Build Compatibility

Synharvet · 24 Dec 2010 at 13:44

Hey Im using some christmas money and some left over scholarship money to buy a computer. As a college student im trying to get the most out of what little money I have. Thi is the set Up i Was thinking about

Mobo - ASUS M489GTD Pro
CPU - AMD x4 965
RAM - Gskill Flare 4 Gb
HDD - 2 WD Raptors in Raid 0
GPU - 2 HIS 6950's in Crossfire

So basically the whole setup is so i can run the two 6950s in crossfire. I was wondering if the setup i have chosen would have any bottle necks in it. Specifically if the 965 is powerful enough to run the 2 GPUs also i plan on overclocking it.

Thanks

95thrifles · 24 Dec 2010 at 14:08

It's compatible n shouldn't be any major bottlenecks but IMO it's nit how I'd spend that sorta money tbh, what's your total budget? And do you need case/psu, os peripherals?

Synharvet · 24 Dec 2010 at 14:19

Mobo - ASUS M489GTD Pro
CPU - AMD x4 965
RAM - Gskill Flare 4 Gb
HDD - 2 WD Raptors in Raid 0
GPU - 2 HIS 6950's in Crossfire
PSU - Corsair AX850
Cooler - Corsair H70
Case - HAF X

My budget is 2000 USD but i would have course like to stay under it as much as possible, but am willing to spend it all

The other stuff I have DVD RW,Keyboard, Monitor, mouse etc. i also have a copy of windows 7 ultimate so basically i just need the core components of the builf plus a case.

If you have any better options im completely open to any ideas as this is my first build

RJC · 24 Dec 2010 at 14:21

You save some money by going with the 955 cpu and overclock to the 965 and above.

Aretenon · 24 Dec 2010 at 15:13

According to the Anandtech review 6950s in crossfire only use 509W under Furmark, so you don't need an 850W PSU for this build the way it is. You could probably do it on a 650W PSU. The only reason to get a larger one is if you want to absolutely cover yourself for future upgrades, but it's not like a good 650W PSU would prevent you from upgrading.

+1 to getting the 955 and overclocking it. There is literally no difference between the two CPUs apart from the 965 having it's multiplier one notch higher than the 955.

Synharvet · 24 Dec 2010 at 16:41

Well maybe i will go with the 955 it only saves me like 15 dollars though

Orcvader · 24 Dec 2010 at 16:46

Get a motherboard with a 890FX chipset instead, it will be better for crossfire.
What resolution is the monitor? 6950 crossfire sounds over the top, I think a single 6970/580 would be more worth your money.

Synharvet · 24 Dec 2010 at 17:13

The Monitor resolution is 1920x1200

Synharvet · 24 Dec 2010 at 20:06

why is the 890fx chipset better for crossfire

Orcvader · 24 Dec 2010 at 21:36

The motherboard you've chosen uses a 890GX chipset. Under crossfire it does x8 x8 (x8 lanes per card) crossfire, while the 890FX will do x16 x16 (x16 lanes per card).

Synharvet · 25 Dec 2010 at 13:50

Ah i see well the 890FX would definitely be a better a choice.

jellybeard999 · 25 Dec 2010 at 14:21

Are you buying the HDDs new? Go with an SSD and a 7200rpm mechanical drive for storage; Raptors have had their day.

Aretenon · 26 Dec 2010 at 15:19

Orcvader said:
The motherboard you've chosen uses a 890GX chipset. Under crossfire it does x8 x8 (x8 lanes per card) crossfire, while the 890FX will do x16 x16 (x16 lanes per card).

Synharvet said:
Ah i see well the 890FX would definitely be a better a choice.

Except that, last I checked, there was absolutely minimal performance difference between two cards on dual x16 vs dual x8. Performance loss to the tune of 4% - altho that was with 5870s, but aren't 6950s quite close to 5870s? Maybe the price difference between 890GX and 890FX motherboards is worth that to you.

I also agree with jellybeard.