Tom's Hardware: Topic New gaming build - Intel Core i7 or AMD Phenom II
Tom's Hardware > Forum > Homebuilt Systems > New System Build > New gaming build - Intel Core i7 or AMD Phenom II
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Personally speaking, I'm not a fan of your PSU. Corsair is a fantastic brand, and I recommend them for most of my builds, but you're going to be paying as much for that one as you would for a 750TX or 850TX because the 620W is modular. If you take the time to manage your cables (~10 min), you don't really need the modular PSU. I'd grab a 750TX for the same price or cheaper.
I'm also not sure why you want a Blue Ray player. If you've already got Blue Ray movies, then you can probably go ahead and ignore the rest of this paragraph... Blue Ray is still really new, and therefore expensive. The improvements over standard DVD's aren't even that impressive from what I've seen. The most exciting thing for me about Blue Ray is that the disks can hold a lot more data, something like 25GB (don't quote me on that). Personally, I'm holding off for at least another few years when they become more affordable. SATA CD/DVD burners/players with light scribe (because why not?) are only like $20-25 anyway.
Other than the PSU and the Blue Ray, no real complaints on either build; everything is perfect for what you want.
Very nicely done, it's obvious someone's done their homework. 
kufan64: Thanks for your advice regarding the PSU and Blu Ray. I certainly don't mind shaving off a few bucks on the build and as you say, I can add a Blu Ray-player later on if I feel the need, an easy $100+ off the price. About the PSU, I don't mind organizing the cables for this build since it's quite light on components. Good suggestions, I will take you up on both.
blockhd: I've heard good things about both drives so I went with the one that's rumored to be more quiet If the performance difference between the drives are substantial I may switch to a black instead, Price wise there isn't a big difference at my retailer anyway. I want the good stuff for the build
And I did choose a Corsair PSU
" PSU: CORSAIR HX 620W NÄTDEL ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V
1350 skr ($181) "
I'll switch it to a 650 or higher TX instead though.
Thanx for all your advice guys.
Only one question remaining....
Both seem to be decent builds for a gaming rig...but which one should I build?
I'm having a hard time deciding 
I'm glad to hear you took my advice.
The i7 build will perform better, but the AMD build is a better value. Since AMD owns ATI, the CPU and GPU might work together better in that build, but that's pure speculation on my part, and I have absolutely nothing to back up that claim. It's really up to you. I've always been an Intel/Nvidia guy and probably will remain so until they give me a reason not to be, and being an Intel guy, I can safely say that the i7 setup you pitched with the PSU and BD changes will be phenominal. I can't say the same for the AMD build simply because I'm not as familiar with them.
Regarding the Black vs Green HDD discussion, the black spins faster which generates more noise, heat, and draws more power, but it operates faster as a result. I can't tell you exactly how much more noise, heat, and power draw the black requires over the green, but I have heard that the performance difference isn't massive, especially if you compare a large 1-1.5TB green drive to a smaller black drive. It's pretty much your call, which is why I didn't comment on it before. I will say that black's are more popular with high performance game machines.
kufan64:
Of course i took your advice, that was the whole point of posting here 
I've read quite a few build-specs here and your advice seems great.
I switched the Green for a Black and there was about a $30-35 orice difference for the 1TB model.
For the PSU i went with the following, i hope that I will be ok with the 650 initially at least. I will probably add another optical drive in the future and another HDD.
CORSAIR TX 650W PSU ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V
I think I will try the AMD route this time around since I've never owned an AMD machine.
I think it will serve me quite nicely for a few years.
PS. I will probably check out the Core i5 setup once that is released and maybe use that platform for my HTPC build 
And who knows...maybe there will be an nVidia card in the bag then as well
Thanks a lot for now. I will update this post when I'm ready with the rig.
Have a nice summer in the meantime.
//SweHtpc
you could always look at it this way, go amd if you hate macs, because intel are in macs haha. Other then that your system looks awesome, i wish i had that money to spend
jitpublisher: Great, AMD it is then. Been curious to try one for a long time. Have been an intel guy since i bought my first Pentium 75MHz.
SunshineKiller: I will go the AMD route but not for the "I hate Macs" reason I have two Macs and plan on a replacement MBP in the spring.
Thanks all you guys for the advice and responses I got!
Very helpful!
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