low budget quad build

[Hyperlite]

So i had originally intended to build a cheap i5 setup for christmas, this is going to be a Christmas present to me. Well, i think the i5 setup at my current $575 is a little steep for the gifting body, so i'm reconsidering. This isn't really going to be a gaming computer, otherwise i would drop to a dual core. I can't make it any cheaper without loosing all graphics capability to speak of. I don't want to go any lower than a 4670. So my question is, if i drop to a lower priced quad, should i be looking at AMD? I plan on cheaping on proc and mobo (but i'd like a DDR3 compatible mobo) and upgrading them when 32nm drops. So considering the Q8200 is the most i'd like to spend, are there any better options? school me. thanks guys.

edit: i'll also be OCing whatever i end up with until it begs for it's life.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The Athlon II X4 620 and 630 are worthy low-cost quad core options. Even better is the Phenom II X4 925, which is cheaper than and just as fast as the Q8200.

AMD's socket AM3 with DDR3 also looks to have a pretty good potential upgrade path beyond what's currently out for it, while everything that's out for 775 is what you're ever going to get.

 

[Pederv]

I set my mom up with an Athlon X4 620 with 4GB DDR3 and a 4670 for $350. The tread is over here http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2022060

 

[Hyperlite]

alright so it sounds like if i'm shooting that low on the payscale for the proc i should look towards AMD. How are these things OCing these days? i haven't owned an AMD since my good ole' mobile barton...

and while we're at it, someone want to suggest a micro atx DDR3 mobo? and what's the cliffs on AM2/AM2+/AM3? I also edited my OP to note that i'll definitely OC the snot outta it...

I'm also not all that concerned about an upgrade path, as unless AMD brings something really wicked to the table by this summer, i'll probably jump ship back to intel...

and what's this core unlocking thing i hear about?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

The new chips overclock pretty well, from mid-3GHz up to 4GHz if you're lucky.

You should avoid vanilla AM2 boards and AM2+ boards. They don't support DDR3. Only socket AM3 supports DDR3.

AMD does have a six core processor planned for release next year. Not sure if it will be wicked or not, but the possibility is there under these criteria: You need more multi-core support and want a nice upgrade from current AMD quad core processors, and if the clockspeed of this six core is high enough to deliver the goods.

Core unlocking is when a dual core or triple core processor is unlocked via BIOS settings to show four cores. The triple core processors are the same die as the quad core processors. If a core is bad AMD will disable one on the quad to make it a triple. However many of the triples don't have bad cores, so you could get a free core by unlocking it. Some of the Athlon II dual cores are quads, but I believe most are native dual cores so you can't unlock them. You have to have the right motherboard, too, as not all boards and not all chips will guarantee unlocking.

 

[SlowSpyder]

The Athlon II x4 is just shy of $100 on Newegg. It's not the fastest part around, but as fasr as quads go it's tough to beat on bang for the buck basis.

 

[heyheybooboo]

~~
and what's this core unlocking thing i hear about?

Certain AMD motherboards with a 710/750 south bridge have something called 'Advanced Clock Calibration' or ACC.

ACC was meant to improve PLL timing and OC'ing in the original 65nm Phenoms. It seems ACC also 'cracks' certain 45nm procs (which don't actually need the timing improvements).

I've been lucky so far with the AMD CPU Lottery

I unlocked a Phenom x2 550BE yesterday to a Phenom x4 950BE (not really a chip --- but some programs report it that way). Even better: I dropped the vcore -0.05v on a Gigabyte 785g and total system power consumption at load dropped 34% to around 130w.

It also let me run C&Q (which gets wacky sometime when you unlock) so at idle I'm doing 800MHz and 0.9v ...

 

[Hyperlite]

Cool, thanks for the explanation heyhey. i'm not sure i want to risk getting stuck with a dual or triple if it can't be guaranteed. Now mobo's.... i'm looking at the UD2H...anyone have experience OCing on this board? Seems to have favorable reviews on teh egg.

you know, it might be worth getting a 550BE just for a chance at unlocking...i can always sell it. Tell me, are they phasing out the 4 core die for the 550 BE or are they ALL based on the 9xx die? seems like the success rate is pretty good...although the one review i found that said he COULDN'T unlock was the most recent one.

 

[richierich1212]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.291513

This seems like a decent combo.

 

[Hyperlite]

so that's where it stands...

 

[jjmIII]

good cheapie..

I put one of those in a guys machine with a dead mobo. Nice board really, and it supports all the cpu's.

 

[richierich1212]

And there's a $25 rebate for the OCZ power supply. These are the parts I would get if I had your budget.

 

[jjmIII]

DVDrw drive

 

[aigomorla]

your dualcore wont last you very long.

Developers are getting smarter, and writting code better.
We see it in L4D2 as an example.

More games will come out next year which will be able to use a full quadcore.
At the very least, id grab a tri core.

 

[heyheybooboo]

We need to wrap this up this week, Hyperlite, because next Saturday is payback time, I've taken abuse for a year, and I fully intend to engage in the ultimate of trash-talking and hooliganism against your fine university

Since you wish to OC and are purchasing a discreet vid card the Phenom 550BE / Asus Evo 790x AM3 combo is $197 AR - which is only $3 more than the Propus 620 combo with the Asus. Either way does not bust your budget and the Asus Evo with the FET cooling and 8+1 PWM 'snickers' at your threats of OC subjugation - and has tremendous future potential if you are so tempted by the Darkside of the AMD Empire.


PS - Go 'Heels!
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[Hyperlite]

your dualcore wont last you very long.

Developers are getting smarter, and writting code better.
We see it in L4D2 as an example.

More games will come out next year which will be able to use a full quadcore.
At the very least, id grab a tri core.

i don't plan on it staying dual core On the evidently off chance that i can't unlock it, i'll sell it.

 

[richierich1212]

your dualcore wont last you very long.

Developers are getting smarter, and writting code better.
We see it in L4D2 as an example.

More games will come out next year which will be able to use a full quadcore.
At the very least, id grab a tri core.

Unlockability!!

 

[aigomorla]

heh.. well if u can unlock it.. then its a win build.

I would make sure you get the proper board tho, since unlocking is done on the board, and not conductive ink.

OR is there a new unlocking method i havent heard of?

 

[richierich1212]

Unlocking just requires a mobo that has either SB710 or SB750 chipset, and then use ACC in the BIOS to try to unlock either cores (or L3 cache on some processors)

 

[Hyperlite]

We need to wrap this up this week, Hyperlite, because next Saturday is payback time, I've taken abuse for a year, and I fully intend to engage in the ultimate of trash-talking and hooliganism against your fine university

Since you wish to OC and are purchasing a discreet vid card the Phenom 550BE / Asus Evo 790x AM3 combo is $197 AR - which is only $3 more than the Propus 620 combo with the Asus. Either way does not bust your budget and the Asus Evo with the FET cooling and 8+1 PWM 'snickers' at your threats of OC subjugation - and has tremendous future potential if you are so tempted by the Darkside of the AMD Empire.


PS - Go 'Heels!
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Hahaha...you're not so bad, despite your affiliations

That is a wicked combo...however...don't shoot me...the case i will be using mandates a MicroATX board.

ARGH IF ONLY i could order today...http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...2E16813131406R

looks like there is a MATX version, we'll roll with that'n.

 

[richierich1212]

Conductive ink...gotta love BSEL modding.

 

[Hyperlite]

Unlocking just requires a mobo that has either SB710 or SB750 chipset, and then use ACC to try to unlock either cores (or L3 cache on some processors)

Wait so like deriviatives of the 710 and 750? like 785, etc? or it HAS to be a 710 or a 750? sorry, with my lack of knowledge of current amd offerings comes lack of knowledge of current amd chipsets. :/

edit: NEVERMIND! southbridge, got it. wicked.

hey richie, about that build you posted, any reason other than price why you picked the adata ram? and that XFX 4670 over the power color with GDDR3?

 

[Hyperlite]

DVDrw drive

fantastic. thank you.

 

[JACKDRUID]

get a 785 board, and then get the dual core BE550? that is known to be good unlocker...


basically , get this one http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1615517

 

[james 1]

does any of you dudes know if the Asus M4A785TD-V EVO can unlock that extra core