Revised spec check

Mr_White · 16 Mar 2011 at 15:19

So I was initially looking at getting back into the scene and building an Intel machine so I could run OS X on a more powerful machine along with my mac, but after looking at what AMD have to offer, it looks like they're still the best bang for buck, so I'm willing to lose hackingtosh functionality for the value for money AMD still seem to deliver.

I don't really want to spend the money on a 2500K for what is basically a toy, as I'll still use my mac for most stuff, but having a gaming rig again would be nice.

And since 2500K is out of the question, it was either a locked i3 2100 or a i3 540, but looking at AMD, I could get a X4 965 or X6 1055T within budget instead.

So locked multiplier aside, I would assume the 1055T is going to give me the better performance of the two even if I clocked the 965?

The spec I've come up with is

Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition or AMD Phenom II X6 1055T

G-Skill 4GB (2x2gb) DDR3 Ripjaws 1600mhz 9-9-9-24 1.5V

MSI R6850 Cyclone Power Edition

Corsair 500W CX PSU

So any input on the 965 or 1055T decision would be appreciated, and a overall compatibility/value check.

No "product X is only Y more than product Z" please

I can get the above for £405-£420 depending on which CPU I get, so if you have any hardware suggestions, it'll need to keep the budget under that.

Thanks a lot

Mr_White · 16 Mar 2011 at 18:17

After having a bit more of a think what I would actually use it for, bearing in mind this is a complete frivolty for a bit of fun and to play PC games again

And I'm not sure if getting a flash CPU is going to offer value for money in terms of performance. (with regards to games)

I'm not sure if I'll actually get value for money from a flash CPU, so I've come up with this for £350

Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition

MSI 870A-G54

G-Skill 4GB (2x2gb) DDR3 Ripjaws 1600mhz 9-9-9-24 1.5V

MSI R6850 Cyclone Power Edition

Corsair 500W CX PSU

I believe the 555 can also unlock to an X4 if you're lucky? not that I've based the decision on that, but it'd be a good perk if that was the outcome.

So what do you think of this route instead? any flaws in my plan?

Thanks

Mr_White · 17 Mar 2011 at 16:17

So this is where I'm at now for £390

Asus M4A88T-V EVO

AMD Phenom II X4 840

G-Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600mhz Ripjaws Memory Kit CL9 (9-9-9-24) 1.5V

ASUS HD 6850 Direct CU 1GB

Corsair 500W CX

Is there any reason to go with the 840 over the 640, as it's the same chip only with 200Mhz slower clock and it's not badged as a Phenom? I could knock another £15 off going with the 640.

And do you think the PSU will be beefy enough to cope with running a second 6850 down the line? my monitor is only 1440x900 so one 6850 should cope for a while yet, but I'd like to add a second when it starts falling behind @ 1440x900

Thanks guys.

Mr_White · 17 Mar 2011 at 17:46

What do you think of the OCZ Stealth Xstream II 600W for 2 x 6850s down the line?

As I can get that for £5 more over the 500CX.

There is the Coolermaster 650GX for £10 more, but I can't find the specs on this, and I don't remember Coolermaster PSU's having many advocates.

Edit: looks like the 6850 draws 229 at load, so 229 x 2 = 458w, which isn't going to leave a lot for the rest of the system under load.

I will probably address that situation if I do run a second card then, and just go for my original choice, unless anyone has a suggestion for £45-55?
(No Q-Tec plzkthxbi

)