Criticize my buying and hardware strategy.

[techs]

It's time to build another computer. I will run Windows 8 and have an SSD and a spindle drive.

I will use this computer to test out Windows 8 and to also download and test software for compatibility.

Eventually it will replace my current Windows 7 machine which is an I3 @3.2Ghz and has an SSD and spindle drive.

I use the computer for web surfing, email and watching videos. Streaming, Bluray discs and downloaded videos. I run Office 2010. I never game. My monitor is a 52inch Sony LCD television thru an HDMI port.

My idea is to wait until the Trinity chips hit the market. Then I want to pick up an AMD A8-3850 Llano 2.9GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6550D.

I want a mobo that has at least 2 SATA 6GB ports, optical audio out, UEFI bios and USB 3.0

I know that the FM1 socket is a dead end and that I will have pretty much maxed out the mobo.

My thoughts are that the Llano cpu coupled with an SSD will give me super fast boots and almost instantaneous web browsing, Office apps and email. It should also handle bluray discs just fine.

I figure I can get a good deal when the Trinitys hit the market.

The only drawbacks are that the Trinitys are either overpriced or turn out to be bummers which will keep the prices of the Llano's from dropping. I also figure that the manufactures will be pretty desperate to sell off their FM1 board when the Trinitys hit the market.

So, thoughts?

 

[krnmastersgt]

I hate the interface for Windows 8, I won't be changing for a while.

But your logic holds true for the most part, I don't think there will be much in terms of price changes on the Llano processors though, as they already hold a specific point in the market, AMD won't launch the new parts with prices that force them down unless they're desperate to try and earn some market share back from Intel.

 

[techs]

I hate the interface for Windows 8, I won't be changing for a while.

But your logic holds true for the most part, I don't think there will be much in terms of price changes on the Llano processors though, as they already hold a specific point in the market, AMD won't launch the new parts with prices that force them down unless they're desperate to try and earn some market share back from Intel.

I am currently testing both Classic Shell and Start8 and once they are working they will enable skipping the Metro screen, going straight to the desktop and restores the Windows 7 start button and menus. I put back the Quick Launch and it now looks and works almost identicallly to Windows 7.

And Windows 8 is now running on a Netbook with an AMD C-60 Dual Core at 1 Gzh (turbo 1.33) and its running like a rocket. Unbelievably fast for such a low power cpu. Windows 8 at this point seems far faster than Windows 7 for everyday tasks.

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Criticism implies judgment, and that in turn requires understanding what your objectives are. 🙂 From what you wrote, it doesn't sound like you even need a new machine at all, so you're building one for fun, and that means anything goes, pretty much.

 

[mfenn]

I don't think there will be much in terms of price changes on the Llano processors though, as they already hold a specific point in the market, AMD won't launch the new parts with prices that force them down unless they're desperate to try and earn some market share back from Intel.

Agree on this part. An A8-3850 is $90 right now, there ain't too much margin left. AMD and Newegg aren't so desperate to clear out stock that they will take a loss.

As for old mobos, they usually drop a little in price, but hold their value once production stops and stocks dry up. FM1 boards are pretty much all sub-$100 as it is, with plenty at ~$60, so there's not much room for them to move either. ~$50 is pretty much the floor at which you can sell a MicroATX board and not lose money.