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Mid-range build: Which is better?

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - Mid-range build: Which is better?

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I did a quick research around Newegg and this is what I came up with. The prices are similar and my budget is pretty much around these builds. I'll be using a 1024x768 monitor resolution, so I believe they are good enough for serious gaming. I just need advice on which is the better build, and if any tweak is necessary. Thanks in advance.

P45 LGA 775 motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz
4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066MHz
Radeon HD 4850 512MB
500W PSU

AM2+ compatible motherboard
AMD Phenom II X4 940 3.0GHz AM2+
4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 1066MHz
Radeon HD 4850 512MB
500W PSU

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Both are looking good to me (enough that I can't yet decide on which to suggest for you), but you can settle for a less powerful card, because your display can't maximize the 4850 anyway. For your monitor reso, I think the 4770 is a better choice.

Reply to r_manic

yup.. 4770 would be better.. considering you're using a lower monitor resolution..

+1 for first set..

to fully utilize the power of the 940 and 4850(i think it's better if you pair it with a 4870) you need a bigger monitor

Reply to binwhui

Well get the Phenom build...
It would offer the same or better gaming performance than the E8400 and would be overall better than the E8400 in other tasks too...
Though for you resolution there wont be significant difference but the X4 is overall better option...
Well you can also look into the X3 720 if you want to keep the budget down...They also offer very good gaming performance comparable to the E8400 for pretty less cost...

Reply to gkay09

Thanks for the advice. I'd also like to add that ambient temperature is around 28C, and i don't intend to overclock. I also use image-processing software a lot, so the extra processing juice may be useful.

I'm considering the X3 as well, since I heard it produces less heat, but is the difference in processing power against the X4 significant?

Reply to 843

lets see .
a dual core intel on a platform thats being phased out or amd's latest quad core that would spank the intel at pretty much everything

let me get back to you on that ....

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Outlander_04

4770 noted. I think it's a new card, which is why I couldn't find many reviews of it.

Reply to 843

Outlander_04 wrote :

lets see .
a dual core intel on a platform thats being phased out or amd's latest quad core that would spank the intel at pretty much everything

let me get back to you on that ....

I compared them purely based on price

Message quoted 1 times
Message edited by 843 on 05-08-2009 at 11:46:01 AM

Reply to 843

843 wrote :

I compared them purely based on price

Intel are so over priced on the C2D's and C2Q's . Theyre just not good value .

Theres good reviews of the 4770 on anandtech.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3553
Very quiet and cool running thanks to 40 nm process and the double slot cooler, and very close to a 4850 in performance .

Reply to Outlander_04

Thanks, I've pretty much decided on the GPU.

For the processor, X3, X4, or E8400? Intel has probably slashed their prices to make it more competitive.

Message edited by 843 on 05-08-2009 at 12:10:55 PM

Reply to 843

Hmm...but still comparing a $170 Dual core(E8400) vs a $190 Quad(940) the X4 is better...
The x3 is a very good option...
Go with a AM3 mobo and DDR3 RAM with the X3 as they pretty much cost the same as AM2+ mobo and DDR2 RAM and it would be easy to pop in newer Phenoms later down the road, which would certainly take advantage of the DDR3 speeds...

Message edited by gkay09 on 05-08-2009 at 12:37:47 PM

Reply to gkay09

Change your build completely and start of by replacing your monitor, 1024x768 is tiny for gaming, you can pick up monitors so cheap these days its a steal, I am also liking the AMD Phenom II x3 720be which is a good overclocker adn comes in on budget helping fund a bigger monitor, the 4850 is a good card for resolutions up to 1680x1050, so no probs there.

Message quoted 1 times

moricon wrote :

I've been playing Crysis, Bioshock, Dead Space, Assassin's Creed, CivIV, SC4, etc in my current monitor (low quality) and I think it's sufficient. Probably since I've had it for 8 years and I'm so dead used to it. Then again, I may not know what I'm missing. I'll consider a monitor upgrade, but probably won't be bigger than 19in.

I also don't see any change in the setup, even if I upgrade the monitor.

Message edited by 843 on 05-08-2009 at 01:32:45 PM

Reply to 843

Thanks for asking this question I have been putting off what to get I keep going back and forth with what you list. Some time I even throw in a low end I-7 build. I do have the 1680 x 1050 monitor. A Christmas gift and my current build which I am giving to my son is not handling it well. My question is a 500w PSU enough or would I be better off getting a 650 for upgrading the GPU in 18 months.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to Shudson66

Shudson66 wrote :

A good quality 500W PSU can easily handle any normal system with a single video card. I don't really see new GPUs consuming a lot more power especially considering the move to 40nm.

Recently just ordered parts for 2 new builds for friends. Both will be used for "light multi-tasking," but mostly "MMO Gaming."

Case: COOLER MASTER Elite 360 <They wanted "smaller" desktops than mid-towers. This case offers desktop and tower "usable" configurations, ATX MB usability, and decent price.>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811119195

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W <Modular for case. Plenty of power for eventual duel 4770 Crossfire.>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341018

CPU: AMD Phenom II X3 720
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819103649

MB: GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P <Crossfire capability, socket AM2+, DDR2 ram usage>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813128387

Ram: Patriot Viper 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 <Fast timings at DDR2 800 in duel channel mode, AM2+ CPU socket limitation>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820220335

CPU Cooler: COOLER MASTER GeminII S <Smaller profile for small case. Offers ability to directly blow air on ram if wished.>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835103046

Thermal: ARCTIC COOLING MX-2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835186020

Burner 1: LG Black 22X
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827136152

Burner 2: LITE-ON Black 24X <Retail for software.>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6827106291

Graphics Card: XFX HD-477A-YDLC Radeon HD 4770 <Expensive, but the warranty is nice. Crossfire in future.>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6814150366

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB <Case only allows for a single drive. Further, users requested disk space.>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6822136317

Wireless: ENCORE ENUWI-N IEEE 802.11b/g, IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 USB 2.0 802.11n Wireless Adapter <They requested wireless capability, but not "usually used." I don't know why, but you do what they tell you...>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6833180053

"Video Exhaust Fan": Rexus NMB-MAT (Panaflo) 80mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835705019

"CPU/Case Intake Fan": Scythe GentleTyphoon D1225C12B4AP-14 120mm
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6835185091

OS: Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit <They requested it...>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6832116488

Monitor: ASUS VW224U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6824236050

<No keyboard, mouse, or speakers at this time.>

Cost: Slightly over $1,000 US Dollars post mail-in rebates & shipping

Another $120 dollars would make it a Crossfire system if so desired.

Message quoted 1 times

Reply to terr281

terr281 wrote :

PSU: OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ700MXSP 700W <Modular for case. Plenty of power for eventual duel 4770 Crossfire.>
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341018

Massive overkill for 2 4770, and mediocre quality.

Yes, but my options were limited due to:

1. Price
2. Modular
3. Video card upgradability (They can change video cards, but they don't have the technical skill to change the PSU. Better more power for when the minimal PSU in 2 or so years requires this much amperage.)

I agree, but you listen to your customers (friends) on some things.

Reply to terr281

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