Opinion wanted for my AMD Build

[fernandude]

Hey there. So I'd like to get your guy's opinion on my budget gaming build. I'll be dabbling into WoW and maybe some SC2 both at the HIGHEST settings possible. I wouldn't mind getting into other games but I will be getting back into WoW once my second HDD comes in.
I guess I can say I am just looking for yall's seal of approval 😀


I already had the Athlon II x4 630 and a 4650 512mb but I ordered another video card to replace that one.

So far I have saved 100 bucks with the AII I already have.


Case : Rosewill DESTROYER
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147144

Mobo : Biostar A880G+ Micro ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138283

PSU : OCZ 600W 80+ certified ModXStream-Pro Modular
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817341017

RAM : Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 2x2GB DDR3 1333 Dual channel
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820146748

HDD : Samsung Spinpoint F4 320GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152244

OD : Asus Sata DVD burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827135221

CPU : Athlon II X4 630
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103704


I ordered these six to complete the build with the existing two parts I already had. (AIIx4630,4650)
With that original plan it cost me 264.00 including shipping, promo codes, combo discounts and Instant rebates for a budget quadcore gaming rig.

Original plan...
was to hold off for a month then get a 212+ with an extra fan for PushPull.
Order a rebated 5850 or 6850
Order another F4 320GB for RAID 0
4 more Case fans for improved airflow
Fan controller to turn up the airflow to my case when I game.
Order a PWM splitter to run power to both fans for 212+ through molex and control them through the CPU Header.


But... this happened. I got impatient was in a now or never mood.....(these are rounded up including the shipping cost.) They will be arriving all next week. And they are 5 seperate orders.
Ordered the 212+ - $25
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002G1YPH0

ordered 4 120mm Blue LED case fans + another blademaster - $40
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026ZPFCK
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0030DL37I

Ordered another f4 320GB - $43
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152244

Orderd the PWM splitter - $8
http://www.performance-pcs.com/catal...ducts_id=25413

Ordered Gigabyte 6850 + Sunbeam 4 fan channel fan controller - $198
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125348
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811998808

So all in all my total cost was $578 could be a dollar or two lower since I rounded up.
I still have the $20 rebate from OCZ to send in as well.

I feel happy with my purchase, I got a quad core ready to be overclocked to 3.5 (its my goal OC), a 6850, 2 of the fastest Mechanical HDD to be put in a RAID 0 configuration, a sweet looking case that will be hovering with a blue aura 😀


But I have a couple of questions though concerning all of this.

1 Is the 6850 overkill if I am gaming on a 19in 1280x1024 resolution Monitor?
2 Any suggestions for applying the thermal paste once my 212+ arrives?
3 Does this fan set up sound alright to yall?

2 of the 2k RPM Blue LED I ordered for the side intake
2 2k RPM Blue LED I ordered for top exhaust.
I'll mount the existing stock top 1650 RPM fan on the bottom, leave the front stock blue LED fan 1200RPM for looks since it barely pushes any air in and leave the 2k RPM Stock back exhaust fan as is.

4 Will my Athlon II x4 630 bottle neck the 6850 or are they both around the same league?
5 Around what idle and load temps do you think I will get with an OC of 3.5 GHz with a pushpull config with the 212+?
6 I have been reading the reviews and every review that mentions RAID on the A880G+ says it is glitchy and does not function. If that is the case for my A880G+, any suggestions for a raid controller?

 

[Zap]

Hello fernandude, and welcome to AnandTech forums.

But I have a couple of questions though concerning all of this.

My question to you is why are you asking questions and having second thoughts and researching your chosen parts... AFTER you made the purchase?

You're doing it backwards, dude!

 

[RyanGreener]

You should have done a bit more research before you purchased your stuff. SC2 is optimized for dual cores, and relies more on pure clock speed more than anything (CPU-wise). Additional cores might be better to handle the background processes, but in the end, the Athlon won't be able to hit high clock speeds like the Phenom's can and the extra cores won't do much for you. Most GPUs on the other hand, mid-range, will be able to play on the higher settings easily. I have an ATi 4870 1GB that plays everything on high smoothly.

 

[mfenn]

Yeah, you should have posted here before buying if you're looking for the "seal of approval". :awe:

To answer your questions:
1. Probably, especially probably in Blizzard games
2. Follow the directions, but the general idea is to put a pea-sized blob of thermal compound on the center of the processor and let the pressure of the HSF evenly spread it.
3. I would go with an overpressure design (more intake than exhaust). Remember that the GPU and PSU are exhaust fans, so you can use the top fans as intake.
4. They are pretty well matched.
5. Your guess is as good as mine. If it ain't crashin', I ain't worryin'.
6. I would not do a RAID 0 with mechanical drives. The benefit isn't really there and you increase the probability of failure. I'd probably use the second drive for backups or RAID 1.

Additionally, I would not have bought the OCZ PSU.