CPU/Mobo Help needed for deciding config for AMD Phenom II X4 940 based CPU

A

ankur4frenz

Disciple
Hello guys,

I need help for deciding a config for a new CPU based on AMD Phenom II X4 940 processor. I have a budget of 30K. I can stretch it to 35K but I would like to avoid it. I have decided to break down the budget as I saw fit but it is not strict at all

Processor + Mother Board : 15-17K
RAM + GPU : 5-7K
Cabinet + PSU + Cooling : 3K
Hard Disk : 3K
UPS: 2K

I already have Dell S2209W monitor, LG Optical Drive, Logitech mouse and keyboard to complement these requirements.

I would be using this system to run 1-2 virtual machines, for casual gaming and round the clock downloading.

For the time being I will prefer DDR2 rams but a year later or so I would like to upgrade to DDR3. So, plz suggest mobo accordingly.

All the help and suggestions will be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance :)
 
Phenom II X4 940 + Biostar TA790GX 128M + Corsair Dominator 2 X 2GB ( TWIN2X4096-8500C5D ) + WD/Samsung HDD 500Gb + Cooler Master elite (330/331/332) Cabinet + Corsair VX450 + APC 500VA

Forget about CPU cooler for now. You can mildly OC to take the 940 to 3.3Ghz on stock cooling without any prob.

the prices are accordingly, 10.5k + 5.5k + 7.5k + 2.5k + 2k + 4k + 2k = 34k.

If you want GPU and CPU cooler then you have to degrade you RAM and processor.

Modified Procy:: Phenom II X3 720 -3k

Modified RAM :: Corsair xms2 2 X 2GB -4.5k

With those 7.5k either go for a good GPU like 4770 / 4850 (Recommended) or ATI4670 + Cooler . And if you want a good GPU + cooler then further downgrade processor to Phenom II X2 550 and then go for GPU + Cooler (with 9.5k left).

Your call.
 
Phenom 2 940 10.5K
Biostar 790GX A3+(ddr3) ~6K or
Phenom 2 940 + Biostar 790gx A2+(ddr2) ~4.5-5K

2 x 2gb transcend ddr3 1333 ~3.2K or
2 x 2gb corsair ddr2 800 ~2.7K
ATI Sapphire 4670 4.3K(lynx)

cabinet+psu+cooling cannot be 3K :(

cm elite 332 2k or zebronics bijli 1.2K
corsair cx400 3.2k or
corsair vx450 4K
500gb seagate 7200.12 2.7K
APC 650VA >2.5K
phenom 2 940 sucks in lot's of power, might not be suitable for downloading
24x7. What do you run in virtual machines? compute intensive? I have amd 4850e for 24x7 downloading+htpc which run 2-3 virtual machines decently with 4gb ram available. Cannot run vista or windows server 2008 with Team foundation server for eg in it. ubuntu, fedora or xp with visual studio or netbeans for eg is ok. You might check for phenom 2 'e' versions, would be costlier and I am not sure about availability in India.
1-2 virtual machines, probably phenom 2 720( tri core) 95W better?

you can take an am3 board with cheaper transcend ram and upgrade to corsair or gskill later when prices drop. Otherwise go with ddr2 board and a good brand ram. AFAIK you cannot have amd board which can take both ddr2 and ddr3. Intel boards have such an option.
 
Phenom 2 940 + Biostar 790gx A2+ 15k

2 x 2gb corsair ddr2 800 ~2.7K
ATI Sapphire HD 4850 7K/Hd 4670 4.5k

PSU
CM 460w @ 3.6k
VX 450 @ 4.2k
Glacial power 650 @ 4.5k

Cabinet:
Ur Choice-Bijli~Cm690

Boards with ddr2 and ddr3 support have lot of issues + I havent come across them in India.

And this Rig is not for Downloading.........better get a atom or a 2nd hand moobo+ CPU for 3k
 
Thanx guys for such a quick response :)

@ sabby......m fine with stock cooler. I would prefer to degrade ram and get a GPU instead.

@ haraakiri......yep. ubuntu and fedora only as I will have to write drivers and would be crashing them very frequently ;)
downloading isnt a primary requirement, I can curb some of my downloading.

@ Gowt1ham....i believe u r right man. 940 BE is not AM3 socket. So, this means no ddr3 support here?? :S

I dont want to compromise on processor and mobo :(
I would prefer to be a little future proof. Should I look for 955 BE then?
 
@ankur4frenz

Then here is the best for am2+

Phenom II X3 720 BE + Biostar TA790GX 128M + Corsair xms2 2 X 2GB + WD/Samsung HDD 500Gb + Cooler Master elite (330/331/332) Cabinet + Corsair VX450 + APC 500VA + 4770 (if available / you can wait 1 or 2 week ) or 4850

Prices 7.5 + 5 + 2.7 + 2.5 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 6.5 = 32.2k + 4% = 33.5k

If you want to be future proof and yet within your budget then you can try Phenom II X2 550 which will cost you around 5.5k and yeah, its AM3. :) You can invest those money to a higher GPU. But if you can stretch your budget (38k-40k) then I would suggest 955BE as its the most powerful AMD processor and AM3 too.

P.S. Don't underestimate X2 550, its clocked at 3.1Ghz and easily can be taken to 3.6Ghz w/o cooler and 4Ghz+ with cooler. I am using it and its the best dual core processor(AMD) in market, competes with E8400. If you really don't need quad core or tough on budget then you will be truly satisfied by this cute Callisto. :)
 
sabby said:
+ Cooler Master elite (330/331/332) Cabinet
Click to expand...

Are these the same cabinets which are sold for around US$ 100/= + in the US? Where can one buy one in Mumbai for 2k s you have quoted ?
 
+1 for x2 550 its total bang for bux n a awsum OC'er ....... n its really easy to unlock the extra cores ...for GPU i'll recommend 4770 as u want it for 24x7 DL buy it asap as these beasts are on endangered list :p ......
 
pmshah said:
Are these the same cabinets which are sold for around US$ 100/= + in the US? Where can one buy one in Mumbai for 2k s you have quoted ?
Click to expand...

Well, I reside in kolkata and hence can't comment on the US price. [:p] But they used to cost around 1.6k months ago and now they have gone around 2-2.2k,
 
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