[Solved] Need help deciding on the price vs. performance

Hi all,
I'm a newbie when it comes to computer hardware so I'd really appreciate any advice on the following questions. I'm trying to get a gaming PC but I'm on an extremely tight budget so I'm not looking for top line specs. I have quite a few questions so any input on any or all of the questions is much appreciated.

Question 1

I noticed that ATI and AMD are *significantly* cheaper than nVidia and Intel. But when I checked the benchmarks on Passmark.com I found the AMD Quad Core to have a score of 5461.0 and the i5-2400 to be a 6152.0. Similarly, the HD 6850 has a 2735.0 and the GTX 560 (non-Ti) to be 2722.0. So my question is, given that I'm trying to get a gaming PC, is it worth spending an extra $100 just to get a better CPU?


Question 2

I've come up with these specs for a price tag of $638 (AUD).
AMD A8 3850 Quad Core Fision APU, 2.9 GHz, 4MB Cache, Socket FM1, 32nm
All-in-one AMD A75 (Hudson D3) Chipset Motherboard (comes with Integrated HD 2100)
4GB DDR3 RAM
Want to get a Ati HD 6850 (1G)

I have a few questions about the hardware:

1. How does the HD 6850 compare to the CPU? Will the CPU bottle neck the GPU?

2. Can I disable the Integrated HD 2100? Will it affect the HD 6850 in terms of how well it runs? Will having the integrated card make the motherboard die sooner?


Question 3

My final question is about the longevity of the AMD and Ati brands, not in terms of performance but rather how good the quality of the hardware is? Will they die sooner than the Intel/nVidia combo? I heard the AMD heats up much more and therefore dies sooner?

Also, if you have any advice on the appropriate PSU and cooler/case that would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks,
kdon 27

Some of your questions are kind of ridiculous, if AMD's longevity wasn't any good then they wouldn't be in business. Will the integrated graphics make the motherboard die sooner? LOL, ummmm no.

If your going to use a video card, there's no reason to buy a A8 and A75 motherboard, your paying mostly for the graphics that are built in.

If you have a video card installed, the integrated graphics are automatically disabled.

I'd suggest AM3+ motherboard and FX4100 or i3-2120 and H61 for budget gaming builds.

No modern cpu is going to bottleneck a single graphics card.

A good budget case is the Antec 300 or Haf 912.

A decent psu for your setup would be a 450w or better 80+ certified model of Antec, Corsair, XFX, Seasonic, OCZ, Enermax.

Not sure what "integrated HD2100" means, the A8-3850 comes with HD6550D integrated graphics.

dude, STOP recommending the FX-Bulldozer chip.
aren't you tired of getting blasted every-time by someone for doing that.?
get one yourself and then test it out but until then you keep recommending something that is MEH @ best
and that's on a good day.
and for some reason it doesn't compute with you.
they say eating fish is good brain food, what do you do catch the fish and then let them go..?

EVEN @ 4.5ghZ, IT SUCKS..
you'll never build a unit for me with thoughts like that, but then you rock an H61 and try to overclock your i3 don't ya..

no, alter the budget or change the platform of the build..
even on budget the FX will be a disappointment and the fact that he is on budget is more reason to get it right..

and if you really want the truth and how it should be done PM me..
you can do it after his response so we can laugh at him...

you should have just stayed with the i3-2120 suggestion or go Phenom II still.

Best answer selected by kdon27.