Advice on a cheap Phenom-based build

Zeldaknight New user 14 posts Posted: 20/10/2009 7:10 AM

Hey, I'm looking at building (ie. getting someone else to build for me :) ) a 2.8GHz Phenom X3 based PC for about NZ$1400 (AU$1050). I haven't built a computer before and I'm on a tight budget so could someone please answer a few quick questions: 1. The store I think I'll get the components from, Dragon PC doesn't sell the CPU on its own but has two different packs with bundled motherboards (search for 'AMD Phenom X3') - one with a MSI 790GX-G65 mobo and the other with a MSI K9A2 Neo2-F one at a much cheaper price. What's the difference? 2. What (budget) cases and PSUs would be compatible with the motherboards? 3. What's the deal with 64-bit? I don't mean 'do I want it', I mean which bits of hardware and/or software determines whether a computer is 32 or 64-bit? 4. If someone has time to spare, perhaps they could throw together a sample build for about this much (including monitor). I wouldn't need a good graphics card (I won't be playing high-end games on it) and I don't need much hard disk space (250GB preferable). About all I want is a fairly good CPU and everything else I would be looking to upgrade in the future. Thanks! Oh, and if I've said anything wrong tell me cos this is my first post ;)

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EvilChickenMonkey User 307 posts Posted: 20/10/2009 11:10 AM	1. The K9A2 is a different chipset,AMD 770, as opposed to AMD 790GX. The 790GX is a better chipset. 2.All newish PSU's should work with the motherboard. Avoid a budget PSU if possible. 3. 64 bit is based in the cpu. See here.
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GDJardi GameDude Sales Staff New user 2 posts Posted: 20/10/2009 1:10 PM

With regards to 64bit. The CPU is the main hardware to look at here. The Operating System you choose will determine whether 64bit is used on your hardware or not. 64Bit in theory is quicker due to it being able to address more data and lifts many restrictions placed by 32Bit operation. In practice its not much different for alot of applications because your software needs to be 64bit enabled as well. To make this easier I will demonstrate below. 64Bit Operating System + 32Bit Application (EG. Office) = 32Bit operation of office. There are also other advantages, namely addressable RAM. 32Bit operating systems will only address around 3GB of RAM, where 64Bit exceeds that quite a bit.

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Zeldaknight New user 14 posts Posted: 21/10/2009 8:10 AM	OK, thanks! I assume Phenom supports 64bit? My current thinking is: - AMD Phenom X3 720 + MSI 790GX mobo - 2GB Adata DDR3 1333 - Raidmax Raptor case - Vantec 520W ATX2.0 PSU - Viewsonic LCD 19" - WD Caviar 320GB HDD - LG SATA DVDRW 22X - Sapphire Radeon HD4350 graphics Anyone have recommendations?
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GDJardi GameDude Sales Staff New user 2 posts Posted: 22/10/2009 12:10 PM	Hi, What was it you exactly wanted to do with your system? Were you looking at gaming, mulitmedia or home/office use?
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Zeldaknight New user 14 posts Posted: 23/10/2009 8:10 AM	Srry ... didn't realise I hadn't said it. I'd be using the PC partly for home/office, but also for image editing and programming tasks (why I wanted an OK processor). I would be looking to upgrade some components when I have the money, but right now I just want a good deal for the price.
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Michellea New user 2 posts Posted: 23/10/2009 12:10 PM	why do you like to build a pc of your own?
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marka101 New user 2 posts Posted: 24/10/2009 7:10 PM	home/office any cpu will do (unless you try hard to find something not guttsy enough ) image editing ,64 bit and lashings of ram , there are some very good 64 bit editing programs out there
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