Replacement of my old AMD 939

[mrfederalist]

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: within 1 month

BUDGET RANGE: 800-1K Before Rebates

SYSTEM USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Photoshop/Drawing Software/Skpe-Live Messenger Video Calls/Software Development (Java)/Games (last but not least), Music downloads, Video streaming from torrent or netflix

PARTS NOT REQUIRED: (e.g.: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, OS) Keyboard, Mouse

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: newegg
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: US

PARTS PREFERENCES: Open to Intel

OVERCLOCKING: Maybe

SLI OR CROSSFIRE: Maybe

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 1680X1050,

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: (e.g.: Need to have a window and lots of bling, I would like a quiet PC)

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Trying to decide between an Intel I5 or an AMD X3 (720 for example) or X4 solution.

I'll need everything from my old desktop since I'm going to keep XP 32 on it and install SAP on it for work. I've a Vista 64 laptop (if that matters) so I'd like to get Windows 7 as the OS.

I travel during the week so it gets used by wife/kids for having Web video calls with me via MSN Live, my daughter does a lot of art/drawing programs on it, otherwise websurfing.

I like to play games on it and though it would not be the families prime use I'd like to be able to play when I've the time.

Components I've looked at

PSU:
Antec EarthWatts EA650 650W Continuous Power ATX12V Ver.2.2 / EPS12V version 2.91 SLI Certified CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC "compatible with Core i7/Core i5" Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371015

GPU - more a 4870 or 4850 than this particular card

POWERCOLOR AX4870 1GBD5 Radeon HD 4870 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card - Retail

CASE -most important to have access to USB, etc in from since this will be in a cabinet.

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel (current case and have no complaints - open to new one though)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119068

HDD - Currently have two 320GB Caviar (one for backups)

Memory would like 4GB - Usually lots of stuff running at the same time.

For AMD I was looking at this MOBO

GIGABYTE GA-MA790X-UD4P AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 790X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128387

For Intel this MOBO

MSI P55-GD65 LGA 1156 Intel P55 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130239

 

[cheepstuff]

i would recommend bumping the card down because what you have is a little overpowered for normal use. what games do you play? if they arn't very advanced then the 4770 might be better.

 

[sonic-boom]

I'd recommend this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
As fifellas said a i5/5770 build would be great for whats listed, but at that resolution you could get away with a 4850.
Asus or Gigabyte mobo may be a better option asus 1156 p55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131404
Ram ripjaws ddr3 1333 cl 7: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
You could get away with a smaller psu if you wanted to like a 550
Do you need new HDDs or using old ones? new one spinpoint f3 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

 

[mrfederalist]

I'm not super knowledgeable, so I can't really give you a complete build but I was reading this post (especially the 2nd post).
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/273518-31-homebuilt-buying-guide

I think an i5/5770 combo would be great for your uses.

I'm leaning to the i5 but I could save 150 bucks or so by going with the AMD setup. Thats either money for a new A/V receiver or upgrading the CPU on the AMD side.

I'm not sure if I'm limited on upgrade paths by going with the 1156 socket vs an AM3 or if the i5 is just going to be more than I need.

Though I don't play a lot of games (don't have time) I do want it to be great when I do. Maybe I'm just better getting a PS3?

 

[mrfederalist]

I'd recommend this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
As fifellas said a i5/5770 build would be great for whats listed, but at that resolution you could get away with a 4850.
Asus or Gigabyte mobo may be a better option asus 1156 p55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131404
Ram ripjaws ddr3 1333 cl 7: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
You could get away with a smaller psu if you wanted to like a 550
Do you need new HDDs or using old ones? new one spinpoint f3 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Thanks for the info.

I saw that case (nice case) but I'm not sure about the placement of the external ports. On top the would be hard to get to unless I put some sliders in my cabinet to roll it out.

I'll be getting a new HDD and trying to move the old (itunes music, drawings etc) over since I'll probably go to Win7 vs a new build on XP. Been researching the best way to upgrade the OS vs trying to reinstall the HDD in the new MOBO and trying to do a OS repair.

 

[mrfederalist]

i would recommend bumping the card down because what you have is a little overpowered for normal use. what games do you play? if they arn't very advanced then the 4770 might be better.

I've liked FPS like Doom, COD, tried to run Crysis but my current setup really doesn't cut it. My all time favorite was Descent 3.

 

[sonic-boom]

Had a hard time finding a quality case with a side window and usb ports in the front, al most all are on top. Here are 2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133132
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811133133

 

[pat]

I'm leaning to the i5 but I could save 150 bucks or so by going with the AMD setup. Thats either money for a new A/V receiver or upgrading the CPU on the AMD side.

I'm not sure if I'm limited on upgrade paths by going with the 1156 socket vs an AM3 or if the i5 is just going to be more than I need.

Though I don't play a lot of games (don't have time) I do want it to be great when I do. Maybe I'm just better getting a PS3?

The only place where the i5 may be faster is with photoshop, but to be honest, you'll be more happy with a new A/V receiver especially if you are listening music or watching movies with surround sound..

 

[mrfederalist]

I'd recommend this case http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129021
As fifellas said a i5/5770 build would be great for whats listed, but at that resolution you could get away with a 4850.
Asus or Gigabyte mobo may be a better option asus 1156 p55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131404
Ram ripjaws ddr3 1333 cl 7: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231276
You could get away with a smaller psu if you wanted to like a 550
Do you need new HDDs or using old ones? new one spinpoint f3 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

Why do you recommend the other mobo?

 

[mrfederalist]

The only place where the i5 may be faster is with photoshop, but to be honest, you'll be more happy with a new A/V receiver especially if you are listening music or watching movies with surround sound..

Would there be a better AMD chip than the 720? I saw an article here or on Anandtech about some new X4 AMD that were around 100 bucks.

 

[sonic-boom]

Asus and Gigabyte are considered high quality boards, some people consider MSI a second tier board. Now most of a mobo pick is preference, but Asus and Gigabyte are just known for making quality boards.

 

[mrfederalist]

Asus and Gigabyte are considered high quality boards, some people consider MSI a second tier board. Now most of a mobo pick is preference, but Asus and Gigabyte are just known for making quality boards.

Ok. They are all within 20 bucks of each other and it looks like the have more USB ports than the MSI as well.