> Options For a Mobo / CPU combo?

^ agreed, but isn't that the only reason ANY ram performs better?

I just thought it'd be a good bonus for going with the athlon is all...
 
^ agreed, but isn't that the only reason ANY ram performs better?

Actually, no. In video cards, for example, GDDR5 has double theoretical throughput of GDDR4.
It seems that currently, the CPU isn't able to properly utilize the potential of the RAM, so really its just gonna increase performance based off clock speed.
 
Sorry about not replying to any posts yesterday - had to leave computer - I am back now though!

- Thanks for all your input and discussions btw. Just to answer a few questions...

I do know how to overclock (multipliers, fsb + RAM, keeping the temperature down, tweak voltage, test try again, run programs to test stability etc etc) - allthough I havent done so before, id be fairly confident in a small overclock - I probly wouldnt try to squeeze the max out of it, especially with new components..
Thats why i was potentially looking at the Phenom II x 4 - as you can squeeze a little more out of that - but its still good at stock, and maybe throw a couple of more $ into a nice OC'ing Mobo.. allthough I may consider that in upgrade in a few year(s).

Maybe COD online is the max i might play - its not guaranteed though.. Games wise, desktop based games (E.G. Age of empires sort of thing) Flash games online, and other online browser games whilst also running small database programs (probly wont put oracle on the new rig as that was a resource hog on the old rig) and other apps..
 
None of those games are intensive in the least. What I refer to as intensive are games like Crysis, STALKER, etc.

Anyway. If you want a Phenom II, get either a 945 or a 955.

for mobo, get the MSI 790fx board (srry I'm on iphone so cant provide links)

Best overclockers around. IDK what it'll do to your budget though.
If you can't get the MSI board, get an ASUS with a 790GX chipset. Its not as good, but cheaper.
 
No problems, thanks for the suggestions..

Will shop around, for best prices, looks like the phenom 955 - $160 for it though.. then I suppose this drags the whole build price up, because ill want some DDR3 ram, and a nice PSU / Mobo to keep it nippy - if i invest in nice PSU / DDR3 and an AM3 chip i suppose these will be easily upgradeble (or put into a punchier system) in a few years

The budget can be slightly flexible (I can hold out for a few more weeks for a little extra cash) but I didnt really want to state this as I'd probly have more options thrown at me that werent feasible... Id still like to stay around the original $800 ish budget with $150 of that for a monitor.. probly not achieveble for all of it with that processor though..
 
I think more of the issue is the cost of the motherboard and video card.

Perhaps (these are estimated prices)

P II 955 $160
MSI 790fx $160
HD 5750 $130
4GB DDR3 $90

This puts it at $540. For a PSU, we can look for a good deal, perhaps around $50 (ive seen it before)
As far as case, HDD, optical drive, anything you could salvage from an old build perhaps? Maybe get a second HDD of the same capacity and RAID0?

Just trying to come up with some ideas here...


EDIT: links.

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name...db8c2c0b879df9126dde9aa9c6052453f2377eeca737e
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ogle-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103674
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...ogle-_-Video+Cards-_-Sapphire+Tech-_-14102859
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...0231277&cm_re=ddr3_4gb-_-20-231-277-_-Product

$5 more than I initially thought... not bad. Those cards OC extremely well, and they seem to have awesome crossfire scaling, in case you need more performance down the road.

Power supplies:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371004
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171031
Typically, I'd go with the antec, but ?I hear good things about cooler master PSU's.

OCZ recertified. I hear theyre pretty good. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341029

EDIT 2: Here's a HDD if you need one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136098

This will put you right at max budget, so see if there is an ATX case you can salvage anywhere for the time being, as well as a DVD drive.
 
Thanks again!

$540... with a monitor is $700 (including the shipping for everything)

Thats ok to be fair, gonna get a $80 ish casing.. then cd/dvd drive, PSU, few fans.. i dont mind adding the extra on for those..

only thing denting the build is now windows 7.. but again, ill have to put more than the original $800 budget to do it all from scratch..

BTW - Ty for the various links, is useful! gonna be away form my computer for 30 mins or so, so will catch up if theres anything else.
 
Thanks again!

$540... with a monitor is $700 (including the shipping for everything)

Thats ok to be fair, gonna get a $80 ish casing.. then cd/dvd drive, PSU, few fans.. i dont mind adding the extra on for those..

only thing denting the build is now windows 7.. but again, ill have to put more than the original $800 budget to do it all from scratch..

Hmmm..... perhaps you have an old copy of XP to hold you over for a while?

Buy the OEM 64-bit version.

I recpommend this case. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811156063
 


^^ looks quite attractive. Casing wise between $50-$80 ish, I personally like something with a little space for LED's or something a bit see through - obviously something with decent ventilation - and/or something i can mount 2-3 fans into..

Just a side topic, I run various applications / programs off USB ports (wireless mouse keyboard dongle for internet etc etc) obviously its going to get a bit cramped in the rear sections of the Tower, what do you suggest? I have tried this gadget that provides 4 USB's from 1 slot but its a bit umm .. 'hit and miss' so to speak.
 
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