AMD vs Intel

[P1NKY]

How does the AMD FX 4100 and AMD Phenom II X4 965 black compare to the Intel i3-2100?

 

[Phynaz]

Running what software?

 

[Centauri]

Damn. I was hoping for so much more with a thread title like this.

 

[P1NKY]

Writing basic web pages in html, write simple programs in JavaScript, C# programming, and word processing.

I know I will be installing and uninstalling different OS on it too.

That is the basic of it now until I get more in depth classes for school. There might be installing of other stuff but I don't know until I get my book for the classes.

Basically what processor is better for computer programming and a little gaming.

 

[Greenlepricon]

I would say start with the i3 and if you eventually need something more powerful, you have the potential to upgrade to something much much MUCH better.

 

[P1NKY]

And what can I do on a $300 budget for processor, graphics card, and case?

 

[Centauri]

Maybe you should get an APU.

 

[P1NKY]

How much are those?

 

[notty22]

Look for a bundle like this, that has savings.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboB...=Combo.1294565

325.00
Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz Processor, BIOSTAR B75MU3+ Motherboard, CORSAIR 4GB Memory, Thermaltake Computer Case W/ 450W Power Supply, TOSHIBA 1TB Hard Drive

Or a Dell, on special, will get you a tower with o/s, probably under 400.

 

[P1NKY]

Guess I would get a mobo too haha

I have RAM and HDD

Would the AMD A6-3650 be a good starting point if I decided to go the APU route?

 

[frozentundra123456]

Maybe you should get an APU.

Probably better than the FX, since if you got that processor you would have no choice but to get a discrete gpu as well.

To me it is a toss up between the i3 and A10, unless you will be gaming.

Edit: Noticed you will be gaming. If you are into current fairly intensive titles, I would go with FX 6300 or i3 and a discrete card. What games will you be playing? The igp in the A10 can handle some games at decent settings, but in modern demanding titles you would be much better off with a discrete gpu, something like a HD7790.

 

[P1NKY]

I probably won't be doing much gaming as I already have a gaming computer with a FX 6300 processor. I am looking for a computer to do my computer programming classes on and playing with installing and uninstalling OS because that is part of the class.

I just want my school and my gaming computer separate but really don't know where to go on choosing a budget processor that won't make me go broke. I already have RAM and PSU and probably a HDD.

If I play any games with probably be old title like GTA: SA or Vice City.

I haven't planned on what OS to get yet as I don't know what the class requires, I think XP is what the teacher recommends.

I am planning $130 or less on a processor. $100 or less on a graphics card unless I go with APU but still would want to spend $130 or less on a APU.

Since it will be a computer programming computer 99% of the time I have been thinking of the AMD A4 series

 

[tracerbullet]

Since it will be a computer programming computer 99% of the time

Get the cheapest processor you possibly can, it will be enough.

If you just can't stand for that, then think up a future use for the computer. Let's say perhaps an HTPC some day, or a server, and go from there as to what the minimum should be. If you can't think of anything that will realistically happen, then go cheap cheap cheap.

 

[P1NKY]

What is HTPC?

 

[Cerb]

Writing basic web pages in html, write simple programs in JavaScript, C# programming, and word processing.

Anything faster than an Atom will do, including an AMD E-350 or E-450. Compiling C# will be the only thing you'll end up really waiting on, and for school, chances are you won't big enough projects to have to really worry over that.

Don't get Windows XP. 7 or 8 64-bit are the ways to go. Windows XP's updates stop next year, the newer versions are much more secure, utilize newer CPUs better, 64-bit-only games are on the horizon, and more RAM is nice to have and use.

HTPC: Home Theater PC

Here's a nice cheap starting point:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856115045

It only takes 2nd-gen Core CPUs (Fi, Core i3-2120), and is tiny, but hey, $100 for PSU+mobo+case. $100-130, or less, for a CPU (Core i3--Pentiums would be fine, but the i3s are faster, so your call), $20 for an ODD, and you're in business.

P.S. With an i3-2120, and 24x Sammy burner, assuming you already have DDR3 RAM, and an HDD, I get a little under $260 shipped, starting from the above barebones. A video card would need to be low-profile, but with a $100 video card budget, that should be easy enough to do. Honestly, though, since you have a gaming PC, already, I'd use IGP, unless you wanted multiple monitors through digital outputs. Programming will not get you into the areas where SB IGP isn't good enough.

 

[P1NKY]

Yeah I probably get Win 7 but I know I will have to work with XP and Vista mostly so I don't know if I should get XP for my class(August to December) since I can get a free copy and then upgrade to 7 or 8 in January.

I am going to do the A4 since this is only for my computer classes for the next 3 years.

I honestly doubt I will play games on it as I have my FX build but if I do it won't be anything bigger then a old GTA game.

$130 for case, mobo, and A4 leaves me enough to upgrade my FX build.