AMD vs Intel ~$600 Gaming Build

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lzyassn

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I'm trying to decide between a AMD or Intel budget gaming build that is under $600

Approximate Purchase Date: This coming weekend.

Budget Range: $600 Before Rebates; After Shipping

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming, multi-tasking (chrome, itunes, skype), watching movies.

Are you buying a monitor: No

Parts to Upgrade:

Everything except HDD and PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011

Here's what I have so far

AMD
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=15113389

Intel
http://secure.newegg.com/WishList/PublicWishDetail.aspx?WishListNumber=19952692

Do you need to buy OS: No

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Location: Gilbert, AZ

Parts Preferences: None

Overclocking: If I get the AMD build then yes.

SLI or Crossfire: No

Your Monitor Resolution: 1280x1024

And Most Importantly, Why Are You Upgrading: Computer is six years old and a single core. It's just not cutting it for anything anymore. With the new Hulu Player update even that is having problems.

Additional Comments: I do want to play the latest games with high settings @ 1280x1024.
 
Solution
ScrewySqrl
well, in that case

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($35.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 370 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $637.03...
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lzyassn

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Sorry I just fixed the links they should work now.
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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Thanks :)

Everything seems to point to getting the AMD build..just because of it's beefier GPU. Your PSU will handle that monster 480 without a problem...

However, do you have any plans on upgrading your monitor any time in the future? At your current resolution, the GTX480 is highly overkill.

Or here's another option, you could swap out the i5 2400 in your Intel rig with an i3 2120, leaving you an extra $50 to invest in a better GPU :)

You'd be surprised to know what the i3 can handle with recent titles.
 
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lzyassn

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I don't have any plans on upgrading my monitor but if the opportunity came along I most likely would.

The only problem with swapping the i5 with an i3 is that I'm worried when more games start using quad cores I will be at a disadvantage. I would like to have this build last long enough so that when it is time to upgrade again it will be time for a completely new build.

If swapping to an i3 is the better choice is there any mobo you would recommend?
 
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dudewitbow

dudewitbow

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at your current resolution, the i3 will handle quad core games. its only when the resolution is like 1920x1080 or higher where the cpu then starts to struggle only on quad core gaming.
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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+1

My only gripe I have with the rigs he listed are the CPU's. If he could switch them, then it would be the best scenario :lol:

The X4 965 is a very modest CPU, it'll handle that resolution and 1080p very well, however, the i5 2400 just flat out smokes it at anything. However, if OP does end up upgrading his monitor in the near future, his i5 rig won't stand a chance due to the mid-ranged GPU.
 
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lzyassn

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Should I get an i3 and a lower GPU also and spend the money on something else like an SSD??
 
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dudewitbow

dudewitbow

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I would never recommend an ssd in a low budget build. most of the budget should go to the gpu*.


regardless on what path you take, you have somewhat of an upgrade path either way if you ever feel discontent with yoru cpu.

if you went an i3/i5-2400 path you can later move onto an unlocked i5/i7 when you start to want to go 1920x1080 and play a bit smoother.

if you went 965 BE(which is a good all arounder, and would be my suggestion only if you play more cpu intensive titles in 1920x1080) you can upgrade to the upcoming Piledriver FX(not bulldozer) sometime in the future, albeit i dont expect for piledriver to outperform i5's, it should have enough compute power to basically run any gpu.
 
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lzyassn

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So much good information. If do upgrade my monitor it's not going to be before next year.

Guess that means I'll stick with the i5 and hopefully if I do need a new card the six series will be out by then.
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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If you're getting a monitor next year, then that's the best option IMO. The new GTX660/Ti is just around the corner, and I can expect it to drop in price to something very reasonable next year.
 
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dudewitbow

dudewitbow

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just remember, every year brings a new generation of gpus and cpus, and of course, its easier to replace the gpu as replacing the cpu requires changing the mobo as well, so if you are juggling between a strong cpu now or gpu now in a budget sense, lean towards the cpu but not fully that it holds back your gaming.
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

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PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: MSI H61M-P31 (G3) Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($49.54 @ NCIX US)
Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($35.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital RE2 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($57.27 @ Compuvest)
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 370 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.98 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 380W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($37.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $631.85
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-01 01:00 EDT-0400)
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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+1 Great advice.
 
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dudewitbow

dudewitbow

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he doesnt need hdd or psu
 
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ScrewySqrl

ScrewySqrl

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well, in that case

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($184.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: PNY Optima 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($35.10 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Agility 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: VisionTek Radeon HD 7850 2GB Video Card ($219.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 370 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.98 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS90 DVD/CD Writer ($16.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $637.03
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-01 01:04 EDT-0400)
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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That's actually a very attractive parts list :lol:
 
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L

lzyassn

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I like this minus the ssd because it puts me over budget. Maybe spend the difference on a nicer case or motherboard.
 
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mocchan

mocchan

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That's a very reasonable option as well to be honest :)

Though if you can find a smaller SSD for a price that won't get you over budget (60GB minimum) then I would opt for that instead.
 
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geraldfryjr

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The Gigabyte UD3 board is a great motherboard.
I have an FX6100 in one and it overclocks quite nicely,I have it at about 4.9Ghz.
I have hit 5Ghz with it but I think my 1333 ram is holding it back ab it so I had to back it down in order to stay completely stable.
With a XFX6870 Double D at 965Mhz this system does very very well as far as the bench marks go for what it is.
The cost was $440 from TD for the barebones kit and I had it to 4.8Ghz stock out of the box.
The graphics card I got for $140 on sale!
I am waiting for the new Pildriver chip to come out.


I paid $600 from Newegg for a SSD, different case,graphics card,750 watt supply,win7 64bit OS and Cosair H100 cooler.
All things I would have added anyway had I built an Intel system.

The base price was too good so I went with it although I wish I had sprung a little more for the 8 core CPU.


If I were building an intel system (in which I almost did) I wouldn't settle for anything less than an I5-2500k or even better an I7-2600K.

If you are even considering overclocking than the water cooler is a very wise choice!

FWIW

jer :)
 
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