amd or intel? suggestions please

[lockmac]

Hi guys. Havn't really been in the computer scene much for the last few years, but when I built my last computer (probably 3 years ago), I remember AMD were winning the battle, with their CPU's being cheaper, cooler and overall much better performers.

I need to build 2 pc's for an office environment (same specs). They connect to a local exchange server and sql server, and really only run office, internet explorer, a vpn connection and a few other programs.

Basically, these PC's need to be as solid in performance as possible. Extra features are not necessary. It doesnt need to have every bell and whislt, just needs to very stable and quick enough for these tasks.

I am looking at getting a motherboard with onboard graphics (as no graphic intensive applications are used).

So............. who are the big winners today? AMD or Intel? I havn't decided yet which to go for and need help from you guys!

Any suggestions would be great, but yeh basically i have no idea if i should built an AMD system or an Intel system.

Many thanks guys

 

[fleshconsumed]

AMD has better onboard graphics solutions and is cheaper at low end. However, if you don't plan to use 3D graphics and has more cash to spare Intel CPU's will be faster.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: fleshconsumed
AMD has better onboard graphics solutions and is cheaper at low end. However, if you don't plan to use 3D graphics and has more cash to spare Intel CPU's will be faster.

QFT

 

[IL2SturmovikPilot]

AMD currently ISN'T the performance king they was when you built your last PC,but they're still a viable option if you want something cheap,but AMD has the BEST Onboard Video on the Market.

Edit: I meant ISN'T,not is.

 

[nerp]

I wouldn't hesitate to build an integrated AMD box with a couple GB of ram and a quality motherboard for a stable and efficient work machine. For basic use it's definatley a viable option and some of the newer chipsets support the newer Phenoms, etc, so down the road you could easily convert one into a more robust workstation with minor upgrades if you needed it.

 

[hnzw rui]

AMD still holds the lower end if we're talking about stock performance. Since those are business machines, I'm assuming no oc'ing will be involved? Right now, pretty much any current system you buy (yes, even single-core Semprons and Celerons) would meet your requirements. How much is your budget? Are you looking to build a whole new PC (complete with case, psu, hard drive, optical drive, display, os etc) or just upgrading mobo/cpu/ram? Since you mentioned connecting to a server, do you need Gigabit ethernet on the motherboard?

 

[lockmac]

gigabit ethernet will not be needed. yes correct, no overclocking at all will be involved. in terms of budget, i dont want to spend heaps, but will pay little bit extra for one that will be a little better. hard to say budget wise really, as im from Australia. Yes, I am gonna build a whole new PC.

As this is just gonna be low end stuff and nothing too intensive, I think i must just buy some AMD gear so I can keep the costs down a little.

Any more advice would be great thanks

 

[Nathelion]

Are you buying the system from an OEM? It might make a lot of sense to do so, if it's a low end box anyway.

 

[ther00kie16]

Intel's definately better. And their graphics are comparable to AMD (g35 and upcoming g45) though you'll pay a slight premium for Intel over AMD. But Nathelion is right about buying from OEM. With deals for a decent sized lcd thrown in with a e21x0 or e4x00 system for around $400-500 from dell, it's almost not worth it to build such a low end system unless you get the best deals for everything.
With that said, it didn't deter me from building a $310 htpc with AMD 690g chipset last year. And if you are building them, I'd say $300-350 is about what you should shoot for.

 

[Ratman6161]

Originally posted by: lockmac
gigabit ethernet will not be needed. yes correct, no overclocking at all will be involved. in terms of budget, i dont want to spend heaps, but will pay little bit extra for one that will be a little better. hard to say budget wise really, as im from Australia. Yes, I am gonna build a whole new PC.

As this is just gonna be low end stuff and nothing too intensive, I think i must just buy some AMD gear so I can keep the costs down a little.

Any more advice would be great thanks

I'll second what others have said and say that for your particular usage, it really doesn't matter. Any current system will perform those tasks just fine.

I'd also say that for those usages, it does not make any sense to build your own. I don't know what prices are like in Australia, but here in the US you really can't beat Dell, HP, etc for a low to medium end system that you are not going to over clock or otherwise tinker with. The economies of scale for the big OEM's just can't be beat.

 

[hnzw rui]

In the US, pretty much any budget OEM should do. A basic Dell Vostro 200 Slim w/19" LCD is $399 (XP Pro - $498). For your needs, no upgrades necessary.

Just to give you an idea, I recently built a PC w/the following specs:

Slim microATX Case: $50
Mobo/single-core CPU combo: $50 (Fry's)
2x1GB DDR2 533 SDRAM: $40
320GB HDD: $75
20X DVD+/-RW: $25
Total: $240

Prices are from Newegg unless otherwise noted. That's without mouse ($5), keyboard ($10), monitor (19" - $150) and operating system (XP Home - $90, XP Pro - $135). Also, it's very rare that you can buy a new mobo/cpu for only $50. Usually, you'd have to shell out a minimum of $80 for that. The only upside is that my system only consumes 58W idle and 74W load.

 

[Jephph]

If you're going to spend less than $150 on the CPU, then go with AMD. Anything higher, go with Intel. Also, as has been suggested, if you're going real budget, then OEMs can be cheaper than even building one yourself. Beyond $400-$500, it's definitely more cost-effective to build your own machine than purchasing an OEM, but below that, it can be difficult to put together a build on your own that will beat an OEM.

 

[phaxmohdem]

This is the rig I would probably build for your needs. Definitely fast enough for what you want, and the forseeable future. Also upgradable, and reliable.

Motherboard:
ASUS M3A78-EMH (AMD 780G AM2+ Motherboard) -$94.99 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813131273

CPU:
AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ BE - $95.99 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103194

RAM:
2GB G-Skill DDR2 800 - $34.99 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820231098

Hard Drive:
WD Caviar 160GB SATA 3.0 - $47.99 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136075

Case:
Cooler Master Cavalier 3 - $59.99 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119075

Power Supply:
Antec Earthwatts EA430 430W - $69.99 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006

Optical Drive:
Samsung 20X SATA DVD-RW - $30.99 (Newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151154

Grand Total: $434.93
-------------------------------

To me that looks like a solid good-performing system for the money. I don't know what OS you will be running, or if you'd need other peripherals, but you can add to/subtract from the base of components above according to your functional/budget needs.

 

[Ratman6161]

Originally posted by: Jephph
If you're going to spend less than $150 on the CPU, then go with AMD. Anything higher, go with Intel. Also, as has been suggested, if you're going real budget, then OEMs can be cheaper than even building one yourself. Beyond $400-$500, it's definitely more cost-effective to build your own machine than purchasing an OEM, but below that, it can be difficult to put together a build on your own that will beat an OEM.

But...there is another cost consideration. When you are building for yourself at home, its often for the "love" rather than for actually saving money.

When building for the office you have to factor in the cost of your time too. And its not just the time spent building and configuring the system. Remember that when you build your own, you are your own tech support. And rather than calling HP or Dell for warranted items, you will have to call the manufacturer of the individual component you want replaced - and prove that it was their component that caused your problem. You can end up with each manufacturer blaming the others and you stuck RMA'ing individual pieces trying to figure out which one is to blame.

Just a thought.

 

[Jephph]

Originally posted by: Ratman6161

Originally posted by: Jephph
If you're going to spend less than $150 on the CPU, then go with AMD. Anything higher, go with Intel. Also, as has been suggested, if you're going real budget, then OEMs can be cheaper than even building one yourself. Beyond $400-$500, it's definitely more cost-effective to build your own machine than purchasing an OEM, but below that, it can be difficult to put together a build on your own that will beat an OEM.

But...there is another cost consideration. When you are building for yourself at home, its often for the "love" rather than for actually saving money.

When building for the office you have to factor in the cost of your time too. And its not just the time spent building and configuring the system. Remember that when you build your own, you are your own tech support. And rather than calling HP or Dell for warranted items, you will have to call the manufacturer of the individual component you want replaced - and prove that it was their component that caused your problem. You can end up with each manufacturer blaming the others and you stuck RMA'ing individual pieces trying to figure out which one is to blame.

Just a thought.

Right. That post was mostly intended for people who are pretty good with computers. Good enough to build one, and good enough to troubleshoot their own problems. If a component is defective, it's likely to show up right away, and you can ship it back immediately to be replaced.