Which option is better?

[dustyred14]

Hey everyone! I finally decided to join the community.

I am building a budget PC for my grandfather. I am an experienced builder, heck, even have my degree in Computer Engineering... but my grandpa is very critical and there is a lot of pressure to do this right. Not to mention, the budget CPU market is FLOODED with options, so I'm not sure what to choose now. I came up with 5 options, could anyone tell me what they think is best? I welcome any critique or advice as well. Thanks so much! (Each system has 4GB DDR2, I thought 2 would be enough, but the 4 has such a good deal right now! Also including a WD 320GB HDD, and other various parts he wants.) I want this PC to work through Home Premium quite fast, but it's not like he's gaming or any of that.

1.) Intel Pentium D E5200 / ASUS P5KPL-CM (Intel G3) Mobo / Radeon 4350 w/ 512MB = $495

2.) AMD Athlon X2 7750 / GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H (really like this board with the Ultra Durable 3 enhancements and 3 year warranty) / Radeon 4350 = $505

3.) AMD Phenom X3 8650 / GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H / Radeon 4350 = $525

4.) AMD Athlon X2 7750 / GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H / no gfx card, use integrated HD 3200 = $475

5.) AMD Phenom X3 8650 / GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H / Integrated HD 3200 = $490

Would like any advice you have. There is a little room to move either way on the dollar signs, but not too much.

 

[sprucebr1]

I would pick option 1) fow now, if you plan to pick Intel. Intel motherboard might be better as well, if there's going to be no OCing. If you go AMD, go with 4) as no video card would needed here. In this case you would save some money, just be sure you get an X2 7750 BE (kuma). Who knows, you may need to buy some extra things (ie. 2.1 Speakers). Hope that helps.

 

[dustyred14]

What makes the Intel board superior? I'm not sure if I want to go with Intel or AMD, something tells me I should be looking at Core 2's as well, but they're just so expensive. I was thinking the 8650 tri core would be nice, but it only being 2.3GHz scares me for applications that only use one core. All these options are under our price range, so money isnt the issue between the 5. I don't think I need to overclock, or if it's even a good idea in a mATX case and with the stock CPU fan. I know the black edition kuma 7750 is a good processor, and as it may be able to beat the Pent Dual Core E5200, I don't think it beats out the Core 2 Duos.

Ahh! There are just too many options in the budget lines anymore!

 

[g3force]

What makes the Intel board superior? I'm not sure if I want to go with Intel or AMD, something tells me I should be looking at Core 2's as well, but they're just so expensive. I was thinking the 8650 tri core would be nice, but it only being 2.3GHz scares me for applications that only use one core. All these options are under our price range, so money isnt the issue between the 5. I don't think I need to overclock, or if it's even a good idea in a mATX case and with the stock CPU fan. I know the black edition kuma 7750 is a good processor, and as it may be able to beat the Pent Dual Core E5200, I don't think it beats out the Core 2 Duos.

Ahh! There are just too many options in the budget lines anymore!

Are the prices reflecting the total cost of the build? $500 is an awful lot for just the mobo and CPU.
Considering the use of this build, I would go for the 4th option. Performance isn't the main goal here, so the integrated video will serve well. Overclocking always has the liability of instability, so I wouldn't recommend it in this situation. You could possibly use the saved money for quieter fans, bigger HDD etc.

 

[dustyred14]

Yes, the prices include everything, including the quieter fans and the monitor. I get prices a bit lower then those on sites like newegg because my work has wholesale licenses.

I was honestly just going to go with the 3rd option, thinking why not, since it will make for a faster overall system for just a small amount more.

 

[dustyred14]

Should I consider maybe foregoing the graphics card and using that money to spend on a better processor like the Core 2 Duo E7400 or Phenom II X3 710?

 

[neon neophyte]

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