PCFormat Forum Archive

Hi all

I need some input, comments or advice on my planned new rig.

The components I'm planning are:
Phenom 2 X4 970 BE
Asus Crosshair V Formula
XFX Radeon HD 6970
Corsair XMS 3 4GB Ram(2x 2GB)
Western Digital 500GB HDD
Corsair GS600 Gaming Series PSU(600w)
Antec Six Hundred V2 Chassis
Windows 7 Home Premium 64 Bit

I like this setup because it comes in at just over R10500.00, and I'm working on a 10K budget so it works out nicely.
Also, what I like is that with this Mobo I have an upgrade path to the Bulldozer chips when they come out and I can also put a second HD6970 in when I have some more money.

Could you guys recommend a screen size to go with this, and also let me know what you think of these parts and how you think they'd perform. Is there anything that really needs changing? I'm also wondering if the Windows I chose will be ok?

Not so clued up on the hardware side these days (mess with my Q6600 at your peril!), but it should perform OK. Home Premium is fine for most users out there.

Thanks! I think it should be ok, I just want a few other opinions.

Im sure a few people will help you out mate.... I got loads of help .

Hey man, sweet mobo you got on your list there.

First thing - you might want to wait for the new AMD APU's to hit SA, you
can already get them on newegg - click
Sure some guys know when they'll be here.

Or if you have to order soon get a cheaper Phenom like the 955 for R500 buks less. It will still do the job and you'll have another R500 to spend on that new APU

Two more things, If you want to x-fire that 6970 you'll need a bigger psu, but otherwise great psu (I have one )

Last but not least - that 500GB hdd won't do, pick up a 2TB for R800 buks and maybe invest in a solid state in the near future.

Just my opinion, sure some more guys will help out.

Best of luck
_Terry_

Thanks Terry. I actually wanted to look at a cheaper Phenom 2, but this was what I could find that was listed in stock, so I went with it, I was looking at the 965 originally! I know I'll need a bigger PSU if I want to Xfire them, but this one is at a good price, so I figured I'd use that one for now, and when and if I decide to drop in a second 6970, I can always upgrade to a bigger PSU.

I was looking at the HDD again, I think I will go with a bigger one, and I was thinking of changing the case to the Antec Dark Fleet DF 30, it look soooo much better.

Thanks for the link, I'll have a look at it!!

Or if you have to order soon get a cheaper Phenom like the 955 for R500 buks less. It will still do the job and you'll have another R500 to spend on that new APU

+1. You won't even notice a difference between the two CPUs.

Everything else looks great. As said, you might consider a larger HDD. Even if you don't go for a 2TB, the 1TBs go for around R500. Any brand (Samsung, WD, Seagate) will do. Your RAM should be enough, but with it being so cheap now, I'd go for 8GB right off the bat.

That GPU will fly, but you won't have any PhysX. If that doesn't bother you, you won't be disappointed.

Also, as _Terry_ said, your PSU might be on the small size for Crossfire, but not necessarily. Also, an SSD might be a good idea in the future.

Your Windows choice is fine.

As for a screen, depends on what you have now, but a good 24" LCD or LED will be plenty big and pretty. I am very happy with my 23" LG though.

I was looking at the Philips 234ELS(I think that's the right model), it's at a really good price. I'll definitely go for a cheaper Phenom as a place holder, that way the money I save there will off set the slightly more expensive DF 30 case and the HDD upgrade!!

I'm not so worried about Physics, I just want a card that will run games well, and the fact that the 6970 is RELATIVELY cheapish, is a nice bonus.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Thanks to all the replies I got here, and doing some browsing on Youtube, I've made a few minor adjustments to my planned rig, the parts are now as follows:

Phenom 2 X4 965 BE ---> until bulldozer arrives
Asus ROG Crosshair V Formula ----> SO much WIN in this one!
Corsair XMS 3 4GB 1600MHZ Ram
Coolermaster HAF 912 Advanced ----> The two Antec Cases I looked at didn't get very good reviews, this one did!
1TB Western Digital HDD ----> Cheap, and I liked the suggestions of more space!
Corsair GS600 Gaming Series 600w PSU ---> I used an online calculator and it suggested a 550W so I when with 600w to be safe!
XFX Radeon HD6970 ---> I like the look of the XFX Card
Windows 7 Home Premium ---> I'm not going to miss the the stuff that comes with ultimate

Thanks again to all the people that helped me, now all that's left is to make maximum use of my birthday that comes up on the 26 August!!!!!! Family members be ware!

You havent concidered an intel rig?

cheap p67 board is about R1400 and R1700 for the cheapest i5.

I did, but I just prefer AMD, plus for not a whole lot more I get a very nice AM3+ board. I guess the worst case scenario is that the Bulldozer chips aren't as amazing as some people are hoping, but I still like the longevity of the AM3+ socket anyway.

I did, but I just prefer AMD, plus for not a whole lot more I get a very nice AM3+ board. I guess the worst case scenario is that the Bulldozer chips aren't as amazing as some people are hoping, but I still like the longevity of the AM3+ socket anyway.

That case looks sick!

Your rig is now looking like a beast of an all-rounder.

Glad to see some more AMD fans around here

Hehe. I owned AMD systems for a long long time but then I actually got to the point where I could afford intel.

Did you read the august PCF with the AMD and intel system benchmarks?

I've always been a fan of there's, it really doesn't bother me that they don't match Intel pace for pace, my way of thinking is that 10 or 15 FPS isn't worth 800 or a 1000 Rand. I know that the majority here might disagree but that's my way of thinking.

Same goes for Radeon vs Nvidea, sure the GTX 580 will hammer a 6970 in Aliens vs Predator or H.A.W.X, but my question is, does this matter when you still get 50 or 60 FPS since that's more than playable.

I'd just rather build a really top end AMD system with top Mobo and card than a "good" Intel system even if
The performance is similar. Having said all that, I'm still really hoping Bulldozer pulls one out the hat!

I can't remember if I got the august one yet, what was on the cover?

I'm on Starbound with this one, I'm all for Intel. And dude I'd get a bigger psu striaght! Why buy one now, then buy another one later? A 750 should cover the power draw. I suggest a 1TB hdd minimum! And finally ATI vs Nvidia, a PPU displays all kinds of extra details that aren't shown by ati, especially on those nvidia enhanced games... BUT nvidia doesnt favour AMD rigs too well so if you're sticking to AMD then stick with your 6970. Why don't you buy a 6950 and flash it to a 6970?

And I notice you didn't specify a cooler? What did you plan on using?

I'm still thinking about coolers, I'm not sure about over clocking, since I've never done it, but since the Asus board has that one touch over clock button I am sort of tempted! What cooler would you guys reccomend that could cover a basic OC but doesn't cost an outrageous amount?

As for flashing a 6950 to a 6970 I feel more comfortable with buying the 6970 from the start. I was thinking of a 750 PSU but they prices seem to go up big time and I'm still not sue if I'll end up running a crossfire set up...so much to think about, lucky I asked here before ordering!!

Bro ROG boards cost so much because they're top of the range boards that come FULL of overclocking features, ROG boards are the ones that break world records! You could save so much money if you got something slightly cheaper and it would have all the features you need and more.
I recommend a Coolermaster V6 GT. They go for around R590, I did so much research and I chose the V6 GT for the great performance. A cheap yet very effective cooler is the Coolermaster Hyper series. And dude a 6950 and 6970 are identical cards but its the bios that differs. So its just a matter of flashing your bios...

It's not that I'm pro intel but rather for the price your paying it seems like intel is the better solution. You might actually get better results by buying a geforce 560 or even 560ti and spending that saved cash from the graphics card to get an intel chip and board.

Wasnt the main or biggest complaint with AMD that the archetecture is so old that while it opened upgrade options its dated and in need of serious updating to stay on par with intel?

Intel is on another level compared to AMD. But so is their price, and you get what you pay for. But Bulldozer is being compared to sandybridge and AMD is so much cheaper so it looks as if times are changing! Until the release of Ivybridge:)

@ J_Bay: If I'm not mistaken they have compared all the previous AMD chips to Intel until they get launched and then you start seeing the short comings. Can't comment on AMD myself, but after reading countless reviews I will not easily depart from an Intel system, might get a cheap AMD system as a second PC though.

Anyway have a look at this for a Sandy Bridge build and still in your budget:

CPU: Intel i5-2500K for R1819.98 - You can't go wrong with this chip and currently AMD has nothing that can compare with it.
MOBO: Intel P67BG Barrage for R1592.33 - This is the cheapest SB based board that support X8/X8 when running an SLi setup. The other brand boards in this price range run SLi at X16/X4.
GPU: EVGA GTX 560 ti FPB for R2366.33 - Here it comes down to personal brand preference, but I don't think you get "bad" GPU manufaturers anymore.
HDD: WD Caviar Blue 1TB for R545.15 - ...
Corsair 2 X 4GB XMS3 1333MHz for R717.69 - Don't even bother to look at 4GB sets, the price on 8GB sets make them worthwile.
PSU: Mukii Asroc Plus 750W for R837.50 - Rather have the extra watts and not need it right now...
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit for R921.37 - Because everybody else is doing it.
Case: Cooler Master HAF 912 for R783.00 - Good case, just not my style.
All of this comes to a total of R9583.34 and the budget is saved!!!

These prices are from just one of the local online shops, but I would recommend you shop around, might save a few more cents.

+1 Pilgrim:)
I would reconsider the RAM. A game will run perfectly with 4GB, and it wouldn't run one bit better with 8GB. I sacrificed an 8GB CL9 set, and rather got 4GB CL6 1600. And then later I will upgrade to 8GB when I start my virtualization...
And my personal opinion: I don't like Intel mobos. (But yes it is the cheapest, and you're sticking to a budget so I understand)

@ Slim: You do make a valid point regarding the RAM. In hindsight I should also have gone with a faster set. My next ram upgrade will see some G.Skill modules finding their way into my PC.

The mobo I recommended is the one I'm currently using and so far I can't fault it in any way. It is part of Intel's Extreme Series, so it is a step above their regular boards. If you look at its features it compares very well with the likes of Asus, Gigabyte and the lot. Truth be told, if I had to buy a new Mobo right now, it would be the Asus Sabertooth and I would base my decision purely on looks.

That mobo has a kevlar vest, military look:) not to my tastes:)
@J Bay: so now you have some of our opinions to think about:) Intel vs AMD, 6950 vd 6970, a large amount of slow ram, or a smaller amount of fast ram, your cooler, your mobo, the psu... What are your thoughts?