Which CPU build to go for

[jimbos]

Hi All

I have a little bit of cahs spare and i would love some opinions as to which system would best suit my gaming needs. I play fps like crysis, CoD4 etc and occasionally some WoW. I would like as system that can handle new games coming out in the future.

so its between

AMD build
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-046-OE&groupid=43&catid=1184&subcat=

or

Intel build
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-154-OK

I currently have windows xp 32 bit, but should i upgrade to vista 64 bit if i go for ddr3?

cheers

james

 

[jimmybates]

Will you be overclocking at all, if so, go for the intel build.

 

[jimmybates]

Oh, just noticed it comes preoverclocked, I think the Intel option is definitely the better way to go, the DDR3 on the amd version won't boost performance much, and you get that extra core with the q6600.

 

[Addicted]

intel for sure!

 

[death_looms]

I'd have to say the AMD build, the 720 BE is getting rave reviews, seems a 3-core solution is a sweet spot for multi core aware games. Ordered one today for my brother, delivery's not til next tuesday at the very earliest, so I cant tell you about it until then.

You should think about Vista 64bit if you're getting over 3GB ram (either DDR2 or DDR3), the speed dosn't matter, just 32 bit can't address all 4GB with any GPU memory in the system.

I game on an E8400 system with a 4870 512MB btw, it runs like a dream. just fyi.

 

[jimbos]

Anyone else got any more opinions?

Im totally at a cross road and not sure which system to go for.

 

[gt_junkie]

Yeah, first up, use a 64bit operating system.

Secondly they're very similarly specced. I only have an AMD rig at the moment since i wanted SLi compatibility and couldn't justify the cost of i7. Performance wise it's very similar in most things to the q9450 rig i had before.

One thing to consider is that the q6600 rig has a 600w psu rather then the AMD's 500w. If you decided you wanted a 2nd 4870 then the 600w PSU would cope better.

TBH i think they're both very nice PC's - sorry i couldn't give a definitive answer!

gt

 

[EvilOne]

Neither, i would try get an AMD build with DDR2 instead. Spend the money saved on a better CPU/GPU.

 

[jimbos]

so maybe something like ?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=FS-033-OE

 

[gt_junkie]

As you can see you don't save that much since that system costs so much more (£450 ) than the previous two you linked to. That essentialy constitutes no saving over the originals you looked at.

I'd just stick with the ones you identified first and if you want a better or additional GPU then add it later. It'll probably still end up costing less than that PC.

In fact i'd get the best PC spec minus the decent GPU (try using the OCUK PC configurator thingy) and then pic up a 4850X2... or two!

gt

 

[jimbos]

perhaps?

Product Name Qty Price Line Total
Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 LGA775 'Yorkfield' 2.83GHz 12MB-cache (1333FSB) Processor / Asus P5N-D nForce 750i SLi / Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 Dominator PC2-8500C5 TwinX (2x2GB) Bundle. £457.65
(£397.96) £457.65
(£397.96)
XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail £164.99
(£143.47) £164.99
(£143.47)
Samsung SpinPoint F1 640GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD642JJ) £54.04
(£46.99) £54.04
(£46.99)
Coolermaster Elite 335 Case - Black (No PSU) £34.49
(£29.99) £68.98
(£59.98)
LG GH22NP20 22x DVD±RW IDE Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.09
(£13.99) £16.09
(£13.99)
Akasa Serial ATA 45cm DAYGLO Green Data Cable £3.44
(£2.99) £3.44
(£2.99)
Sub Total : £665.38
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DHL Select Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £10.99
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £101.46
Total : £777.83

 

[death_looms]

Could try an AMD setup, I've just ordered practically the same stuff for my brother, the 720BE is apparently a great clocker. Just saves you a bit of money, the GPU is the most important thing when it comes to games at the min, as long as the processor frequency is high enough, so the AMD should be enough. (think this is correct) The motherboard is out of stock at the minute though.


XFX ATI Radeon HD 4870 1024MB GDDR5 TV-Out/Dual DVI/HDMI (PCI-Express) - Retail £164.99
(£143.47) £164.99
(£143.47)
AMD Phenom II X3 Tri Core 720 Black Edition 2.8GHz (Socket AM3) - Retail £124.19
(£107.99) £124.19
(£107.99)
Asus M4A78 PRO AMD 780G (Socket AM2+/AM3) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard £90.84
(£78.99) £90.84
(£78.99)
Seasonic Silverpower 500W Power Supply £57.49
(£49.99) £57.49
(£49.99)
Samsung SpinPoint F1 640GB SATA-II 16MB Cache - OEM (HD642JJ) £54.04
(£46.99) £54.04
(£46.99)
Corsair 4GB DDR2 XMS2 PC2-6400C5 TwinX (2x2GB) £39.09
(£33.99) £39.09
(£33.99)
Coolermaster Elite 335 Case - Black (No PSU) £34.49
(£29.99) £34.49
(£29.99)
Samsung SH-S223F/BEBE 22x DVD±RW SATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) - OEM £16.09
(£13.99) £16.09
(£13.99)
Sub Total : £505.40
Shipping cost assumes delivery to UK Mainland with:
DHL Select Next Day (Delivered Mon-Fri)
(This can be changed during checkout) Shipping : £9.99
VAT is being charged at 15% VAT : £77.31
Total : £592.70