Compare 2 builds, please.

[paw17]

Hey Folks,
I am in two schools of thought.
Very close to building my next system and would like your thoughts on going with a faster and better mobo with more ram and onboard gpu or cutting back on the ram and board but going with a dedicated gpu.
I am not a gamer by any means of the word but I do like my car racing and fps to look as good as I can get it.
I am leaning towards the intergrated system as I don't hink I am going to get a great performance out of Windows 7 with only 2 gig of ram. Also the intergrated system allows for more upgrades later. In addition I have always been a fan of Asus and Ati. I haven't decided on ram yet, just picked a stick from the list.
Also, ins electing the evo I can add more ram at a later date.

This is my build:
ES-MA3FEB172912091 Generic - 2 x Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM (Model #:CT25664BA1339.16F)
Details:
Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM (Model #:CT25664BA1339.16F)
Update $ 59.99 $ 119.98 Delete
ES-PA83785 ASUS Computer International - ASUS MB M4A785TD-V EVO AMD 785G/SB710 AM3 FSB5200MTs DDR3 PCIE2 Audio ATX RTL (Mfg. Part#: M4A785TD-V EVO)
Details:
ASUS MB M4A785TD-V EVO AMD 785G/SB710 AM3 FSB5200MTs DDR3 PCIE2 Audio ATX RTL (Mfg. Part#: M4A785TD-V EVO)
Update $ 98.99 $ 98.99 Delete
ES-77169Q Advanced Micro Devices, Inc - AMD Athlon II X3 Tri-core 435 2.9GHz Processor - 2.9GHz - 4000MHz HT - 1.5MB L2 - Socket AM3 - Retail (Mfg. Part#: ADX435WFGIBOX)
Details:
AMD Athlon II X3 Tri-core 435 2.9GHz Processor - 2.9GHz - 4000MHz HT - 1.5MB L2 - Socket AM3 - Retail (Mfg. Part#: ADX435WFGIBOX)
Update $ 89.99 $ 89.99 Delete
ES-75508Q Microsoft Corporation - Microsoft Windows v.7.0 Home Premium - 64-bit - License and Media - OEM - 1 PC - PC (Mfg. Part#: GFC-00599)
Details:
Microsoft Windows v.7.0 Home Premium - 64-bit - License and Media - OEM - 1 PC - PC (Mfg. Part#: GFC-00599)
Update $ 108.99 $ 108.99 Delete
Total: $ 417.95

This is a great suggestion from another contributor, I would need to add Windows.

CPU:AMD Athlon II X3 435 Rana 2.9GHz $78.99 CAD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6819103724

Motherboard: MSI 770-G45 AM3 AMD 770 ATX $84.99 CAD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6813130250

RAM: CORSAIR 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $56.49 CAD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6820145246

Video Card:ASUS EAH5670/DI/512MD Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB $101.99 CAD
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Produ [...] 6814121368

All for $322.46 CAD.

 

[gkay09]

CPU + Mobo
X3 435 + Gigabyte 770 With USB 3.0/ SATA 6GB/s
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.353290

RAM - 4GB Kit
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010170147%201052129233%201052315794&bop=And

Graphics card - Depends on the monitor resolution and as you are not a gamer, and assuming that you play only occasionally, I feel even a HD 4650/ HD 4670 would suffice...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131178
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814141114

Total - ~$343 CAD with a HD 4670/ ~$324 CAD with HD 4650...
You can also check out the HD 5570 if you want a DirectX 11 card...

 

[paw17]

Thanks for the build. But once I factor in the os I am at $550 after tax, my budget is $500 firm.
The builds that have ben suggested have all included a dedicated video card. Is this the general consensus on how to move forward.
Also, will the cheaper boards give me the upgrade options later, more ram better video etc...

 

[gkay09]

^ Well if you are just a regular user, who just assemble it once and its done kind, then you can go with cheaper mobos...Just make sure they are DDR3, have 4 RAM slots and are atleast of decent quality...

As for the suggestion of a dedicated card, you had wanted high FPS on your car racing game, which is pretty unlikely on an onboard graphics in general...but which car game are you talking about...If it was released say 2008 or before, then the onboard graphics of a 785G mobo will just be fine...But if you are talking about newer car racing games, then better to go with the dedicated graphics setup...

 

[paw17]

Thanks again,
separate card it is then, NFS carbon, dirt 2 etc....
I want this board to take me through at least a couple of cpu's and I will be adding ram etc, in the future.

 

[gkay09]

^ What is your monitor's resoltuion ?

 

[paw17]

Hi,
it is capable of 1920, but I dont' need to run games at that, 1280 and good detail is good for me.

 

[gkay09]

^ Then atleast HD 4650 or above will be good...

 

[paw17]

That's great.
I put this together within my budget.

AMD Athlon II X3 Tri-core 435 2.9GHz Processor
Asus MB M4A785T-M/CSM Express Gate AM3 16GB DDR3 1800 PCIe Retail
Crucial 2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
Sapphire HD 4850 512MB DDR3 Dual HDMI DVI-I/VGA Dual Slot Fan Lite Retail

I am just concerned that only having 2Gb will kill my Windows 7 and make the regular use of the PC a pain.

Thanks again

 

[gkay09]

^ I doubt that...
http://www.winmatrix.com/forums/index.php?/topic/20712-windows-7-memory-usage/
http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/8446-windows-7-ram-usage.html

But still more the RAM, the WIN 7 will be more responsive...But am sure for now you will be happy with the gaming part as that 4850 will handle the games nicely...
but no DirectX 11...If you want DirectX 11, then switch to HD 5670, but that will offer lower performance than HD 4850 but will give you DirectX 11 though...So its your call...

 

[paw17]

Best answer selected by paw17.