Computers & Electronics

Criticize my upgrade

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  • Feb 1st, 2010 7:57 pm
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Deal Fanatic
Dec 3, 2007
5962 posts
1066 upvotes
Calgary

Criticize my upgrade

So, it seems my PC is sort of dead, read here:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/help ... ot-814365/

Since I think there is no point to save a AM2 PC, I will do a partial built:

AMD Phenom II X4 9X5 BE or AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE
NH-U12P
M4A78T-E
some DDR3 2x2GB
Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB
CM Haf 932 or Inwin Maelstrom

Some questions and comments
1) Since AM3 mobo support only DDR3-1600 (oc), is it ok to get DDR-1800 or higher? Because I see some of them are the same price as lower speed memory.

2) Will the NH-U12P block any ram slot in M4A78T-E?

3) The PC is a gaming machine with light development work.

4) I heard AM3 has problem with SSD. If I am to get a SSD down the road, will this cause problems?

5) Is i5 a better choice?

6) How's the onboard audio in the M4A78T-E? My current PC has a audigy 1 and I don't think I will use it anymore.
57 replies
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Oct 15, 2005
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a more important question is. what is your budget?
Deal Fanatic
Dec 3, 2007
5962 posts
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Calgary
infamouskid wrote: a more important question is. what is your budget?
Haha, I know someone will ask that...I don't have a set budget. But $300 for a CPU is out of question. I also want to stay around $100 for the mobo. I am more a best bang for my buck kind of guy...as you can see from my selection...I think.
Deal Addict
Oct 4, 2009
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The board is a really good board. Don't install the USB filter driver because it will screw up USB printing. Install the latest BIOS and disable C1E for that chip or you'll most likely get random blue screen errors that make no sense.

Yes, it's ok to get 1800 RAM, especially if you're overclocking.

Yes, an I5 will eat it and is a better bet, especially moving forward. It's really a "no-brainer".

No, the fan will not get in the way.

The HAF case is a pretty mean looking case. I like it. :)

The onboard audio is at LEAST as good as the Audigy.
Deal Fanatic
Dec 3, 2007
5962 posts
1066 upvotes
Calgary
Forgot another question, does the M4A78T-E BIOS work with 965 out of the box, or does it need a BIOS update 1st?

I am not sure I should get x3 or x4, for gaming, it really doesn't look much different. But it is about $50 different... only (720 vs. 955). Hey, but it is still $50 different. If I am not going to use the extra core...well, I am cheap.
Deal Addict
Oct 4, 2009
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npinc wrote: install the latest bios and disable c1e for that chip or you'll most likely get random blue screen errors that make no sense.
... :)
Deal Fanatic
Apr 15, 2009
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M-Arkham
mucat wrote: Forgot another question, does the M4A78T-E BIOS work with 965 out of the box, or does it need a BIOS update 1st?

I am not sure I should get x3 or x4, for gaming, it really doesn't look much different. But it is about $50 different... only (720 vs. 955). Hey, but it is still $50 different. If I am not going to use the extra core...well, I am cheap.
Don't bother with the X4 965, it's just a factory OC version of the X4 955

Here's a breakdown of prices for them.
X3 720 $138, 95W 2.8ghz
X4 955 $173, 125W 3.2ghz
X4 965 $199, 140W 3.4ghz

Overall, the X3 720 should be sufficient for games, it's your videocard that will affect your how well your games run, assuming you have at least 4gb of ram.
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Deal Fanatic
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Feb 11, 2004
5321 posts
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Midland
I wouldn't touch a Asus motherboard, Gigabyte are putting out some of the best boards right now especialy for eficency with temps.

Now next question is do you want to do ez oc's or more complicated ones ??
Cause in that reguard, Core i5 will give you a better experience in preformance espespialy if you want to mess around with fsb oc the cpu, and if you find that too much for you then using the multiplier only oc's of the phenom II X4 965 BE 125 watt would then be more up your alley.

Here is 2 examples of "bang for your buck" cpu/motherboard/ram combo's via ncix's pricing before price matching:

Core i5 base:

Intel Core i5 750 Quad Core Processor Lynnfield LGA1156 2.66GHZ 8MB Cache Retail Box $228.99

Gigabyte P55M-UD2 mATX LGA1156 P55 DDR3 2PCI-E 2PCI SATA2 RAID Sound GLAN Motherboard $106.99

G.SKILL F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH Ripjaws PC3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL7-7-7-21 Core I5 1 *IR-$10* $114.99

YOUR TOTAL $450.97

Phenom II X4 965 BE rev. C3:

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Quad Core Processor AM3 3.4GHZ 8MB Cache 125W 45NM Retail Box $236.14

Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AMD785G mATX AM3 PCI-E DDR3 Video Sound GLAN CrossFireX HDMI Motherboard $92.99

G.SKILL F3-10666CL7D-4GBRH Ripjaws PC3-10666 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1333 CL7-7-7-21 Core I5 1 *IR-$10*$114.99 $114.99

YOUR TOTAL $444.12

This is baring you have no issues with only running 1 videocard on these boards.

CM 932 HAF I am not too crazy about per say lookswise but if your looking to do water cooling & want everything to be inside this case is the "duct tape" of this reguard as it supports MANY configurations internaly. + the 230 mm fans. After reading more about it & seeing the possible combinations in it for fan water or combination of both I think its kinda a sleeper case that should make antec rethink there cases in that range.

Rest looks fine cept if ya can afford it look at getting a corsair 650 ps.
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Deal Fanatic
Dec 3, 2007
5962 posts
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Calgary
Thanks, terrybear.

After I read your post, I did a little bit googling. It looks like if I am going to spend around $200 for a processor, i5 750 would be a better choice, and the price of mobo are comparable to AM3 too.

So what is a good i5 mobo for oc'ing? Anything from $100-$150.

Another question, I was browsing for DDR3 and I ran into this one:

G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH Ripjaws PC3-15000 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1866 CL9-9-9-24 Core I5 Memory Kit (F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH)

It is selling for less than $100 in a few place, what the catch? I notice the reviews in newegg are not very good.
Deal Addict
Oct 4, 2009
1541 posts
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mucat wrote: Thanks, terrybear.

After I read your post, I did a little bit googling. It looks like if I am going to spend around $200 for a processor, i5 750 would be a better choice, and the price of mobo are comparable to AM3 too.

So what is a good i5 mobo for oc'ing? Anything from $100-$150.

Another question, I was browsing for DDR3 and I ran into this one:

G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH Ripjaws PC3-15000 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1866 CL9-9-9-24 Core I5 Memory Kit (F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH)

It is selling for less than $100 in a few place, what the catch? I notice the reviews in newegg are not very good.
He was just being argumentative. Typically you'll see him pitch the AMD and then call you a fanboy if you disagree and pitch the I5. It's hilarious as we just had a similar thread where he went on a bender when I recommended the I5 in an AMD thread. Worse yet, during his tear he couldn't even get his facts right.

In short, it's worthwhile to ignore him. An added benefit is that you don't have to run his horrible spelling and sentence structure through Google Translate before you reply.

Anyways. Seriously. Spend a few more dollars. $60. That $60 will fit you into the fattest board for the money you've EVER used, the Asus Sabretooth i55. We just installed one with an I7 860. With one click we overclocked it to 4GHz stable. Conveniently enough, we cooled it with a Thermaltake SpinQ.

It's the maddest, sickest board you're going to get for the money, bar none. I like the M4A for the AMD, but believe me, the Sabretooth will absolutely destroy it. It's very competitive with my Maximus III Formula that I spent considerably more for.

G.Skill really isn't that good, honestly. There's much better, including OCZ and Corsair Dominator (depending on budget)

EDIT: Here, let me show you.

[IMG]http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/5660/img0197em.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/3443/img0198g.jpg[/IMG]
Deal Fanatic
Dec 3, 2007
5962 posts
1066 upvotes
Calgary
The Sabretooth is quite a bit outside of my budget. $150 is probably the highest I can go and it has to be good reason(s), ie, better oc, better sound, better layout, etc.

The last time I spend that much on a mobo was with Celeron 300A and Celeron 500, which was also the last time I went with intel. :)

Add: I see the P55M-UD2 is mATX formfactor, I wouldn't mind go to bigger ATX size. Any other motherboard recommendation?


Thanks for everyone helping me to decide!
Deal Addict
Oct 4, 2009
1541 posts
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Hmmm. Poo. How about the P7P55D?
Deal Fanatic
Apr 15, 2009
6858 posts
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M-Arkham
npinc wrote: He was just being argumentative. Typically you'll see him pitch the AMD and then call you a fanboy if you disagree and pitch the I5. It's hilarious as we just had a similar thread where he went on a bender when I recommended the I5 in an AMD thread. Worse yet, during his tear he couldn't even get his facts right.

In short, it's worthwhile to ignore him. An added benefit is that you don't have to run his horrible spelling and sentence structure through Google Translate before you reply.


Dude, in all seriousness, I think you're taking this a bit too personal, you're like taking this war everywhere now. Just stay on the topic, you don't have to go around bashing someone everywhere you go.

Terrybear, I know you're going to come in here later on, same apply for you as well.

You 2 are acting like kids fighting over spilled milk.

EDIT: what case is it you're using? I see the zalman imprinted on it, what model is it? looks pretty roomy inside
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Oct 4, 2009
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Brewmeanie wrote: You 2 are acting like kids fighting over spilled milk.
But...But.. I was thirsty and I ran out of Coke. :(
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Feb 12, 2008
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Brewmeanie wrote: EDIT: what case is it you're using? I see the zalman imprinted on it, what model is it? looks pretty roomy inside
+1. Looks really good assuming it's less than $250??
Nothing to see here...keep looking.
Deal Fanatic
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Feb 11, 2004
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mucat wrote: Thanks, terrybear.

After I read your post, I did a little bit googling. It looks like if I am going to spend around $200 for a processor, i5 750 would be a better choice, and the price of mobo are comparable to AM3 too.

So what is a good i5 mobo for oc'ing? Anything from $100-$150.

Another question, I was browsing for DDR3 and I ran into this one:

G.SKILL F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH Ripjaws PC3-15000 4GB 2X2GB DDR3-1866 CL9-9-9-24 Core I5 Memory Kit (F3-15000CL9D-4GBRH)

It is selling for less than $100 in a few place, what the catch? I notice the reviews in newegg are not very good.
ignore npicn, as you can see by his posting why I've reported him to the admins now 2 times for his now 3+ more coments in that vein & also threadcrapping in that thread also he mentioned.

Again a Gigabyte P55 board is probly one of the best out there at the moment.

The ripjaw G-skill seem to be starting to become a good value nowadays with many users on the forum. Otherwise I'd sugest if you like the convenience of quick & great support & rma turn around I'd look at getting OCZ DDR3 ram insted. If you end up going the route of a unlocked multiplier like with a AMD black edition cpu then the ram you should be going for is the 1333 mhz ram with the nice low cas 7 timings on it. Its been proven on a few online pc review sites that both Phenom II & "Core" based platforms love low latency rams.

I'll make another interesting argument towards a AMD AM3 build ... come Q2 next year you'll be able to drop in your nice new 2.8 ghz 6 cored cpu. :)

Dealing with builds right now is not fun for anyone & having someone throw the "bias" or "fanboy" card into things doesn't help you any in your decision & choices. And I am sorry that you have to be another user to have to put up with it. :|
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Deal Fanatic
Dec 3, 2007
5962 posts
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Calgary
Nice GS1000, I was considering this case too. I think I will just go with Haf 932. I like the wheels...

I just cut n' paste the popular motherboard from ncix:
Gigabyte P55-UD3R
MSI P55-UD3R
MSI P55-CD53
ASUS P7P55D LE
ASUS P7P55D

How's MSI motherboards, are they good? And the P7P55D LE and P7P55D, what's the big different?

FYI, I probably won't SLI or CF.

Add: npinc, is it me or your motherboard looks huge.

And FYI, I have kids and family, so I really cant go crazy with $300 mobo and $300 cpu and $500 videocard...anymore... :D
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Feb 11, 2004
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Brewmeanie wrote: You 2 are acting like kids fighting over spilled milk.
See his responce nuff said

And as I said I've reported him to the admins for his coments as others should have in the 1st place. Reminds me alot of a few other users on here that we haven't seen "trollin" for awhile ....
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite | Crucial Ballistix MAX DDR4 4000 32 gig kit
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Deal Addict
Oct 4, 2009
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Brewmeanie wrote: EDIT: what case is it you're using? I see the zalman imprinted on it, what model is it? looks pretty roomy inside
It's a Zalman GS1000. Sick case, heavy as hell. Comfortably sleeps 2.
Deal Fanatic
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Feb 11, 2004
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Midland
mucat wrote: Nice GS1000, I was considering this case too. I think I will just go with Haf 932. I like the wheels...

I just cut n' paste the popular motherboard from ncix:
Gigabyte P55-UD3R
MSI P55-UD3R
MSI P55-CD53
ASUS P7P55D LE
ASUS P7P55D

How's MSI motherboards, are they good? And the P7P55D LE and P7P55D, what's the big different?

FYI, I probably won't SLI or CF.

Add: npinc, is it me or your motherboard looks huge.

And FYI, I have kids and family, so I really cant go crazy with $300 mobo and $300 cpu and $500 videocard...anymore... :D
Avoid the Asus ones ... Your best ones are the msi & for shure the gigabyte board hands down.

Also I'd vote for the CM 932 HAF as well. Not to crazy about the outside look of it, but the major versatilies of lots of room, tooless design & the fact you can go fan or water cooling are very big +'s .... not to mention when you can get it from another site out there for $136 thats alot more better of a deal then the almost $200 for a nicer looking on the outside Antec 1200 tower.
AMD Ryzen 9 5900X | Gigabyte X570 Aorus Elite | Crucial Ballistix MAX DDR4 4000 32 gig kit
Asus Xonar AU | Asus ROG 6600 XT | Corsair RM850X | Fractial Designs Refine R5
Samsung 980 Pro 1 TB M.2 | SG Firecuda 2 Tb | Win 10 Pro
Heatware 45-0|RFDware 13-0

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