Good CPU/Mobo combo for 150 quid

[Alasdairhurst]

I'm looking at the
i3 340 + MSI H55M-ED55 H55 (good overclocking with intel chips + 4 slots for ram + PCI-e x16 for the 5770)
vs
Phenom II X2 555 + Gigabyte GA-880GM-UD2H AMD 880G (chance to unlock (twice the poerformace) + 4 slots + PCI-e 16)

which do you think is the better combo? - plus any suggestions are welcome

 

[razorback09]

The i3 is the 540? if so

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/143?vs=120

The i3 has slightly better performance. Im not sure how the x2 555 would performace with the extra cores unlocked but i cant imagine it would make a massive difference

 

[Alasdairhurst]

hmm, wouldnt the unlocked 555 be about the same as the 945?

 

[cmndr_andi]

Hi there, May I ask what you will be using the PC for?

Another option I would suggest is the Athlon II X4. Guaranteed quad core and a nice performing chip all-round.

 

[Alasdairhurst]

the athlon X4 or X3 were my other alternatives
it's just a general use pc i'm building for a mate for some light gaming on high settings (he bought my 5770 and 4gb of ram off me, so it will last a while for mid range gaming and general pc usage) games will mainly be the most resource hungry things on the PC

as that i s the case anyway, a dual core is probably enough - however a quad core will give it the bit of extra performance boost for over the years (maybe 5-6) as thats how long his current athlon xp pc has lasted

 

[stulid]

That GIGABYTE GA-880GM board doent have any outstanding features, no USB3.0 or SATA3.0

so save a bundle with this - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-025-FC&groupid=701&catid=1903&subcat=1481

No SATA and USB3.0 either, but does do crossfire symmetrically.

 

[Alasdairhurst]

ah thats pretty good - i wasnt looking to spend too much on the motherboard (not lokiong for all them features)
- plus the 5770 is a three slot model??? so CF would work well on it.