[hank123]

This is going to be a gaming system guys. I know AMD is a winner right now with the AM3 stuff dollar for dollar over intel.

I'm looking for a cheap mobo. Not going to be over clocking really at all. Think want to go with DDR3 because its coming to a point where its cheaper then DDR2 for 4 gigs.
No need for RAID or X-fire/SLI because this will be a single card rig.

I have no idea what to look for in a AMD mobo. I would like to go with Gigabyte because their RMA (if needed) has always been great.

And anyone see a problem with a dual core or should i put out a little more money for a quad/tri core CPU?

This is just for some gaming and web stuff.

LMK thanks guys!

[cmichaelt]

Can you give us a budget of how much you want to spend.

[Dooms101]

Can you give us a general budget? And what parts do you already have?

My recommendation for a cheap-o (yet good) DX-11/DDR3/AM3 Build:

First Setup: ~$350, supports DirectX-11 has 2x2gb DDR3-1600 and 240 Regor Dual Core. This combo would probably OC moderately (get the cpu from 2.8ghz - 3.0ghz easily) and will play games very well for budget. Link: Here

But in case you do feel like OC'ing... here's a great setup: Here
It has the SB750 chipset some awesome OCZ Reaper DDR31600 (7-7-7-24) 2x2gb and CrossFire support + a 720BE ~$500

[CharlieCS]

Mobo - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128392

Features are minimal but sufficient for most people and all the necessities are there , all quality components and its a gigabyte , i own one and its been good to me , if you have any question about the board i will try to answer them , plenty of overclocking features .For CPU its either 620 quadcore or 550 be dual core , both cost about the same ,i would go for a quad and oc it a bit , a dual core 240 will be good as well .

[hank123]

really a mobo around 70-80 bucks like charliecs suggested would be perfect. Charlie I might have to do that one.

any other ideas would be great!

[DragoXT]

For just gaming an Athlon II dual core is a great option for the price, specially if no ocing is involved. The x2 245 is probably the way to go since most sites have the 250 about another $14 higher for only a 100mhz. For RAM get the tightest timings you can, cas 6 preferable, if not Gskill has some pretty quick 1333/1600 cas 7 ripjaws for around $100 for 4gig. For a hard drive, the WD 500gig Black drive is a really nice price for some sweet performance. For a vid card right now, kinda a toss up as there are lots of nice options out there. Im sure lots will say go ATI 5xxx series for DX11, but seeing as there are no games out with DX11 support seems kinda stupid specially as it will likely be the next gen of gpu's before there are enough mainstream titles to warrant DX11, and by then any 57xx and lower will get you low to medium settings with no AA or AF. For around the 200 dollar mark you have the GTX275, GTX260, the 4890, and the 5770. For no overclocking it is usually best to get the fastest you can afford, and this being a gaming rig obviously the vid card is going to be the most expensive part. GFX prices will only come down likely when nvidia releases their new gen of gpu's.

[Bobnova]

AthII 245s overclock very nicely, i have one at 3.6ghz right now without messing with anything but vcore and HTref.

[ScottinIndy]

245 regor and Gigabyte MB, Combo deal, $126 I believe both have free shipping right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.320260

[Dooms101]

Oops, sorry about my first post, I guess those links didn't work.

Budget Gamer Build:
AthlonII x2 245 Regor $62 -Link
ASUS M4A78LT-M LE $65 -Link
G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1333 Cas7 2x2gb $99 -Link
Sapphire Radeon HD 5750 1gig $130 -Link

Total + Shipping = ~$365

Mid-Range Gamer Build:
PhenomII x3 720 Black Edition OEM $110 -Link
- or -
PhenomII x2 550 Black Edition $100 -Link
ASUS M4A79XTD EVO $119 -Link
OCZ Reaper HPC DDR3-1600 Cas-7 2x2gb $118 -Link
Diamond Radeon HD 5770 1gig $170 -Link

Total + Shipping = ~$520

So... obviously the second setup is far better then the first and would overclock extremely well. However, the first setup is pretty cheap, will game very well for a while, and will overclock as well. I would have to recommend the ram and motherboard combo in the second setup, even if you put the 245 Regor and 5750 in it. It would last a long time, handle future upgrades and crosssfire.

[senorbum]

If you multitask while gaming, I'd get the quad core personally. If not, or if you only do light multitasking (web browser or so running pandora) dual should be fine.

[hank123]

oh nice ScottinIndy. That might be the winning combo! cheap should work well for gaming.

looking over it i think ddr3 would be a better way to go. more ideas please


thanks so much so far!

[Dooms101]

Oh dang only $130 for a 245 and a GB mobo, I'd definitely go for that!

[hank123]

hows this mobo look?
ASRock M3A770DE AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157176

same thing as asus right?

[hank123]

bumper

[ScottinIndy]

I've never used an Asrock board so I can't comment on them one way or the other, I did notice it has a one year warranty, I believe Gigabyte boards have a 3 year warranty, If that is important to you. I know alot of folks have used Asrock boards over the years on here so you might ask in the Motherboard section for feedback on them.
I used a Biostar board on my wife's rig and my best friends build, Both have been rock solid for a year now. I know once in awhile Newegg has some decent combo deals with AMD CPU's and Biostar boards as well.

[Dooms101]

Well that ASRock board looks fine if you're not overclocking, it has the AMD 770 chipset. From what I know that will seriously hold you back from a good OC. However, I am not completely sure... I do know the 790X-SB750 chipset on the ASUS is a wayyy better performer then the 770-SB710 on the ASRock. As far as the company goes, I know ASRock is usually a good company with mid-level boards, but this one is kinda cheapy.

[hank123]

dang man the amd game has changed so much. So many different combos.

[ScottinIndy]

I was in pretty much the same boat a month ago, I was running an Opty 165 socket 939 still and wanted to upgrade CPU/Motherboard/RAM, I had set a budget for as close to $300 as possible. Frys had a combo deal on my Motherboard and CPU so I ended up getting my upgrade done for $289. My 550BE didn't unlock, So while that was a bit of a bummer, I am happy with what the performance boost over my old setup.

[hank123]

well not sure if i want to do lie a 550be or something else. seems like most people can unlock there chips so.

I could use a few ideas on other chips that can unlock other wise i might just do this combo

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.321822