Hey guys, I lurk a lot on here but am so sick of sending my HP notebook in for service that I have decided to build a desktop. I always thought it was interesting and would have liked to have been able to upgrade components and insert my own in the past instead of buying new PCs. This is my first build so I am noob. Here is the link to my wishlist. https://secure.newegg.com/WishList/MySavedWishDetail.aspx?ID=5554809 I will be using this PC for a lot of encoding, and light gaming (hence not a super expensive graphics card). Please let me know if you guys have any tips for me. Thanks!
Sorry about that Sam! Thanks for the help... -NZXT Alpha Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case with Open Window -AMD Phenom 9950 2.6GHz Socket AM2+ 125W Quad-Core Black Edition Processor Model HD995ZXAGHBOX -ASUS M3A79-T Deluxe AM2+/AM2 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard -SAPPHIRE 100245L Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card -OCZ Platinum 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P10664GK - Retail -Antec EA650 650W ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - -Western Digital Caviar Blue WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM -Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive -SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model SH-S223Q -Acer X223Wbd Black 22" 5ms Widescreen LCD Monitor -CABLES UNLIMITED USB-1610B All-in-one USB 2.0 Card Reader -Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound -Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit English for System Builders 1pk DSP OEI DVD
it's an OK build, but I wouldn't put so much money into an AMD platform. They're nice and cheap left stock, but that board is an expensive overclocking one, and spending money overclocking AMDs isn't recommended when you could just get a stock Intel that's faster and cheaper without the hassle. I'd say either swap the motherboard for this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128335 Or buy this pair: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115131 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128345 The Intel would be my pair of choice, but you're free to stick with the Phenom if you want. The RAM I would also change, regardless of which platform you use, for this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145197 It's better memory in every regard, and dirt cheap too. I would also use this far better power supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004 The rest of the stuff is fine. I personally dislike Acer monitors, but everyone has their own brand choice.
From what I have read, I got the impression that with AMD you get a lot more bang for your buck. Especially when it comes to video encoding and the sort. In a similar price range, what would you recommend as for as Intel boards and CPUs are concerned? Thanks for the help!
Also how do you feel about the Q9550 Yorkfield with the ASUS P5Q Pro LGA 775? I can get the total fairly close to the other one, substituting the RAM you suggested and a CORSAIR 650W PSU (I will be installing 2-3 more optical drives as well)
I just have - the Intel CPU/Motherboard combination is the same price as the AMD pair you had, and not only will it perform faster stock, it will overclock better too. You can get the P5Q Pro over the EP45-DS3L if you like, but I tend to only recommend the more expensive Asus motherboards, as in the past, most cheap Asus boards have proven unreliable.
The EP45-UD3P has also gotten great reviews, and is only slightly more. What is your impression of that board? And again, I appreciate all of your help.
Don't have any experience with it - I don't see why it's bad, but then I don't see what it offers much above the DS3L either.
The UD3P is heavier if that means anything... It comes with eSata and dual PCI Express if you are looking for that. Also, there are larger heatsinks. I have both, but I am using the UD3P. It was only $12 more, so I thought, why not... There are lots of overclocking options and there is some type of 2048 bit hardware encryption system.
JaguarGod, I was leaning that way. It definately sounds like a quality board. Thanks for the input, I think I am going to go with that and the Q9550.
So far I am pleased with it. However, I can't figure out any of the BIOS features, so I am not messing with them The DS3L likely has the same BIOS features. Just you get a couple of extra accessories with the UD3P including 3 SATA cables Edit: One more note. The Heatsinks on the UD3P are pretty big and in my case they got in the way of my CPU Heat sink (Tuniq Tower). If you decide on getting a Tuniq Tower, you will have to modify the "H" plate. You have to saw off the AMD screw holes. They are marked, so it is hard to miss. After doing that, the Tuniq had no problem. If you are planning to overclock, you will likely need some type of aftermarket cooler. The Tuniq is keeping my Q6600 at about 20 - 22 Celsius.
That's actually the case with quite a lot of motherboards and that cooler, which is unfortunate, and one of the reasons I often recommend the Thermalright Ultra-120 Extreme as it fits with almost all boards and the ones it doesn't fit with is an easy fix (no sawing).
