cheap gaming machine?

[badcompany]

Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H Socket 1155 VGA DVI HDMI 7.1 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard £67.98
Intel Core i3 3220 3.30GHz Socket 1155 3MB Cache £96.62
Crucial 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600Mhz Ballistix Sport Memory Kit CL9 (9-9-9-24) £189.59

vs

AMD Piledriver FX-6 Six Core 6300 3.50GHz (Socket AM3+) Processor - Retail £109.99
(£91.66) £109.99
(£91.66)
Gigabyte 970A-DS3 AMD 970A (Socket AM3+) DDR3 Motherboard £59.99
(£49.99) £59.99
(£49.99)
Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £29.99
(£24.99) £29.99
(£24.99)
Sub Total : £166.64
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DPD Next Day Parcel
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £9.50
VAT is being charged at 20.00% VAT : £35.23
Total : £211.37

to go with a 7850


whats the better machine?

 

[Antowns]

If it was me, I'd of chosen the AMD over the Intel, not sure what is better though.

 

[triggerthat]

Apparently the 6300 is faster (stock), but not sure what is best considering overclocking potential.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699?vs=677

 

[Dayzed&Confused]

Are i3's overclockable then? I was always told that you could only overclock "k" chips with intel?

 

[LukieBoy007]

The i3 cannot be overclocked.

 

[Idleman]

http://www.techspot.com/review/586-amd-fx-8350-fx-6300/page6.html

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-3220 3.30GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £83.99
1 x Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £81.98
1 x Corsair XMS3 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Kit (CMX8GX3M2A1600C9) £29.99
Total : £207.36 (includes shipping : £9.50).

 

[badcompany]

would i need a custom cooler or will stock suffice?

 

[Idleman]

would i need a custom cooler or will stock suffice?

I have no idea what the stock coolers are like. If you are looking at the i3, then a cheap £20+ cooler would suffice for better cooling and a little less noise whilst under load.
Anyone of these would be fine.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler (Socket Intel® Socket LGA1366/1156/1155/775/AMD Socket FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2) £26.99
1 x Thermalright True Spirit 120 REV A CPU Cooler (Socket LGA775/1155/1156/AM2/AM3/FM1) £24.98
1 x Xigmatek Achilles II SD1284 CPU-Cooler - 120mm (Socket LGA775/1155/1156/1366 AMD AM2/AM3/FM1) £23.98
1 x Prolimatech Lynx CPU-Cooler (Socket Intel Socket LGA 1156/1155/AMD Socket AM2/2+/3/3+ ) £21.6
Total : £108.05 (includes shipping : £8.75).

 

[LukieBoy007]

Stock will suffice if going with the i3, as you won't be overclocking. On the other hand, if going with the AMD I would suggest a cooler. This one will do nicely:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler (Socket Intel® Socket LGA1366/1156/1155/775/AMD Socket FM1/AM3+/AM3/AM2+/AM2) £26.99
Total : £32.96 (includes shipping : £4.98).



I would rather go with the Intel route, especially as Intel have some quality top-tier processors in comparison to AMD's offerings, which means you can always get an i5 or possibly an i7 depending on the circumstances (if just gaming then an i5 will be fine). But, the plus side to getting the AMD build is the ability to overclock.

 

[badcompany]

cheapness of running is a bonus as I would like to leave on 24/7 pretty much

 

[LukieBoy007]

The i3 has a lower power consumption. If overclocking with the 6300, then obviously it's going to draw more power.