Building a pc, need help choosing configuration

[totalhannibal]

which configuration is best?

I m building a pc for modeling, gaming, cad applications, photoshop.
Wich of these is better? AMD or Quad core?
(a very fast dual 2 core would be just as good or even better but i need many cores for rendering speed)
BTW if you see incompatibilities with the configurations or you can make a better one for these prices, let me know caus i'm still a NEWB.
Also, the geforce can be softmodded to better run cad applications so i think i'm covered there. No Ati because of compatibility issues with sketchup from what i hear.

Configuration:

AMD

Processor: AMD Phenom II X4 940 BE 3.0GHz Cache 8MB overclocking 3.8 ghz . 190$
Motherboard: AM3 790GX ATX DDR3. 150$
Graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 OC MAXCORE 896MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Graphics Card 180$
Power supply: 600 Watts: 20$
Ram: Corsair 1333MHz 6GB DDR3: 88$
Harddrive: 500 GB 7500 RPM 55$

QUAD CORE

Processor: Core 2 quad Q9400 Cache 6MB L2 2.66GHz overclocking 3.8 ghz. 230$
Core2 Quad Processor Q8300 Processor Cache 4MB L2 2.5GHz overclocking 3.56 ghz. 200$

Motherboard:

-Intel DP45SG Extreme Series P45 ATX DDR3 1333 2xPCIe 2.0x16 3xPCI 1333MHz FSB LGA775 Desktop Board 126$ (no pci2 )

-Asus P5KC C2D LGA775 Intel P35 ICH9 DDR3 1333 1066 800 PCIEx16 USB 2.0 1 5 Motherboard (Core 2 Quad 2.13GHz to 2.66GHz) 100$ 

-ASUS P5QC LGA775 Intel P45 DDR3 1333 / DDR2-1066 ATX Motherboard 142$
ECS P45T-A Motherboard 110$

Graphic card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260 OC MAXCORE 896MB GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 Graphics Card 180$
Power supply: 600 Watts: 20$
Ram: Corsair 1333MHz 6GB DDR3: 88$
Harddrive: 500 GB 7500 RPM 55$

 

[Outlander_04]

you do know the AMD chip you list is a quad core too , right?

 

[irkjab]

Just a few pointers.

Do not get a triple channel (3x2gb) kit for the AMD board, those kits are for i7 mobos. Get a 2x2gb dual channel set instead. Same goes for the core 2 quads. In fact, you could very well go DDR2 with the core 2 quads without a noticeable drop in performance.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231189

If you're spending $20 on a PSU, you're doing it wrong. Get a quality psu that won't fry your system.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005&Tpk=corsair%20650w

Consider getting one of the new AM3 phenoms, like the 955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103674&Tpk=x4%20955

I would recommend the 640gb WB black, it has excellent performance
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals

Also, if you're going to overclock, get a better heatsink. This one is cheap and effective. Also comes with quality thermal paste.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835207006

 

[buzznut]

Hey there
The X4 940 is not an AM3 processor. It is AM2+. You will need to pair with ddr2 ram and an AM2+ board. Which is actually the less expensive route and will give comparable performance to the X955/DDR3/AM3 config.

I recommend the X4 940, Biostar TA790GX, and 4 gigs OCZ Reaper DDRII1066.

+1 on the WD640GB Black, unless you wanna take some of the money you save and get the 1TB.

I don't know much about the Sunbeam cooler, but you may want something beefier if overclocking. Something that can handle 125W+. Look at Zalman coolers, Thermalright Ultra 120, Xigmatek 1283, etc.

 

[photonboy]

AM3 CPU:
AMD Phenom II X4 945 3GHz

PSU:
A $20 PSU? No. Absolutely no. I saw a Corsair TX650W for $70 USD but the PSU is something you do not want to skimp on. Even if it worked on this system (which I have my doubts) you can get all sorts of problems from a low end PSU from random voltage fluctuations causing BSOD or even corrupting your data without your knowledge. They can fry your components. It's no doubt going to have no fan speed control and at worst it can burn your house down.

 

[Helloworld_98]

^+1
^+1
^+1

and the biostar board is one of the best oc'ing am2+ boards you can get.

 

[totalhannibal]

the biostar board looks good but i'm looking to get a geforce graphics card.

 

[totalhannibal]

is this board any good? same price as biostar.
GeForce 8200 HDMI 1333Mhz FSB AMD Socket AM2+ DDR2 ATX SLI Ready Motherboard