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View Full Version : How does this pc build look?



mamamia88
April 29th, 2010, 08:20 PM
i was kind of bored over break at college. i always wanted to build a pc so i am thinking of saving up this summer and building one. what do you think of this potential rig?

Motherboard $75: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128432&cm_re=amd_motherboard_am3-_-13-128-432-_-Product
CPU $159
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=amd_phenom_quad-_-19-103-808-_-Product
Case $57
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121004
Harddrive $56
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
Dvd Drive $22
Ram $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104182&cm_re=240_pin_ddr3_1800-_-20-104-182-_-Product
Total $438

aaaantoine
April 29th, 2010, 09:03 PM
RAM prices have pretty much doubled since last year. I'm thinking of upgrading my computer, but memory prices are one of the major factors holding me back.

125W TDP on the CPU? Too hot for my tastes.

PhoHammer
April 29th, 2010, 09:45 PM
i was kind of bored over break at college. i always wanted to build a pc so i am thinking of saving up this summer and building one. what do you think of this potential rig?

Motherboard $75: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128432&cm_re=amd_motherboard_am3-_-13-128-432-_-Product
CPU $159
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&cm_re=amd_phenom_quad-_-19-103-808-_-Product
Case $57
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121004
Harddrive $56
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
Dvd Drive $22
Ram $69
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820104182&cm_re=240_pin_ddr3_1800-_-20-104-182-_-Product
Total $438

I just built one with that CPU. I love it: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1461686 (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1461686)

antenna
April 29th, 2010, 09:51 PM
Seems fine from a quick look. Personally I prefer to spend more and get a good branded power supply. I don't know how good that included one is, it's probably not great but I imagine it will do.

EarthMind
April 29th, 2010, 10:00 PM
Everything looks nice but I'd suggest you go DDR2 and get 4GB instead of 2GB because nowadays 2GB is not much if you want to do some multitasking, and DDR3 gives like no advantage on Linux, it would be more advantageous for Windows gamers (just a few more FPS) and that's all. Also 4GB suits your CPU much better. Use 64 bit Ubuntu if you do get it.

Oh and if you're planning to use the onboard graphics card go for an Nvidia chipset instead of an AMD one, unless (but not recommended) you will dual boot with Windows and want to play with AMD Overdrive.

EarthMind
April 29th, 2010, 10:05 PM
Seems fine from a quick look. Personally I prefer to spend more and get a good branded power supply. I don't know how good that included one is, it's probably not great but I imagine it will do.

+1 to that. Get a reliable one, such as SilverStone (my personal experience), 500W max if you're not planning to add a high end graphic card.

ttshivers
April 29th, 2010, 10:05 PM
Pretty good build. Everything looks fine when I glanced over it. Hope the build works for you.

antenna
April 29th, 2010, 10:06 PM
I have the same onboard graphics as that board by the way (4200) and both the open source and proprietary drivers work great, so no worries there.

I would agree you may want 4GB, I currently have 2GB but need to get a couple more as I come close to using 2GB on occasion.

I know it's hard when people keep recommending more and more expensive stuff though. :)
My builds often end up more expensive than originally intended.

andrewabc
April 29th, 2010, 10:09 PM
You should describe what you want your new computer to do.
Then people can say whether hardware is good enough.

EarthMind
April 29th, 2010, 10:20 PM
ATI is a no-go. You'll get video tearing, slow UI performance and slow Compiz performance. I have a HD 4890 and it feels like I'm using a card from back in the 90s on Linux.

WinterRain
April 29th, 2010, 10:21 PM
go for an Nvidia chipset instead of a Linux one

Linux makes chipsets? But I agree about the nvidia part. ATI stinks. Plus, get more RAM if you can, and don't skimp on the power supply, as a bad one can cause damage and be unreliable.

I have a Phenom 1 and 6gb ddr2, and my computer flies. I don't think I would notice much difference with ddr3.

EarthMind
April 29th, 2010, 10:24 PM
Linux makes chipsets? But I agree about the nvidia part. ATI stinks. Plus, get more RAM if you can, and don't skimp on the power supply, as a bad one can cause damage and be unreliable.

I have a Phenom 1 and 6gb ddr2, and my computer flies. I don't think I would notice much difference with ddr3.

Corrected :)

antenna
April 29th, 2010, 10:30 PM
While I would try and avoid a dedicated ATI card currently, the onboard that motherboard has is actually well supported in Linux and works well. UI and Compiz work perfectly. Obviously not for heavy gaming though.

2hot6ft2
April 29th, 2010, 10:42 PM
I'm not a fan of ATI, and would go with more RAM but I'm far from experienced in building one. I was reading a thread the other day, took some notes and looked around some. Just in case I get a wild hair myself.

$69 for 2GB of RAM, why not the G.SKILL on the same page as the MoBo.? Only $41 more for twice the RAM.
$110 G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

A few other motherboards you might consider.
$148 GIGABYTE GA-890XA-UD3 AM3 AMD 790X SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128438&cm_re=ATX_Gigabyte_motherboard-_-13-128-438-_-Product

$90 GIGABYTE GA-770TA-UD3 AM3 AMD 770 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128419&cm_re=ATX_Gigabyte_motherboard-_-13-128-419-_-Product

$50 ASUS M4N68T-M AM3 NVIDIA Geforce 7025/nForce 630a Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131626

$60 BIOSTAR A770E3 AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138179

Can't really beat the Case w/power supply without dishing out more $ but I think 585W is going to be a bit of overkill depending on what all else you put into it.

mamamia88
April 30th, 2010, 12:43 AM
so go for a different motherboard with nvidia instead and use 4gb ddr2 over 2gb ddr3? which onboard nvidia chipset do you think is the best? also, i might want to expand it later for gaming purposes, even though i play lots of console games and haven't played a pc game since "where in the world is carmen san diego?"

EarthMind
April 30th, 2010, 09:35 AM
Just go for the best AM2+ you can afford. You can also go for an AMD chipset and but a low-end Nvidia graphic card. You could take a look at Asrock's models:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/index.asp?s=AM2%2b

Asrock motherboards are not really for heavy overcloking but they're of great quality, and their customer support is splendid, also for Linux users.

This is the one I'm using atm: http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=K10N78-1394.

Btw, why do you go for µATX (mini-ATX)? I recommend you go for an ATX motherboard as you'll have a much wider choice and it's just a little bigger than µATX. Make sure you accidentally don't buy a µATX case and a ATX motherboard or vice versa.

Lensman
April 30th, 2010, 10:43 AM
I run a Phenom II X3 720 on an AMD 790GP chipset, coupled with an HD4670 AMD graphics board. Just like every other AMD build I have done, it runs stable and is a solid workhorse. No video problems at all.

cascade9
April 30th, 2010, 11:24 AM
Seems fine from a quick look. Personally I prefer to spend more and get a good branded power supply. I don't know how good that included one is, it's probably not great but I imagine it will do.

+1. Well, +1 to 'perfer to get a good branded power supply'. I'd be wary of a case + power supply that costs as much as decent case....even more so when everything else in that price range is in the 400watt range.

I'd also be wary about its '585watt' rating...cheapo power supplies are known to often get a sticker saying whatever the manufacturer thinks will sell.

Better to get a good power supply and drop your CPU spec, than to have a nice CPU get burnt out by crappy voltages on a cheapo power supply.


Everything looks nice but I'd suggest you go DDR2 and get 4GB instead of 2GB because nowadays 2GB is not much if you want to do some multitasking, and DDR3 gives like no advantage on Linux, it would be more advantageous for Windows gamers (just a few more FPS) and that's all. Also 4GB suits your CPU much better. Use 64 bit Ubuntu if you do get it.

Disgaree, 100%. DDR3 isnt just 'for a few FPS' (it wont make that much difference really, you want more FPS buy a bigger video card). DDR2 will run at 1066Mhz max on an older AM2+ motehrboard (technically, there is no AM3 with DDR2). The motehrboard speced by the OP will run DDR3 @ 1666- that its a lot more memory bandwidth.

If memory bandwidth wasnt worth doing, we would still be using SD RAM, or maybe DDR266. There IS advatanges for linux (or any other moden OS) in having more memory bandwidth.

For decent DDR2, its pretty muich the same cost as DDR3 @ 2GB, or @ 4GB. A few dollars more.....worth it for the upgradablilty of AM3 over AM2+, the higher bandwidth of DDR3 and the lower voltages of DDR3. Also, DDR3 keeps getting cheaper....DDR2 is going out. soon, DDR2 will be more expensive than DDR3 (like DDR1 is now)

@ mamamia88- if you do decide to listen to the whole DDR2 thing (I wouldnt, the people who are suggesting it havent checked the recent prices IMO) then make sure you get at least DDR2-800, and better yet DDR2-1066. If you got DDR2-533 (plenty still around) you would be crippling that CPU, its got half the bandwidth of DDR2-1066...and less than 1/3 the bandiwdth of DDR3-1666.


Oh and if you're planning to use the onboard graphics card go for an Nvidia chipset instead of an AMD one, unless (but not recommended) you will dual boot with Windows and want to play with AMD Overdrive.

Sort of a point...but AMD chipsets with ATI video work fine with linux these days (yes, you will see people who have problems...look around and you can find people who have had tons of problems with nVidia chipsets as well)

Not that many AM3 nVidia chipset around now anyway, and they cost more. Better of with an AMD770 and a nVidia card over nVidia chipset + onboard graphics IMO.


Btw, why do you go for µATX (mini-ATX)? I recommend you go for an ATX motherboard as you'll have a much wider choice and it's just a little bigger than µATX. Make sure you accidentally don't buy a µATX case and a ATX motherboard or vice versa.

No problems running micro-ATX in a full ATX case at all. The OP did spec a microATX case, so if they wanted a fullATX case (which I would) then they would need to change the case/power supply (which is something else I would do, as I said above).

98cwitr
April 30th, 2010, 02:04 PM
if you're going to buy a case w/ a powersupply, get a better quality one like Antec or something.

EarthMind
April 30th, 2010, 02:46 PM
Disgaree, 100%. DDR3 isnt just 'for a few FPS' (it wont make that much difference really, you want more FPS buy a bigger video card). DDR2 will run at 1066Mhz max on an older AM2+ motehrboard (technically, there is no AM3 with DDR2). The motehrboard speced by the OP will run DDR3 @ 1666- that its a lot more memory bandwidth.

If memory bandwidth wasnt worth doing, we would still be using SD RAM, or maybe DDR266. There IS advatanges for linux (or any other moden OS) in having more memory bandwidth.

For decent DDR2, its pretty muich the same cost as DDR3 @ 2GB, or @ 4GB. A few dollars more.....worth it for the upgradablilty of AM3 over AM2+, the higher bandwidth of DDR3 and the lower voltages of DDR3. Also, DDR3 keeps getting cheaper....DDR2 is going out. soon, DDR2 will be more expensive than DDR3 (like DDR1 is now)


I didn't say there are no advantages with DDR3, I said that are like no advantages, in other words it's not worth paying more money for. Since DDR3 motherboards and RAM are generally more expensive (basing off of local prices) than DDR2 I still recommend you go with DDR2 (800mhz+) instead of DDR3. If the prices in the USA are much different than here and are indeed as expensive or even cheaper as good DDR2 then there is certainly no harm in going for DDR3.

DDR2-800 memory is still good enough for a high-end PC's and you will notice no to very little difference in performance improvements. Higher bandwidth doesn't necessarily mean better performance, moreover today's DDR3 RAM even has higher latency timings than DDR2 RAM. If you ever need to upgrade your RAM in the future and you're unlucky that DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3 at that time you can always consider switching to DDR3 if you're going for a AM2+ socket motherboard.

Conclusion: unless you want to get the maximum performance out of your PC and are willing to pay more for it then DDR3 is the way to go.

You can always search the net for benchmarks. Here are a few to start you off:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2232/1
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1782/amd_phenom_ii_ddr2_vs_ddr3_performance/index.html
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/ddr2_vs_ddr3/

Some more info:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/245145-30-ddr2-ddr3

Note that some of the articles are quite old but the information can still be considered accurate.


Sort of a point...but AMD chipsets with ATI video work fine with linux these days (yes, you will see people who have problems...look around and you can find people who have had tons of problems with nVidia chipsets as well)

Not that many AM3 nVidia chipset around now anyway, and they cost more. Better of with an AMD770 and a nVidia card over nVidia chipset + onboard graphics IMO.


Even if that is the case (I wouldn't know because I've never used an onboard ATI graphic card. Moreover, I'm talking about their proprietary drivers, not their open source alternatives) but Nvidia still offers more advantages such as VDPAU and extensive updates.


No problems running micro-ATX in a full ATX case at all. The OP did spec a microATX case, so if they wanted a fullATX case (which I would) then they would need to change the case/power supply (which is something else I would do, as I said above).

I didn't know that but now I do :).

cascade9
May 2nd, 2010, 10:44 AM
I didn't say there are no advantages with DDR3, I said that are like no advantages, in other words it's not worth paying more money for. Since DDR3 motherboards and RAM are generally more expensive (basing off of local prices) than DDR2 I still recommend you go with DDR2 (800mhz+) instead of DDR3. If the prices in the USA are much different than here and are indeed as expensive or even cheaper as good DDR2 then there is certainly no harm in going for DDR3.

'like no'= 'no', the difference is semantics.

In the US, DDR3 RAM was actually cheaper than DDR2 a short while ago...its gone back up a bit now, for reasons I dont understand, but DDR3 will drop back down, and DDR2 will go up. DDR3 motherboards are pretty much the same cost now.


DDR2-800 memory is still good enough for a high-end PC's and you will notice no to very little difference in performance improvements. Higher bandwidth doesn't necessarily mean better performance, moreover today's DDR3 RAM even has higher latency timings than DDR2 RAM. If you ever need to upgrade your RAM in the future and you're unlucky that DDR2 is more expensive than DDR3 at that time you can always consider switching to DDR3 if you're going for a AM2+ socket motherboard.

'Good enough'? Yeah. DDR3 has lots of advantages though, like I said above..and its not just the speed increase.

Yes, latency on DDR3 does tend to be higher..that is dropping now. When DDR3 came out, 9-9-9 was pretty much all you could get- now 7-7-7 is easy to get, and there is 6-7-6 DDR3 RAM out right now. Give it a bit more time, and it wil be common.

DDR3 @ 1333 9-9-9 is pretty much the same speed as DDR2 1066 @ 5-5-5. Once you move to DDR3 1600 9-9-9, its faster. DDR3 1600 7-7-7 would be a chunk faster again.

BTW- If you get a DDR2 motehrboard, you cannot change to DDR3. They use different slots. There might be a few motherboards with DDR2 and DDR3 slots, but if the past is any indication, they will ahve thier own issues (like only having 2 slots of each type, not the usual 4). They also tend to be not as good at either job- 'jack of all trades, master of none'.


You can always search the net for benchmarks. Here are a few to start you off:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/2232/1
http://www.tweaktown.com/articles/1782/amd_phenom_ii_ddr2_vs_ddr3_performance/index.html
http://www.neoseeker.com/Articles/Hardware/Reviews/ddr2_vs_ddr3/

Some more info:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/245145-30-ddr2-ddr3

Note that some of the articles are quite old but the information can still be considered accurate.

Accurate, for the time. I take those benchamrks in the same way as I take 32bit vs 64bit benchmarks from 2006- time moves on, things change. With newer DDR3 of higher frequencies, and/or lower latency DDR3 starts pulling away. See here-

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/mainboard/phenom-2-ddr3-p1.html

Yes, its only a few % points difference- but people pay a lot more money for a a similar % difference in CPUs. The differences will increase as DDR3 continues to increase in frequence and drops latency.