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Intel i3 540 or AMD Phenom II x4 955

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Last response: January 12, 2011 5:01 PM in CPUs

January 10, 2011 4:11:32 PM

Hi all!

My son and I are trying to build our first computer.

I am trying to decide which CPU to buy for a gaming computer/home work computer (COD4, COD5, Bad Co, Civil 5). Other needs would be video editing and Microsoft Office.

I thought the AMD would cost less. However, New Egg has the 530 @ $114.99 and the x4 955 is $145.99

The bench marks I have seen show the i3 (even in games) doing pretty well against this AMD chip.

What am I missing?

Is there a motherboard that would help make a difference in both cost and performance?

-Thanks

More about : intel 540 amd phenom 955

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rolli59

CPUs Master

January 10, 2011 7:08:19 PM

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/88?vs=118
Usually you can get AMD motherboards cheaper than LGA1156 feature for feature to make up the price difference.

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1000FPS

January 10, 2011 8:39:07 PM

Get the 955, its a brilliant chip, and yes, AMD motherboards are often cheaper. What sort of graphics card are you looking at for this computer?

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needmorepizza

January 10, 2011 8:49:16 PM

I have an older Nvidia 8500 GT. Later this year we would like to add a lower end Radeon 4650 or Radeon 4670.

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Related ressources

Deciding between i3 540 and Phenom II X4 955 and their MBs - Forum
I3 540 or phenom II x4 955 - Forum
AMD Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition at at 3.6ghz vs intel core i3 2100 - Forum
Intel i3 2100 vs AMD Phenom II X4 955 ? - Forum
Intel I3 2100 vs AMD Phenom II x4 955 BE for Crossfirex - Forum

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needmorepizza

January 10, 2011 8:55:18 PM

New Egg just posted this i3 540/Asus mobo combo for $184.98.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

I do really like the 955 chip, but the best deal I see is $50.00 more:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite...

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rolli59

CPUs Master

January 10, 2011 9:00:42 PM

That I3 combo is good value.

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needmorepizza

January 10, 2011 9:47:02 PM

The board does not have 3.0 USB or SATA 6. No Cross Fire support either...hmm
I think my son might want to have these featues in the future.

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Best solution

rolli59

CPUs Master

January 10, 2011 10:03:43 PM

If your wants those features then this combo is a good foundation with the 955BE http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?Ite... Crossfire support!

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Wisecracker

CPUs Master

January 10, 2011 10:22:16 PM

PhII 955BE / Asus M4A87TD EVO AM3 AMD 870 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3: $223

The Giga-Byte GA-870A-UD3/PhII 955BE combo is another $10 if that is more to your liking.

Gaming will be most dependent upon your video card selection. Video transcoding will better use the Phenom cores.