AMD v.s. Intel (cheap build)

[teleguitar]

I was wondering if an AMD or Intel system is the way to go.

I am hoping someone in the know, has researched or has done this same comparison can comment.

The more recent AMD hardware seems to be significantly cheaper than Intel hardware that is still decent but somewhat dated (not by much).

However, maybe Intel hardware offers more significant upgrade? If I buy a used P45 board on here and then an E8400 CPU or even a Quad Core? That might be a bit pricey compared to an AMD option but is the machine that much more powerful according to price/performance ratio?

Or am I better off getting an AMD AMD Athlon X2 7750 CPU with an AM2+ board? If so, which board and does it matter? I am not up to speed on these AMD components. I thought Intel had better hardware recently so I am not aware of any AMD progressions.

Also, I was concerned about AMD's heat but maybe it's not significantly more than the comparative Intel?

I would like to buy used parts but maybe the AMD hardware is low enough that I could buy new.

Anyway, what do you recommend and I already know which HDD and PSU to get so I mostly need opinions and suggestions on the CPU and mobo.

One more (last) requirement (or preference if you will) is that the hardware supports virtualization. I notice more AMD hardware supports it but I can find Intel processors that do by just researching and noting which do and don't (i.e. noting very closely).

So? ;-)

[Brewmeanie]

Define cheap, what kind of budget do you have? what's cheap to you might not be cheap to others.
What do you need? HDDs? Video card? PSU? etc.

[teleguitar]

Well, I had an iffy PSU but I don't think I'll use it. Not sure if it works (400w Seasonic Torndao). So, I would need a PSU and I read that there is a decent OCZ model at CC for good price so maybe go with that. $80?

I only need a 120GB-250GB HDD for the OS. I have PC-8500 (1066) DDR2 RAM already (2 sticks) and I already have a 20" monitor at 1680x1050 resolution. I'm covered there.

I guess it depends whether I go for a mobo that has integrated graphics or not. Also, whether I go AMD or Intel and whether I can get some used components.

I was trying to stick to a budget under $300. This is not the main computer so it doesn't have to be the best. The other thing, though, I thought I could do is upgrade the current one (buy a full size tower for it and use the mid-tower for the new build) or just buy 'cheap' components for this build and be done with it.

I am replacing a Pentium III that is running out of disk space and the graphics card is ATI PCI 7000 or something like that.

[Brewmeanie]

another question, what are you gonna do with this pc? gaming,htpc,officework,etc?

[teleguitar]

another question, what are you gonna do with this pc? gaming,htpc,officework,etc?

I have a PC that I could game with. The new build is for surfing, maybe video editing but I could afford to wait for the job so it doesn't have to be the fastest computer. I prefer that virtualization is supported, though, especially if I'm buying new parts.

It needs to play video without any trouble and be able to do some multitasking without being bogged down.

[5ILVgeARX]

if its just used for surfing, you can just use a p4 @2.0ghz and higher and a ati x1xxx series for hd 720p vidoe play back

the cheaper the better

[Brewmeanie]

so probably a good cpu w/ a good mobo, and psu is an extra only if yours doesn't work.

CPU - AMD X3 710 $145 http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php...tail&id=443137, would had picked the 720 but you're not really using it for gaming, so I dun think you need that extra power and OC capabilities

Mobo - ASUS M4A78-EM $99 or Gigabyte GA-MA780G-UD3H $110 depending on what you want, both got onboard ATI radeon 3200 on it.

so, about $245-$255 for cpu and board, and after tax, shoudl be under $300

I'm just trying to stretch your $300, unless you wanna go as cheap as possible to fulfil your need.

[teleguitar]

if its just used for surfing, you can just use a p4 @2.0ghz and higher and a ati x1xxx series for hd 720p vidoe play back

the cheaper the better

Yes, I know but then that particular system will be outdated really quick. I need something that offers virtualization, too, and I doubt too many Pentiums offer it although I think I read one or two models do.

Also, I might need it for more than just surfing but I didn't want to invest too much in it just yet since it's a '2nd computer' for me but I thought I might as well get something a little better than what I got and Pentium 4 prices are pretty crappy (i.e. overpriced).

[teleguitar]

so probably a good cpu w/ a good mobo, and psu is an extra only if yours doesn't work.

CPU - AMD X3 710 $145 http://www.infonec.com/site/main.php...tail&id=443137, would had picked the 720 but you're not really using it for gaming, so I dun think you need that extra power and OC capabilities

Mobo - ASUS M4A78-EM $99 or Gigabyte GA-MA780G-UD3H $110 depending on what you want, both got onboard ATI radeon 3200 on it.

so, about $245-$255 for cpu and board, and after tax, shoudl be under $300

I'm just trying to stretch your $300, unless you wanna go as cheap as possible to fulfil your need.

No, that's fine. Gives me something to think about, thanks! I'll adjust it as money (budget) permits but that's a good start.

[Brewmeanie]

Look at it this way, if your 400W psu still works, you're set to go til you want to make this more game capable by adding a video card, then you might need to get something 500W or more.

and there should be a decent priced OCZ 500W floating around for like $39.99 somewhere after MIR.

found it, http://www.canadacomputers.com/index...235&cid=PS.731

[ppl4golf]

Cheap/budget would mean using onboard GPU and nothing is better than AMD mobos for the last couple of years. The problem is there is no cheap Intel all-in-one mobo. Running cost for all-in-1 is also lower also because less power is drawn. You can still use your old PSU, 250W is good enough to run all-in-one rigs.

[Daijoubu]

For a cheap, quiet computer setup:
780G ATI Radeon HD 3200 have Hybrid Cross Fire mode, you can buy an discrete HD 3530 for 40$ and combine the onboard IGP for an OK game play.
Works up to 4 monitors too.

The IGP also have UVD and decodes in hardware AVC, VC-1 and MPEG-2

ECS A780GM-M3 AM2+ AMD 780G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor - Retail
FSP Group SAGA+ 400R 400W ATX12V Power Supply - Retail
SAMSUNG Spinpoint F1 HD752LJ 750GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM

In a tower of your choice, all these are free shipping.

No point in getting an 120GB-250GB HDD, not only the price per GB is higher, but they're also ancient technology and are slower. (Except for maybe single platers 250GB drives)
Grab a new, larger HDD and worst thing worst, put it in your main computer and use the old one instead.

[teleguitar]

I was wondering if I went with an Intel E8400, is there any chance of that cpu going down in price when the new 35nm cpu (Nehalelm?) comes out? If it is a long wait, then is there any chance the E8400 might be discounted anyway?

I was also wondering what the avg. price for used Intel Core 2 Duo E8xxx series (in particular, the E8400) is here.

I am tempted to just go with an Intel-based Core 2 Duo system since I believe in the lower-heat systems. I looked up on a review site of the Core 2 Duo E8400 v.s. some X3/X4 Phenom processors and the power consumption levels are very high for the AMD ones compared to the Intel.

If I think about the cost savings, it is better for the AMD but for the long run, I might benefit with the Intel one? I guess it depends what I want ot spend though when I am ready to buy.

I am interested in an E8400 cpu if there was any being sold on here? Used P35 and P45 boards seem to be decent prices here but ICH10 boards might be enough and they are going for around $100 which seems okay?

I could buy a used PCI-e video card, either ATI or Nvidia or just get a basic new one since I won't game on this particular PC.

I also don't need RAID or the extra graphics slot. I just need decent sound and most modern mobos have decent onboard sound, right? If I needed a sound card, most are cheap now anyways, right? Also, I noticed some on here are decent cards for around $35, $40 etc.

[terrybear]

thats complete bs about the intels producing less heat. The ONLY time there is a heat issues with ANY brands cpu is room temprature, case airflow, badly mounted heatsink & otherwise faulty motherboard.

If your wanting a cheap solution with good usefull onboard video hands down your going with a AMD build based on a AMD 780g motherboard or for abit more the AMD 790GX board.

Its hard to build anything for around $300 that won't be " obsolite " in more then 6 months by something better.

The best & still rather cheap dual core AMD cpu is the soon to be launched Phenom II X2 550 Black edition which is supost to be clocked around 3 ghz and 6 megs of L3 cache shared between the 2 cores + unlocked multiplier. Chip should go for around $100, add in a nice AM3 compatible 780G or 790GX motherboard, 4 gigs of ram & you'll have a very nice and speedy win 7 ready system. IF you could wait till closer to september for this 2nd unit you could then do the phenom II X2 on the then launching AMD 785G motherboards.

[Brewmeanie]

intel producing less heats was years ago, now it's all about the same. It all depends on heatsnink and how goo your air flow is going thru your heatsink.