CPU Compatibility

[MrsMerkle1130]

Hello,
I am building my second custom rig. It's been at least 6 years since my last one, and at that time I not only had someone looking over my shoulder and giving instructions, but also had help choosing parts. This time, I am in the dark. I only know the most basic stuff.

I am following this guide: LINK REMOVED and it's extremely helpful, but I've come across an issue I can't seem to resolve on my own. I am unsure how to determine compatibility between processors and motherboards. For example, the AMD CPU I'm looking at, a Phenom II x4 965, says that it has a CPU socket type called "socket AM3", while the ASUS F2A85-V PRO mobo I'm considering says the CPU socket type is "FM2". The problem is that I know nothing about socket types or what these codes mean, so I don't know whether the different socket types mean they aren't compatible at all, or if there are certain combinations that are and I just don't know them.

Can anyone offer some guidance on this? It would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shane]

Welcome to CF.


You would be much better telling us your max budget,what you intend to use the system for and let us put a build list together for you,Then you can be absolutely sure everything will be compatible and you can get the best for your budget.

Phenom II x4 965 is dated.

 

[MrsMerkle1130]

Hi, thanks!

Any assistance of any type is more than welcome and appreciated! My husband and I are looking to build a rig that will serve many purposes, but is specifically tailored to handle any new games for a while. Our budget is roughly around $1,000 (ideally) but can go as high as $1500. This will include a new monitor, mouse and keyboard.

I already have two hard drives salvaged from my last computer: an 80GB (lolz, I know), and a 1TB Hitachi. I also have a set of surround-sound speakers to use. Additionally (and I haven't done any research on these yet to see if they're worth using, but) I saved a sound card (Sound Blaster Live!) and a 2.4GHz Linksys wireless card... not sure if they are outdated or useless yet, so feel free to comment on that.

Other than that, everything will be new.

 

[Gun]

I'm not sure how good Hitachi drives are. Personally I'd buy a Seagate or Western Digital just to be safe. It's not worth risking all your data off of a crappy Harddrive, better safe than sorry.

As for other parts I'd recommend the Core i5 3570K for your CPU, personally I find Intel better than AMD and I hardly ever recommend anyone AMD. For your Motherboard I'd get a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H, I almost always recommend this board :good:. For your Power Supply just make sure you get at least 600W and stick to the reliable brands; I recommend Corsair. For RAM go for 8GB, I doubt you'll ever need 16GB. G.Skill, Patroit, Kingston all make good RAM. Now you'll probably want an SSD as well, 120GB will be enough. Just pick one that has good reviews, personally I have the SanDisk Extreme and it's very good. I'm not really an expert on Graphics Cards so I won't give you too much advice there (Although I'm quite happy with my GTX 650 Ti), I'll leave that to the other guys.

Good luck with your build

 

[Benny Boy]

-"socket AM3", the ASUS F2A85-V PRO is "FM2".
-a rig that will serve many purposes, but specifically handle any new games for a while.
-around $1,000 (ideally) but as high as $1500. This will include a new monitor, mouse and keyboard.
-I already have an 80GB and a 1TB Hitachi.
-I also have a set of surround-sound speakers to use. Additionally, Sound Blaster Live! and a 2.4GHz Linksys wireless card...

AMD is pretty good about their motherboards being compatible with already released cpu's, but as you know by now FM2 and AM3 aren't. AM3+ is their newest socket. Intel pretty much changes with each mb socket design release but they have more cpu's to choose from.

If you don't already have a back up drive, like an external maybe, you could get an enclosure and use the 1TB for that and get a new one for the desktop for data storage, while using an ssd for OS/programs/ and games so they load faster. If you already have back up, you could use the 1TB you already have, unless its slower than 7200rpm imo.

I don't think you'll be finding compatible drivers for SBL! using 7 or 8. Just nix using that card and use the integrated sound card the mb will have because they've gotten quite good. You can always easily add a sound card if you're sound system will benefit from the added expense. The wireless card you can use.

Just to be sure, the OS will be part of the budget. Correct?

 

[PCunicorn]

Gigabtyte UD3H Z77
i5 3570K
MSI HD 7870
2 x 4 gb G.Skill Ripjaws 1600 mhz
Corsair CX 600
Corsair 200R
Acer or Asus 1080P monitor (around $130 for a 23 inch one)
Logitech G9X
Microsoft Sidewinder X4
Windows 8 64 Bit OEM
Around $1100. If you want really good gaming performance, I recomend upgrading to the 7950 for a hundred bucks more. If you want a really good keyboard, a mechanical keyboard is much better for typing but costs a fair bit more. You can get a Steelseries 7G for $110. For gaming get a Cherry MX Black switch keyboard. Anything from cooler master, filco, ducky, or Das keyboard is fine.

 

[MrsMerkle1130]

Hey, thanks for your input! Yes, the OS is part of the budget. I was planning on Windows 7, as hubby and I both use it and like it, and I'm not hearing great things about Windows 8.

We actually plan to purchase a backup external drive (likely 1TB as well) to keep photos, music, and all other important files and documents on and locked inside our fire safe in case of any emergencies (break-ins, fires, computer crashes, etc). The Hitachi drive I have is indeed 7200rpm, but one thing I'm not sure about is the cache. One drive that was recommended to me was 64mb, but I don't know anything about that. Is the cache important? If so, is there a size requirement for ideal performance?

AMD is pretty good about their motherboards being compatible with already released cpu's, but as you know by now FM2 and AM3 aren't. AM3+ is their newest socket. Intel pretty much changes with each mb socket design release but they have more cpu's to choose from.

If you don't already have a back up drive, like an external maybe, you could get an enclosure and use the 1TB for that and get a new one for the desktop for data storage, while using an ssd for OS/programs/ and games so they load faster. If you already have back up, you could use the 1TB you already have, unless its slower than 7200rpm imo.

I don't think you'll be finding compatible drivers for SBL! using 7 or 8. Just nix using that card and use the integrated sound card the mb will have because they've gotten quite good. You can always easily add a sound card if you're sound system will benefit from the added expense. The wireless card you can use.

Just to be sure, the OS will be part of the budget. Correct?

 

[MrsMerkle1130]

Thanks so much!

Gigabtyte UD3H Z77
i5 3570K
MSI HD 7870
2 x 4 gb G.Skill Ripjaws 1600 mhz
Corsair CX 600
Corsair 200R
Acer or Asus 1080P monitor (around $130 for a 23 inch one)
Logitech G9X
Microsoft Sidewinder X4
Windows 8 64 Bit OEM
Around $1100. If you want really good gaming performance, I recomend upgrading to the 7950 for a hundred bucks more. If you want a really good keyboard, a mechanical keyboard is much better for typing but costs a fair bit more. You can get a Steelseries 7G for $110. For gaming get a Cherry MX Black switch keyboard. Anything from cooler master, filco, ducky, or Das keyboard is fine.

 

[MrsMerkle1130]

Thank you! I really appreciate the help!

I'm not sure how good Hitachi drives are. Personally I'd buy a Seagate or Western Digital just to be safe. It's not worth risking all your data off of a crappy Harddrive, better safe than sorry.

As for other parts I'd recommend the Core i5 3570K for your CPU, personally I find Intel better than AMD and I hardly ever recommend anyone AMD. For your Motherboard I'd get a Gigabyte GA-Z77X-UD3H, I almost always recommend this board :good:. For your Power Supply just make sure you get at least 600W and stick to the reliable brands; I recommend Corsair. For RAM go for 8GB, I doubt you'll ever need 16GB. G.Skill, Patroit, Kingston all make good RAM. Now you'll probably want an SSD as well, 120GB will be enough. Just pick one that has good reviews, personally I have the SanDisk Extreme and it's very good. I'm not really an expert on Graphics Cards so I won't give you too much advice there (Although I'm quite happy with my GTX 650 Ti), I'll leave that to the other guys.

Good luck with your build

 

[johnb35]

Yes, I would not use the hitachi drive as your windows drive, they are pretty much garbage. Would recommend a Western Digital or Seagate 64mb cache 1tb drive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148840

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

You will need a new soundcard as they don't have a windows 7 driver for the soundblaster live. However, The onboard sound will be sufficient for most users.

Here is an am3+ build

Motherboard - 970a-ud3 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519 - 103.99

Processor - fx-8320 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128519 - 174.99

Memory - 8gb gskill 1866mhz - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231538&IsVirtualParent=1 - 77.99

Power supply - Silverstone 600watt - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256071 - 69.99

Video card - 2gb 7870 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202025 - 239.00

Hdd - 1tb 64mb cache WD - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533 - 94.99

Case - HAF912 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119233 - 59.99

dvd drive - Asus - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204 - 19.99

OS - win 7 64bit - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986 - 99.99

Sound card - asus xonar ds - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16829132013 -49.99

990.91 before shipping.

 

[Benny Boy]

The WD Black FAEX that john listed ^ is the best 1TB because of it's performance + the only company with a 5yr warranty.
If you go closer to 1500, this leaves room for case/keyboard/mouse.
Case is personal choice on what it looks like. If you want to pick a couple we can help guide you based on their look.

970A UD3 + 7 x64 HP
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1224791.13-128-519

8320 + HX 650
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1236255

7950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202030

2133
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231468

GSkill 120GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231613

FAEX 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

Burner
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135204

Asus 24" 2ms
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236153

Free Kapersky AV

Not counting 50 mir but some prices end today or soon.

 

[gigabiteme]

the amd build looks good,that mobo has 6 sata 3 connectors, if u go intel make sure the mobo can handle more than 2 sata 3 connectors ,something to check on if u plan on more than 2 hdd's. most intel have 2 sata 3 and 4 sata 2 connectors.