Help me choose between two different builds.

[aveet]

I posted last week to get some ideas on a new build and after doing a ton of research/reading I've come up with an AMD build and an Intel build that I'm going to choose between.

Intel Build
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8500
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP43-UD3L
PSU: Corsair 650TX
Video: Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 x2
Memory: GSkill 4 GB DDR2 800
HDD: Western Digital Caviar 640GB

AMD Build
CPU: AMD Phenom II X720 BE
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA780G-UD3H
PSU: Corsair 650TX
Video: Sapphire Radeon HD 4850 x2
Memory: GSKill 4 GB DDR2 1066
HDD: Western Digital Caviar 640GB

I do a good bit of gaming and from what I've read, the E8500 performs better while gaming, but I'm a bit concerned about being left behind in the future when games are optimized for more than 2 cores. I don't plan to go Crossfire or DDR3 or anything so that's why I stuck with the basic motherboards.

Finally, if I go with the Intel build, would I lose a lot of performance by downgrading to an E8400 or even an E7400? I'd like to save as much money as possible here and these two builds (~700) are the most I'll be able to afford.

Thanks!

 

[fullmetall]

Intel Build for Gaming, wont have to worry about the future for a while on multi thread games.

Would recommend getting the HDD:WD Black 640gb.

Memory: DDR2 PI Black 800 (2x2gb)

and also, no you wouldn't lose any performance downgrading to an e8400 as they are still the best chip in dual core processors. Outperformed many later chips in gaming still to this day. Wouldn't go down that low to a e7400 though. stick with the e8400, you would be suprised on performance.

 

[aveet]

Thanks for the quick reply FullMetal. I went ahead and made sure the memory and the HDD were the right versions. I think I may stick with the E8500 since it's only about 20 bucks more and has a 9.5 multi vs the E8400's 9.0.

Another quick question for everyone, I found a good combo deal that includes a Rosewill 600W power supply. Will that be enough to power this system or should I stick with the Corsair 650TX I mentioned above? Price difference is 30 bucks and the 15 dollar combo deal makes it a total of 45 dollars cheaper. Here's a link to the Rosewill PSU:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182150

 

[fullmetall]

Rosewill has made many psu's and that one doesn't look bad at all, 600w should be fine but, the corsair is a descent/good psu. Splitting the 12v rail in 2 is also good but, in amperage, corsair is the best bet.

 

[aveet]

Hmm, I'm still very tempted by that 600W Rosewill. I'm not opposed to spending extra for the Corsair, but the Rosewill is going to save me a good 45 bucks. Both of the PSU's are rated at > 80% efficiency. Any other opinions on whether the Rosewill be able to handle that system at full load? And Thanks again FullMetal, I really appreciate your help as this stuff can be hard to wrap your head around.

 

[fullmetall]

Yea, i've been reading on psu's lately since i didn't know much about them or harddrives as much as i do with anything else, Rosewill should keep you pretty stable at 600w.

 

[theAnimal]

Corsair >>>>> Rosewill.

VX550 would also be enough power.

 

[aevm]

Forget that Rosewill. It has only 2 six-pin connectors, and you need one with 6 and one with 8 for your HD 4850 X2.

Also, the Corsair has 52A, while the Rosewill only 40. You'd expect only 4A difference (because 650-600W divided by 12V is 4A, not 12A), but Rosewill lies when they say 600W, it should have been 500W if they were honest.

Also, Corsair is much more reliable. In particular 650TX is an award-winning product while Rosewill is one of the least reliable brands.

 

[aevm]

Corsair >>>>> Rosewill.

VX550 would also be enough power.

True, it has the 6-pin and the 8-pin, and at 41A is actually better than the Rosewill 600W with its 40A. Still, I'd pick the 650TX to leave some room for overclocking and extra HDDs.

 

[fullmetall]

Yea, i would to but, he's got a budget, and the corsair takes him over the limit. So You would probably have to go with an high end 4850 instead of the x2.

or

keep the 4850 x2 and get one of these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703015
pc power

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139004
corsair

 

[aveet]

I'll just bite the bullet and go with the 650TX. It's only 10 bucks more than the 550VX and like aevm said, would leave me room for addition hdd's and overclocking later, btw how is the board I picked and the P43 series in general on overclocking? It's definitely something I'd like to try to do, nothing too extreme, probably just a good air cooling setup.

And now that the PSU is settled, does anybody see any other problems with this build? I'd like to go ahead and order tonight.

 

[fruees]

I sont know where you're buying from but it looks like youve just fitted your budget. To be honest the is is a beastly build given the amount you've spent.

If I would upgrade, It would be changing your p43 to a gigabyte p45

Remember, before you overclock, you need an aftermarket CPU cooler (you need to replace the stock intel cooler)

 

[fruees]

+1 Aevm for the corsair 650w

i have one of these powering my 4870x2 and a Q6660 at 3.2ghz and it is beastly

 

[fullmetall]

Everything looks fine, as for P43, Shouldn't be anyproblem oc'ing, the fsb is good, only problem is every p43 has 1 pcie x16 so there no crossfiring involved with p43's.

 

[aevm]

The P43 chipset doesn't have the Crossfire x8+x8 ability, but you don't care about that.

It's also less likely to reach an overclocking record than a P45 board, but again, you don't care about that. Leave the records for people who can afford DDR2-1066 or better and $70 coolers and $300 motherboards. You will be able to get a decent overclock on your P43, no worries.

What kind of case do you have, or intend to buy? The HD 4850 X2 needs a case with good cooling, and it's 283 mm long (that's 11.1", pretty long). I recommend an RC-690 here, if you don't have a suitable case already.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119137
http://www.buy.com/prod/cooler-master-690-without-power-supply/q/loc/101/206177908.html
(It may be cheaper at the second URL, if Newegg shipping is over $7. It depends on state taxes too.)

 

[fullmetall]

Yes I almost forgot, CPU Cooler and thermal compound is a must for oc'ing.

Xigmatek S1283 + retention bracket
and

Compound, dont know much about compound, have to ask someone. Usually Arctic Silver if im correct.

 

[fullmetall]

Yea you never did mention any case to put all this stuff in hah.

 

[Outlander_04]

The amd quad core is probably the smarter option if the prices are the same .

The days when intel ruled for gaming are gone , but a few dinosaurs and fanboys havent caught on yet

 

[fullmetall]

How is that outlander? read any guide, will tell you intel has always been a better cpu for gaming.

Phenom II barely catches up with the Q9550..

AMD Dual cores have no compare to anything unless you want a $500-$600 dollar computer,

Phenom II did take some action and is a good cpu but, still for gaming its all Intel.

E8500 or the E8400 still outperforms alot of Quads these days in Gaming, if you were to benchmark it, could probably compare to an i7 for gaming.

 

[aevm]

MX-2 is good thermal paste too. If you spill it won't conduct electricity. With Arctic Silver you better not spill.

LOL, nah, Intel still rules. But it's nice to see AMD getting close again.

I agree, the Phenom II 920 setup is almost the same price and more future-proof.
E8500+GA-EP43-UD3L costs $187+85
Phenom II 920 OEM + GA-MA780G-UD3H costs $200+$90

The GA-MA780G-UD3H supports Phenom II, btw.
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/CPUSupport_Model.aspx?ProductID=3004

If you get the Phenom OEM you absolutely need an aftermarket cooler. Get the HDT-S1283, and you won't need a retention bracket.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835233003&Tpk=HDT-S1283

You could also get the Phenom II retail for $227, but it's smarter to pay $237 for the Phenom OEM and the Xigmatek, especially if you're interested in overclocking.

 

[aveet]

I've got a case from an older build that I'm planning on using, it's got good ventilation and 3 or 4 case fans. I just measured it and it's 17"x8"x17" so it's an ATX mid-tower but it may still end up being too small. I'd like to keep initial costs down and upgrade later, but if the stuff won't fit then I'll have to get a case now. Do you guys think this case will work?

 

[fruees]

I agree it is nice to see AMD getting close again, although i have never had one.

@ Outlander_04: just because you bought an AMD and regret it soesn't mean you have to ruin other people's builds!

 

[aevm]

It depends on the internal layout. Specifically, how close the HDD area is.
Measure the video card you have in the older build and try to figure out if something 11.1" long would fit instead.

 

[fruees]

and about 1.5" thick

 

[fullmetall]

Yea doubt it would fit in the case.