EggXpert

Asesome thread I'm brand new to all of this and I'm just trying to feel my way around.  My budget is about 1k and I've already got a case and motherboard (AMD).  My question is will the AMD $1000 build fit my mother board and case? Links below. 

 

Cooler Master Elite 330 RC-330-KKN1-GP Black SECC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135024

It should work fine, you'll just have to position the hard drive so that the video card has a little room.  Since you have a Crossfire motherboard, are you considering getting the AMD HD 3870?

To tell you the truth the motherboard was a gift and I really don't know to much about it.  Is that the way to go with a crossfire motherboard?  Which brand do you suggest and another thing I'm confused about should I buy two?  Can I buy one now and upgrade by buying another one later?

Well with drivers for multi GPU set-ups being what they are now a days, I'd say it'd be a better idea to just get a one card set up and when you feel like you need better performance, just replace it instead of trying to track down another of the same card.  That being said, I'd say get an nvidia 8800GT or GTS.  If you can't manage to get the change for either of those, get an HD 3850.  With a Crossfire motherboard, you can run two AMD/ATI cards but not NVIDIA, vice versa with SLI. 

For brands, NVIDIA-> I like EVGA, XFX, PNY, and BFG Tech.  AMD/ATI -> I like HIS, PowerColor, MSI, Diamond, and Sapphire is ok. 

Is is double perfromance with two cards or does it just increase it a little bit?

It wholly depends on the drivers and the game.  I've only see a multi-GPU set up double the performance (actual 100%) in one game so far.  In most other cases, it gives anywhere from 20%-80% or even not any at all.  Here is a recent review of the new HD 3870s in Crossfire.

Additionally, you'd need a beefier PSU to handle multiple cards. 

Thanks you've helped me a bunch if your every in the San Antonio area I'll buy you a beer.  So rounding out my first build I'm going with the crossfire amd motherboard and the case you saw already.  Do I have anything on here you would stay away from?  I also have yet to pick out a hard drive but I have an older one I would like to use as slave for a new one that will run on this setup do you have any suggestions?

 

MSI RX3850-T2D256E OC Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail Model #: RX3850-T2D256E OC Item #: N82E16814127313 Return Policy: Limited 30-Day Return Policy In Stock $169.99 $169.99

Rosewill RP550V2-S-SL 550W SLI Ready-ATX12V V2.01 Power Supply - Retail Model #: RP550V2-D-SL Item #: N82E16817182030 Return Policy: Standard Return Policy In Stock $74.99 $74.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Windsor 3.0GHz Socket AM2 Dual-Core Processor Model ADX6000CZBOX - Retail Model #: ADX6000CZBOX Item #: N82E16819103773 Return Policy: Processors (CPUs) Return Policy In Stock $159.99 $159.99

Patriot Extreme Performance 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model PDC22G6400LLK - Retail Model #: PDC22G6400LLK Item #: N82E16820220144 Return Policy: Memory (Modules, USB) Return Policy In Stock Mail-in Rebate

Well the only other thing I would change is that Power Supply.  If you don't mind dealing with a Mail In Rebate, go with this PSU, other wise I'd recommend going with this XCLIO Stablepower PSU instead.  Now since you've decided on that HD 3850, if we see performance gains or better drivers with Crossfire you could pick up another one of those as they will only drop in price.

My case doesn't have a vent for the top of the case.  Does it matter that the fan on those PSU's only have fans blowing to the top and not out the back?

The fan should be pointed down when mounted in the top of the case or facing up when mounted in the bottom of the case.

 

I see ok well what do you think about a hard drive its my last component needed?

Well it depends on how much space you need, but I see that the one I had on that list is now replaced, here is the new version:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148288 

Hey buddy, one more thing.  So I was messing around with my buddies old computer and I added a hard drive and an extra CD Rom and an extra 256 MB of Ram on this peice of c**p he has.  I got it all working including installing my first sound card.  Then I went to reboot it and the computer won't turn back on.  In fact it acts like its getting no power.  No LED lights or anything.  Did I burn out the power supply I think it only has 200 Watts?  Or is it possible something else went wrong?

Well I think you'd be better off posting for help over in the Power Supply forum, but right away it sounds like a PSU problem.  200W is awfully weak, but it could also be that some connectors came disconnected or weren't pushed all the way in.  Check to see if the power switch on the back of the PSU is flipped.

Hi Jsv and all reading.

 I am looking at the $600 and $700 AMD builds but when I click the links for the processors nothings coming up. Saying they are deactivated? So whats your next suggestions if they're sold out or whatever that means. My budgets around $600 but I have a fairly new and workable video card so I can skip that and invest in a better quality processor/motherboard... those will last me longer than any video card I can buy! My only concern with them is I hear the newer stuff runs really hot and I have a fear of melting down my computer if I leave it on! (Not to mention how complicated some of those cooler fans look to attach...!)

 By the way, I've been lurking the internet for weeks trying to dig up information and finally stumbled on the Eggxpert site and found your thread right off...most helpful info I've found on a dozen forums and asking half a dozen "experts"

 

Thank you for pointing that out!  It is about time for another update with the new AMD and NVIDIA chipsets out now.  AMD is also doing some phasing out of older processors and releasing some Brisbane based replacements.  That is where those two processors disappeared to, so for a quick fix, I've thrown the new processor link into those two builds and should have everything updated by 19th at the latest. 

Here is the new X2 5200+ processor that I'd recommend as a replacement.  I'm not worried about leaving any of my computers on for extended periods of time (weeks) as they all have 65nm CPUs that are not overclocked.  This new 5200+ is the replacement for the older, hotter running 90nm 5200+ and is 65nm. 

Concerning the heatsinks, I do not believe anything has changed with the AMD coolers since I've built two systems with X2 4000+ CPUs, but it was very simple if you follow the instructions in your motherboard manual, CPU manual, or even just googling CPU installation.  it was a matter of seating the CPU, placing the HSF on top so that the latches matched the stubs they latched on to, and then pulling over a lever!  Intel HSFs are a little more difficult to install as you have 4 different push pins that you could easily think are in, but really are not.  But still, overall if you've read the manual, it is quite simple.

Also, thanks for the compliments!  Glad you ran into my thread :) 

Thanks! I went a lil crazy (as normal for me) once I started hitting the purchase button..I ended up getting most of the $900 amd budget build. I'm still staying in my budget mostly by not getting the video card yet. Thanks again!

 

I ended up with these, and the same case/burner that you put on most builds. The funny bit is that I looked at the case you put on there..then looked down at my current case, and its the same one! I foud the other M2N-SLI motherboard, without the wireless option..it was less, and as far as I could see it was pretty much the same, just without some of the extras.

CPU AMD|A64 X2 6000 3.0G AM2 2x1M R

MB ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe NF570SLI AM2

1Gx2|CRUCIAL BL2KIT12864AA804 

CORSAIR|CMPSU-550VX 550W RT

Nice work jsv35

I its been a long time from my last complete build. I am looking to build a computer that I can start off with a dual core to keep it on the cheap for now and later on when I have the money go for the quad core. So what do you think of this

  
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All parts and prices from Newegg.com

Thanks Tommyboy1900

Or this

  
Update  COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel , SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
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In Stock 
  $269.99     $269.99 
  
Update  CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX ATX12V V2.2 550W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: CMPSU-550VX
Item #: N82E16817139004

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Update  LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail
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Update  ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #: Freezer 64 Pro
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Subtotal: $894.91

Tommyboy1900

Or would you think that Intel would be the way to go.