Okay, here is my parts list. I don't have much money to spend so bare with me.
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition
Motherboard: ASUS M5A99X EVO R2.0 or Gigabyte GA-970A-D3
Video Card: Radeon HD 7770 1GB GDDR5
RAM: 8GB DDR3 1600mhz Corsair Vengenence Low Profile
HDD: 500GB WD Caviar Blue 7200RPM
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo
PSU: Corsair CX430
OS: Windows 7 Home 64bit (obviously)
All going in an NZXT Source 210
With the motherboard...I know I have to update the BIOS for either of those to be compatible with that CPU, how can I update the BIOS w/out having another CPU to put in the board that is compatible with the BIOS that it ships with? Is there even a way to do this?
Also with the HD7770 what resolution montior do you recommend I buy?
Go check the CPU support list for the motherboard(s) on the manufacturer's website, the Phenom II CPUs should natively work with those mobos , especially the Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 , considering I have that board and have owned an x4 965.
And seriously, but a 1920x1080 monitor...lol
Usually, any motherboard with an AM3+ Socket will support all CPUs down to AM2+ (correct me if I am wrong), just be sure to check the mobo's CPU support list with the listed BIOS revision
Okay thanks man.
And thanks for making fun of me..haha
Ga-970A-D3: http://www.gigabyte.us/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3908
M5A99X EVO R2.0: http://www.asus.com/Motherboards/AMD_AM3Plus/M5A99X_EVO_R20/#CPUS
de support lists
As far as Sapphire Radeon cards go this is their website that can give a mountain of information about their product line up.
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&psn=000101&lid=1
Once you find something that catches your eye you can check Newegg to see what others who have purchased said product and see what they think of it in real life applications. This is the Newegg com site.
http://www.newegg.com/
Your power supply is bronze certified but when you start adding graphics cards I personally prefer a little more too just enough power. Perhaps look at an upgrade to a 500W or even a 600W to allow for growth with your system and again keep it minimum bronze certified. There, my official 2 cents worth. The people on this site I find tend to actually want to help with questions so go over what they say. Logan also has some very informative videos too. All the best in your build and have fun.
You say I should upgrade my PSU to 500 or 600W. I don't plan on adding anything more powerful into this system. I'm going to buy a whole new, Intel based, system when it gets to the point that I can't play anything anymore, sorta like now. :p So my question now. Will the 430W PSU be enough for that just what I have listed here? Newegg PSU calculator says >380W and extreme.outervision says >350W so I figured that 430W would be more than safe.
