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[H] Building computer advice

Blogs > vnlegend
Post a Reply
vnlegend
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States1389 Posts
November 20 2009 18:03 GMT
#1
My desktop has annoyed me for the last time and I'm considering building a new computer. There's an upcoming sale season and I'm looking for something cost-effective that can run SC2 and Diablo3.

I assume there is a bottleneck effect with hardware so what motherboard, RAM, or other relevant components will I need to fully take advantage of a Phenom II x4 945 + Radeon HD 4870 combo??

Newegg has a CPU + motherboard combo (link) but all the mobo specs are just mumbo jumbo to me. Can somebody recommend a decent motherboard?

*
Marines > everything
Pawsom
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States928 Posts
November 20 2009 18:35 GMT
#2
Get 4gb (2x2gb) ram. Find a mobo that supports 8gb (4slots) so you can upgrade later if you want. Make sure the motherboard is PCIe 2.0 x16. A 1.0 slot will support your card, but not optimize it.
Ecael
Profile Joined February 2008
United States6703 Posts
November 20 2009 18:45 GMT
#3
The real question is why a Phenom II and not an i5. Should also keep in mind that if you want future upgrades, crossfire could be highly useful.
Boblion
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
France8043 Posts
November 20 2009 19:10 GMT
#4
On November 21 2009 03:45 Ecael wrote:
The real question is why a Phenom II and not an i5. Should also keep in mind that if you want future upgrades, crossfire could be highly useful.

Cheaper and performances really close in games ?
o,o
fuck all those elitists brb watching streams of elite players.
mahnini
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States6862 Posts
November 20 2009 19:38 GMT
#5
would pay $10 more for the 955 and get the unlocked multi
the world's a playground. you know that when you're a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it.
Manit0u
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
Poland17756 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-11-20 20:35:42
November 20 2009 20:33 GMT
#6
On November 21 2009 03:35 Pawsom wrote:
Get 4gb (2x2gb) ram. Find a mobo that supports 8gb (4slots) so you can upgrade later if you want. Make sure the motherboard is PCIe 2.0 x16. A 1.0 slot will support your card, but not optimize it.


This.
And don't forget that nVidia >>> ATI. If you just want to play anything that's on the market now without bothering about your vc not handling it, grab 8800GT (which should be really cheap by now). If you want your comp to be a bit more expensive but more set-up for the future then I'd advise getting some GTS or something like that (I know that ATI has the fastest card on the market now, but by the time we see DX11 and PS5.0 and the time something will actually require it, this card will most likely end up being some bottom-feeder).

Also, take note about 2 more things:
- mobo supporting DDR3 not DDR2
- psu of at least 500W
Time is precious. Waste it wisely.
Trumpet
Profile Blog Joined October 2007
United States1936 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-11-20 20:54:36
November 20 2009 20:53 GMT
#7
I'm in a similar boat to you and am looking to get this mobo.

I really don't think the i5 is worth it for gaming. I definitely disagree with getting an nvidia card right now, 4870 / 5850 (if it goes cheap enough over holidays) seem like a much better deal for the money atm.

+1 on getting the 955 instead of 945 as well.

I'm more clueless about the psu. I'm planning on getting this one (I think it was suggested in an older pc building thread here). It definitely fits the budget price but you can't be too careful right?

Edit: at least 500W? Looks like I need to do more searching lol
Chaos
Profile Joined July 2009
United States772 Posts
November 20 2009 21:01 GMT
#8
On November 21 2009 05:33 Manit0u wrote:
And don't forget that nVidia >>> ATI.


o_O

I would definitely buy from ATI right now...better price for performance at the moment.
FruitMarket
vAltyR
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States581 Posts
November 20 2009 21:14 GMT
#9
On November 21 2009 05:33 Manit0u wrote:
And don't forget that nVidia >>> ATI.

Not really. ATI's cards are pretty good performance/price. The 4870's going for about $150 now, which is a pretty good deal for a DX10 card. And Nvidia doesn't even have a DX11 card out yet, while ATI's 5000 series is damn good for the price.
내 호버크라프트는 장어로 가득 차 있어요
Boblion
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
France8043 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-11-20 22:20:39
November 20 2009 22:11 GMT
#10
On November 21 2009 05:33 Manit0u wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 21 2009 03:35 Pawsom wrote:
Get 4gb (2x2gb) ram. Find a mobo that supports 8gb (4slots) so you can upgrade later if you want. Make sure the motherboard is PCIe 2.0 x16. A 1.0 slot will support your card, but not optimize it.


This.
And don't forget that nVidia >>> ATI. If you just want to play anything that's on the market now without bothering about your vc not handling it, grab 8800GT (which should be really cheap by now). If you want your comp to be a bit more expensive but more set-up for the future then I'd advise getting some GTS or something like that (I know that ATI has the fastest card on the market now, but by the time we see DX11 and PS5.0 and the time something will actually require it, this card will most likely end up being some bottom-feeder).

Worst advice ever.


The 8800GT sucks ( well it was good like two years ago ) and Nvidia cards are getting raped atm; ATI performance/price ratio is just too good. You must an Nvidia fanboy or a troll.

Also +2 for the Phe II x4 955 BE

edit: seriously the 8800GT lolololol. It has like half the performance of the 4870.


edit2: The only reason to get an Nvidia card is if you want to have 3D vision.
[image loading]



fuck all those elitists brb watching streams of elite players.
mahnini
Profile Blog Joined October 2005
United States6862 Posts
November 21 2009 00:04 GMT
#11
On November 21 2009 07:11 Boblion wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 21 2009 05:33 Manit0u wrote:
On November 21 2009 03:35 Pawsom wrote:
Get 4gb (2x2gb) ram. Find a mobo that supports 8gb (4slots) so you can upgrade later if you want. Make sure the motherboard is PCIe 2.0 x16. A 1.0 slot will support your card, but not optimize it.


This.
And don't forget that nVidia >>> ATI. If you just want to play anything that's on the market now without bothering about your vc not handling it, grab 8800GT (which should be really cheap by now). If you want your comp to be a bit more expensive but more set-up for the future then I'd advise getting some GTS or something like that (I know that ATI has the fastest card on the market now, but by the time we see DX11 and PS5.0 and the time something will actually require it, this card will most likely end up being some bottom-feeder).

Worst advice ever.

pretty much. ignore everything in that post.
the world's a playground. you know that when you're a kid, but somewhere along the way everyone forgets it.
Amarxist
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
United States371 Posts
November 21 2009 03:25 GMT
#12
Why are you advising someone get an 8800GT? That's quite an old card. You can get much better for the same price from nVidia or ATi?

In any case, if you're planning on getting a 4870 you need to keep in mind the Power Supply you get meets the power requirements of the Video Card. That is, 2(Pair)x6-PIN PCI-E External Power plugs to feed your 4870. You will need the PSU to be at least 550(i'd get at least 650 to be honest) watts of a good brand(Corsair to name one). For any modern high-end video card or even mid-range card, a sturdy power supply is required with at least 1 6-PIN PCI-E plugs, 2x is preferred if you want to upgrade down the line.
☺ ☻
haduken
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
Australia8267 Posts
November 21 2009 05:46 GMT
#13
On November 21 2009 07:11 Boblion wrote:
Show nested quote +
On November 21 2009 05:33 Manit0u wrote:
On November 21 2009 03:35 Pawsom wrote:
Get 4gb (2x2gb) ram. Find a mobo that supports 8gb (4slots) so you can upgrade later if you want. Make sure the motherboard is PCIe 2.0 x16. A 1.0 slot will support your card, but not optimize it.


This.
And don't forget that nVidia >>> ATI. If you just want to play anything that's on the market now without bothering about your vc not handling it, grab 8800GT (which should be really cheap by now). If you want your comp to be a bit more expensive but more set-up for the future then I'd advise getting some GTS or something like that (I know that ATI has the fastest card on the market now, but by the time we see DX11 and PS5.0 and the time something will actually require it, this card will most likely end up being some bottom-feeder).

Worst advice ever.


The 8800GT sucks ( well it was good like two years ago ) and Nvidia cards are getting raped atm; ATI performance/price ratio is just too good. You must an Nvidia fanboy or a troll.

Also +2 for the Phe II x4 955 BE

edit: seriously the 8800GT lolololol. It has like half the performance of the 4870.


edit2: The only reason to get an Nvidia card is if you want to have 3D vision.
[image loading]





Well, manitou's advice only holds up if you are using Linux and even that with ATI's new open sourceness it won't be long till they beat NVidia.

That NVidia 3D glasses thing is overrated. We have one at work and with that on for any longer than 5 mins will give you a headache + the fact that you need a 100hz monitor to use it.
Rillanon.au
haduken
Profile Blog Joined April 2003
Australia8267 Posts
November 21 2009 05:47 GMT
#14
On November 21 2009 12:25 Amarxist wrote:
Why are you advising someone get an 8800GT? That's quite an old card. You can get much better for the same price from nVidia or ATi?

In any case, if you're planning on getting a 4870 you need to keep in mind the Power Supply you get meets the power requirements of the Video Card. That is, 2(Pair)x6-PIN PCI-E External Power plugs to feed your 4870. You will need the PSU to be at least 550(i'd get at least 650 to be honest) watts of a good brand(Corsair to name one). For any modern high-end video card or even mid-range card, a sturdy power supply is required with at least 1 6-PIN PCI-E plugs, 2x is preferred if you want to upgrade down the line.


8800GT was never that great. 8800GTX was awesome but can you even buy that anymore?
Rillanon.au
Ecael
Profile Joined February 2008
United States6703 Posts
November 21 2009 07:04 GMT
#15
I simply don't really like the high end Phenom II. Can't help but feel like if we are going to suggest that the gaming performance between i5 and 945/955 is small enough to make the price difference a large factor, we could settle for an x3 and blow the money on GPU. That view is certainly debatable though.
ffswowsucks
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
Greece2298 Posts
November 21 2009 07:49 GMT
#16
I sold my GeForce 8800GT for just 35 euros and bought a ATi Radeon 5870. This card is a beast and at first I didnt think it would be able to fit in my system, I had to scratch some of my HDD's case to fit the card in, LOL, its a beast!!! hmm someone said something about PCI 2.0 , what exactly is that?? my mobo has PCI 1.0 i think (got the ASUS p5k) so dunno really what is that difference.
Terran in particular is a notoriously strong race for a no brain skillhand bot style.
FragKrag
Profile Blog Joined September 2007
United States11565 Posts
November 21 2009 08:24 GMT
#17
haha 8800 GT

...



The best cards on the market right now for price are probably the ATi 4870/5770.
As with the others, I recommend shelling out the extra bucks for the AMD P2 955, and take heed that the AM3 mobos do not support DDR2 ram.
*TL CJ Entusman #40* "like scissors does anything to paper except MAKE IT MORE NUMEROUS" -paper
Boblion
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
France8043 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-11-21 13:29:33
November 21 2009 13:27 GMT
#18
On November 21 2009 14:46 haduken wrote:
That NVidia 3D glasses thing is overrated. We have one at work and with that on for any longer than 5 mins will give you a headache + the fact that you need a 100hz monitor to use it.

Really interesting because i have read the contrary on another forum. Thank for the info, maybe i will have the chance someday to test it myself to have my own opinion.
Btw yup i forgot to mention the screen ( you need a 120Hz, the Samsung SyncMaster 2233rz or the ViewSonic VX2268wm ).
fuck all those elitists brb watching streams of elite players.
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