Simple 7850 Build

[Patrick3D]

This is just a simple build, nothing custom, using the new AMD A10-7850 APU. It will mainly serve as a gaming system and a spare computer for web browsing. The only other computers in my apartment are a file server and a HTPC. Didn't want to build a monster rig as I grew tired of those years ago. I went microATX about 6 years ago and miniITX last year, it's nice to downsize and get out of the bigger/faster/cooler race. In case it isn't obvious I am not a fan of Intel and don't like the n-word. All AMD for me, which for a miniITX system means APU-only since socket AM3+ is not available on any miniITX board.

 

 

Case: Bitfenix Prodigy (white)

Mobo: Asrock FM2A88X-ITX+

APU: AMD A10-7850

RAM: AMD 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3-2133

GPU: Gigabyte R7 250 DDR5 1GB

PSU: Silvertsone Strider 550Watt

Optical: Silverstone slot-load 8x DVD in a Silverstone 5.25" mount

Cooling: 1x230mm Intake, 1x120mm Intake, 1x140mm Exhaust

HDD1: VisionTek 60GB mSATA

HDD2: WD Black 2TB 3.5" HDD

 

Additional Thoughts: 

-The case is currently propped up on two boxes to give the PSU air flow while the case handles are off. All of the handles on mine had broken screw mounts on the left side (bought from Amazon). I submitted a ticket to Bitfenix but it's been almost 2 weeks and no reply. NCIX had a sale on the same case for $55 on Friday so I ordered one and I'm going to swap out the handles with my broken ones and then send that new case (with my broken handles on it) to Amazon to get a refund. (free return shipping from Amazon FTW).

 

-Side note regarding NCIX, this was my first time ordering from them, their Canadian office charged a penny to my credit card (presumably to verify it) and then their US office charged the rest of the invoice which tripped a fraud alert with my bank and froze my credit card, had to call the bank to clear up the mess!  :angry:

 

-Hard to see in the photos but I swapped out the wireless card with a 60GB mSATA card, the 3.5" drive is just for storage. I use an Airport Express (the white brick with the green light on it) as an Ethernet bridge to my wireless network. Eventually I'm going to run a long Ethernet cable from my router to this room, only need about 70'. 

 

-Didn't need a Blu-Ray drive since I backup all my movies on a file server and play them over the network. 

 

-I'm just using the OEM heatsink/fan for now, there's more than enough airflow in this case to keep things cool and I don't OC anyways. 

 

-I'm still downloading games in Steam so I haven't tested the performance yet, but so far I have had no problems getting the 7850 to work in "Dual Graphics" mode combined with the R7 250. Note: when selecting drivers to download from AMD, select the APU option to get to the BETA drivers for the A10-7850. 

 

-Initial boot-up and installation of Windows 8.1 was a royal PITA, took multiple power cycles to get it to even boot into the BIOS (kept black-screening), even after the initial install was complete it took multiple power cycles to get it to boot into Windows 8.1 proper. I haven't had any problems since finishing the install and updating the BIOS. Not really sure what finally smoothed it out, thinking the BIOS update was most likely or UEFI madness?  Lesson learned for the day: YES, turning it off and then back on again does fix things!  :lol:

[cjeffcoatjr]

That CPU shipped fast...

 

Not a bad build though.

[Valhallatier]

R9 250?

[Patrick3D]

Thanks, ordered Friday from Newegg with overnight shipping, came in today. Once I get the replacement handles I'm going to tidy up the wires on the other side a bit, kept them a bit loose for removing the side panel. I used a zip tie to hold the DVD SATA cable up top and another zip tie to hold the DVD power cable along with 2 fan cables in the back right corner. Mainly just wanted to keep things away from the fan blades and keep a clear air path. 

[Patrick3D]

R9 250?

Ahh, thank you for catching that, corrected it. Should've been R7 250.

[TheLordofMoisture]

Nice, what temperatures are you getting with your 7850? I'm getting some pretty abnormal temperatures with my 5800K  (50 - 60 idle) but I've heard that the Trinity and Richland chips run quite hot anyway. Would like to know if there was a difference with the Kaveri chips.

 

Also, I assume your running hybrid crossfire with the R7 250 and the 7850? How is the performance in games?