£494 AMD Gaming Rig vs £511 Intel Gaming Rig

mcbgun

mcbgun

mcbgun

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28 May 2012
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7
Hey guys,

Done some research on various websites about 2 alternative builds. Two games that I really only play at the moment are Football Manager 2013 and Skyrim.

My upgraded Dell XPS 420 still runs them both reasonably well but I am thinking about a change up of system as I've had this for about 4 years now I'd say.

Both builds are identical save for the CPU and Motherboard. I have no idea how the two compare in 1 on 1 test obviously but I did discover that the AMD CPU is rated way higher than the Intel one and is £15 quid cheaper.

Anyways, here goes:

Base system components for both rigs....
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CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing

Memory: Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1333

Video Card: Asus Radeon HD 7750 1GB

Case: Cooler Master Storm Enforcer ATX Mid Tower

Case Fan: Cooler Master Megaflow 110.0 CFM 200mm

Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

I've got 2 exhaust blowers that I may fit into spare slots at the back. Also I've got two Acer 22" Monitors and a 1TB Hitachi HDD. Future upgrades might include a SSD drive!

AMD Rig Parts
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CPU: AMD FX-8320 3.5GHz 8-Core

Motherboard: MSI 970A-G46 ATX AM3+


Intel Rig Parts
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CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-Z77-DS3H ATX LGA1155


I'm not looking for the ultimate performance, I know these two rigs as a basic template will destroy my Dell XPS 420.

I am however looking to improve if at all on the parts for each rig. I'm sure the knowledgeable amongst you will have your opinions! So what are they?

£515 quid maximum budget (to cover the Intel build as its slightly over).
 
I would always advise intel all the way. intel based boards aswell. In the early days it was obvious why. in the middle years the bench tests were hollow. clock for clock intel murdered them on raw calculations. I can't say for recent years but I am sticking to the plan and have not missed a beat. nVidia too.

I rate Amd more now than i did but I would never purchase one nor would I make fun of or belittle people who do.
 
Given the GPU, I'd take the FX8320.
It's cheaper, and you're not going to notice any real difference with that GPU (Except for perhaps the odd exception)
 
 
Not a huge difference between the two builds considering the games you play. On the intel build, i would stretch the budget for a k version of an i5, having a Z77 board and getting a CPU which isnt multiplier unlocked is a waste. You will find if you pushed the fx 8320 and the i5 3350p, the 8320 will outperform it due to the intel CPU being quite limited to overclocking.

The AMD CPU is good value for money but you wont see the extra cores above idle in most games. The drawback to the CPU is that it is power hungry and this wont sit well with the motherboard you have chosen. You might find that under stress, your VRMs will heat up and automatically lower the power and speed of the CPU to keep the motherboard in a safe temperature range. This would be a better choice if you can stretch the budget a bit.
 
Out of them two i'd be more incline to say the amd build, but try to go for the 8350 its only a little bit more and is on this weeks special offer on ocuk website. But if you can strech a little bit more then this

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - OEM £173.99
Total : £181.73 (includes shipping : £6.45).



You wont need to upgrade either of those for a fairly long time, and in the long run i think its better to spend a little bit more but thats just what i would do.
 
LOL, no point to "hear that AMD is a bit more efficient" (general use) and say "I play Skyrim and FB only" (specific use).

Skyrim is a game that explores single thread power, in that terms AMD (not 8 cores, forget this marketing mumbling = it is 4 modules, each of which consists of one full core and one scraped to INT operations; in total you've got 4M/8T which read as "4 modules and 8 threads" which in general is AMD's response to Intel's 4C/8T Hyperthreading) is a bit weaker than i3/i5/i7 Intel CPUs.

http://www.techspot.com/review/467-skyrim-performance/page7.html

As you can see, even i3 is about 12% faster, but i5 3350P is even more efficient.

http://pclab.pl/zdjecia/artykuly/focus/i5_3350p/oc/skyrim_1920.png

Intel's "non K" CPUs are overclockable anyways and you can easily set up multiplier to (31+5=) 36 which gives you 3.6 GHz and some BCLK raise will give final 3.7-3.8 GHz which is absolutely fine for those two games you play. You picked Z77 motherboard which allows multiplier change, but if you won't overclock (never say 'never') better choose some B75 mothereboard which is cheaper.

So if I had similar choise, I'd get Intel.

But... it's not the cheapest & best solution (Radeon 7550 for gaming ?). You've got XPS with X38/socket 775 motherboard and CPU - some C2D or C2D Extreme. You may consider buying some used Q9550 (80 pounds) and used or B-Grade GTX 480/580/Radeon 6970 - (110-200 pounds). Some people don't like to reinstall WIndows and other stuff. I say this because new Intel platform is coming as well as "new" (refreshments ?) graphic cards this half of year, so you may consider temporary playing on upgraded XPS (with no less comfort!) and whole platform change later as there's no big point to change it now, before new releases: because new hardware might be faster @ the same cost, or actual hardware might be cheaper.
 
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With OS.

YOUR BASKET
1 x HIS HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (H785QN2G2M) with Tomb Raider & Bioshock PC Games £155.99
1 x Intel Core i3-3220 3.30GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £92.99
1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-Bit - OEM (GFC-02050) £79.99
1 x **B Grade** Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £74.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK) £40.99
1 x Avexir Core Blue Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3U16000904G-2CW) - Blue Light £40
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £32.99
Total : £532.93 (includes shipping : £12.50).



Without an OS but use Win 8 evaluation until you can afford to buy one or try upgrading your existing OS.
Slightly over your budget but a better system for the extra £££s.

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-3570K 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £179.99
1 x HIS HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (H785QN2G2M) with Tomb Raider & Bioshock PC Games £155.99
1 x **B Grade** Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £74.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK) £40.99
1 x Avexir Core Blue Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3U16000904G-2CW) - Blue Light £40
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £32.99
Total : £539.94 (includes shipping : £12.50).



Or no OS but under budget.

YOUR BASKET
1 x HIS HD 7850 IceQ X 2048MB GDDR5 PCI-Express Graphics Card (H785QN2G2M) with Tomb Raider & Bioshock PC Games £155.99
1 x **B Grade** Intel Core i5-2500 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £125.99
1 x **B Grade** Asus P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £74.99
1 x Corsair Builder Series CX 430W V2 '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply (CP-9020046-UK) £40.99
1 x Avexir Core Blue Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3U16000904G-2CW) - Blue Light £40
1 x Xigmatek Asgard Pro Gaming Case - Black £32.99
Total : £485.04 (includes shipping : £11.75).



http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/jj554510.aspx
 
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Wow, where do I start guys! Many thanks for your responses. I will digest and absorb the above information! In the meantime if you think of anything else...post it up!

Much appreciated as always!
 
mcbgun said:
Wow, where do I start guys! Many thanks for your responses. I will digest and absorb the above information! In the meantime if you think of anything else...post it up!

Much appreciated as always!
Click to expand...

Is your OS tied to the system( did it come pre-installed) or did you buy it separately?
 
biuro74 said:
Skyrim is a game that explores single thread power, in that terms AMD (not 8 cores, forget this marketing mumbling = it is 4 modules, each of which consists of one full core and one scraped to INT operations; in total you've got 4M/8T which read as "4 modules and 8 threads" which in general is AMD's response to Intel's 4C/8T Hyperthreading) is a bit weaker than i3/i5/i7 Intel CPUs.

you can easily set up multiplier to (31+5=) 36 which gives you 3.6 GHz and some BCLK raise will give final 3.7-3.8 GHz
Click to expand...

My brain just farted lol
 
I hate the AMD core argument, it's rather moot what you want to call it.
You can't really compare it to HT either.

A module is 2 cores, they share some resources, that lowers the scaling (Although, SR may correct this) to put it basically.
 
For an intel build then ladies and gents...how about swapping out the CPU and mobo for this combo?

Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor

MSI Z77A-G43 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard

This pushes the price up to £551 inc shipping (using amazon but i've heard OCUK can price match?).

I am a bit of a noob and like the idea of OC Genie 2 technology with the whole one click thing. If I were to overclock, would the rig be able to handle it? 3 200mm fans along with the CPU cooler?

Edit
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My OS (Windows Vista) came with the system. I intend to buy Windows 7 Home Premium with the new build and its included in the price above (£551 one).
 
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