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best value - sub $200 processor and cooler

K

krgly

Junior Member
I do a lot of multitasking, a lot of video playback, some audio/video transcoding, and a little 2d (adobe suite) and 3d (lightwave and 3ds max) imaging work, and HAVE to be able to play SC2 soon. I haven't built a computer since ddr2 first became available... Things have changed in the computing world! I want to spend less than $200 for the cpu and cooler - actually, want to spend less than $300 for cpu, cooler, and motherboard together. I was looking at the Phenom x4 line (ive tended towards AMD, though I've got not loyalty) but the varying I series look like they might be better suited to my needs.

what's the best value at my pricepoint these days? I'm pretty sure I've got the rest of the system plotted out, but some bits rely on this sort of essential decision.

btw, I'm not looking to rely on oc ability, but getting a 'free' upgrade down the line is always nice.
 
Based on what you are looking to use the pc for, I can't think of a better cpu overall than an AMD 1055T. A Intel I7 750 is a better gaming cpu, but with the other things factored in a 1055T is pretty good. It should play SC2 with no problem at all. If you are not using crossfire an 870 chipset can even provide some overclocking. Some of the other guys will chime in. If you read some of the other threads you'll see your question has been discussed before. Welcome to the forums 🙂
 
classy said:
Based on what you are looking to use the pc for, I can't think of a better cpu overall than an AMD 1055T. A Intel I7 750 is a better gaming cpu, but with the other things factored in a 1055T is pretty good. It should play SC2 with no problem at all. If you are not using crossfire an 870 chipset can even provide some overclocking. Some of the other guys will chime in. If you read some of the other threads you'll see your question has been discussed before. Welcome to the forums 🙂
Click to expand...

This. The only thing I'd change is that the 1055T will definitely handle SC2 with ease. I wonder if the integrated video from a higher-end AMD board will handle it? The hardware requirements for SC2 are very modest IIRC.
 
i5 750 or a 1055t.

My vote is for the 1055T, it has a ton of overclocking headroom and the added physical cores should serve you well down the line. AMDs next gen chip will be compatible with the AM3 platform which is another plus.
 
you guys are awesome - I hadn't really even looked at the x6 series, guess I thought they were out of my price range. And I'm sorry for what I did know was a repost of dozens of threads - I'm on a roadtrip plotting out a new pc on my cell phone =/
 
Gigantopithecus said:
This. The only thing I'd change is that the 1055T will definitely handle SC2 with ease. I wonder if the integrated video from a higher-end AMD board will handle it? The hardware requirements for SC2 are very modest IIRC.
Click to expand...

actually I'm thinking not, because the SC2 engine has about 90% of its code clearly stuck in a single thread. Built it off the WoW engine, is it any surprise? That thing has basically 2 threads, one for all game processing, and one for audio. The UI is a separate thread but it's tightly linked to the game processing thread and thus one bogs the other down.
 
If you go 1055T, try to get it On Sale so that you can get a $30 after market HS/Fan for it. The Retail Fan is too small and Loud for the task(it cools fine, but at the cost of your ears).
 
krgly said:
I do a lot of multitasking, a lot of video playback, some audio/video transcoding, and a little 2d (adobe suite) and 3d (lightwave and 3ds max) imaging work, and HAVE to be able to play SC2 soon...
Click to expand...

Sounds like an X6 processor for you!

Like the others have mentioned the 1055T would be your best bet. It's better than Intel's competition at highly threaded programs and it will OC very well to boot, should you decide to down the line.

As for price, do you have a Fry's nearby? If so, there is a combo for a 1055T and a 880G mATX board for $200 AR (in store only). If you must have an ATX board, just sell the mATX board and use that cash to get something else.

Fry's Link
http://www.frys.com/product/6284380?...H:MAIN_RSLT_PG

Actually, here's another combo for an X2 555 BE with an ATX Biostar 870 motherboard for only $90 after rebate. I just bought one yesterday. So if you really want to, buy both combos, sell the X2 555 and the mATX 880G mobo, and you'll probably end up with the 1055T and Biostar TA870+ for just a little $200 not counting rebates.

Link for the 555 combo (not on Fry's website, in store only)
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2109618

That leaves you almost $100 for a CPU cooler, and I'm sure you can manage to find a good one for less than that 😉

Oh yea, if you're not near a Fry's, you can try something like this:
http://juicedcpus.tumblr.com/

*Edit: it seems like juiced computers do not offer to buy Fry's deals and then ship them for a fee anymore. You can try giving them a call though.
 
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I think 1055t is best suited for your situation. slightly over you budget but not by much. 1055t w/ hyper212+ cooler should be around 230ish.
 
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