# Critique my proposed computer build. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 11, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105 "2012-01-11T00:06:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/1 "2012-01-11T00:06:10Z")
Sister’s been nagging me for a new computer to play the Sims 3 on so I’m thinking about building one at some point. I’ve been building computers every couple of years since the 486 days so I know what I’m doing, but I thought I’d throw out my proposed system anyway to see what people think or if there’s a weak spot I’m missing. POWER SUPPLY: Antec Neo Eco 620C (620 watt) MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 (I’m going for a black with green theme so I like that it’s all black as opposed to random shades of blue like most GB boards. I think it’ll go with my black Raidmax Smilodon case nicely and I plan to get some green cold cathodes.) CPU: AMD FX-4100: MEMORY: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8 GB DDR3 1600: VIDEO BOARD: HIS H687FN1GD Radeon HD 6870 1 GB Also plan on a USB 3.0 memory card reader, a 64 GB SSD for the operating system (Windows 7), a 500 gig 7200 rpm hard drive possibly salvaged from my existing computer. In the past I really liked 10K SCSI drives and then the WD Raptors, but a SSD will blow them all away, no? Any comments appreciated. ---
**Author:** ![Princhester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3e96dc/32.png) [@Princhester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Princhester)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/2 "2012-01-11T00:45:17Z")
You choose motherboards by colour? ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/3 "2012-01-11T00:57:05Z")
Actually yes. My prior two builds were “UV reactive” themed computers based on the DFI Lanparty boards but they don’t make them any more so I have to have a different theme. I have zero interest in overclocking or dual video cards and don’t have a million things to plug in so I figure for my purposes one board of a given socket type is more or less the same as another so I might as well pick one that I think looks good. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/4 "2012-01-11T01:35:05Z")
I think that’s awesome. They make such colorful and neat-looking boards these days I often wonder why. But if it’s because people are buying them for the colors then rock on! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/5 "2012-01-11T19:20:09Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > MOTHERBOARD: Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD3 I read just recently via the HardOCP messageboard that there’ve been problems with the UD3 - [it caught fire](http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Gigabyte-MOSFET-G1.Assassin-2-GA-X79-UD3-GA-X79-UD5,14374.html)! Not that I expect you’ll be overclocking, but it bodes ill for coping with fluctuations. ---
**Author:** ![tr0psn4j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@tr0psn4j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tr0psn4j)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2012, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/6 "2012-01-11T19:46:09Z")
I realize it’s a salvage but I’d go with a bigger secondary hard drive. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/7 "2012-02-19T01:30:38Z")
BUMP Two specific questions: Are the AMD FX4100 processor and 6870 GPU going to be good matches as far as performance or is one glaringly weaker than each other. Can I get by with 4 Gigs or RAM, and is the Ram speed going to make a noticable difference? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/8 "2012-02-19T03:52:41Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > BUMP > > Two specific questions: > Are the AMD FX4100 processor Intel rules the roost with CPUs. > [@](#): > > and 6870 GPU going to be good matches as far as performance or is one glaringly weaker than each other. The 6870 is past it for 1080p gaming. You’ll want to be looking at the new 77xx cards. > [@](#): > > Can I get by with 4 Gigs or RAM, and is the Ram speed going to make a noticable difference? I’d go for 8 GB - I’ve noticed a huge benefit from having 8 GB - but I don’t know about speed. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/9 "2012-02-19T14:55:56Z")
Why no love for 16Gb ram? With the cost so low, max it and never have to upgrade. Also, I seem to recall that AMD does not like all ram, so be sure to match it up correctly. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/10 "2012-02-19T15:18:57Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Intel rules the roost with CPUs. while true, you’re not going to get quad-core anything from Intel for $110. Though Bulldozer isn’t really “quad core” in the same sense, and the Bulldozer architecture has been a big disappointment. Though I’m sure it’ll be more than fast enough for what **Mdcastle** wants to use it. > [@](#): > > I’d go for 8 GB - I’ve noticed a huge benefit from having 8 GB - but I don’t know about speed. I had 8 GB previously and I was comfortable with that. I upped to 16 GB just because, so I’ll be set for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/11 "2012-02-19T15:36:52Z")
Looking online found this, which basically says Windows 7 and AMD Bulldozers aren’t anywhere close to optimized for each other. > **[Analyzing Bulldozer: Why AMD's chip is so disappointing](https://www.extremetech.com/computing/100583-analyzing-bulldozers-scaling-single-thread-performance)** > > AMD's Bulldozer is finally here, after years of development -- and its performance is significantly worse than anyone expected. Bulldozer's general performance has been widely covered, however. Our goal here is to drill into why the CPU performs the... Given that is the previous generation of AMD processors like the Phenom II actually a better idea? ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/12 "2012-02-19T15:52:29Z")
> [@Mdcastle](#): > > Looking online found this, which basically says Windows 7 and AMD Bulldozers aren’t anywhere close to optimized for each other. > [http://www.extremetech.com/computing/100583-analyzing-bulldozers-scaling-single-thread-performance](http://www.extremetech.com/computing/100583-analyzing-bulldozers-scaling-single-thread-performance) > > Given that is the previous generation of AMD processors like the Phenom II actually a better idea? no, a better idea would be a Core i3. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/13 "2012-02-19T18:23:21Z")
Have things really changed so the “bang for your buck” favors Intel nowdays? I’ve almost always built AMD systems but I’m willing to reconsider of things are different now. Let’s put it this way. Considering I’m comfortable with AMD/ATI but aren’t willing to waste money for familiarity, what’s the best CPU and video board for around $300 for both of them? ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/14 "2012-02-19T22:40:05Z")
At the low-power end, AMD’s chips beat Intel’s Atom chips, but for general purpose usage, especially gaming, Intel rules the roost. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2012, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/15 "2012-02-19T23:28:14Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > The 6870 is past it for 1080p gaming. You’ll want to be looking at the new 77xx cards. Depends on what sort of gaming he’s after. According to the [Tom’s Hardware Hierarchy](http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107-7.html), the 6870 is a couple tiers higher than my 9800 GTX+ which plays games such as Skyrim and Metro 2033 just fine (the latter on high settings, the former on an upper tweaked Medium). I think it’s safe to play it’ll handle Sims 3 swimingly and a lot more beyond it. Unless he’s a dedicated gamer, I’d expect he’ll be happy with the 6870 for some time and can wait for the current top generation cards to drop in price. I’ve yet to find a replacement for my 9800 GTX+ that I can justify as worth the cost. (Still $200-$300 for a GeForce 470 vs the $120 I spent on my card over nearly two years ago). ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/16 "2012-02-20T00:18:30Z")
My office is in the process of upgrading everyone’s laptops from 4G of RAM to 8G. With 4 gigs and Windows 7, the machines are bogging down horribly and crashing just from trying to deal with the normal spread of office applications plus one or two large spreadsheets. RAM is so cheap right now there’s no reason to get for less than 8G. I’d go for 16G or more, personally. This does of course require a 64 bit OS. I’m not a fan of Antec power supplies. I worked for a custom computer builder for a couple of years, and we found they (along with most other midrange power supplies) had a failure rate of roughly one out of fifty within the first year. Seasonic and especially Corsair are far, far better. We sold ten Seasonics for every Antec PSU, but I was usually sending the same number of each back to the manufacturer for replacement. We only switched to Corsair six months before I left, but they looked to be even better. They’re more expensive, but considering that they can last through several upgrades and that a faulty one can destroy your entire machine they’re well worth it. You might check your numbers for how much wattage you really need, by the way - I seem to recall it’s dropped off from where it was five years ago. If you’re putting in a mid level video card and a lower end CPU I doubt you need a full 600W. Have fun! ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2012, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/17 "2012-02-20T11:16:16Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > Unless he’s a dedicated gamer, I’d expect he’ll be happy with the 6870 for some time and can wait for the current top generation cards to drop in price. Fair enough. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2012, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/18 "2012-03-16T02:24:59Z")
Thinking about these two options, want to stay under $300 for the motherboard + CPU. GIGABYTE GA-990FXA-UD3 motherboard ($150) + AMD Phenom X6 1045T ($150) GIGABYTE GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 motherboard ($160) + Intel Core i3 2120T ($134) although I could go with an i3 2125 for $150 to stretch things a little. I assume higher numbers are better, but does the “T” mean anything? Or will core i5s come down into my price range if I wait a few months? And are there any issues with using an AMD video board on an Intel motherboard. The last Intel system I built was a Pentium 120 so I’m clueless on Intel. ---
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/19 "2012-03-18T20:35:18Z")
Need some help now. I wound up finding a deal at my local store, getting an i5 2500K and a mid-range Z68 based Gigabyte board for $300. Anyway… The i5 stock cooler has some sort of grey thermal stuff on the bottom. While messing around I managed to get a lot of it on my hand. I do have some regular thermal paste laying around. What should I do? Remove the remainder of the grey stuff and use thermal paste? Leave what’s left of the grey stuff and add paste? Buy a new cooler? or? Also a general question: Will games be at all playable with the onboard graphics or should I salvage the Radeon 5750 from my old computer for the time being, or just wait until I can get a decent graphics card? Best card for under $200? Or do I need to spend more to match the capabilities of the processor. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2012, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105/20 "2012-03-18T20:44:46Z")
The gray thermal paste that comes on coolers is usually pretty bad quality. Wipe off as much as you can with a dry paper towel, then use the stuff you’ve already got _as long as it’s not dried out_. Dried out thermal paste is a great way to burn up your CPU. The idea is to cover the contact surface of the cooler completely, but with as thin a layer as possible. I’ve seen people get good results by putting on a thick layer then scraping off the extra with a business card. If you’re not in a position to buy a new graphics card yet, I’d re-use the Radeon 5750 for the time being. Onboard graphics are really not going to run any games more complicated than 3D chess. Check out the Tom’s Hardware website for video card recommendations - they do really good, thorough comparisons. (For that matter, stock CPU coolers tend to be pretty bad quality and noisy to boot. You can find something better in the $20 range if you’re interested, Tom’s Hardware also has good advice about that.) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/critique-my-proposed-computer-build/609105.md?page=2)