New build - what do you think of these parts?

[piwacet]

Hi. I'm contemplating the following build. I don't overclock, just want things to run well and stable. And I don't need high-end graphics either. Would appreciate if people feel these are good choices:

CPU: 125 Watt Phenom II 965 (C3 stepping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Motherboard: Asus M4A79XTD EVO (790X/SB750 chipsets)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 (7-7-7-21/1.5 Volts)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

I want the C3 stepping of the CPU because it can run memory modules in all 4 slots without reducing timings...

Thanks!

Edit: I'm also thinking about this Geil memory, it's on the motherboards Qualified Vendor List:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144264&Tpk=gv34gb1333c7dc

[coldReactive]

Good thing you chose ATX Form Factor unlike some companies around here. *hint hint, Gateway.*

[HappyFeet]

Looks like you will have one sweet computer. I hope you are going to use 64bit OS, to take advantage of that phat cpu. Not to mention better memory management.

[kpholmes]

ya that looks like a solid build. i know you said you didnt really mind to much for a bleeding edge graphics but what gpu were you looking at getting,

cause you can get a nice nvidea gforce 9800 or a ati 4350 for under 100$, (dollars if your in america) either way you can get a more then decent gpu for a nice low price.

[Exodist]

Hi. I'm contemplating the following build. I don't overclock, just want things to run well and stable. And I don't need high-end graphics either. Would appreciate if people feel these are good choices:

CPU: 125 Watt Phenom II 965 (C3 stepping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727

Motherboard: Asus M4A79XTD EVO (790X/SB750 chipsets)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131402

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 (7-7-7-21/1.5 Volts)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276

I want the C3 stepping of the CPU because it can run memory modules in all 4 slots without reducing timings...



Thanks!

Other then the RAM it looks great. I would go with PNY Optima RAM. You should never go with cheaper RAM, RAM is the stability of the system. Go with a more trusted brand like PNY, Crucial, or Kingston.

[NoaHall]

I'd consider getting the AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition. It's a beast for overclocking, you can easily beat the 965.

Edit: Oops, just saw the bit where you said you don't want to overclock. I'd still say the 955, overclocking on it is so easy :)

[coldReactive]

Edit: Oops, just saw the bit where you said you don't want to overclock. I'd still say the 955, overclocking on it is so easy :)

I've tried overclocking/underclocking myself on my own CPU (E8400 Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz)

I ended up causing a boot issue, so the BIOS fixed itself for me. :(

Never will do overclocking/underclocking again!

[NoaHall]

I've tried overclocking/underclocking myself on my own CPU (E8400 Intel Core 2 Duo 3.0 GHz)

I ended up causing a boot issue, so the BIOS fixed itself for me. :(

Never will do overclocking/underclocking again!

Hehe, poor you. The thing is to remember is to not try and make it do something like 5GHZ straight away. Have a calculator around if you can't work them out in your head.

[coldReactive]

Hehe, poor you. The thing is to remember is to not try and make it do something like 5GHZ straight away. Have a calculator around if you can't work them out in your head.

No, that's not what I did. I undervoltaged, and did a normal 9x clock speed (3 GHz)

[NoaHall]

No, that's not what I did. I undervoltaged, and did a normal 9x clock speed (3 GHz)

Yes, well, there's your problem. Hehe. If you haven't done OCing before, I'd stay away from the voltages.

[piwacet]

Thanks, I did not realize G.Skill was not a top-tier company. I'll look into other memory.

Thanks!

[piwacet]

I've heard that Geil is good memory? This memory is on the motherboard's Qualified Vendor List:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144264&Tpk=gv34gb1333c7dc

Thanks!

Edit: while not on the Qualified Vendor List, newegg also has some similar OCZ and crucial memory, at voltages around 1.65... should I go with one of those instead of the Geil?

[coldReactive]

I've heard that Geil is good memory? This memory is on the motherboard's Qualified Vendor List:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144264&Tpk=gv34gb1333c7dc

Thanks!

Edit: while not on the Qualified Vendor List, newegg also has some similar OCZ and crucial memory, at voltages around 1.65... should I go with one of those instead of the Geil?

Err, what about Kingston?

[Regenweald]

I've heard that Geil is good memory? This memory is on the motherboard's Qualified Vendor List:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820144264&Tpk=gv34gb1333c7dc

Thanks!

Edit: while not on the Qualified Vendor List, newegg also has some similar OCZ and crucial memory, at voltages around 1.65... should I go with one of those instead of the Geil?

OCZ is always a decent choice...

[semitone36]

You might find this article (http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/6gb-ddr3-x58,2372.html) interesting for memory. I ended up choosing the crucial sticks for my recent build.

[fatcrab]

Hi,did you read the reviews on newegg about the MB to see what memory works best?It seems a lot of the new motherboards are very picky about memory.I have had crucial work when others would not.

[piwacet]

Thanks, I've been looking at the motherboard's Qualified Vendor List, and there actually aren't that many 2gb memory modules that can run at DDR1333 CAS latency 7 in all 4 memory slots that are on the Qualified Vendor List... But the Geil is one of the few that meets that criteria. I'm assuming being on the Qualified Vendor List means ASUS has actually tested this particular memory?

The reviews at newegg generally indicate that most people are not having memory problems, at least after updating the bios. Seems like people in the reviews are running G.Skill, crucial, mushkin, and cosair, patriot, and kingston to a lesser extent. No one reports running the Geil memory....

[bowens44]

I have the same motherboard, it's great and fully functional with Karmic. I went with Phenom II 955 because it was about 25 bucks cheaper. Of course as soon as I installed I kicked it up to 3.4 Ghz. Thinking about going to 3.6 but haven't tried it yet.

It's a great combo. Of course I buy all of my hardware at newegg....

[NoaHall]

I have the same motherboard, it's great and fully functional with Karmic. I went with Phenom II 955 because it was about 25 bucks cheaper. Of course as soon as I installed I kicked it up to 3.4 Ghz. Thinking about going to 3.6 but haven't tried it yet.

It's a great combo. Of course I buy all of my hardware at newegg....

Have a try, but make sure you have a good heatsink/cooling system. You'll need to increase the voltage too(or have it on a good auto). Have a try with a multiplier of 15.5 and FSB of 240.

[Mike'sHardLinux]

....
CPU: 125 Watt Phenom II 965 (C3 stepping)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727
....
I want the C3 stepping of the CPU because it can run memory modules in all 4 slots without reducing timings...

Thanks!

If you figure out a way to order a processor from Newegg and get a specific stepping, please let me know!

[piwacet]

I think because it's the 125W version of the 965 that makes it the C3 stepping - prior versions of this chip ran at 140W.

[piwacet]

I have the same motherboard, it's great and fully functional with Karmic. I went with Phenom II 955 because it was about 25 bucks cheaper. Of course as soon as I installed I kicked it up to 3.4 Ghz. Thinking about going to 3.6 but haven't tried it yet.

It's a great combo. Of course I buy all of my hardware at newegg....

Great to hear! Few questions - what RAM are you running, and, also, is there a temperature sensor for the CPU? I've read there is no thermal monitoring for Phenom II's...