RAM and MB question

Hardware Build a PC
1

Hello,

I wanted to build a new gaming PC around an AMD FX-8350 due to budget constraints. I will buy a MB, CPU and RAM to use with my antique HDD and GTs 8800 until I can safely afford to upgrade those as well.

My question is, what RAM and mainboard to use with the CPU.

Will a board with the cheap 970 chipset suffice or will one with 990FX perform significantly better? I obviously don't need crossfire or SLI.

I do not plan on overclocking, although it would still be a nice option to have.

Also I read that the RAM will usually run in 1600Mhz when used in dual channel mode, while others have stated that they use the FX-8350 with 2133Mhz. So should I just go for the cheaper 1600Mhz and not risk overclocking it? If I decide to use 2133Mhz, will it make any difference to use Ram rated for 1600Mhz and then overclock (is that even reasonable?) or use 2133 and just set the controller?

Thank you in advance for any replies

2

1600mhz is fine and make sure the board is am3+ if you go with a 8350

3

Also make sure the board supports 125watt for the 8350, Some only go to 95watt for the 6100-6300.

4

1600/1866mhz ram

if you can find the Asus M5A97 Evo R2.0 thats a good board. otherwise i would pickup a 990FX chipset board.

5

The M5A97 Evo R2.0 MysteryAngel suggested is great, I have it running on a FX 8320, but it should work with the 8350 perfectly, just a Bios update and you are good to go.

1600mhz ram will be fine, however FX processors work very good with 1866, and this mobo supports it without OC, you only have to apply the setting.

6

its works great on a FX8350 you eaven dont need to update the bios, it supports the FX2.0 out of box, i have this combination my self. ☺

7

thank you everyone for the mostly helpful comments, I was actually deciding mainly between ASUS M5A97 R2.0 and ASUS SABERTOOTH 990FX R2.0 what a lucky coincidence...

So I guess I'll go with the aforementioned ^^ and some 1866Mhz ram then.

Thanks again

8

Get a Gigabyte 990FXA-UD3. Great board, color scheme, stability, and features. It has an 8+2 power phase as well as much better placed sata ports, and the quality of the VRMs is outstanding. I have my 8350 running stable at 4.7GHz on mine right now, zero problems.

9

If you have to choose between the Asus M5A97 2.0 or the Asus Sabbertooth and it fits in youre budget.

Then deffanetly go for the sabbertooth.

 

 

10

M5a97 is a great deal, but if you have the money to go for a sabertooth then go for it!