out of touch with hardware, bets bang for buck atm

snowdog

snowdog

snowdog

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Mate needs a pc, 1500€

What route should I go to for the best bang for buck, WITH NO or LITTLE overclocking ?

i3-i5-i7?
Amd ?

I'm out of touch with current hardware.

Pc needs to last at least 3 years, preferably younger, future proofing is important, ofc. it doesn't need to play games at high in 3 years but it should still easily meet minimum specs in 4+ years, or at least only need a new gpu at worst.

Don't need a full spec basically, I just want the bets bang for buck mobo-cpu-ram...
 
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Made this spec, it lacks a case but aside from that it's complete, opinions ?

spec2p.jpg
 
Best bang for buck most people would concede AMD. That said it does depend what the rig is being used for.

If it is gaming orientated then AMD makes sense. The cpus and mobos are cheaper than intel. The money "saved" can be put into the gfx card budget.

Both intel and AMD are switching sockets on their next gen cpus. We were lead to believe that AMD would allow us to use their new bulldozer cpus on AM3 mobos but they have now stated this wont be possible. Although they have stated the new bulldozer mobos "should" be compatible with the "old" AM3 cpus.

Hope this helps
 
Will they last 4-5 years though like the Q6600 kinda does from release ?

I think it's pointless buying the top range gfx card, too much money for too little boost, I'd rather advise him to just buy a new gpu in 2 years if he wants to instead, the base spec is the most important, I want the mobo and cpu to last as long as possible for him, gpu is well, an easy upgrade. Mobo+ cpu sets are a hassle as they require a clean install often.

Yeah primarily for games but also general usage.
 
Future proofing is impossible, what about buying a £750 pc and upgrading it? (although the annoying socket changes will limit that)
 
Vinni3 @H|H said:
Future proofing is impossible, what about buying a £750 pc and upgrading it? (although the annoying socket changes will limit that)
Click to expand...

Nonsense, a 3 ghz c2q is still fast enough for every game isn't it? In fact even a c2d is if you don't need to play games maxed...
It is an 800 quid pc atm, the spec I made.

What do you think of it?
 
snowdog said:
Nonsense, a 3 ghz c2q is still fast enough for every game isn't it? In fact even a c2d is if you don't need to play games maxed...
It is an 800 quid pc atm, the spec I made.

What do you think of it?
Click to expand...

Agreed, overclocked c2qs are still great now :) The 750 is a good choice and even better if you can get a good cooler and overclock. There is a socket change next year, but if you need a new pc now then go for it. I'd give amd a look first as well (955/965). Also the 470 is currently the best bang for buck gpu as well imo. Again, you could wait for the 6xxx series lol but if you need it now then go for it, you won't be disappointed!
 
Hmmm, looking at the prices, I notice similar money buys 6 core AMD's, how fast are there per clock compared to an i5 ?

Theoretical situation :
Game uses 2 cores
Is an i5 at 2.66 ghz faster for the game?
Or os the AMD x6 at 2.8 ghz faster for the game ?


Ps. My mate will not be disappointed by anything, he currently has an amd 64 3000+, 1gb, 9800 pro :p.
 
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Well saying general use is very vague. If you mean web browsing and the occasional photoshop session then i still believe an AMD build would be better value for money.

I like that intel mobos have sli & xfire capability. For "general" and gaming use do I think the extra £100-200 for the intel cpu and mobo option is worth it.....not really no.

As nocky suggested try an amd build. A 955 (multiplier +1 then you have the 965 ;p) would be good since games at the mo arent really fully utilising quad cores anyway. Keep the nvidia 460/470 and see how much you have saved.....how you chose to redistribute that money is down to you and your friend. Maybe he'd like a blu-ray drive or a new case etc etc or just stick it back in his pocket lol

The new ati cards are due this quarter (oct is rumoured) so it may pay to argue over the intel vs amd debate a few weeks. See if these cards drop and what they do to current prices. With amd it may be best to chose ati as you dont have the option for sli. That said you can buy the 470 and swap it out when needed for a better card it's not a real problem.

Wish you luck with the build, hope your friend appreciates the effort ;p
 
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snowdog said:
My mate will not be disappointed by anything, he currently has an amd 64 3000+, 1gb, 9800 pro :p.
Click to expand...
Hello snowdog,

is your mate the kinda guy who would want every single title out be played at maximum quality at a very high resolution (1920x1200)? . . and therefore would be prepared to invest in a "MultiGPU" set-up?

I'm asking this because I need to know if the system (motherboard) we spec for him has the option for multiple graphics cards or whether we can spec a more afforable system that will allow just a single "powerful" GPU?

snowdog said:
just want the bets bang for buck mobo-cpu-ram...
Click to expand...
Most likey an AMD® system but we will need more input . . .
 
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Hello wayne. Funny how we keep meeting in these intel vs amd threads ;p

I know we nearly came to blows over jakes system but this thread is almost identical, although much simplier since snowdog said LITTLE TO NO OVERCLOCKING.

I know you will weigh out both options intel vs amd, you dont do things by halves ;p If you spec'd him the GB mobo and the 955 system you did for jake i think that would be bang on IMHO.
 
snowdog said:
Theoretical situation :

Game uses 2 cores

Is an i5 at 2.66 ghz faster for the game?

Or os the AMD x6 at 2.8 ghz faster for the game ?
Click to expand...
Theoretical answer:

"If" a game used just two cores and the two processors were clocked at the same frequency the Intel® system would "likely" be a bit faster (if not GPU limited) . . .

The problem with this "Theoretical" situation is that:

  • Not all games use just two cores
  • The Intel®/AMD® chips don't run at the same clock speed
 
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There's also the fact that more and more games are supporting multi core cpu's now. That should mean that the AMD 6 core cpu's could come into their own in a year or so. Bearing in mind that this rig will last a good few years and that both manufacturers are going to need new motherboards to upgrade the cpu you may as well buy the best value multicore available now and that has to be the X6 1055T.
 
Well earlier today I specced my mate and picked up:

Phenom II X6 1055T 2.8ghz
Asus M4A89GTD Pro Mainboard
4GB OCZ 1600mhz 8-8-8 memory
750W corsair psu.
64gb kingston SSD ( OS and most used games)
1.5 TB WD Caviar Green 7200rpm 64mb cache
Zotac GTX470
Cooler master something case.


Built it together for him and played a couple of games, it seems more than adequate, it's a beast compared to my 3.2ghz c2q and GTX260, especially the SSD is quite cool. Only the stock cooler for the cpu is quite noisy during load ( fine when idle) and we're thinking about getting a more silent cooler for it. 80 fps average on Mafia 2 demo maxed with Physx off ( oddly physx caused an fps drop to 25 ish fps, rest maxed though including AF, AO ( without AO, 125 fps average :eek:) and AA), he currently has a small screen though will see how it goes on a 1080p screen.

His budget was 1600€ tops for all inc. So far we've spent 1050 on the case which leaves 550 for new peripherals which he'll buy on Monday probably.
 
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