Technical > PC Hardware Discussion/Reviews > [Parts Check] New Core i3 or AMD Build

[Parts Check] New Core i3 or AMD Build

Re: [Parts Check] New Core i3 Build

budget after taxes: $500 (I don't really have a lot of money right now)
uses: Gaming, Internet browsing, video editing, file compressing
graphics: Isn't the Radeon HD 6450 any good? Doen't this H61 come with on board video? Whats different on the Z68 vs H61 for on board video? I could all ways get the latest nVidia card later? I have an HD 4850 in my other system and it's okay for gaming.
I just need an low-end system for starters and then I'll add an better video card, more RAM, and a better CPU later on when I get more money.
My newest games are still from the 32 bit world and their support for the latest operating system is Vista.
The newest games that I play are GTA 4 and FSX (I don't really play much games to purchase new ones)
I do plan however to purchase Microsoft Flight when it arrives in stores and I see this new build of mine might be to slow.
Microsoft Flight:
Recommended (high settings):

CPU: Intel Core i7 960 @ 3.20 GHz, AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3.3 GHz or better
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5870, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 or better
HD: 10 GB Hard Drive space
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
RAM: 6 GB

Would I be better off backing away from the Core i series and head to AMD's AM3 or AM3+ CPU's? Would it be more cheaper?

I was just doing a little reading and Intel CPU's have a higher price tag than the AMD CPU's. Maybe if I am on a tight budget should I aim for the Bulldozer CPU's?

Get the DELL Inspiron 620 here:
»configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/···ron-620&

I wouldn't waste money on the 6450. Just use the HD2000 CPU graphics until you have enough for a decent card, like the 6870 or 560.

reply to robman50
My bad, not sure what I was thinking, I saw the P-series mobo and assumed P67--I should read more closely or get my eyes checked.

The Radeon 4850 gets a G3D score of 1333. The Radeon 6450 gets a score of 362 (or is approximately 25% as powerful).

The i3-2300 is better than any AMD processor in the same price range clock-for-clock, but as a total package, it may be better to get an FX CPU with the same GPU to go Crossfire (the integrated GPU is a 6600 something, so you buy a discrete GPU of the same model # and essentially it acts as two of them in Crossfire).

More people can chime in here as I am not sure about a super-bargain basement model, but my gut instinct says to stick with the i3-2300 and just get whatever GPU you can afford (the Radeon 7700 series landed today, I would suggest you check one of them out).
--
If we lose this freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment, those who had the most to lose, did the least to prevent its happening.

Here you go, 7700 reviews and price points. These should be in your pricerange.

»AMD Radeon HD 7770 & Radeon HD 7750 Review
--
If we lose this freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment, those who had the most to lose, did the least to prevent its happening.

reply to robman50
No BD cpus no sites recommend them at any price point.

The plan of going i3 now i5 later etc is a bad one unless you NEED a pc RIGHT NOW you should just wait till you have the cash.

As said the IGPU on the intel cpus is better than what your looking at.

TBH I would go with the linked dell... super low end builds once you pay for windows are VERY hard to beat OEM's like dell...

reply to robman50

Re: [Parts Check] New Core i3 or AMD Build

took up two slots for 4 gigs of ram (wut lol, with 8 gig sticks becoming the norm your better off getting one 4 gig stick for now)

Paying an extra $60 for a GPU that an i3's IGPU beats.

Cpu is the price of an i3... with an IGPU so... your paying $60 OVER the better i3 price... um... wtf?

so ya to sum it up
Slower CPU
Slower GPU
MOAR money...

rite. And it's all already been said...

reply to robman50
In a less trolling fashion, I agree with Matt5. At that pricepoint it's better to ditch the GPU and go with the i3.

For the same money as he's got there he can get an i5. Spend a few more bucks to get 8GB RAM and it would be a video card away from a decent gaming machine (if the PSU in that $50 combo doesn't blow up LOL).

reply to Krisnatharok
Hey you already said all this once about the gpus I said about the AMD FX, I aint gona repeat it all again. Quick and to the point list =D

Also missed the combo with the PSU... eh... I would never do that. Of all the things to cheap out on the psu is last on the list as it could take everything else with it.

Just get a z68 board and use the IGPU for now when you get cash drop in a vid card. A 2500k will allow you to overclock (cool if you wanta do that) *and* gives you a better IGPU, so win win, getting the unlocked CPU = better IGPU no money wasted.

You can also wait for ivy bridge that will be dropping shortly and the price will be pretty much the same as sandy.

reply to robman50

Re: [Parts Check] New Core i3 Build

reply to Chrno
trhow the PSU as far as you can throw it OEM PSU are trash. Just my opinion. though.

reply to robman50

Re: [Parts Check] New Core i3 or AMD Build

reply to robman50

reply to robman50
So if this is my goal and I want to go with AMD on this new build. I would guess to outperform the Phenom II X6 1100T (Socket AM3), I would have to get an FX-8150 (AM3+) or see what the new Bulldozer lineup has in store for the future. In the mean time I guess if I do get the FX-4100 (AM3+) I would not have the game running on the highest detail setting. Also since AM3+ is like rev.b of the AM3 socket, do you think the AM3 socket will still be supported much longer? Thats why I'm going towards the newer AM3+.

Microsoft Flight:
System requirements

The system requirements below come from the November 2011 update from the development team:

Minimum:

CPU: Dual Core 2.0 GHz
GPU: 256 MB card capable of shader 3.0 (DX 9.0c compliant)
HD: 10 GB Hard Drive space
OS: WinXP SP3
RAM: 2.0 GB

Recommended (high settings):

CPU: Intel Core i7 960 @ 3.20 GHz, AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 3.3 GHz or better
GPU: ATI Radeon HD 5870, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 or better
HD: 10 GB Hard Drive space
OS: Windows 7 64-bit
RAM: 6 GB

reply to robman50
"I am confused about the dedicated video card compared to the on board video. I thought for 3d gaming the dedicated was the best and the on board is best for office use?"

I second what krisnatharok says.

It is true that most integrated solutions are weak but the very low end cards are very weak as well, so buying a low end graphics card is a waste of money that doesn't get you anywhere. The 3850 llano chips have some of the best integrated solutions available right now. If you are sure that you are going to be able to buy a $150 graphics card in the not too distant future then you don't particularly need to concern yourself about the integrated graphics and can focus on better cpu performance as you get with the intel chips. If you are not very confident about having the money available to buy a midrange graphics card then I would focus less on the cpu performance and more on a decent integrated graphics solution that will give you tolerable performance, since you will then have to live with such a level of performance for some time.

»www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···19103942

Since limited money is an issue it is very important that you make a realistic prediction about whether you will be able to afford a midrange graphics card, in the near term, after spending the money that you are considering. This will need to guide the direction you take from the outset.