New Gaming Build for Friend - $700-$750 ( if possible)

[acerinpa]

Going for a new build here guys- my friend likes my last build ( 2500K ) but may not have the cash to get an Intel CPU.

This is what I have in my cart at New Egg. Please suggest any changes/additions. I do not have any name brand preferences nor am I fan-boy of either Intel/AMD, or Nvidia/Radeon. Still too much $$ for him as it is - but I don't know where I can cut without it loosing quality/speed/etc.

Does not need mouse, monitor, keyboard,etc.

Must play BF3, Skyrim, etc. on a 26 inch HD monitor at 1080p (high settings- does not need ultra settings)


CPU= AMD (FX4100): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103996 = $110

GPU= Radeon (XFX6870) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150561 = $175

MOBO= ASROCK (970 Extrem3) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157280 = $85

RAM= Gskill (8 GB) - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231460 =$55

HHD= Western (500GB Black) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136795 = $95

Optical Drive= ASUS http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 $17

PSU= Corsair (TX650) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020 $85

OS = Win7 -64 bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 = $100

Case= Rosewill http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147107 = $90

Total = $812

Shipping= $5.00
-------
$817

Rebates= $40.00 ( Maybe??)

Thanks in advance.....

EDIT: OK - I dont know what happened to the links!!! I will retry.....

 

[PP Mguire]

The way it is would play those games on high. You could try lowering the board to the Pro 3 to save 10 bucks then the CPU to the Phenom 2 955 which would save 20 more dollars. Other than that can't really cut too many corners to get it cheaper while maintaining high settings speed.

 

[xzumur]

If you're planning to maintain high-speed and quality performance, it would be extremely difficult to cut it. You could save 10-20 bucks, perhaps, on changing the CPU to a lesser one but doubt anything else.

 

[acerinpa]

Well - I was hoping I was missing something... but alas - maybe not. I had read the FX4100 had some problems but now they are solid- is that true? It is supposed to be less heat and less wattage than the phenom - so maybe better longevity as I know heat is a major player in that. Also maybe able to to crossfire/SLI without changing the PSU in the future. Are the FX4100's over-clockable like a 2500K? I know the Phenoms are tough to overclock.

 

[xzumur]

well i've heard that the FX4100 can be clocked to 4.6 Ghz and it gives a good enough performance but to be honest I've heard a lot of people being disappointed with getting the FX4100 that I would advice to go against purchasing it but given your budget, perhaps, aim clocking the 4100 to 4.6Ghz.

 

[PP Mguire]

If you're planning to maintain high-speed and quality performance, it would be extremely difficult to cut it. You could save 10-20 bucks, perhaps, on changing the CPU to a lesser one but doubt anything else.

No offense, but you basically said the exact same thing I did with less information.

Well - I was hoping I was missing something... but alas - maybe not. I had read the FX4100 had some problems but now they are solid- is that true? It is supposed to be less heat and less wattage than the phenom - so maybe better longevity as I know heat is a major player in that. Also maybe able to to crossfire/SLI without changing the PSU in the future. Are the FX4100's over-clockable like a 2500K? I know the Phenoms are tough to overclock.

The 4100 is just slow, as is the whole FX line. The 4100 is overclockable but I would get a Phenom BE CPU instead. Would be better for gaming. Phenoms are not tough to overclock.

 

[acerinpa]

"Phenoms are not tough to overclock." hmmm.... I thought I had heard that or read that. Yes I like the 655 That I have been using for about 3 years now. To Bad that AMD failed at the 4100 - Maybe I will advise to wait another pay check to get the i5 or get the phenom 685 or something like that. I don't think he will be overclocking at all - but you never know. I did not think I would ever overclock, but I have my 2500 overclocked a bit and my GPU overclocked as well. Decisions, decisions..... wow this forum has shrunk. The last time I was doing a built there were many people imputing their opinions.

 

[PP Mguire]

"Phenoms are not tough to overclock." hmmm.... I thought I had heard that or read that. Yes I like the 655 That I have been using for about 3 years now. To Bad that AMD failed at the 4100 - Maybe I will advise to wait another pay check to get the i5 or get the phenom 685 or something like that. I don't think he will be overclocking at all - but you never know. I did not think I would ever overclock, but I have my 2500 overclocked a bit and my GPU overclocked as well. Decisions, decisions..... wow this forum has shrunk. The last time I was doing a built there were many people imputing their opinions.

Phenom 685?

It's the summer, so many people are probably on holiday. I'm even away from the internet over half the day lately.

 

[acerinpa]

Oops on the numbers. I meant this Newegg.com - AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor HDZ965FBGMBOX - but at 125 watts- will that cause increased heat and a strain on the 650 watt PSU?

 

[PP Mguire]

650w is plenty if mixed with the 6870. The FX line is hotter.