AMD CPU and Mobo Question

[Roadhog]

Hey guys.

Thinking of new build for cheap gaming system.

I was reading some on this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103942

May save me buying a video card as wife only plays LOTRO, and current system e7400 and x800xt does not quite get it...almost though.

Questions:

1. What do you guys think of this (Cpu and video chip together..as well as northbridge I think?), and what opinion do you have on above cpu (they are not called cpu's any more I suppose..now APU).

2. The first thing that comes to mind is direct x versions. What happens when they go to a newer DX version, the onboard graphics are dead then correct or not?

3. Intel makes 2100 I think that is decent new processor. Would have to spring for video card if I go that direction.

4. I am all over the place, also thinking of the AMD Phem 955 with a gtx 460 to go along with it.

Please chime in with any thought on new build. I do not want to spend more then $500. I have to get p/s ($100), cpu, mem, and possibly a video card with that. I have all other parts.

Thanks for any posts

[Train]

Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 2.8 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 1GB

Video: 128MB NVIDIA GeForce® 6800 or ATI® Radeon® X850
http://www.lotro.com/getting-started...m-requirements

That E7400 with the correct amount of ram and a good video card should play that game just fine.

What OS and how much ram do you have!

[Roadhog]

Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 2.8 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 1GB

Video: 128MB NVIDIA GeForce® 6800 or ATI® Radeon® X850
http://www.lotro.com/getting-started...m-requirements

That E7400 with the correct amount of ram and a good video card should play that game just fine.

What OS and how much ram do you have!

Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 2.8 GHz or equivalent
RAM: 1GB

Video: 128MB NVIDIA GeForce® 6800 or ATI® Radeon® X850
http://www.lotro.com/getting-started...m-requirements

That E7400 with the correct amount of ram and a good video card should play that game just fine.

What OS and how much ram do you have!

Hey Train
Specs:

Asrock Mobo 4CoreDual-SATA
e7400 Cpu
1 MB DDR ram
x800xt AIW AGP Video Card (mobo takes AGP and PCI-E)
Windows XP

Problem lies with the Mobo and VGA support:
http://www.asrock.com/mb/vga.asp?Model=4CoreDual-SATA2

I have a slower CPU and 8800gt and games runs full out. I was looking and found 8800GT on ebay, HOWEVER after research and calling Asrock, I found the mobo will only support an 8800GT if it GEN 1. I had thoughts about getting an 8800GT (PCI-E) any way, and flashing the bios to GEN 1. Decided against it as may not work for various reasons.

*I have tried 2 MB DDRII ram out of my computer..helps..but no cigar. BTW, I believe mobo only supports 2 MG ram also.

LOTRO runs on wife's system pretty good at medium settings. Problem is she visited her brother who has like a 32" monitor, AMD Phen II X4 955 with SLI, so she got spoiled. I do not want to give up my 8800GT as I have a GEN 1 and I also have an Asrock mobo with same type of PCI-E slot. BTW the PCI slot in both of our mobo's are 4x speed. However, the 8800GT (PCI) still out performs the x800xt AGP, even though the AGP slot runs full speed. My system will run LOTRO full out @ 1440x900 which is max for our monitors.

I have an Antec Tru-Power Version 1.3 and it only has a 20 pin connector, so there is the p/s replacement, as I will probably need a 24 pin p/s.

That is why I figure to build a new system. I will then take her mobo and cpu as it is faster them my e6300 and throw in my memory and 8800GT, so we will both have an upgrade, and I will have spare parts if any thing goes wrong with my system before the next rebuild.

1. The only thng I think I have made my mind up on is the p/s. I like the Corsair TX 650 (it is what I have in my system and Seasonic build.
2. I am trying to decide on cpu now, as that will determine mobo, video, and memory.
3. The APU (cpu/video/northbridge) looks interesting. As does the Intel 2100 and Phen x4 955. Problem with the 955 is it is older slot, and wonder if that slot will be gone, and no upgrade path.

Hope that explains my questions.

[Train]

PCI Express 4x is 4 times faster than AGP 8X
http://www.directron.com/expressguide.html


The Phen x4 955 uses the same Socket AM3 motherboards as my AMD Phenom II X6 1100T and the FX series CPU is a eight core.
So I expect the AM3 types to be around a good while longer.
My motherboard:
GF615M-P33 (MS-7597) $50 and yes it will take 8 GB of ram.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-P33&x=11&y=28

It is older, with onboard video but it does what I want. 4 GB of ram as I have Win 7 64-bit installed.

[Train]

MSI and GIGABYTE are the 2 brands I look at or use. ASUS has burned me 3 times in the past I refuse to use them any more.

Newegg AMD motherboards:
http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCateg...D-Motherboards

Do stay away from the ECS (EliteGroup) motherboards as they are below the bottom of the barrel.

[Roadhog]

Train

Well, the guy at Asrock said it was not really a pci express slot. I do not remember what he said...like vgi or something starting with a v. I know spec on board says pci-e, but according to Asrock, not exactly? He was of help, but spoke in very broken English lol.

Since you are an AMD man, one question I have is AM3 vs AM3+. The AM3+ seems around the same price? Also what is the best bang for the buck AMD processor, including over clocking? I was thinking 4 core if I go that way, but I am open to suggestions. That 955 has some great reviews.

MSI, glad you had good experience with them However, I will never buy another MSI product again...EVER! Long story, and it is on this board somewhere with experience I had with one of their mobo's, and their Customer Support.

Still open to input on the APU chip mentioned, as well as the Intel Sandy Bridge I3 2100 even though it is only a dual core chip:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-078-_-Product

Thanks

[Roadhog]

BTW Train

Since you are a mod, if this is not already on Sysopt, you might want to read and consider posting to the correct thread. This is one of the best articles on power supplies and who makes them that I have seen:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...-oem,2729.html

BTW The Antec 430 watt p/s I have (that is still running) was put in system in 2003. It was Antec but made by Seasonic.

[Train]

AM3 vs AM3+
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...s-for-AM3-only

I'd go for the AM3+ and see I missed that part.

I have heard good things about the Sandy Bridge I3 cpus.
http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/t...-2100-tested/2

May want to read about the S and T versions of the 2100.

The Intel Core i5-2500K is the one I see as the most recommended chip now.

I agree, we do tend to dodge what ever gives us fits.


For a i-3, I like this one.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115077

And read the reviews for both your choice and mine.

[Roadhog]

Train

What CPU is the AM3+ chip supposed to support that the AM3 chip does not?

I hear ya on staying away from products that give us problems. My problem was the MSI board was still under warranty....(any way long story). ASUS I believe owns Asrock, or used to years ago I think.

You gave me some reading to do with the different versions of the i3, as well as look at the i5 (but starting to get expensive).

Sounds like I may be going Gigabyte if I rule out what I do not like and what you do not like lol.

This APU chip is interesting. I have not seen an article on overclocking (if that can be done even). From what little reading I have done, drop a video card in, and it uses onboard and the one you added in slot (dual video cards). I am not sure I like the idea or not? It does seem to be easy on power requirements.

Thanks for info, I will be posting back, as I will be researching for a while before I decide.

[Train]

The extermesystems link explains the difference.

[Ol'Tunzafun]

Generally speaking, Sandy Bridge performs better for CPU intensive tasks and Llano performs much better with graphics intensive tasks, like most games. The main problem that I have had with Sandy Bridge is that there are no graphics drivers for Linux, (unless you are up to compiling your own), which means that Linux based rescue discs and Acronis boot discs do not work.
Llano has been putting up some impressive frame rates.
http://techreport.com/articles.x/21099/13