Need Suggestions on New AMD System?

[yasoumalaka]

I'm building a new PC for my parents and I've decided to go with an AMD processor((I wish I could do the same for myself ah someday, someday(wipes tear from eye))). Does anybody have suggestions on which core, chipset and mobo I should base the system on. I want to build the best possible.

[Turok]

Are you thinking about a cheap solution?

[yasoumalaka]

Not super cheap. Probably about 2000 bucks. When I build an AMD system for myself I will go all out. I can't wait.

[Chris27]

$2000 is cheap??

[calcal]

what is your parents going to use it for???????

amd 3500+
DFI Nf4 Ultra-D
Nvidia 6600 GT
OCZ 3200 REV 2 PLAT
Pair of seagate to run Sata Raid
OCZ 520 Powerstream
NEC 16x DVD BURNER

[yasoumalaka]

well I figure I can get a 4000+, a nice nforce4 board, 1gb mem, 200gb HD, cheap vid card, quality case, ETC for that amount. Don't worry about cost. I would just like to know what people think on the core, chipset and mobo. This system will be cooled by air and have a cheap video card. Its for my parents.

[LowRun]

Pass the Intel rig to your parents and make those 2 000$ a start for your AMD rig.

[S0nic]

if it's for your parents then you're probably not overclocking, I suggest getting an MSI NEO4 or ASUS A8N-E mobo and a 3200+ or 3500+ cpu (even a 3000+ would be fine)

[yasoumalaka]

They most likely wont use it for much more than surfing the internet or rip a dvd or something but if it doesn't do the one rare difficult task they wont like it. Money isn't a big problem it can be more than 2000. I probably wont be putting a FX in the system though. it will be a 400-500 dollar chip.

[calcal]

nf4 and definetly a venice

[Chris27]

So is this more of buy the best out there or get the best bang for you buck?

personally I like to get my moneys worth so I would get something like this

Dfi nf4 ultra-d/sli if you want it but dont want to mod the ultra-d
a venice/sandiego cpu, see how the prices are and wait for price gouging to end
6800gt's if you want sli or an x850xt
1 gig of TCCD or UTT ram
quality PSU, depends on your needs and if you want sli
optical drives of your choice
case of your choice
Dell lcd, you can get the 20.1" widescreen for $400 w/coupons and a month ago you could have gotten the 24" one for $800 if you called them.

[edit] if this is just for web surfing just put a 6600gt or x800xl in it and if it wont be OC just get cheap generic ram

[yasoumalaka]

I might overclock it. I didn't know if I should or not but when I built a system for my girlfriend but I bought her a new MSI board, gave her my OCZ RAM and took out the proc in her HP and overclocked it and it works great for her. She runs it 24/7 for like a year now.

[yasoumalaka]

Chris27 That is what I intially had in mind minus the sli and 6800. Although that would be pretty cool if my parents had that but then I'd probably be compelled to move back in with them because they had a cooler gaming rig.

[yasoumalaka]

I'd also appreciate any suggestions on heat sinks that couls allow a mild overclock for a comp thats most likely going to be on 24/7. I find it very hard to keep myself from overclocking a comp. Thats why I did it on my gf's comp. I'm also going to do a very cool mod with bright lighting inside with a tinted window.

[loonym]

definately doesn't take much to drop 2K on a complete build. just a nice case will set you back well over 100 bucks. start adding in all the perks most of us love and it can add up quickly.

for air cooling, thermalright is definately top dog. as far as fans, it really depends on your noise tolerance level :p: , been pretty much proven, the more volume you provide xp90/120 the better the performance.

[ca1n]

If its for your parents would not intel be better?AMD=gaming Intel= parents computer :banana:
asus make a good stable board but that is as much as I would give asus.

[zeebs]

I agree with cain just get your parents an Intel rig. They will probably never use the AMD's power in the areas it shines best.

[Chris27]

Chris27 That is what I intially had in mind minus the sli and 6800. Although that would be pretty cool if my parents had that but then I'd probably be compelled to move back in with them because they had a cooler gaming rig.

lol :p:

[yasoumalaka]

I think that an AMD system is going to much for upgrade freindly. Thats was the main factor when choosing to build an AMD system for them. Plus I believe I'll be an AMD man before too long. Don't get me wrong I've had a lot of fun with intel but I would like increased gaming performance. In addition when I build a system I assume there will be dual core AMD chips out and multitasking wont be an issue.

[perkam]

well I figure I can get a 4000+, a nice nforce4 board, 1gb mem, 200gb HD, cheap vid card, quality case, ETC for that amount.

IF you give them that rig, pretty soon we'll be seeing "MomofYasoumalaka" and "DadofYasoumalaka" as the newest members of the forums lol

Good luck with it. Though an AMD system is already Longhorn capable so its your choice.

Perkam

[Chris27]

Anandtech said that dual core will give a better boost of performance (in multi-tasking) to AMD then to Intel too

[perkam]

...umm....his parents dont need dual core lol He's already giving them a better system than he has for himself.

Perkam

[tristancarton]

may get flamed (due to bringing up dell and being in an overclocker forum) but will give my advice anyhow.

yaso, if your parents are anything like mine tell your parents to just buy a lower end dell system with a nice lcd monitor and then tell them to put the extra 1000 dollars to a vacation fund. yes you can buy a nice 2k system but how much are they going to really notice?

if you don't want to do this and hate dell then calcals advice seems good.

[Chris27]

the dual core was for him when he upgrades again

In addition when I build a system I assume there will be dual core AMD chips out and multitasking wont be an issue

about getting a dell computer, everynow and then you can get a really cheap refurb at the dell outlet shop by the use of coupons or a lucky find. (like a 3.0ghz p4, 512mb ddr2 ram, 128mb x300se for $400 or so)

[conrad.maranan]

Our forum has been experiencing tremendous growth in the last month. Although we have been very lenient with regard to the types of threads that members have been starting on this forum, we highly encourage the use of the search function and a little bit of research.

I have noticed numerous threads with the same topic: What should I get? What do you all recommend? Which is better? There is no need to be redundant with these questions and threads. Instead, let's try to do our fair share of research to help us better decide which road to travel.

Kindly take the time to visit the AMD Section Guidelines (http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=58976) thread for suggestions on how to start threads and move towards more constructive discussions.

Thanks. ;)

[yasoumalaka]

Sorry. I agree. What I wanted to get at was what the best combination of core, chipset and mobo would be. As we all know some components work very well with other specific components. I've learned the hard way before through buying top of the line everything because I heard something good about each product, but in a different config. That doesn't always turn out to be the best. Certain componets can be synergistic. A 2 + 2 = 5 type scenario. Its very hard to research this. I want to build something really nice so I thought it would be ok to ask but maybe I should have left out the parents part so that we could stay more focused.

[conrad.maranan]

My advice is as follows:

Take careful note of what the big dogs are using (minus the exotic cooling). These combinations are usually indicative of how well components will perform as a system. Also notice what the average Joes are ranting and raving about when they share screenshots of their systems' overclocks and capabilities. People who are proud of their systems also have no reservations of displaying their configurations in their signatures.

After all is said and done, it all boils down to research. Resurrection of old threads that are similar in nature are also a good idea. This way, all ideas are consolidated into a good, solid thread with good, solid information and opinions.

With that said, here's my contribution to your thread:

- DFI Ultra-D
- AMD Athlon 64 CPU (wait for the Venice core)
- 2x512MB of G.Skill LE TCCD or equivalent
- GeFORCE 6800 Ultra or ATi X850 XT
- OCZ PowerStream 600W
- Western Digital Raptor HDD
- Lian-Li PC-65 brushed aluminum case

All of the above can be had for well under $2,000.00. Best of luck! :toast:

[isp]

Is that what your parents run Conrad? :lol2:

IMO, for your parents just get them a nice little Dell with good warranty and tech support.

[yasoumalaka]

Sorry about the parents part. Just ignore it. Everybody should be priveledge enough to have the extreme. Or sort of extreme. Or approaching it. something better than dell.

Oh yeah I'm anti warranty. They're like the cops they never did me any good. They just frustrate you me waste my time. Its better to just deal with stuff that doesn't break. But it would be cool if I could RMA my board that was destroyed by a dremel or the board with a crushed NB.