final advice on gaming build?

hey, i made a post similar to this a few days ago but i changed a few things around.

I've got all the money together and was about to buy it when I thought I'd ask for you guys' opinion one more time. What do you think?

If you are trying to keep the price down by getting a socket 1156 i5 just get a socket AM3 Phenom II X4 instead.

i got the 1156 cause it looked like it'd do the job? is there something in a similar price range that would suit me better?

If this is strictly for gaming, you're probably better off going for an AM3 build. It'll save you a bunch of cash, and the performance differences are minimal.

Link the site you're buying parts from.

www.ebuyer.com

If this is strictly for gaming, you're probably better off going for an AM3 build. It'll save you a bunch of cash, and the performance differences are minimal.

ravenguard90

This Phenom II x4 is 20(GBP?) less than the i5 you selected. In my opinion its a much better choice too. The unlocked multiplyer is always a win.

As for mobo, I'm not too sure these days. I haven't kept up with mobo hardware since I built my rig (early summer) so maybe someone else has a good suggestion for you.

Actually this AM3 ASUS is only a little more than the one you selected and has an extra 16x PCI-e slot. Still supports your DDR3 ram too.

Use the processor that Tequilasunriser has linked to, and use this ASUS M4A77TD PRO motherboard with it. The motherboard you picked has two PCI-e slots running at 16x/4x, so I picked something similar to it. Just 40GBP cheaper :D

And out of curiosity: Are you planning to run a Crossfire setup in the near future? If not, then the Corsair 550W, or even this OCZ StealthXStream 600W, will suffice for your build.

hmm, thanks for the advice guys. so i am now deciding between

i am aware the 1156 does not support RAM in triple layout (hence the corsair 4gb) but would the 770 support

"Crucial 6GB (3x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 Ballistix Memory" (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166998 )

I say stick with the i5, its a better gaming CPU than any Phenom II, it overclocks further, has turbo boost, performs better clock for clock. Its just an i7 with HT turned off (HT is bad for gaming anyway). And despite what people say the 1156 is NOT a dead socket, they will support it just as long as the 1136 socket.

I say stick with the i5, its a better gaming CPU than any Phenom II, it overclocks further, has turbo boost, performs better clock for clock. Its just an i7 with HT turned off (HT is bad for gaming anyway). And despite what people say the 1156 is NOT a dead socket, they will support it just as long as the 1136 socket.

Daytona_178

That's not the point. Sure, Intel will be supporting the socket, but it would pretty much leave the OP at a dead end for future upgrades. The absolute best he could do is an i7 860, as Intel will be launching their 6-core processors exclusively for LGA1336.

[QUOTE="Daytona_178"]

I say stick with the i5, its a better gaming CPU than any Phenom II, it overclocks further, has turbo boost, performs better clock for clock. Its just an i7 with HT turned off (HT is bad for gaming anyway). And despite what people say the 1156 is NOT a dead socket, they will support it just as long as the 1136 socket.

MaoTheChimp

That's not the point. Sure, Intel will be supporting the socket, but it would pretty much leave the OP at a dead end for future upgrades. The absolute best he could do is an i7 860, as Intel will be launching their 6-core processors exclusively for LGA1336.

[QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

[QUOTE="Daytona_178"]

I say stick with the i5, its a better gaming CPU than any Phenom II, it overclocks further, has turbo boost, performs better clock for clock. Its just an i7 with HT turned off (HT is bad for gaming anyway). And despite what people say the 1156 is NOT a dead socket, they will support it just as long as the 1136 socket.

Daytona_178

That's not the point. Sure, Intel will be supporting the socket, but it would pretty much leave the OP at a dead end for future upgrades. The absolute best he could do is an i7 860, as Intel will be launching their 6-core processors exclusively for LGA1336.

Pardon me doubting you, but a link would be nice here. I was under the impression that the 6-core Intel processors, regardless of whether they have HT support, will be LGA1366 exclusive.

so if i was to opt for 1136 instead would the i5 CPU be compatible?

ive seen it has pci 2.0 which would be nice, but does it support a triple layout of RAM (i.e. 3 x 2GB)

[QUOTE="Daytona_178"]

[QUOTE="MaoTheChimp"]

That's not the point. Sure, Intel will be supporting the socket, but it would pretty much leave the OP at a dead end for future upgrades. The absolute best he could do is an i7 860, as Intel will be launching their 6-core processors exclusively for LGA1336.

MaoTheChimp

Pardon me doubting you, but a link would be nice here. I was under the impression that the 6-core Intel processors, regardless of whether they have HT support, will be LGA1366 exclusive.

If you're completely sure that 6-core processors will be coming to the LGA1156 socket, then yes, that is a major plus for it. However, in the TC's immediate purchase, it doesn't really make sense money-wise. The TC would be paying 57GBP for maybe 5 more frames in a game, which is not worth it in my eyes. Additionally, with the money saved, the TC could easily buy a CPU cooler and overclock the 965, which would more than overcome the difference between the two processors. Not to mention that the AM3 socket is guaranteed to get the six-core CPU's when released. Definitive evidence is always better than speculation, if you ask me :P

so if i was to opt for 1136 instead would the i5 CPU be compatible?

ive seen it has pci 2.0 which would be nice, but does it support a triple layout of RAM (i.e. 3 x 2GB)

Muscatt

No, the i5 CPU would not be compatible. It goes in a different socket.

PCI-e 2.0 is also included in all three motherboards (AM3, LGA1156, LGA1366), including the one I recommended to you.

About your question with the Crucial memory, you will be able to run them, but not at the triple-channel format that it's rated for. They would have to run in single-channel format, as the third stick would make dual-channel impossible.

Sitck with AMD this round if you are on a budget. Look, there are 3 sockets from intel; 1136, 1156, and 1336 versus only 1 socket from AMD. There won't be any doubt as to what is compatable with AMD and any new AM3 processors will be compatable with your AM3 board. Where as only SOME intel processors will be compatable with your 1156 socket and you can guarantee that you won't get first cut of the new tech coming out from intel.. socket 1336 will get first cut.

That Phenom II black edition is a great over clocker too. It has an unlocked multiplyer so you won't have to fumble with the FSB if you are an OC newb. Save money, increase your potential for upgrades, and make OCing easy on yourself. Get the AM3, dude. Theres nothing wrong with intel but unless you are getting socket 1336 DON'T go their rout.

Also, don't let anyone tell you Phenom II X4s aren't good for gaming, they are full of $#!%. Read the reviews online.

I hate how these topics always turn into Intel vs AMD debates over and over again. Your build looks fine, don't let others tell you otherwise. The only thing I personally would change is going with the modular version of that power supply (the Corsair HX series) because it provides MUCH better cable management (you only use the cables you need and you don't end up with a bunch of cables everywhere). Other than that, go for it and post pics of your final build in the "Rate my Rig" topic!

Sitck with AMD this round if you are on a budget. Look, there are 3 sockets from intel; 1136, 1156, and 1336 versus only 1 socket from AMD. There won't be any doubt as to what is compatable with AMD and any new AM3 processors will be compatable with your AM3 board. Where as only SOME intel processors will be compatable with your 1156 socket and you can guarantee that you won't get first cut of the new tech coming out from intel.. socket 1336 will get first cut.

That Phenom II black edition is a great over clocker too. It has an unlocked multiplyer so you won't have to fumble with the FSB if you are an OC newb. Save money, increase your potential for upgrades, and make OCing easy on yourself. Get the AM3, dude. Theres nothing wrong with intel but unless you are getting socket 1336 DON'T go their rout.

Also, don't let anyone tell you Phenom II X4s aren't good for gaming, they are full of $#!%. Read the reviews online.

tequilasunriser

And before people try to blast me to high heaven for saying the Phenom II's are smiilar to Intels previous generation look at this or any review:

This one s from Bit-Tech

And according the Anandtech the i5's @ 2.6 perform only 1 FPS slow then a 3.4Ghz Phenom II in nearly all games... :O So crealy the i5's have a much superior architecture.

As you can see iam not a fanboy, iam just recommending the better CPU.

I'd still go with the Phenom II. It has roughly the same performance for less money. When AMD's next processor comes out it will be for AM3 (I've heard no rumors of AM4 yet), but who knows what socket intel's would be on. I imagine they will release their newest chips on their top tier socket, the 1336, but hopefully for the sake of their customers they provide 1156 variants as well.

I just loat the idea the only 50% of the intel lineup is avaiable to any one of their customers at any time; if you go socket 1156 you can't use 1336 processors... thats BS in my opinion. Would it have been so hard for them to just use one socket like AMD? They did it with socket LGA 775? P4s, PDs, C2Ds, Celerons and C2Qs all worked on that socket, so why couldn't they do it again? I would honestly recommend them if they were only using 1 socket, but I can't do that knowing that processor selection is half gimped.

...and I hate to come off as an AMD fanboy, and I know this rant sounds very fanboy too, but they played their cards right. Their sockets and names aren't confusing, old AM2 and AM2+ processors often have backwards compatability on the AM3 socket, and their current line up is ALL compatable on a single socket standard. It just... makes sense. The price/performance is there so why not?

And before people try to blast me to high heaven for saying the Phenom II's are smiilar to Intels previous generation look at this or any review:

This one s from Bit-Tech

And according the Anandtech the i5's @ 2.6 perform only 1 FPS slow then a 3.4Ghz Phenom II in nearly all games... :O So crealy the i5's have a much superior architecture.

As you can see iam not a fanboy, iam just recommending the better CPU.

Daytona_178

Sitck with AMD this round if you are on a budget. Look, there are 3 sockets from intel; 1136, 1156, and 1336 versus only 1 socket from AMD. There won't be any doubt as to what is compatable with AMD and any new AM3 processors will be compatable with your AM3 board. Where as only SOME intel processors will be compatable with your 1156 socket and you can guarantee that you won't get first cut of the new tech coming out from intel.. socket 1336 will get first cut.

That Phenom II black edition is a great over clocker too. It has an unlocked multiplyer so you won't have to fumble with the FSB if you are an OC newb. Save money, increase your potential for upgrades, and make OCing easy on yourself. Get the AM3, dude. Theres nothing wrong with intel but unless you are getting socket 1336 DON'T go their rout.

Also, don't let anyone tell you Phenom II X4s aren't good for gaming, they are full of $#!%. Read the reviews online.

tequilasunriser

[QUOTE="Rucious"][QUOTE="tequilasunriser"]

Sitck with AMD this round if you are on a budget. Look, there are 3 sockets from intel; 1136, 1156, and 1336 versus only 1 socket from AMD. There won't be any doubt as to what is compatable with AMD and any new AM3 processors will be compatable with your AM3 board. Where as only SOME intel processors will be compatable with your 1156 socket and you can guarantee that you won't get first cut of the new tech coming out from intel.. socket 1336 will get first cut.

yea what do u exactly mean "Don't go their route"??

[QUOTE="Rucious"][QUOTE="tequilasunriser"]

Sitck with AMD this round if you are on a budget. Look, there are 3 sockets from intel; 1136, 1156, and 1336 versus only 1 socket from AMD. There won't be any doubt as to what is compatable with AMD and any new AM3 processors will be compatable with your AM3 board. Where as only SOME intel processors will be compatable with your 1156 socket and you can guarantee that you won't get first cut of the new tech coming out from intel.. socket 1336 will get first cut.

yea what do u exactly mean "Don't go their route"??

Neo_revolution7

I'd still go with the Phenom II. It has roughly the same performance for less money. When AMD's next processor comes out it will be for AM3 (I've heard no rumors of AM4 yet), but who knows what socket intel's would be on. I imagine they will release their newest chips on their top tier socket, the 1336, but hopefully for the sake of their customers they provide 1156 variants as well.

I just loat the idea the only 50% of the intel lineup is avaiable to any one of their customers at any time; if you go socket 1156 you can't use 1336 processors... thats BS in my opinion. Would it have been so hard for them to just use one socket like AMD? They did it with socket LGA 775? P4s, PDs, C2Ds, Celerons and C2Qs all worked on that socket, so why couldn't they do it again? I would honestly recommend them if they were only using 1 socket, but I can't do that knowing that processor selection is half gimped.

...and I hate to come off as an AMD fanboy, and I know this rant sounds very fanboy too, but they played their cards right. Their sockets and names aren't confusing, old AM2 and AM2+ processors often have backwards compatability on the AM3 socket, and their current line up is ALL compatable on a single socket standard. It just... makes sense. The price/performance is there so why not?

tequilasunriser

Yeah I made a mistake about how many sockets they actually had at one time. Their name and socket scheme still confuses me.

I don't think 1156 is a dead either. Intel will certainly support it. Its just unfair that their customers are now separated into either the 1336 or 1156 line of procesors.

It was probably a choice to creat lines of processors that appeal to the mainstream users but that wouldn't require the creation of a new socket. Its almost like its a divided brand now.

Well, I've gone off topic. No matter what the TC gets they will be satisfied.