AM2 or C2D $750 system

[Xpyrofuryx]

Hey, Okay I am building a $750 rig for my friend. He gave me the money today. He wants it to do mainly: Music, Games, Videos, web surfing. I put together a few rig plans here. I use the same parts for everything except I am not decided on what RAM, CPU, Mobo, and Video Card to use.

Here are the options I made for the RAM, CPU, Mobo, and VGA:
The total for these 4 parts can only be $400

1)
CPU- AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane ---------- $59
RAM- 2GB (2x1GB) A-Data DDR2 800mhz -------- $89
VGA- XFX nVidia GeForce 7900GS (factory OC'd)- $170
Mobo- BioStar T-Force 550 AM2 ATX mobo -------- $80
Total-------------------- $398

2)
CPU- AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ Brisbane --------- $130
RAM- 2GB (2x1GB) A-Data DDR2 800mhz ------- $89
VGA- EVGA nVidia GeForce 7600GT 256mb ----- $110
Mobo- BioStar T-Force 550 AM2 ATX mobo ------ $80
Total------------------- $408

3)
CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 1.8Ghz ---- $115
RAM- 2GB (2x1GB) Kingston 667mhz ---- $80
VGA- Connect3D ATI Radeon x1650XT -- $99
Mobo- ASUS Socket 775 Micro ATX ------ $86
Total ------------------ $381

4)
CPU- Intel Core 2 Duo E6320 1.86Ghz -- $168
RAM- 1GB (1x1GB) Kingston 667mhz --- $40
VGA- Connect3D ATI Radeon x1650XT - $99
Mobo- ASUS Socket 775 Micro ATX ----- $86
Total ----------------- $394

5)
CPU- AMD Athlon 64 X2 5400+ Windsor --------- $172
RAM- 1GB (1x1GB) G.Skill DDR2 800mhz ------- $55
VGA- EVGA nVidia GeForce 7600GT 256mb ----- $110
Mobo- BioStar T-Force 550 AM2 ATX mobo ------ $80
Total ------------------ $417


Here are the parts I am using for the rest of the system:

Hard Drive- 250GB Hitachi Deskstar SATA 3Gb/s 7.2k rpm -- $60
PSU- 450watt FSP ATX Form PSU ------------------------------- $58
CD Drive- Pioneer CD/DVD Drive Burner --------------------- $32
Case- Rosewill ATX Mid Tower ---------------------------------- $60
Operating System- Microsoft Windows XP Professional ------- $92
Shipping ----------------------------------------------------------- $30

 

[eregular]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128017
GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3 LGA 775 Intel P965 ~ 105

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115014
Intel Core 2 Duo E4400 Allendale 2.0GHz ~139

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145015
CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 675 ~80

GPU is a toss up between x1650xt and 7600gt, i'd probably go with the ATI

 

[gOJDO]

AM2, config. 1.

 

[RichPLS]

I would pick 3 or 4, but upgrade video card...

 

[jaguarskx]

I would choose option #4, but I would replace the motherboard with the GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128017

I don't know exactly which m-ATX mobo you intend to buy, but if it is based on the 965G chipset (has integrated graphics), then you will be very disappointed by it's overclocking potential. Based on reviews that I've read the typical 965G mobo overclocks to a max of 280MHz - 290MHz. The highest I've seen was 305MHz with lots and lots of tweaking, and I don't remember which mobo that was.

As your friend what types of games he plays. If he likes playing OpenGL games like Doom 3, Quake 4, and STALKER, then he will be better off with a 7600GT.