[Philipp]

I was wondering what would the best AMD processor and motherboard combo be?
Somewhere around maybe $300-$400 for both.
This is my first computer build and I need some pro help from you guys.
I'm looking for the good stuff out there so can anyone please help me!

Thanks!!

[philthomas]

Have you read Carbon's guide here

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

PACKAGES

All prices are estimated as of 5/26/2009 and include rebates.


A. CPU/RAM/Motherboard

Apologies for this gap.. I can't shake it. It's ending and restarting my quotes each time, even after I remove them.

A1: 7750+ BE + 4GB DDR2-800 + GA-MA770-UD3P: Budget gaming ($160)

A2: X3 720 + 4GB DDR2-800 + GA-MA790X-UD4P: Midrange gaming ($260)

A3: X4 940 + 8GB DDR2-800 + GA-MA790X-UD4P: Midrange video rendering/conversion/other threaded applications ($365)

A4: i7 920 + 6GB DDR3-1066 + GA-EX58-UD4R: High-end video rendering/conversion/other threaded applications ($525)

What's you're usage? Ie. Are you a gamer, HomeTheatrePC use etc..?

If it's for gaming, save some cash and go for A2 - X3 720 + GA-MA790X-UD4P

Or go for a similar Intel setup, which might well be more in your budget, but as you specifically asked for AMD, I guess you're a bit of a fanboy?

If it's going to see heavier work, more video rendering etc. then maybe choose the X4 instead of X3.



But read the full guide that Phil linked to, it's a good read and you'll learn lot's - especiall if it's you're first build

[Carbon]

That guide is slightly outdated and Intel has absolutely nothing that competes with AMD anyway. If the X3 720 and MA770-UD3 is too expensive, the X2 550 and the same motherboard or the X2 250 should not be.

[4D(Fordy(Ford) Ollie]

Originally Posted by Carbon

That guide is slightly outdated and Intel has absolutely nothing that competes with AMD anyway. If the X3 720 and MA770-UD3 is too expensive, the X2 550 and the same motherboard or the X2 250 should not be.

The X2 is further under OP's budget than the X3, which is kinda on the low end once you take off the RAM.

Plus I'm not too sure what the rates like between US and AU dollars?

[Philipp]

Wow guys thanks for all the replies. I do a bit of both gaming and video editing, but I am mostly doing video editing. If I get A3, will I still be able to run games as good as A2?

A2: X3 720 + 4GB DDR2-800 + GA-MA790X-UD4P: Midrange gaming ($260)

or

A3: X4 940 + 8GB DDR2-800 + GA-MA790X-UD4P: Midrange video rendering/conversion/other threaded applications ($365)

I kinda like the 8GB on the A3.

[Carbon]

There's not really a reason to buy the 790X now because the reason it was included was that it was a combo deal. A3's real only benefit for gamers is a slight clock speed increase, another core (useless for gaming), and 8GB is unlikely to be a big help in really any game. You could overclock the X3 720 and save yourself over $100 if you were doing that, but the X4 940/945 isn't that bad of a deal.

However, if I were doing video editing pretty regularly, I'd get the X4 945, a MA770-UD3, and 8GB of DDR2, which should fit in your budget nicely ($170 + $75 + $95).

[Philipp]

Originally Posted by Carbon

There's not really a reason to buy the 790X now because the reason it was included was that it was a combo deal. A3's real only benefit for gamers is a slight clock speed increase, another core (useless for gaming), and 8GB is unlikely to be a big help in really any game. You could overclock the X3 720 and save yourself over $100 if you were doing that, but the X4 940/945 isn't that bad of a deal.

However, if I were doing video editing pretty regularly, I'd get the X4 945, a MA770-UD3, and 8GB of DDR2, which should fit in your budget nicely ($170 + $75 + $95).

Alright thanks very much for your input Carbon. Now I can spend the money I saved on other things. I am going to add these to my cart right now.

BTW. since I got this topic up already.. my brother is receiving his X4 955 BE in 3 days and he's wondering what a good motherboard would be for this?