Hi everyone,
I am new to the forums so hello to everyone who happens to take a glance at my thread. I have been using AMD since I built my first computer and I have loved it! My current system is out-of-date though and I plan on upgrading. Let me know what you guys think, everyone's input is greatly appreciated. If you notice any problems let me know and kindly a suggest a solution please. I am looking for a good cooling system for this set-up. Here it is!

1. ASUS Crosshair III Formula AM3 AMD 790FX ATX AMD Motherboard
(after doing my homework I know I have to update the BIOS to get the CPU to work with this board.)
2. AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz Socket AM3 140W Quad-Core Processor Model
3. Kingston HyperX 4GB (4 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1800 (PC3 14400) Desktop Memory
4. HIS H489FN1GH Radeon HD 4890 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card
5. HT | OMEGA STRIKER 7.1 Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Those parts are my upgrade parts. I currently have a Corsair 650W PSU and LG DVD/CD 22x drives I plan on keeping as well. My HDD is a 300GB WD that has lasted me very well through a few formats. I know I need to get a new HDD soon as this one is about 6 yrs old but that's not my main concern.

With this system I would like to run heavy graphics games as well and run a virtual PC ( not necessarily at the same time), my current CPU doesn't support virtualization. I plan on OCing to 3.7-4 GHZ as well, God willing. Thanks again for all your info!

-Artie Rivera

Hello Artimis,

Welcome to the Forums.

To me the system looks pretty good. But then again my most current AMD is a Phenom 9950 lol.

One thing i personally would change in that list is to get the 125w 965, and not the 140w. I believe the 125w will run a little cooler, and from what ive read, it also overclocks better.

Also, if your gonna be doing heavy Gaming, i would suggest getting a 5870, it cost a little more, but the power of the 5870 is much higher then the 4890.

Maybe a few others will come in and help fine tune the system for you, like i said im a little behind on the AMD systems. Dont really have the funds to get a new system lol.

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i7 2600K - Asus Maximus Extreme-Z - G.Skill DDR3 2133 CL9 - MSI 5870 - Corsair 1200w PSU - 2 x Western Digital Raptors Raid 0 - Swiftech Apogee XT Water Block - Swiftech MCP655 Pump - 120mm Quad Rad - Windows 7 - Ubuntu x64

5311Mhz Validation

Thanks CVSI3 for the reply. I will look into upgrading the Graphics card. I will also look into getting the 125W CPU.

If anyone has anything else to add please do. Let me know your opinion. Still looking for a good cooling system that is AM3 compatible

Hmm how about shaving off a 790FX and hit a 770/785/790gx with a Hemlock HD 5970?
Case needs to be roomy so am thinking Antec 1200 or Cooler Master HAF 932?

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My El Cheapo move to better PC Audio!
http://forums.amd.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=13&threadid=153336&enterthread=y

Thank you Batuchka,
I really like this Motherboard and have really done days of research on it. However, i know the 790FX has to do with the North Bridge, please (anybody) explain the difference in the 790 FX and the 770/785/790 GX? Why would it benefit the build? If possible can you suggest a equal performance mobo with the 770/785/790 GX NB?

The Hemlock HD 5970 looked great! However, it seems to be quite expensive. I know I said I was looking for heavy graphics and I appreciate your time, unfortunately it is out of the project budget

-Artie Rivera

The 790FX has the ability to run 16x + 16x CF with 2 discrete GPUs and up to 8x+8x+8x+8x quad CF

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My El Cheapo move to better PC Audio!
http://forums.amd.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=13&threadid=153336&enterthread=y