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Looking to make a cheaper AMD build

z1ggy

z1ggy

Lifer
I am thinking of making a new build in the up coming months. I really don't game on my PC anymore like I used to, if I do play video games now it is on my PS3. However, I would still like to be able to play games if a new really great game comes out and I want to check it out. I plan on keeping my case, optical drive, GPU and possibly the PSU. The build in my signature is approaching 2 years old, with the same psu, so should I buy a new one? Here is what I came up with.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103680 CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128397 MOBO

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136319 HD

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231193 RAM

Also, I am thinking about getting new case fans... Would these be better than what is already in my case now? I really just like the multicolors.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811998128

Sorry for not being able to make the URL into a summary of the product but I don't know how to with this new forum.
 
if you aren't going to be unlocking cores or overclocking, there is no reason to get a Phenom II X2. you should realize they are selling you a quad core with half of its cores disabled, but there are very little power-saving measures implemented in light of this, and the Phenom X2's are hogs because of it.

just get this as a combo. it is much cheaper and lower-power for the same amount of CPU performance that you're buying.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.320259

if you want to step up, there are $75 tri-cores that can be unlocked and overclocked.
 
I did plan to try to unlock the cores and OC, although I would have to read up on the unlocking process. the only reason I went with the cpu I orgincally put up was just to save money. Would it be easier just to try out that $99 quad that jd007 suggested and OC that?

and edit: alyarb, the mobo u suggested only takes DDR2. I was hoping to use DDR3, but.. if it won't make a huge difference I guess it saves me some bucks. My only concern is keeping it fairly future proof. If I wanted to upgrade memory in two years or something with that board, will DDR2 even still be around?
 
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Definitely go for DDR3 now, unless you are re-using old DDR2, because the price difference is negligible now. So get a DDR3-capable motherboard.

As for unlocking cores, I don't recommend it unless you are seriously on a tight budget and cannot spare an extra $25 (I'm speaking of the triple core that alyarb was talking about). Because it won't work on all chips/motherboards, and even if you do get lucky and have it unlocked, the extra core may not be stable, especially with OC. With the $99 quad you know that all the cores are 100% stable.

The $99 quad is a really good deal for a budget computer, IMHO. The lack of L3 cache doesn't really hinder performance much at all, and I heard that it OC's pretty well. Anand is able to get it up to 3.25 Ghz without increasing voltage and with the stock AMD cooler.
 
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You could get a Athlon II X3 Tri Core for like 76 bucks. The 4th core might even be unlockable but if not you still have a 3 core processor that is a strong overclocker for under 80 bucks!
 
I was also wondering if this build would be good at running something liek MATLAB at good speeds. There is a chance I will use this at work and if I need to do work at home.. well, you would be amazed at how long some computers take to go through the code. What is most important is that case as far as bottlenecking goes?
 
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