New build recommendations (only on several points)

coolbeaNs92 · 28 Apr 2015 at 20:45

Hey everyone!

So, my last build was in 2010 and it's served it purpose at this point. I always like to do a build and run it into the ground before upgrading, because hardware changes so often that I just personally prefer to upgrade all in one go.

Things I'm keeping

Coolermaster CM 690 II case

OCZ 650 80+ Bronze PSU

SSD's (I've got about 5, no need for anymore)

Phenoum II 6 Core - It's still a solid CPU and is highly OC. No need to change IMO

Upgrades

GPU - I'm currently looking at the MSI 970. It's got better benchmarks than the 290x and it seems like a budget beast. Thoughts?

Motherboard - I quiet like the BIOS on Gugabyte boards, So I've been looking at the 990FXA-UD3. This is the one I'm the most un-sure of. Thoughts?

RAM - Something like a Kingston HyperX Fury White 8GB seems more than acceptable.

Water Cooling - Probably the most exciting thing I'm looking forward to. I've wanted a closed loop cooler for such a long time. The NZXT KRAKEN X41 looks nice, cheap and friendly for a water-cooling noob. Anything better out there? Don't mind spending up to £100 but the closer to £80 the better

Summery

So really, I'm not looking for a massive amount of input. Just maybe a few words of warning with any products that I've selected, that I might not know about.

Thanks for reading anyone

stulid · 28 Apr 2015 at 20:47

GPU - its on offer today, so be quick and buy it.

Board - yes Gigabyte are nice, the 970A-DS3P is excellent, dont spend any more on that for staying with AMD

RAM - well the board supports a maximum of 2000MHz so faster RAM will downclock to that speed.

Water cooling - Coolermaster/Corsair and Antec both do cheap and expensive quality AIOs.

coolbeaNs92 · 28 Apr 2015 at 21:01

Thanks for the advice bud.

Sorry, RAM link was wrong, meant to link to a Hyper-X 1866 speed, so that's my mistake not wrong pickings

As for the board, I've had a little look. It looks very good and it's a lot cheaper which is great. Any down-sides of this? I won't be crossfiring/SLI for this build so that's not a problem. More than enough USB 3.0 ports on it. Seems like it has everything I need and almost half the price!

I quiet like the Kraken for the price and the style. Is there anything better for the same or cheaper? Otherwise I'll probably stick to be honest.

Thanks for the input bud.

stulid · 28 Apr 2015 at 21:03

The only downside is it is not designed (even though it says it works which it does) with the 125W FX CPUS such as the FX8320/8350, but its fine with the ones with "e" in the name as these are lower TDP and also the FX6300 is also fine.

Its because the board has a 4+1 PWM power phase design, better ones have beefier power circuitry and 8 or more power phases.

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Water coolers,

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-067-CM&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2341
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=HS-010-AN&groupid=701&catid=2330&subcat=2359

Up to you if you happy with those.

coolbeaNs92 · 28 Apr 2015 at 21:27

Won't be a problem for me and I'm keeping my current II X6 1055T, because as I said, It's highly OC'able and it's done my nothing but good service so far. Those That CM cooler looks excellent bud!

Thanks very much, that's pretty much cleared up everything. Cheers buddy!

stulid · 28 Apr 2015 at 21:28

dacads · 28 Apr 2015 at 22:18

Personally I'd vouch for the Asus M5A97 EVO or Gigabyte 990XA-UD3. The former has a better power phase, more USB 3.0 ports and better audio than the 970-ds3p. The latter I had myself paired with a 1090t. Again better at overclocking and better audio. Although I'm not so sure the 1055t is great at overclocking

Still like you said a solid chip.

Good luck