Buying new computer, what's best??

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Hey guys,

I'm buying a new computer for school projects, I'm using AutoCAD, 3Ds Max and Revit, but I'm not sure what exactly would be the best option.

After much research and trying to see what would be the best configuration to run these softwares, I was able to narrow down to two computers;

1st Option: CyberPowerPC GX6120 Gaming PC - 3rd Gen. Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz, 8GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, DVDRW, NVIDIA GeForce GT 630, Windows 8 64-bit for $629.

2nd Option: Asus CM1855-US005S Desktop Computer - AMD FX-6300 3.5GHz , 12GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, DVDRW, AMD Radeon HD7470, Windows 8 64-bit for $549.

What would be the best option? Or Would they be almost the same thing?
 
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Deleted member 217926

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The i5 build will be quite a bit faster for the programs you listed. Neither are good for gaming due to the weak graphics cards. The i5 is a much stronger CPU overall though. That's actually a pretty good price.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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I'd probably consider the Intel version, but I have some options below you could consider (if you don't mind building it yourself):

AMD build:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz 8-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $640.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 00:59 EDT-0400)

* CPU better than the one in the pre-built one.
* GPU is much better than the pre-built one and should game okay with medium settings on 1080p. If you want to upgrade the GPU, the 7850 is the one to get (for ~$160-180 1 gb versions) or the soon to be released 7790 for about $150 or so.
* Case has front USB 3.0 ports to hook up to external/flash drives and if they are USB 3.0 than you will have a bit faster transfer times :)

Intel version:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($164.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: MSI Z77A-G41 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($47.98 @ Amazon)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI Radeon HD 7770 GHz Edition 1GB Video Card ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Zalman Z5 Plus ATX Mid Tower Case ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($19.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($91.17 @ Amazon)
Total: $620.08
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-03-24 00:57 EDT-0400)

* CPU is quad core, just not an unlocked version like the 3570k. If you want the 3570k CPU than just add about $40 more.
* GPU issue the same as the AMD one listed above, since it's the same GPU on the AMD build above.
* Case the same as the AMD build above.

If your open to building your own, you will have a better overall system and for similar $. It's up to you what you want to do.
 
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g-unit1111

g-unit1111

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Jul 27, 2011
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Short answer: neither. If you want a good gaming PC stay far away from pre builts. Pre built systems have a shelf life of two years tops. Self built systems have a shelf life of 5 - 6 years before a major upgrade is needed. The problem with those PCs - the beyond mediocre GPUs, proprietary hardware, and other limiting factors that will make upgrading difficult. What's the budget?
 
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Andy Mendes

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Mar 24, 2013
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Thanks everyone for your help. I really appreciate it!

I'm not using the computer for gaming, I just thought a gaming computer would be able to support 3Ds Max and Revit better, which is what I'll be using most.

I'm trying to keep under $700. I know it's not a lot, but I'm a college student with no money. LOL...
 
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Deleted member 217926

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As I said above the Intel build is better for what you are going to use it for. It's also about the same price as you could build it for so it's not a bad deal at all.
 
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lunyone

lunyone

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Feb 22, 2006
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You could use either of the builds I listed above for what you need. You could even upgrade the Intel build to the 3570k CPU and still fit the build under $700 if you like.
 
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