Thanks to some help from you guys, I got my first build under way. This afternoon I placed all the parts in my newegg.com shopping cart and then...PANIC. I just wasn't satisfied I was convinced to go AMD instead of Intel. So I removed the CPU and MOBO from my order and decided to deliberate for another evening. Well, my panic was a blessing, as I just read a few minutes ago that Intel is doing a price drop! So...my question starts anew:
My original purchase would have been a
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADV60000DOBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272
paired with a
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
I chose AMD simply on price with decent reviews. However, so many people suggested I go Intel (E7200) because it was a shade faster even though a bit more money.
I have a few questions, aside from the obvious...which way to go.
What about the socket? Which socket will have the greatest potential to stick around? In 5 years (or however many) will I be able to purchase a new CPU and keep my mobo? Or will AMD's or Intel socket set be outdated?
Secondly, I am absolutely lost on motherboards. Is the Gigabyte one a good choice for the AMD? If I go Intel, what would be a good match? I've been looking at Gigabyte and Asus, mainly. But even within the brand there are too many to choose from!
Thanks for your help!!
My order this afternoon has:
Antec NSK4480B case (with PSU)
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
My budget is 400-450 for a general use computer. I have an OS, DVD, Monitor, Keyboard, & mouse. My purchase today (case, memory, and HD) sets me at roughly $200, leaving $200 or so for Mobo and CPU.
My original purchase would have been a
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ 3.1GHz Socket AM2 89W Dual-Core Processor Model ADV60000DOBOX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103272
paired with a
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
I chose AMD simply on price with decent reviews. However, so many people suggested I go Intel (E7200) because it was a shade faster even though a bit more money.
I have a few questions, aside from the obvious...which way to go.
What about the socket? Which socket will have the greatest potential to stick around? In 5 years (or however many) will I be able to purchase a new CPU and keep my mobo? Or will AMD's or Intel socket set be outdated?
Secondly, I am absolutely lost on motherboards. Is the Gigabyte one a good choice for the AMD? If I go Intel, what would be a good match? I've been looking at Gigabyte and Asus, mainly. But even within the brand there are too many to choose from!
Thanks for your help!!
My order this afternoon has:
Antec NSK4480B case (with PSU)
mushkin 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996587 - Retail
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500AAKS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
My budget is 400-450 for a general use computer. I have an OS, DVD, Monitor, Keyboard, & mouse. My purchase today (case, memory, and HD) sets me at roughly $200, leaving $200 or so for Mobo and CPU.