Which setup is the right one?

koolpc

koolpc

koolpc

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People, i know i made another thread like this but the Thread title is opposite to what i am thinking now so i have made this thread now.

I am trying to decide between 2 builds now after a lot of thought and research.

I have 2 specs in mind and wanted your views on them to help me decide once and for all!

Firstly i have been trying to decide MicroATX or MiniITX. Lets assume Mini for now.

As i stated before i want to start gaming but not seriously yet. I cannot afford a dedicated GPU until next January at the very earliest. I do want to use a CPU with a decent GPU built into it but also want to have a good 'all round' CPU too.

So, its onboard GPU for now. Intel or AMD?

The 2 specs i have been studying are:

Intel:

i5-6500 3.2
Asrock H170m-ITX
8GB DDR4 2400 (2 x 4gb)
500w Seasonic PSU, Modular

Total: £351.73

AMD

7870K 3.9
MSI A88XI AC V2
8GB DDR3 2133 (2 x 4gb)
500w Seasonic PSU, Modular

Total: £280.39

As you see, the difference in cost is approx £71

I am not concerned about the difference in cost. What i want is the better system. Is there a good enough reason/s to go Intel or to go AMD?

Yes, i want integrated GPU for now and i want good Integrated GPU but i am hoping to get a Dedicated GPU early next year. I may not be able to if money is tight after Christmas!

So guys, i leave it to you to persuade me one way or the other!!

Which would you choose and why? Or, would you choose something else?

Thanks for reading and hopefully helping! Cheers
 
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Idleman said:
I assume you already have some components, if so can you post up what you have.

I would also post a Wanted thread in the MM in the meantime, to see what is available. This will give you more options. Maybe look at an i5 Skt 1155 or 1150.
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I dont have any of the ones listed above but i do have an SSD. I have 2 cases, one is a Micro Case the other is an ITX case. The ITX was given to me a month ago. Its an Antec ISK 600 in ok condition and i have a Coolermaster Elite 342.

I cannot access MM due to problems many years ago!! I have asked but keep getting turned down. Thats ok as i dont mind buying new.

Found this link with a comparison of the 2 above CPUs:

http://www.cpu-world.com/Compare/454/AMD_A10-Series_A10-7870K_vs_Intel_Core_i5_i5-6500.html
 
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bioshockeruk said:
Right now to you the amd is the best option. But here the problem when you add a gpu to it your system will always be behind in terms of gaming machines and the amd doesn't have much upgrade path.

If you go with Intel now your gaming experience won't be great but when you add your gpu you will be so glad you went intel and waited it out. Also it will last you a lot longer before an upgrade is needed.

So imo get intel and have some low end gaming for a while. Ride it out then get your gpu and you will have a really solid system which you will enjoy for years.
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Thanks for you input

What if, i couldn't buy a dedicated GPU for months! Would i be better off going AMD?
 
Ok, so the Intel will give me good integrated Graphics, on low, until i can get a dedicated GPU?
 
Armageus said:
Yes should be fine.

I think in your other thread you mentioned your monitor which I think was 1680x1050 - in which case this will help as it's approximately 15% less pixels compared to 1080P.
Click to expand...

Thats right, that is my monitor.

So guys, bight the bullet and go Skylake not AMD APU!

I need convincing!! lol
 
Lots of reviews favour the APU route. Being an Intel guy i am loathed to go that
route! Am i mad?
 
Armageus said:
Stop thinking about it and just go for Skylake. The review above shows the skylake graphics are decent enough, and dropping a GPU in later will leave you with a great system.

If you go for an APU now, yes you will get slightly better onboard graphics, but you will bottleneck yourself further down the line.

Skylake is also a newer platform, so you will get more longevity out of it.
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Ok, so to confirm, the Skylake GPU will be more than good enough for now even if i cant get a dedicated GPU soon?

Pricing it all up for a CPU, RAM, PSU, MOBO and after market CPU Cooler the costs are:

AMD = £316

Intel = £387

As i have stated, costs are not the biggest factor. Getting the best with Integrated GPU, for now is what i am aiming for.
 
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OK, So, to confirm these specs are good:

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/giga...1151-ddr4-mini-itx-motherboard-mb-536-gi.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/inte...ocket-lga1151-processor-retail-cp-586-in.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/cruc...al-channel-kit-black-grey-bls2-my-187-cr.html

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/silv...old-fully-modular-power-supply-ca-405-sv.html

Any other Mobo you recommend? The one above only has 4 USB. Wifi is important on a Mobo for me though. Would this one be a better bet:

ASRock H170M-ITX/AC WiFi Mini ITX Skylake Motherboard

The Asrock board uses 2133 ram. Would it hinder the setup if i put 2400 ram on the above mobo?
 
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Armageus said:
Stop thinking about it and just go for Skylake. The review above shows the skylake graphics are decent enough, and dropping a GPU in later will leave you with a great system.

If you go for an APU now, yes you will get slightly better onboard graphics, but you will bottleneck yourself further down the line.

Skylake is also a newer platform, so you will get more longevity out of it.
Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity. in which way would one be bottlenecked by the APU?
 
Thanks guys for your help and patience.

Being as i have not bought a Dedicated GPU for years i am lost in this area.

Intel looks the best way forward as it is a better all round CPU? I am assuming it will be ok at low settings on most games?
 
Twincam said:
Yes it's the better cpu by far. And yes and no some games will be ok some won't. For an extra 50-70 pound I'm pretty sure you can find a used gtx 750ti gpu which will allow you to run every game so much better.
So get the Intel cpu and look for a cheap used gpu till you have more cash.
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Thanks for the great advice

If i wasn't going to buy a dedicated GPU i am assuming that the AMD APU would be the route to take?
 
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Ok, thanks. I suppose that looking at Youtube videos of the 7870K has swayed me a little even though i am wanting to go Intel! lol

To be honest, the way things are, financially i cant see me getting a dedicated GPU in January! The wife has said i can build a new system but the budget is fixed at a max of £400. We always overspend at Christmas so i just want to get the best to game with and use the PC for other tasks. I am so sick of using this bloody netbook!!
 
I have taken onboard all the advice on here and ordered a Skylake CPU, Mobo and Ram. Cheers guys
 
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