky with an expired price tag on the CPU that Fry's was nice enough to honor.

I'm pretty excited about this build, I definitely plan on overclocking it, so I will definitely be back to ask for advice on that, when I run into issues. Thanks for all the advice, everyone, it has been tremendously helpful and a lot of fun to learn everything. I will post pictures when I start building everything!

 

[Essence_of_War]

Keep us posted on how the build goes

 

[mfenn]

Looks nice, but keep the capabilities of the APU in mind when you go to fire up a game.

 

[DerekPDX]

Looks nice, but keep the capabilities of the APU in mind when you go to fire up a game.

I definitely am. I know it will be limited, and it most likely wont be able to handle some guys at a playable rate, but it will be fun to try and push it. It seems like this is a good cpu for overclocking first timers, and that it is more than capable in other tasks.

 

[DerekPDX]

Womp womp womp....Just looked at the video on NewEgg for the Cooler Master 212 and the box in the video doesn't list it as being compatible with FM2 boards...Newegg shows it supporting FM2 in the details. A quick look at the CoolerMaster product page confirmed incompatibility :-/ Hopefully when I return it to Best Buy I will get my rewards points back.

 

[DerekPDX]

Wait, now I'm confused. On some parts of the Cooler master page it says it is compatible with FM2, and on others it doesn't list it.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=2923

Anyone have any insight or experience using this heat sink on an FM2 socket?

 

[DerekPDX]

Looks like I picked a good time to buy a new PC:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105...ou-want-for-battlefield-3-other-top-ea-games/

 

[mfenn]

Womp womp womp....Just looked at the video on NewEgg for the Cooler Master 212 and the box in the video doesn't list it as being compatible with FM2 boards...Newegg shows it supporting FM2 in the details. A quick look at the CoolerMaster product page confirmed incompatibility :-/ Hopefully when I return it to Best Buy I will get my rewards points back.

FM2 uses the same mounting system as AM3, so it'll work.

 

[DerekPDX]

FM2 uses the same mounting system as AM3, so it'll work.

Sweet, thanks Mfenn. Everything but the cooler master was delivered today. Debating whether I want to build the system with the stock fan and swap it out when the 212 plus gets in, or just wait till I have everything.

 

[Essence_of_War]

I would just wait for the CM212 if it will be there soon.

YMMV, but it can be a pain to swap HSFs once the MoBo is mounted, depending on how your MoBo/Case are laid out.

 

[mfenn]

I would just wait for the CM212 if it will be there soon.

YMMV, but it can be a pain to swap HSFs once the MoBo is mounted, depending on how your MoBo/Case are laid out.

Agree 100%. I always mount the HSF before installing the mobo in the case, especially for a bolt-through like the Hyper 212+.

 

[DerekPDX]

I installed Windows 8...epic fail...