Hypothetical build AMD vs Intel

epidot

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Jun 4, 2011
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Hey all.

My current system...AMD Athlon64 X2 5600+ 2.81GHz w/2mb ram Win7 32 bit and a low end Galaxy card is showing its age and I need to build a more current system capable of playing BF3. So almost any new system should be quite an upgrade from my current system.

I dont need to know what parts I should get. Ive got 2 different potential builds in my head. Both @ the same budget$$. I have no need for multiple moniters. I'll only be running 1. So Im thinking I dont need to be SLI or XFire. So leaning towards a single card. Only games I play now is WoW until SW:TOR comes out and BF3 when its available. I do a little video editing. So other than some basic gaming all I use my PC for is web surfing and watching youtube vids. If I can be in the 60ish fps range in games, Id be happy.

I like both AMD and Intel, no real preference either way at this point. What I have in my head will either be I5 2400K or Phenom II 955BE based on good motherboard's with 8mb ram. Im tired of waiting on BD...I need to get a new system up in the next few weeks as my current system is getting tired and wonky and im getting more laggy in games at 30fps or less most of the time.

If I go the I5 route, Ill end up with a cheaper video card, say $250ish range. If I go with AMD, the $90-100 bucks I save on the processor can go towards a better video card in the $350 range. Either way I have @ $750 max to spend on CPU, MB, memory and video card. Either way I have planned on good solid motherboards and dont want to skim there.

So just looking for some insight. Im of the opinion like most that the I5-2400k is a superior CPU to the Phenom II 955 be..which also is no slouch either. So it comes down to lesser CPU with better Video card or better CPU and cheaper card?

Thanks
 

fallout3masseffect2

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Aug 11, 2011
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Motherboard:
Biostar H61 MoBo (No overclocking on this, or crossfire/sli, but it's cheap, which you need for good video card) - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6813138332

Processor:
i5 2400 3.1GHz Quad Core - $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6819115074

RAM:
PNY Optima 8GB (4 x 2GB) - $42
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6820178333

If you get those that's only $282, you'd have a little under $500 for a video card.

Video Card:
EVGA GTX 580 - $475
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130615

OR

Sapphire Radeon HD 6970 - $350
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102918

OR

Sapphire Radeon HD 6950 - $240
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102949

If you went with the Radeon HD 6950 you should still be able to play BF3 on high settings, then dump the other $250 into a better motherboard with the i5 2500k.

That would be my suggestion. If I had your budget and wasn't interested in overclocking or SLI/Crossfire, then I'd go with the GTX 580 and the other parts, if you're set on a motherboard that costs more than the $50 go with the Radeon HD 6970, and if you want better motherboard and better processor, then get the Radeon HD 6950.

No matter what, it should run on high with these parts. There could be an issue though - What's your power supply? You may need to upgrade it to run these cards.

For purely gaming, go with AMD, but Intel pretty much destroys AMD in everything, including gaming. It's worth the extra money. Even intel's i3 2100 is about on par with AMD's Phenom II 955 BE.