Building a PC - Step 1: CPU

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
G

goehler

Honorable
Jun 20, 2013
6
0
10,510
Hello there.

I don't know if this is the right place to be, but I'll need some help picking parts for upgrading my computer. First of all, lets take a look at this old machine. Here's what's in it:

CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad, Q6600 @ 2.40 GHz
MotherBoard: MSI MS-7502
RAM: 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM
GPU: AMD Radeon HD 6670
PSU: Fortron FSP400-60MDN (400 Watt)
Other: Mouse, keyboard, DVD-drive, etc...

As you can see, it's an old piece, and it was very cheap. But it's never given me any trouble, until now. I'll start on my education as a multimedia animator, and I'll be working in both 3ds max and Maya. And for that purpose, it's becomming a bit slow.

Now, I'm planning on upgrading the MB, CPU, RAM and possibly getting an SSD drive. I'll also upgrade the PSU, if I have to. It's some weird east european thing, so I don't have the specs for it.

I'm on a limited budget, so I'm trying to find pieces that give me good value for money. I've used CPUbenchmark.net to locate some, and here's what I have to choose from:

AMD FX-8320 - ( kr. 1.092,00)
Intel E3 1230 - (kr. 1.499,00)
Intel i7 3770 - (kr. 2.032,00)

(valuta in Danish kr.)

Is there any reason NOT to go with the AMD??
My gut tells me, that I'd rather use Intel, but i don't know why.

What should I look for in a motherboard? Apart from socket of cource.

For SSD I've been looking at: OCZ Vertex 4 Series Solid State Disk 128 GB.
Any remarks about this? What would you recommend?

BTW: I won't be gaming much. I will do heavy CPU rendering of 3D.

 
Sort by date Sort by votes
sdogg1m

sdogg1m

Honorable
Jun 10, 2013
167
0
10,710
If you are doing heavy CPU processing work then I would most certainly recommend Intel over AMD if you can afford it. Intel certainly blows away AMD with stock settings. The Intel processor you have listed is Ivy Bridge, I would recommend you go with the Haswell i7-4770. Only get the K series (i7-4770K) if you plan on overclocking but I am guessing you don't care about that.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
G

goehler

Honorable
Jun 20, 2013
6
0
10,510


That seems like a good buy too. A bit more expensive, but still great value for money (according to benchmark tests). Haswell i7-4770 is going on the list. Thanks :)
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
sdogg1m

sdogg1m

Honorable
Jun 10, 2013
167
0
10,710


Updates would only improve haswell performance. There is really no good reason to choose Ivy Bridge over Haswell. If their was a major price difference and Ivy bridge was much cheaper then I would be recommending it but the processors are too similar in price.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
sdogg1m

sdogg1m

Honorable
Jun 10, 2013
167
0
10,710


Since you are not gaming then you can stay away from the Z lines. The B lines are for Business PCs and the H lines are for home productivity PCs. If you are unsure of a motherboard then check the reviews from others who have purchased the board.

for almost half the price of the i7, the 8320 is a good choice
Click to expand...

If your goal is simple productivity then the 8320 is indeed a good choice but if your wanting CPU intensive work done in the fastest time possible the Haswell i7 is your best bet.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
mastrom101

mastrom101

Distinguished
Jun 12, 2010
1,477
0
19,660
Op want's good value for his money. The FX-8350 is definitely a better value, especially since the motherboards are cheaper. The i7 is probably faster for what he's doing but at double the price, I'm not sure it's worth it.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
sdogg1m

sdogg1m

Honorable
Jun 10, 2013
167
0
10,710


Correct and when you are doing CPU intensive projects then time = money.

Passmark Benchmarks
Intel i7-4770 ($319) - 9925
AMD 8150 ($179) - 7747

The additional $140 can easily be recuperated by finishing a project in a timely fashion. The i7 would accomplish this.

OP, I would recommend the following 1150 socket motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130699&IsVirtualParent=1

It has 4 Sata 6.0 connections, 2 USB 3.0 ports and can handle 64 gigs of DDR3 Memory. This motherboard cannot be used to overclock a CPU.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
F

False_Dmitry_II

Distinguished
Aug 4, 2009
1,944
0
19,960
And if the workload is at all good at multithreading, that just makes the AMD look even better. I've seen plenty of people say their 8-core AMD is faster for their work than an intel one because their workload is able to push all cores at once.

I'd throw my hat in for the AMD. If the practical difference is at all academic, then it's more prudent to go with the cheaper one.

The part about time equaling money could be something arguable, but I note that he said beginning training, so no money will be generated until that is done, at which point it might be time to upgrade anyway.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

Titan
Moderator
Aug 3, 2006
28,223
1,514
133,290
Plain and simple, the Core I7 processor is going to out-perform anything AMD has put out to date, but that comes at a cost. If you cannot afford the Intel Core I7 processor, the AMD FX8350 trades punches, in non-gaming applications, with the top end Intel Core I5 processors at a cheaper price.

Bottom line: If you can afford the Intel Core I7, that's the way to go. If not, Go with the AMD FX8350. If you can't afford that, we're looking at a whole new ball of wax.

-Wolf sends
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom