System Builder Marathon, June 2011: $500 Gaming PC
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pauldh
June 23, 2011 4:00:04 AM
This quarter's $500 PC is sure to be a little controversial. We've built plenty of AMD-powered budget boxes in the past, but now we're testing the mettle of Intel's (multiplier-locked) Core i3-2100 in a gaming system priced right around $500.
System Builder Marathon, June 2011: $500 Gaming PC : Read more
System Builder Marathon, June 2011: $500 Gaming PC : Read more
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Zero_
June 23, 2011 4:23:31 AM
Is it just me or does anyone get a feeling that the SBM rigs are being sold for advertising?
The X4 955 costs $15 less like you said, and allows overclocking even with stock, and $60 would buy a much better equipped AMD board. Also, $185 gets you a HD6870 these days.
Result? Better FPS per $ for the same price. TBH, that's what I was expecting. I am disappoint.
The X4 955 costs $15 less like you said, and allows overclocking even with stock, and $60 would buy a much better equipped AMD board. Also, $185 gets you a HD6870 these days.
Result? Better FPS per $ for the same price. TBH, that's what I was expecting. I am disappoint.
Score
13
spotminer
June 23, 2011 4:47:54 AM
Related resources
- Help! System Builder Marathon, Q2 2014: Our Budget Gaming PC - Forum
- $500 Gaming PC (From recent builder marathon) - Forum
- Looking at System Builder Marathon (or any other PC) for New Build - Forum
- June 2011 $500 System Build Question - Forum
- System Builder marathon $500 - Forum
spotminerSeagate Barracuda ST3500413AS 500 GB, SATA 6Gb/s yet the motherboard has only 4 x SATA2 3.0 Gb/s connectors.How would you utilize the maximum potential of the hard disk then?
Because HDD's cannot saturate even the Sata 3.0Gb/s line. They run at around 120MB/s, but sata II can handle up to 280MB/s or so. It's a cash grab. Means nothing for HDD's.
Score
14
spotminer
June 23, 2011 4:52:46 AM
compton
June 23, 2011 5:09:57 AM
I can only hope that the rumor that Intel is currently prepping a K series i3 is true. I'm using a 2500k now, but I think an i3-k would kick ass in the spare 1155 board I've got laying around.
As far as the June budget build goes, it's really just an alternated Intel flavored version of the March build. As such, some hopeful budget builders may find reasons to go either route. Maybe the best argument against going AMD for the $500 build is the impending release of Llano and Bulldozer. It doesn't make much sense to put together an AMD system at this time -- even if you're looking at the budget area. The Phenom II will continue to be a good value especially if you're updating an older AMD system. It's not that the Phenom/Athlon is so slow as much as Intel's SB is just plain fast and efficient.
I want an unlocked i3 Intel... please make it happen.
As far as the June budget build goes, it's really just an alternated Intel flavored version of the March build. As such, some hopeful budget builders may find reasons to go either route. Maybe the best argument against going AMD for the $500 build is the impending release of Llano and Bulldozer. It doesn't make much sense to put together an AMD system at this time -- even if you're looking at the budget area. The Phenom II will continue to be a good value especially if you're updating an older AMD system. It's not that the Phenom/Athlon is so slow as much as Intel's SB is just plain fast and efficient.
I want an unlocked i3 Intel... please make it happen.
Score
6
buzznut
June 23, 2011 5:18:10 AM
lott11
June 23, 2011 5:23:27 AM
It looks like someone was doing a all Intel promo.
What software can utilize hyper threaded cores.
Not on any gamers PC'S much less on MS 64 bit at an entry level.
Granted at high end, they do make a great deal of difference but not at entry level.
And since when is power conservation a consideration for a gamer.
What software can utilize hyper threaded cores.
Not on any gamers PC'S much less on MS 64 bit at an entry level.
Granted at high end, they do make a great deal of difference but not at entry level.
And since when is power conservation a consideration for a gamer.
Score
-11
Zero_
June 23, 2011 5:23:32 AM
mightymaxio
June 23, 2011 5:29:38 AM
lott11It looks like someone was doing a all Intel promo.What software can utilize hyper threaded cores.Not on any gamers PC'S much less on MS 64 bit at an entry level.Granted at high end, they do make a great deal of difference but not at entry level.And since when is power conservation a consideration for a gamer.
Um lets see, unreal 3 can use hyperthreading, battlefield bad company 2 and battlefield 3 take advantage of hyperthreading, many games such as wow now take advantage of it. Need i go on.
Score
1
dragonsqrrl
June 23, 2011 5:46:18 AM
zero_Is it just me or does anyone get a feeling that the SBM rigs are being sold for advertising? The X4 955 costs $15 less like you said, and allows overclocking even with stock, and $60 would buy a much better equipped AMD board. Also, $185 gets you a HD6870 these days.Result? Better FPS per $ for the same price. TBH, that's what I was expecting. I am disappoint.
I still think the i3-2100 was the right choice...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-phenom-ii-x6-1075t,2859-10.html
For a gaming oriented build at this price point, these lower end Sandy Bridge processors can't be beat. Even when you factor in the overclocking potential of similarly priced AMD processors (Phenom II X4 955 or 965) I don't think it's enough to defeat the i3-2100 in the games where it matters most. Even when it comes to multitasking and and multithreaded workloads, the dual-core Sandy Bridge is still very performance competitive, which is kind of sad from an architectural standpoint (quad-thread i3 vs quad-core Phenom II).
If this build were targeted at workstation applications however, I think you could definitely make the argument that AMD offers a viable alternative with the additional cores. But again, this is a gaming oriented build.
Score
5
tajisi
June 23, 2011 5:57:32 AM
AMD needs to hurry up on the Bulldozer release if a dual core Intel chip, one that can't be overclocked, is giving their quads a run for their money. If this is an base i3, what does the i5 do when pushed to 4 or 4.5 GHZ on a full set of 4 cores?
It'd be worth it for me, at least, to spend the $100 or so difference and get something with a bit extra oomph. I'm prepared for the standard "It's more than that 11!!1!!!" and "Intel doesn't have a chip for less than $999!11!1oneone!!!" whining that will follow, but cost-wise it's not that bad anymore. Bulldozer, AMD, or I'm not impressed. Give me something that won't choke my GPU to death.
It'd be worth it for me, at least, to spend the $100 or so difference and get something with a bit extra oomph. I'm prepared for the standard "It's more than that 11!!1!!!" and "Intel doesn't have a chip for less than $999!11!1oneone!!!" whining that will follow, but cost-wise it's not that bad anymore. Bulldozer, AMD, or I'm not impressed. Give me something that won't choke my GPU to death.
Score
5
Nnymrod
June 23, 2011 6:10:20 AM
crisan_tiberiu
June 23, 2011 6:18:43 AM
cobra5000
June 23, 2011 6:27:21 AM
Fokissed
June 23, 2011 6:36:21 AM
lott11It looks like someone was doing a all Intel promo.What software can utilize hyper threaded cores.Not on any gamers PC'S much less on MS 64 bit at an entry level.Granted at high end, they do make a great deal of difference but not at entry level.And since when is power conservation a consideration for a gamer.
This post is so full of fail...
Score
5
I think it was worth building a sandybridge at this price point to compare the two systems .
The article has proved conclusively that sb isnt the phenom killer at this price point. Once you take in to account the relative prices of a 955 and the 2100 , and the 955 being clocked so much higher than the 925 they used then AMD looks better than it did in March .
Im sure a few intel fanboys just had a very bad day
The article has proved conclusively that sb isnt the phenom killer at this price point. Once you take in to account the relative prices of a 955 and the 2100 , and the 955 being clocked so much higher than the 925 they used then AMD looks better than it did in March .
Im sure a few intel fanboys just had a very bad day
Score
12
cobra5000
June 23, 2011 6:46:12 AM
All you dorks drooling over this i3 right now, almost all the charts here were neck-and-neck, too close to really notice the difference. If you take a real world pc with anti-virus and programs running in the background, you will feel the difference between dual-core and quad-core cpu's. Plus if you take a 955-965 they will oc to 3.7-3.9 Ghz SO easy ANYONE can do it, no voltage changes needed. Can you believe the Mobo they used? Sparse is generous! Not even a single pci slot. You could get an AMD board with eveerything, including USB 3.0 front ports. Where are those? Any one of the great readers here at Toms could hop over to the egg, take 20 min. and build a 955 based rig that could stomp this i3 brainwash event down where it belongs.
Score
6
cobra5000
June 23, 2011 6:54:26 AM
Crashman
June 23, 2011 7:41:13 AM
crisan_tiberiuwell, this month: Intel CPU and AMD Graphics so everyone is pleased. But wait, where is nVidia?
Every once in a while one of the builders does use Nvidia and get this, about a dozen guys cry that it's anti-AMD bias and that THG is a group of Nvidia fanboys.
cobra5000All you dorks drooling over this i3 right now, almost all the charts here were neck-and-neck, too close to really notice the difference. If you take a real world pc with anti-virus and programs running in the background, you will feel the difference between dual-core and quad-core cpu's. Plus if you take a 955-965 they will oc to 3.7-3.9 Ghz SO easy ANYONE can do it, no voltage changes needed. Can you believe the Mobo they used? Sparse is generous! Not even a single pci slot. You could get an AMD board with eveerything, including USB 3.0 front ports. Where are those? Any one of the great readers here at Toms could hop over to the egg, take 20 min. and build a 955 based rig that could stomp this i3 brainwash event down where it belongs.
Both of the other editors disagreed with Paul on the Core i3 placement, one more than the other. I even told him something to the effect that "the i3 isn't better, and even if it were better you'd still need to use AMD just to keep guys like cobra5000 from ruining the follow-up thread". OK, I took a little "artistic license" in that quote, but it's true to the concept I voiced. Score
5
Anonymous
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4
Gaming
June 23, 2011 8:39:33 AM
Tom's choice of parts for this build was predictable, considering that Sandy Bridge is the new "in-thing" so no surprises there. What I surprising however is Tom's set of benchmarks. What's the point of these SBM guides if the games that are tested are either old or they plan simply suck? Who cares what Just Cause 2 scores on a $500 machine, when it's a banal console port, if Shogun 2, Civilization 5, SC 2, BFBC2 or (hell) even Dragon Age: Origins aren't tested? Same thing with the $1000 build that doesn't benchmark a CrossfireX setup with the Witcher 2 or Shogun 2 - some of the most demanding PC games out there - thusly failing to show that Crossfire setups have serious issues with GAMES PEOPLE WANT TO PLAY!
Also, does Tom's have some exclusivity deal with newegg? I love newegg as much as the next guy/gal but some of these components come MUCH cheaper on amazon.
Also, does Tom's have some exclusivity deal with newegg? I love newegg as much as the next guy/gal but some of these components come MUCH cheaper on amazon.
Score
3
Crashman
June 23, 2011 8:50:34 AM
annnonyxxxxTom's choice of parts for this build was predictable, considering that Sandy Bridge is the new "in-thing" so no surprises there.
Each builder picks his own parts, so characterizing an entire site based on the decisions of one builder shows extreme bias. Either you didn't even read the comments before making yours, or you ignored the facts.Metro 2033 was included, so at least you know that some of the results are current.
This is called the Tom's Hardware / Newegg system builder marathon for a reason: Tom's formerly got all its parts from the manufacturers, but some were unreliable and others tried to rig the competition. So the site found a vender willing to supply all the parts for free.
Score
6
gondor
June 23, 2011 9:21:51 AM
Thanks for elaborating on that Crashman. Is there any chance we could get a 955BE and AM3+ board based $500 review for performance comparison ?
While Intel build might be able to outdo it in the efficiency department some users might not care about this as much as they do about pure performance (where 955BE might prove to be more than just a fair a match to i3 2100) and further upgradeability where H61 based braindead board used in this review doesn't leave much wiggling room and AM3+ board might allow upgrade path to Bulldozer CPU, higher speed RAM, come equipped with USB 3.0 etc.
While Intel build might be able to outdo it in the efficiency department some users might not care about this as much as they do about pure performance (where 955BE might prove to be more than just a fair a match to i3 2100) and further upgradeability where H61 based braindead board used in this review doesn't leave much wiggling room and AM3+ board might allow upgrade path to Bulldozer CPU, higher speed RAM, come equipped with USB 3.0 etc.
Score
3
Crashman
June 23, 2011 9:46:06 AM
gondorThanks for elaborating on that Crashman. Is there any chance we could get a 955BE and AM3+ board based $500 review for performance comparison ?While Intel build might be able to outdo it in the efficiency department some users might not care about this as much as they do about pure performance (where 955BE might prove to be more than just a fair a match to i3 2100) and further upgradeability where H61 based braindead board used in this review doesn't leave much wiggling room and AM3+ board might allow upgrade path to Bulldozer CPU, higher speed RAM, come equipped with USB 3.0 etc.
I doubt that you'll see anything soon, because the SBM series is only put together every three months. Score
0
Anonymous
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Gaming
June 23, 2011 11:03:08 AM
@Crashman Convenient of you to ignore the bulk of my argument, poor benchmarks with little relevance to MOST people looking to build a GAMING PC, and trying to pick apart the logical fallacies.
For starters, I did not know that Tom's had exclusivity rights with Newegg on SBM. I just noticed that now. Even so, I fully support other opinions on this forum which have CLEARLY shown that this build could have been cheaper and more effective.
Secondly, of course the i3 would have been the choice of CPU for this budget build as it's pretty much the best dollar/performance ratio you can get at $125. Not only that but it's a newer architecture allowing greater upgradability whereas the Phenoms and the AM3 socket are about to be phased out. Furthermore it stated in the march SBM that the next build would attempt using an i3 CPU. So that's why it's not surprising.
Thirdly, what exactly does Metro 2033 have to do with anything? That game is an average shooter and an incomprehensibly big system-hog. How does running this poorly optimized game for a benchmark prove anything when, like I clearly stated, you're leaving out most games people actually play?
I just want to make it perfectly clear: I'm not discussing the hardware, the build, the OC or anything else hardware related here. It just seems to me that Tom's benchmarks and perhaps their choice of parts for "budget" builds is lacking.
For starters, I did not know that Tom's had exclusivity rights with Newegg on SBM. I just noticed that now. Even so, I fully support other opinions on this forum which have CLEARLY shown that this build could have been cheaper and more effective.
Secondly, of course the i3 would have been the choice of CPU for this budget build as it's pretty much the best dollar/performance ratio you can get at $125. Not only that but it's a newer architecture allowing greater upgradability whereas the Phenoms and the AM3 socket are about to be phased out. Furthermore it stated in the march SBM that the next build would attempt using an i3 CPU. So that's why it's not surprising.
Thirdly, what exactly does Metro 2033 have to do with anything? That game is an average shooter and an incomprehensibly big system-hog. How does running this poorly optimized game for a benchmark prove anything when, like I clearly stated, you're leaving out most games people actually play?
I just want to make it perfectly clear: I'm not discussing the hardware, the build, the OC or anything else hardware related here. It just seems to me that Tom's benchmarks and perhaps their choice of parts for "budget" builds is lacking.
Score
-4
Stardude82
June 23, 2011 11:55:09 AM
genghiskron
June 23, 2011 1:06:31 PM
Crashman, you imply that there are no funds for a 955 vs i3-2100 comparison. Would it be possible for readers to donate the $170 or so it would take to make this possible, and test it before the $500 build is shipped out? In an interesting twist, you could ship the PC with the preferred setup, and ship the remaining cpu+mobo to an additional winner.
Score
-1
gondorThanks for elaborating on that Crashman. Is there any chance we could get a 955BE and AM3+ board based $500 review for performance comparison ?While Intel build might be able to outdo it in the efficiency department some users might not care about this as much as they do about pure performance (where 955BE might prove to be more than just a fair a match to i3 2100) and further upgradeability where H61 based braindead board used in this review doesn't leave much wiggling room and AM3+ board might allow upgrade path to Bulldozer CPU, higher speed RAM, come equipped with USB 3.0 etc.
Seriously? AMD is more concerned with cramming mediocre video capabilities onto their processing packages than they are about beating Sandy Bridge. For the sake of competition, I hope all the hype leads somewhere, but the likelihood of Bulldozer completely surpassing the i7-2600k and Sandy Bridge in performance is as likely as the Mayan calendar's indication of the end of the world (could be true, but no one knows). We're already waiting for better stepping on these processors (reason for the delayed release). And the AM3 can beat the 1155 chipset how?
As far as an upgrade goes, you could drop an i7-2600k onto this board as well as a new PSU and GTX 580 or Radeon 6970, but I guess that would be a pretty lame system, huh?
You do have a pretty strong USB 3.0 argument though. I'll give you that.
Score
2
Zero_
June 23, 2011 1:25:15 PM
genghiskron said:
Crashman, you imply that there are no funds for a 955 vs i3-2100 comparison. Would it be possible for readers to donate the $170 or so it would take to make this possible, and test it before the $500 build is shipped out? In an interesting twist, you could ship the PC with the preferred setup, and ship the remaining cpu+mobo to an additional winner.$170 wouldn't do it. The reason I'm interested in dropping down to the 955BE is that it allows a graphics upgrade for ~$15 more. i.e. the HD6870.
If you are going for a budget build, bang for buck is important.
Score
1
rflynn88
June 23, 2011 1:31:49 PM
I don't get all of the "lack of flexibility" complaints on the 1155 board. Don't get me wrong as far as features go that board is garbage, and doesn't offer any overclocking options. However, for ~$209 you can buy a Core i5-2500 (non-K) and drop it in that board. At that point no AMD CPU is even going to touch it. Also, who cares about overclocking if the overclocked system just competes with another stock system at the same price?
In this particular comparison the AMD system probably makes the most sense. For $500 you get a more feature filled system with similar performance, however at around $600+ I'll take an intel setup.
In this particular comparison the AMD system probably makes the most sense. For $500 you get a more feature filled system with similar performance, however at around $600+ I'll take an intel setup.
Score
1
grody
June 23, 2011 2:06:10 PM
dosdecarnitas
June 23, 2011 2:31:54 PM
fist off i am AMD fanboy but lets be objective
computers are right now where almost any build is a comfortable build, i mean AMD or intel , Phenom ll or Core i(x) will deliver enough housepower for us to deliver almost any common day to day task and not wonder when like Crysis 1 was around where only high end build would deliver the power
so lets not bash this build cause lets face it Intel has got game while its efficient and ATI has it on the GPU side
Less Power = Cold build = More PLaytime = Happy Gamer!!! lol
computers are right now where almost any build is a comfortable build, i mean AMD or intel , Phenom ll or Core i(x) will deliver enough housepower for us to deliver almost any common day to day task and not wonder when like Crysis 1 was around where only high end build would deliver the power
so lets not bash this build cause lets face it Intel has got game while its efficient and ATI has it on the GPU side
Less Power = Cold build = More PLaytime = Happy Gamer!!! lol
Score
1
shredder777
June 23, 2011 2:48:13 PM
AstroTC
June 23, 2011 2:54:25 PM
ivyanev
June 23, 2011 3:05:34 PM
pauldh
June 23, 2011 3:26:55 PM
shredder777I still don't get why they won't use amd. It is way cheaper and better for the price range.
It should make perfect sense why the $1000 and $2000 systems so not use AMD, they can afford superior K-series Sandy Bridge chips and gobs of GPU muscle at the same time.
As for the Budget Gaming build, it has been ALL AMD platforms (priced between $400-$750) since the last quarter of 2009! We DO use AMD.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-gaming-pc-ph...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/build-a-pc-overcloc...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-pc-build-a-p...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/cpu-gpu-overclock,2...
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/value-gaming-pc,257...
This was an experiment away from the norm since it was possible to build a SB-based PC for the same cost as the former Phenom II X4 system. An X4-955 would not have been cheaper than this when we ordered components.
Score
5
darasen
June 23, 2011 3:32:57 PM
pauldh
June 23, 2011 3:45:33 PM
darasenI am a bit confused. In the $2000 article the comments were complaining that the build was too similar to the previous $2k build. The comments here are complaining because this build isn't the same as the march build.
LOL, pretty much so.
It's a controversial build. The AMD crowd knows continual falling prices and/or speed bumps have kept their brand very competative (even owning) this price slot. Overclockers aren't happy with the limitations of this gen Core i3. Some get it (gaming/stock performance/ efficiency), while others obviously just wanted the (edit) March PC bumped up a notch and re-tested.
Score
2
SpadeM
June 23, 2011 3:54:31 PM
Well I for one am still waiting for a outrageous system (like the one with quad fire cards
from way back). This month's SBM was quite plain really ... nothing really stood out. Sure the systems were ok-ish but ... no sex appeal what so ever, they just felt bland. Also regarding the benchmark section, would it be possible to have a antivirus running in the background when u guys benchmark the rigs? Should be more engaging for the systems and spice things up a bit.
from way back). This month's SBM was quite plain really ... nothing really stood out. Sure the systems were ok-ish but ... no sex appeal what so ever, they just felt bland. Also regarding the benchmark section, would it be possible to have a antivirus running in the background when u guys benchmark the rigs? Should be more engaging for the systems and spice things up a bit. Score
2
I'm sort of shocked at the response from the build. I mean, I know it's a very heated debate (been in more than one myself on the forums >.>) But poeple, this is just one opinion. Just because they chose to go Intel this round doesn't make them biased. Both builds are legitimate,and anyone who go's onto Anandtech's bench section can see that the i3 outperforms the 955 (even when overclocked) in gaming. Not saying it's a better choice, but one to consider.
Additionally, in a gaming PC the GPU is the real bottleneck. You are not going to see much difference between the two.
The USB3 arguement is also invalid. On newegg, there is no boards with usb3/sataIII for $60. None. Not even a Biostar. This means you would have to jump to a $70-75 board, eliminating your cost savings.
Now I'm not trying to say the Intel was the way to go. I might have gone AMD, if just for the sake that I'd like to dabble with OC. But 90% of people will leave it stock, where the i3 clearly wins.
Before anyone accuses me of Intel fanboyism, I am writing from an Athlon II x3 and I love it.
Editors, You have my support. It was good to show 2 sides and 2 possible builds. Good job.
Additionally, in a gaming PC the GPU is the real bottleneck. You are not going to see much difference between the two.
The USB3 arguement is also invalid. On newegg, there is no boards with usb3/sataIII for $60. None. Not even a Biostar. This means you would have to jump to a $70-75 board, eliminating your cost savings.
Now I'm not trying to say the Intel was the way to go. I might have gone AMD, if just for the sake that I'd like to dabble with OC. But 90% of people will leave it stock, where the i3 clearly wins.
Before anyone accuses me of Intel fanboyism, I am writing from an Athlon II x3 and I love it.
Editors, You have my support. It was good to show 2 sides and 2 possible builds. Good job.
Score
1
Outlander_04Looks to me the Phenom 955 owns the $500 spot . Its cheaper , you get a better motherboard that your friends wont laugh at .Can we have this article updated with both rigs graphics cards set at the same clocks ? That would be a telling comparison .
Except the previous build is in the happy hands of one of the readers, so it's not exactly readily available. More importantly I think the variance of the clock speeds of the cards demonstrates that there is always the possiblity that your card/CPU won't perform the same as anyone else's. How many times have we seen memory that previously overclocked well, in a new build not overclock in a new build.
Score
1
triculious
June 23, 2011 4:36:03 PM
Hey Tom's people, month after month I read the "why did you choose over you fanboys?", "I'm sure you sold your souls to as you ALWAYS prefer one over the other", "this build sucks and would have been better if MY CHOICE of parts was used" or "why build this kind of machine which is clearly not the best bang/buck out there?".
Wouldn't a simple statement that the SMB is NOT a buying guide suffice? Hatters gonna hate, but I think making it clear would help even a bit.
On the other hand, I enjoyed this build. Gaming focused and helps comparing what a cheap SB can offer against the good ol' reliable Phenom II X4.
Keep up the good work guys.
Wouldn't a simple statement that the SMB is NOT a buying guide suffice? Hatters gonna hate, but I think making it clear would help even a bit.
On the other hand, I enjoyed this build. Gaming focused and helps comparing what a cheap SB can offer against the good ol' reliable Phenom II X4.
Keep up the good work guys.
Score
3
gondor
June 23, 2011 4:53:50 PM
darasenThe comments here are complaining because this build isn't the same as the march build.
Actually my only "complaint" (I wasn't really complaining about anything, I asked whether it would be possible to get an alternative $500 configuration that promises equal gaming performance in most titles and better performance in heavily threaded applications benchmarked as well) was that it would have been nice to see the performance of 955BE based system so that a fair comparison could be made.
The article, as it stands now, merely speculates about its performance and I don't think that actually performing the comparison would break the piggybank; they probably have suitable hardware (with possible exception of the motherboard) shelved somewhere, just run the tests and slap current prices next to it.
It's just a matter of thoroughness - present valid alternatives to educate us (the readers).
Score
-1
dragonsqrrl
June 23, 2011 4:53:50 PM
pauldhAs for the Budget Gaming build, it has been ALL AMD platforms (priced between $400-$750) since the last quarter of 2009! We DO use AMD.
This was an experiment away from the norm since it was possible to build a SB-based PC for the same cost as the former Phenom II X4 system. An X4-955 would not have been cheaper than this when we ordered components.
This was an experiment away from the norm since it was possible to build a SB-based PC for the same cost as the former Phenom II X4 system. An X4-955 would not have been cheaper than this when we ordered components.
Just about 50 AMD noobs and fanboys either reading through or actively participating in the comments section just got owned, once again. It happens every time, despite the fact that Tom's reviewers have consistently chosen AMD components in the past, despite the fact that tom's recommended one high-end AMD graphics card over another... I guess if they don't always choose every available AMD option, they must be biased and bought out by Intel or Nvidia.
Score
-4
haplo602
June 23, 2011 4:58:38 PM
This build was so mediocre and boring it was perfect. I'm not being sarcastic; there are good lessons here. It should serve as an excellent baseline of what to expect when accepting every kind of compromise elsewhere in order to cram a Core-i3 into a budget build. As fast as it may be on specific tasks, the CPU does NOT make up for all the other shortcomings. In particular, the mobo is so limited that this is a classic case of being penny wise and pound foolish, because almost any kind of expansion will require a new one. And, hyperthreading may be a nice bonus, but it can't save a dual-core CPU; not any more.
Score
3
jtt283This build was so mediocre and boring it was perfect. I'm not being sarcastic; there are good lessons here. It should serve as an excellent baseline of what to expect when accepting every kind of compromise elsewhere in order to cram a Core-i3 into a budget build. As fast as it may be on specific tasks, the CPU does NOT make up for all the other shortcomings. In particular, the mobo is so limited that this is a classic case of being penny wise and pound foolish, because almost any kind of expansion will require a new one. And, hyperthreading may be a nice bonus, but it can't save a dual-core CPU; not any more.
Well I'd love to see your perfect build that includes a 955 CPU, a 6850 GPU, a case, a PSU a dvd burner, and HDD, AND A motherboard capable of CrossfireX, USB3 and SataIII. Oh, and keep it around $500.
This is a BUDGET build. If someone can only afford $500, they aren't going to be expanding. This is all about the FPS for the money, which people like you will never understand. yes they could get a better mobo, but that would mean taking a hit to the FPS. this is a GAMING system, the fps is all that matters.
Score
-4
Anonymous
a
b
4
Gaming
June 23, 2011 6:28:40 PM
One nice thing about the i3 build presented here is that one can always drop in a MUCH faster processor as an upgrade with small expense or effort. As far as I'm aware, the AMD doesn't have as much headroom. Alternatively, spending the extra $60 or whatever to move up to the i5 from the get-go seems like a good move as well.
Score
1
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