Amd phenom II x3 710 build

[dk-spec]

hi everyone,

I am building a pc for my cousin in a few weeks and I was looking at putting together an Amd system.
I have put together plenty of Intel pc's but I have never had/put together an Amd system. I was looking at the following parts for the Amd build:

Amd Phenom II X3 710 2.66ghz - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=434414
Gigabyte GA-MA77OT-UD3P - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=460863
Crucial DDR3 1333mhz 2x2 gb's ram (4gb) - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=363359
Sapphire radeon HD 4850 512mb - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=439020
Corsair vx450w psu - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=338686
Antec 300 case - http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=354717

Total cost comes in at around €465.

I just want to know if the motherboard is ok with the processor. I plan on overclocking the cpu.

I'd also like to hear opinions on the above build in terms of price & performance.

Seen as it will be in late september when I put the pc together, Core i5 will most likely be released thus the prices of Amd parts may fall leading to a lower price or better parts. If core i5 is cheapish I may recommend one to him and stay with Intel


Other potential builds include:
-An Intel Core 2 Quad q8300/ Core 2 Duo e8400 which are about €5 more expensive than the Amd build.

Obviously though the lga 775 socket is Eol'd so thats why I thought of presenting him with an Am3 build.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I would also look at Dabs.ie as they are cheaper for some parts:

http://www.dabs.ie/products/amd-phen...tml?q=X3%20710

[Blaineoliver]

IF you plan on overclocking the 720 is a far better cpu, means you dont have to worry about the board limiting your overclock.

[dk-spec]

Thanks.

I was actually looking at the Phenom II X3 720 black edition as it only increaded the build by about
€20.

After looking at benchmarks the 720 is probably a better choice.

"I would also look at Dabs.ie as they are cheaper for some parts"

I will most likely purchase the parts from c3computers. I was only using komplett for the links.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

The GA-MA770T-UD3P does need some extra heatsinks on the VRMs if you do indeed to some unlocking and overclocking as they can get quite hot if used for extended periods doing this.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

According to reviews and user experiences on Hexus the standard heatsink should be fine upto 3.2ghz to 3.4ghz perhaps but if the processors is unlocked it would be a good idea to get a better cooler.

[dk-spec]

According to reviews and user experiences on Hexus the standard heatsink should be fine upto 3.2ghz to 3.4ghz perhaps but if the processors is unlocked it would be a good idea to get a better cooler.

I didnt think the GA-MA770T-UD3P was able to unlock the extra core.
Can you give me a link to heatsinks I could use?
I was thinking of overclocking it to about 3.2ghz. What are the chances of unlocking the extra core being successful, any idea?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

I didnt think the GA-MA770T-UD3P was able to unlock the extra core.
Can you give me a link to heatsinks I could use?
I was thinking of overclocking it to about 3.2ghz. What are the chances of unlocking the extra core being successful, any idea?

The GA-MA770T-UD3P has the SB710 southbridge so core unlocking is possible and it has good overclocking abilities according to many review too.

Regarding the heatsinks you can get some specialist ones such as the following:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Therm...er-%28Type3%29

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Therm...er-%28Type3%29

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Therm...er-%28Type2%29

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Therm...er-%28Type2%29

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Therm...er-%28Type4%29

IMHO, I think they a tad OTT so I would use some of these RAM heatsinks instead and also they are much smaller too meaning they won't impede the airflow of the CPU heatsink:

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Therm...or-HR-03RevAV2

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Zalma...-River-product

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Coole...Cooler-ARC-U01

Here are some more details regarding the use of the stock X3 720 for overclocking:

http://ixbtlabs.com/articles3/cpu/phenom-2-cnq-p1.html

[dk-spec]

excellent, thanks.

One last question, am I right to assume that I wouldn't need to get the cpu a new cooler as it is a black edition?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

excellent, thanks.

One last question, am I right to assume that I wouldnt need to get a cpu a new cooler as it is a black edition?

The CPU comes with a cooler(the small AMD marked one in the picture below).

[dk-spec]

The CPU comes with a cooler(the small AMD marked one in the picture below).

What I meant is, Should a new cooler be got for the cpu instead of the stock one when overclocking, or is the stock up to the job at keeping it cool when overclocked?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

What I meant is, Should a new cooler be got for the cpu instead of the stock one when overclocking, or is the stock up to the job at keeping it cool when overclocked?

I would use the stock cooler first and see how the temperatures look under OCCT.

The maximum operating temperature of the X3 710 and 720 is 73C:

http://products.amd.com/en-us/Deskto...&f9=&f10=&f11=

http://products.amd.com/en-us/Deskto...&f9=&f10=&f11=

The Akasa Nero looks like a good aftermarket heatsink though for the price:

http://www.frostytech.com/articlevie...articleID=2354

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/763

http://www.modreactor.com/english/Re...er-Review.html