AMD Trinity build

[MadMan2k]

Hello all,

I want to build up a new system. Last time I went with a full tower case with a bunch of fans so I could overclock and all that stuff, but that was in 2004 so now I have a big, loud computer that can't play the new stuff.

Now I would like the new one to be based in a mini-tower case, not run too loud and still be able to play the new games with good graphics at a reasonable resolution.

According to This test article, the new AMD CPU/GPU combo chip fits the bill, but some games looked marginal or unplayable. I could live with lower res and might not even play some of the games that didn't run on their rig, but all the same I chose a little bit higher-clock RAM.

Here is my parts list for what I am considering.

Case:
Rosewill mini-tower - $29.99

PSU:
Rosewill 450W - $69.99

Mobo:
Asus F2A85-M - $129.99

APU:
AMD A10-5800K (boxed) - $129.99

RAM:
G.Skill sniper 4GBx2, DDR3 1866 - $54.99

HDD:
OCZ Vertex 4 128GB - $99.99

SATA Cables:
OKGEAR 18" 6GBPS, straight to right angle - $8.98 for 2

Optical drive:
Asus DVD burner - $19.99

Monitor:
Acer G226HQLBBD, 21.5, 1080P - $119.99

Keyboard:
Lite-on PS/2 - $7.99

Mouse:
Gigabyte GM-M6800 USB - $16.99

OS:
Windows 8 Pro 64bit - $139.99


Please add any suggestions you might have. Thank you for your time.

[paul9]

I don't know if it is really necessary, but I would throw in a traditional HDD, mainly as swap-space and mass storage.
128 GB fills up fast with modern games and a few movies.
It should also help prevent early wear of the RAM on the SSD, by taking away the swap-space duties from it.

[MadMan2k]

That's a good point. I was thinking to add one later, depending on how quickly I filled up the SSD. I didn't know about early wear on the RAM of the SSD though, so maybe it'd be best to have a regular drive from the get-go.

Upon calculating the estimated power required, I think the PSU I chose is overkill, so I might look for a 400 or 380 watt instead.

[stroyal]

That's a good point. I was thinking to add one later, depending on how quickly I filled up the SSD. I didn't know about early wear on the RAM of the SSD though, so maybe it'd be best to have a regular drive from the get-go.

Upon calculating the estimated power required, I think the PSU I chose is overkill, so I might look for a 400 or 380 watt instead.

Yes SSD have a finite number of reads, and rights, but that is a huge amount for even consumer drives.

I agree with getting a spinning drive, but there is no reason to not get an SSD, as we are talking years, before they ware out.

[paul9]

I would go with an overspecified PSU, as it should run cooler at a lower output Wattage, and stress itself less than a PSU running at or near to its output maximum. Then you will also have headroom for an upgraded graphics card, processor or whatever in the future. Not essential, though.
What causes the wear on the SSD seems to be writes, not reads, so any stable data is okay on the drive. Frequently changing data will be better off placed on a normal HDD. The swap would read faster from the SSD, but I want mine to last a lot longer.
You could probably do okay by sticking in a memory stick and using it as a ready-boost device, as I believe the swap goes onto the ready-boost space. Then it is only a cheap replacement, if that memory stick goes bad.

[ShyguyXPC]

getting ready for work, but I'd look at this PSU, for a cheaper alternative: Newegg.com - Antec VP-450 450W ATX 12V v2.3 Power Supply

[MadMan2k]

Thanks. So what do you guys think about the "80 PLUS certified" thing?

It's new to me, as when I bought my last one I don't remember seeing that advertised. It seems like high efficiency is good, and given how long I keep my computers, a little extra money up front for a quality unit that will keep my electric bill low sounds fine.

Also, what about modular? I remember those used to be a lot more expsensive, but it looks like the modular Rosewill 450W is about the same price as the standard?

[ShyguyXPC]

80 plus is fine, its mainly a marketing thing, but 80 Plus Bronze is all anyone really needs, unless your heavily into overclocking and such, then Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 90+ are all better.


As to modular, keep in mind, many of Rosewill's units aren't that great, some are good, some bad.

If you want Modular, then usually the Cheapest Good modular is one of Antec's.

Newegg.com - Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - NZXT HALE82 HALE82-650-M 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Power Supply

Newegg.com - Thermaltake Toughpower XT TPX-575M 575W ATX 12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 CrossFire Certified 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 400W Modular 80PLUS Bronze Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandy Bridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

The Rosewill's seem ok too:


Newegg.com - Rosewill CAPSTONE Series CAPSTONE-450-M 450W ATX12V v2.31 & EPS12V v2.92 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - Rosewill HIVE Series HIVE-550 550W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified, Modular Design, Single +12V Rail, ATX12V v2.31/EPS12V v2.92, SLI Ready, CrossFire Ready, Active-PFC Power Supply

but I'd honestly still buy one of the other 3 before considering Rosewill since it is neweggs in house brand.



Cream of the crop in this range though: Newegg.com - SeaSonic M12II 520 Bronze 520W ATX12V v2.3 / EPS 12V v2.91 SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

(the NZXT Hale82 is above is the same unit, just different casing, and higher wattage, plus the noisier fan, all of NZXT's Hale82 series is just rebadged/packaged Seasonic M12 II Series units, my 850W Hale82 is same as the 850W Seasonic model)



But some others in that range:

Newegg.com - Antec HCG M Series HCG-400M 400W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Newegg.com - OCZ Fatal1ty 550W Modular Gaming Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

Newegg.com - OCZ ModXStream Pro 500W Modular High Performance Power Supply compatible with Intel Sandybridge Core i3 i5 i7 and AMD Phenom

Also of note, PC Power & Cooling is now owned by OCZ, just so you know, I think the 2 PSU's brands are made separately, but the Parent company is OCZ now.

[MadMan2k]

Thanks for taking the time to suggest all those. I will put a little more research into the choice.

Now I'm looking into how to get around the fact that Newegg won't ship 19" or larger monitors to an APO address because I'm deployed right now. The size of the box can't be a hangup because I've seen people get bigger boxes than that.