Sub $500 builds, help me pick one?

[nicknorman]

I put together a couple of wish lists on newegg, and was hoping to get some feedback from you guys. Which one is better, and are all the parts even compatible? :lol:

I will be mostly using it for recording audio, and eventually when I buy a camera I will be editing video. Also some web browsing and netflix/hd videos.

I was sold on the amd setup for a while, but I have been researching so much that now my mind is all jumbled. I saw some tests where the i3-2100 outperformed the x3 by like 25%... which for 10 dollars more for the whole rig seems like a pretty good deal to me.

So here are the wish lists, if I could get some opinions on this it would be awesome. They are the same except for the mobo/cpu. Looking to buy asap

i3 - http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=19759926

x3 - http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=19759906


Oh and I noticed on newegg it says the asrock mobo (i3) has no onboard video, but then if you click the details it says "Multi VGA Output : D-Sub, DVI-D and HDMI"... So I'm a bit confused on that. If I have to get a video card then that will probably break the budget, in which case the AMD setup will win.

Thanks in advance! sorry for the essay.

 

[sosofm]

Because i3 2100 have Intel 2000HD built in.
Buy the Intel build.

 

[nicknorman]

Now that I'm thinking about it, I could probably stretch the budget a little bit.

I was looking at the sapphire hd 5450. Would that be a decent card? I don't think it would work with the i3 setup, if not, is there something in that range you could recommend? The more I think about it, the more I remember how much I loved having a dual monitor setup.

 

[nicknorman]

Because i3 2100 have Intel 2000HD built in.
Buy the Intel build.

That's what I'm leaning toward. Could I use two monitors without buying a video card?

Ah, I also just noticed the intel build doesn't have firewire, which I need for my audio interface. So I guess I have to consider adding a firewire card.

So many options :lol:

 

[sosofm]

Change the case with COOLER MASTER Elite 430 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119227
RAM : Mushkin Enhanced Essentials 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146748
PSU : Antec NEO ECO 520C 520W Continuous Power
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030
If make those changes you can buy this video card PowerColor Radeon HD 6750 1GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131454

 

[nicknorman]

Just curious why you'd go with that case/psu?
I liked the ones I picked because of the airflow and lower wattage.

Is that video card worth it? That's the one thing I'm completely oblivious about

 

[sosofm]

Antec make good PSU's is cheaper than your's and is 520W.
The case is great and cheaper.
That video card is a good option and more performant than 5450.

 

[nicknorman]

That's what I'm leaning toward. Could I use two monitors without buying a video card?

I'm still wondering about this. I'd like to avoid buying a separate graphics card if possible.

If I do go that route, how do I know which cards are compatible with either of these setups? Maybe I could splurge a little more on the video card with my next paycheck.

 

[nicknorman]

Antec make good PSU's is cheaper than your's and is 520W.
The case is great and cheaper.
That video card is a good option and more performant than 5450.

Is more wattage a selling point? I was shooting for as low as possible.

The case is only 10 dollars cheaper and only has 1 fan opposed to 3. I'm worried about overheating as that's what killed my last PC several years ago. But if you say it's great I will take your word on it

 

[sosofm]

In your build you can install even Nvidia 590 is you have the money.Any PCIE card is compatible with your setup. I don't know if the integrated 2000hd can support two monitors.

 

[nicknorman]

A quick search tells me that it supports dual monitors. I'll at least try it before getting a video card..

So you think I'd be alright with less fans and more wattage in the psu? It seems like that would make things even warmer.

Thanks so much for the help so far

 

[sosofm]

If the PSU have more watts it doesn't mean is more heat. The case what i recommended you come with 2 fans. Is enough for your build.My iddea was to lower your budget. That Antec permit you future upgrades maybe a new cpu ( quad core ) and better video card.

 

[nicknorman]

Thanks a lot! Just to be sure... the intel motherboard i chose... is upgradeable past i3 right? should I skip i3 and go straight to something bigger? I would have to be a little more patient waiting for paychecks, but if it's worth it then maybe I would do that.

 

[sosofm]

For video editing is better a quad core i5 2300 , i5 2400.
That mobo is good even for K cpu's and you can overclock them.
If you can wait for better parts , then wait and make a good build from beggining.