Which of These 2 Builds? (1 AMD, 1 Intel)

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1

Hey All,

First time builder here. I used PC Park Picker to help me pick these 2 machines. My basic use is going to be gaming, and everyday use. I also plan to overclock. I plan to SLI or Crossfire in the future.

Feel free to make any changes or suggestions. I would like to keep it in this price range. 

Thanks for any help!

Intel

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gZ2c

  • CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($199.99 @ Newegg) 
  • CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($27.99 @ Amazon) 
  • Motherboard: ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($119.90 @ NCIX US) 
  • Memory: Kingston Blu 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($35.99 @ NCIX US) 
  • Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
  • Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti 2GB Video Card ($119.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($20.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Power Supply: Antec 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
  • Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC) 
  • Total: $762.80

AMD

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/gZ1i

  • CPU: AMD FX-4100 3.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($99.99 @ NCIX US) 
  • CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($27.99 @ Amazon)  
  • Motherboard: ASRock 970 Extreme3 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($89.98 @ Newegg) 
  • Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($54.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($62.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
  • Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 7870 2GB Video Card ($199.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Sound Card: Asus Xonar DG 24-bit 96 KHz Sound Card ($20.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Case: Rosewill CHALLENGER ATX Mid Tower Case ($49.99 @ Newegg) 
  • Power Supply: Antec 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($107.99 @ SuperBiiz) 
  • Optical Drive: Samsung SH-222BB/BEBE DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC) 
  • Total: $738.88

 

2

Though both of those builds are OK they won't be enough for the latest games.

Pros and cons of the AMD build:

+HD 7870 (great bang for buck card)

+Great PSU

-Not the best CPU out there (a bit of a bulldozer hater). Try the Phenom II X4 965 - Black edition instead, it's much better for gaming IMO

never heard of munshkin, is it any good? Why not go with a more trusted brand like Kingston or ADATA?

 

Pros and cons of the intel build:

+I5 2500k

+Great overclocking potential

+As the AMD build it has a great PSU

-gtx 550ti cannot hold it's own in today's latest games (unless you don't mind Medium graphic settings)

I'd sudggest using the gtx 560ti or, if you can, the gtx 570. If you don't mind ATI cards why not use the HD7870/7850?

 

I'd take the Intel build but upgrade the graphics card personally

Hope this helped :)  

 

3

I'll make a list way better for you than both right after I'm done with gentlemen's so just hold on a bit, muskin is the beesnees of ram

as for bulldozer being okay for games, check out the bottom 4 games to see where I stand on that, FX8150 "eight" core vs. the intel G850 dual core

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/434?vs=404

4

Thanks for the response,

 

AMD

I was also looking at the Phenom II X4 965 - Black edition. There was a bit of back and forth as to if it was better than the bulldozer series on the site I was looking at. It's about the same price, so I could swap that out.   

As for the Mushkin, It was rated 5 stars by 16 people on NE so I went for it. It was 8-8-8-24 and I had a little bit of price wiggle, so I went for it. 


Intel

I would like a better graphics card in this one. I suppose I could go for the 7870, or try to find a place to fit in the 560ti or 570 into the price.

I guess for some reason I was thinking   AMD w/ ATI  and  Intel w/ Nvidia. 


5

I see your point on the CPUs. 

 

edit: meant CPUs.  Stupid brain.  =-P

6

if you could afford maybe $40 more then you can get a kickass cooler that's better than some closed loop coolers

Total=$777.03

que lucky 7s

CPU/Heatsink

Mobo/RAM

GPU

Case/PSU

HDD

7

i would go with the intel build the 2500k is going to be a good cpu for the next few years. all you need is a gpu upgrades 

 

8

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/541?vs=547

his rig is in blue, mine is in black, same price range too

9

Thanks! A 2500k and the 560TI for the price range. I was having a pain of a time getting it down to that price. I'll definitely go with that setup. 

2 questions though:

1. What cooler were you thinking?

2. Will I need to upgrade the 630w PSU if I decide to get another 560-TI later?

10

Honestly guy if you are staying around the 700-750 mark I would go with the AMD. The FX-4100 is actually a really good CPU for the price, you could get the 965 if you wanted.  Get rid of the sound card you really dont need it unless your a musician. Id put more into the GPU also the 560-ti cant really hold its own against AMD GPU's in the same price range. But if you do go with the 2500k and 560-ti you would need a bigger psu than 630w to SLI

11

nope

http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine

it says it uses 495 with it OCed to 4Ghz and two 560Tis

cooler is combo'd with CPU its one of the better coolers, better than some closed loop liquid coolers

12

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/404?vs=434

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/288?vs=434

I think not

also no you would not need a bigget PSU to for a 4Ghz 2500K and 2 560Tis

the 2500K @4Ghz uses around 125w each 560ti uses around 170, use the website I posted

if you want AMD the a 7850 would be a good choice

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150617

13

Thanks, those are some good websites. Acording to the power supply website that power supply should cover me. Man, that makes me wonder what people do with a 1000w power supply. 

15

In this case i would go with the AMD build, just get a different cpu, the bulldozer isnt the best for gaming.