I am excited to announce we will be having our first PCDIY live cast. I have spent the last two weeks preparing  two builds to show and demo AMD’s latest A88X chipset along with the newly released A10-7870K APU. Outside of discussing aspects of building a PC centered around the AMD FM2+ platform, I will be providing insights into tweaking, tuning which includes overclocking and more. Additionally these builds not only feature AMD’s integrated RADEON graphics but will also have AMD RADEON GPUs to show how easy it is to get FreeSync working and the benefits it can offer to gamers. Make sure to tune in and check out the builds and get your questions answered. Last but not least did I mention YOU CAN ALSO WIN A COMPLETE ASUS & AMD GAMING PC!
As always I enjoy answering questions and comments from the community so you if you have any specific items you want to covered please post a comment here in the comments section or email me at PCDIY@ASUS.COM or at twitter ( @ASUSTECHMKTJJ )
Hardware that will be shown or covered
A88X motherboards
ASUS A88X-PRO & ASUS ROG CROSSBLADE RANGER
APU
Godavari APU – A10-7870K
GPUs
Godavari GPU ( which are integrated into the 7870K ) as well as ASUS R7 260X DirectCU II and ASUS R9 290X DirectCU II.
Monitors ( AMD FreeSync enabled )
MG279Q
Topics to be discussed during the live cast
- Picking your components
- Which motherboard should I pick? What are things to consider prior to the build?
- What about memory, do I need XMP or AMP?
- Should I get an SSD?
- Oversights and pitfalls in part selection?
- Tips for putting it all together and getting your build up and running
- Installing the OS and optimizing the OS environment
- Maximizing performance and overclocking
- AMD Gaming Evolved powered by Raptr
- Stability Testing
- FreeSync
- Community questions
Overall we are looking to cover the majority of these topics before getting to users questions. Ideally to ensure we stay on time and get as much covered as possible we will prioritize questions that are posted here on the site prior to the live cast. We will do our best to monitor and engage with questions during the live cast but they will come as secondary priority.
When and where?
Make sure to follow me @ASUSTECHMKTJJ on TWITTER and PERISCOPE to check out the first person video shots throughout the livecast. Also you can follow or like us at ASUS North America Twitter and ASUS North America Facebook. You can also visit our friends at AMD at AMD GAMING Facebook or AMD GAMING Twitter
System Giveaway
To celebrate the launch of the latest APU and our range of AMD enabled products we will be working with our partners to giveaway a AMD APU gaming PC. In fact we will be giving away the ROG system we will be showing off in the livecast! This is a seriously awesome desktop prime to offer impressive performance with quality components throughout including a ASUS ROG motherboard and graphics card.
Link to Giveaway
This system will feature
The best A88X motherboard on the market the CROSSBLADE RANGER
AMD’s latest APU “Godavari” the A10-7870K
An awesome FreeSync capable AMD ASUS R9 290X MATRIX PLATINUMÂ graphics card
Along with other hardware from Thermaltake and Western Digital. Here are few photos of the system
FM2+ Platform A88X Builds that will be featured
We will be discussing and showing two different builds during the live cast. One is target at entry budgets and using looking for a reliable feature rich system but with a focus on keeping a low price point. With that in mind the system must maintain strong mainstream gaming performance and have upgrade flexibility.  This system will leverage the integrated graphics of the A10-7870K but be upgrade ready. We will also show it with a upgrade path to a R7 260X DirectCU II a great entry midrange graphics card.
Thermaltake G41 Build
Mainstream A88X A10-7870K Build
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t6NhLk/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($144.99 @ Directron)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio Silent 12 55.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus A88X-PRO ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($111.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G41 ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.14 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($47.81 @ Amazon)
Total: $513.26
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 12:17 EDT-0400
Newegg Only Link
Mainstream A88X A10-7870K Build Newegg
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/t6NhLk/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($148.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio Silent 12 55.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus A88X-PRO ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($111.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G41 ATX Mid Tower Case ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $539.91
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 12:18 EDT-0400
Upgraded with an OCZ ARC 100 120GB SSD and a ASUS R7 260X DirectCU II graphics card
Mainstream A88X A10-7870K Build with 120GB SSD & 260X Graphics Card
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Xn9mpg/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($148.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio Silent 12 55.9 CFM CPU Cooler ($32.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus A88X-PRO ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($111.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 120GB 2.5″ Solid State Drive ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R7 260X 2GB Video Card ($127.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Commander G41 ATX Mid Tower Case ($73.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake SMART 550W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $727.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 12:19 EDT-0400
In addition we will have a high performance high image quality  oriented build targeted at gamers looking for an a system other more premium features such as improvement to audio or networking as well as superior component quality. In regards to gaming this system is specified to ensure a FreeSync capable gaming experience at HD or QHD resolutions while enabling a rich level of image quality settings. This system will also be featuring the A10-7870K but will be utilizing a discrete R9 290X graphics card.
Thermaltake Core V31 Build
Performance A88X A10-7870K Build
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/L3g7FT/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($148.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0607 99.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus CROSSBLADE RANGER ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($148.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($52.45 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290X 4GB Direct CU II Video Card ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Core V41 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($87.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $963.36
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 12:14 EDT-0400
Newegg Only Link
Performance A88X A10-7870K Build Newegg
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/DRw2GX/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($148.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0607 99.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus CROSSBLADE RANGER ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($148.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290X 4GB Direct CU II Video Card ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Core V41 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $979.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 12:24 EDT-0400
Upgraded with a 240GB SSD
Performance A88X A10-7870K Build with 240GB SSD
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/RtLR99/by_merchant/
CPU: AMD A10-7870K 3.9GHz Quad-Core Processor ($148.98 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Thermaltake CLP0607 99.1 CFM CPU Cooler ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Asus CROSSBLADE RANGER ATX FM2+ Motherboard ($148.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Sniper Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2400 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ ARC 100 240GB 2.5″ Solid State Drive ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5″ 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 290X 4GB Direct CU II Video Card ($363.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake Core V41 ATX Mid Tower Case ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Thermaltake 750W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $1069.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-06-04 12:23 EDT-0400