General Question: AMD or Intel?

[trickynick]

I hope this is the correct place for this post.

I was convinced to buy a new Sandy Bridge computer last month, and I go to look at prices again yesterday and found out they are no longer up for sale due to a defect.

So, here I am, back where I started. Do I go with Intel or AMD?

My starting point is this, XFX HD-577A-ZNFC Radeon HD 5770 Linky on NewEgg

Right now my system is bottlenecked at the CPU (according to the guys in TH in the Video Card forums) when I asked them about that card.

Here I am almost 1 year to the day when I bought that video card and now that I'm getting my tax refund within 8-10 days, I'm trying to piece together my new parts.

I'm not a serious gamer, but looking for a system that will let me play with settingson high. I play WoW (who doesn't? lol), Mass Effect 1,2 and when it comes out 3.

My budget is $350 for the Mobo, CPU & RAM -- yes, I can go a little over, but would like to stay on budget
I will also need a case, a dvd burner, the one I currently has no longer burns, just reads, but I found one on newegg for $19+7($26) shipping.

Please help.

 

[WR2]

Hello TrickyNick;
What PSU are you working with?

 

[trickynick]

Right now, an OCZ 700w StealthXstream.

That being said, it's failed on me, and currently undergoing RMA. I may upgrade that as well, but that would be additional to the 350 budget.

EDIT:
The guys in the PSU section said the problem with my PSU is probably on my end and not the PSU itself. That being said, should I get this? Cheapest I found, even chaper than NewEgg if you count the shipping.
http://www.amazon.com/Belkin-12-Outlet-Protector-Ethernet-Protection/dp/B000HPX46U/ref=dp_return_2?ie=UTF8&n=172282&s=electronics

 

[WR2]

Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz CPU & ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3870 SATA 6Gb/s USB3 Motherboard $247
4GB A-DATA Gaming Series DDR3 1600 RAM $45
LiteOn 24x DVD burner $16 Free shipping w/ promo code EMCKHKJ22, ends 2/7
CM ELITE 335 Mid Tower Case $45 and free shipping.

About $353

 

[WR2]

You're the 2nd person this week I've come across with a bad power strip making it look like it was a PSU failure.

If BestBuy or Staples, etc, doesnt have a better deal you can grab that Belkin surge protector.

 

[AGPC]

AMD 4ever!

 

[asteldian]

On a budget then AMD. If more money at your disposal AMD aren't even in the competition at the moment.
But phenom II 955/960 is still a great build for gaming

 

[WR2]

Here is an alternative case with a 2nd 120mm fan @ the same price. Rosewill Blackbone Case $45 and $5 shipping

 

[trickynick]

Here is an alternative case with a 2nd 120mm fan @ the same price. Rosewill Blackbone Case $45 and $5 shipping

I as thinking of this case: Rosewill Challenger $54.99+$5 shipping


My $350 budget was for the Mobo, CPU, and RAM only, the burner & case I would like cheap, but don't really have a budget in mind for them. That being said, the system you listed could probably be better.

 

[WR2]

Nice set of fans on the Challenger, excellent owner reviews and a really good price.
Video review of that case

 

[WR2]

I think you could go ahead and get the X4 965 CPU.

Had you thought about a CPU cooler?

 

[trickynick]

Phenom II X4 955 Black Edition Deneb 3.2GHz CPU & ASUS M4A87TD EVO AM3870 SATA 6Gb/s USB3 Motherboard $247
4GB A-DATA Gaming Series DDR3 1600 RAM $45
LiteOn 24x DVD burner $16 Free shipping w/ promo code EMCKHKJ22, ends 2/7
CM ELITE 335 Mid Tower Case $45 and free shipping.

About $353

How is this?

Mobo & CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 965 & 2. GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 AM3 AMD 890FX Combo is 314.98

I can't decide on the RAM. Would like to get 2x4gb if possible, I know with the above combo it will be over my 350 budget. I don't know which brands are good, or even what models within those brands except for G.SKill Ripjaws. Seems everyone is recomending them to me.
I looked for ram with the following criteria*yes, only 4gb as the 8's were more than I was wanting to go over. *** Link ***
Type : 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM3_. (x) >
Speed : DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666)4_. (x) >
Multi-channel Kit : Dual Channel Kit5_. (x) >
Capacity : 4GB (2 x 2GB)6_. (x) >
Cas Latency : 7 (x)

EDIT:
Decided on this RAM: G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) $54.99 Free Shipping

 

[trickynick]

I think you could go ahead and get the X4 965 CPU.

Had you thought about a CPU cooler?

Nope, I figured the stock fan would be good enough? I actually don't plan on overclocking.

 

[WR2]

With no overclocking the stock fan is just fine.
GIGABYTE GA-890FXA-UD5 is an excellent choice in MB.
On that list of RAM I like the first G.Skill Ripjaws kit. Mainly on the basis of the excellent customer reviews and it's choice in the Forums recommended build lists.

 

[trickynick]

Best answer selected by TrickyNick.