Critique my non-gaming system

[ChaiBabbaChai]

Originally posted by: fffblackmage
The 3.0GHz Phenom II X4 beats the Q8200 in majority of benchmarks. How was my advice bad?

Well, to be honest, I was only inclined to say that because I have only been looking at i7 and i5 vs. everything else. 😀

 

[JDub02]

Thanks for all of your input. I'm putting together a final component list that I would like to purchase tonight.

Still debating AMD vs Intel. If I could get an i5 in my budget, I'd jump on it, but that doesn't look feasible based on motherboard costs.

Talked to the wife last night, she said "quiet" was high up on the priority list for her, so it looks like the Sonata case is a go.

I'll be posting my final build list when I have it and I'd appreciate one final critique.

Thanks.

 

[JDub02]

Alright. I have a spreadsheet for 3 builds all under $900. i5, C2Q, and Phenom II X4. I will post them in a few minutes. It's going to take me a bit to get the formatting correct.

 

[JDub02]

Common Components:

Case: Antec Sonata III - $110
PSU: 500W included with case
Optical: Sony Optiarc - $32
Keyboard: MS Comfort Curve - $13
Hard Drive: WD Caviar Black 750gb - $80 - 15MIR = $65
Monitor: Acer H213H 21.3" full HD - $150
Memory Card Reader: Nippon Labs card reader/USB/eSATA - $20
NIC: Rosewill Wireless G PCI - $15
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium OEM - $100

Subtotal - $521 - 15MIR = $506 (although, I can probably get by without the wireless NIC)

Option 1 - i5
CPU: Intel Core i5 750 - $200 - 15MIR = $185
Motherboard: Foxconn P55A-S LGA 1165 - $105 -- chose this because it was the cheapest
Memory: OCZ Gold 4GB (2x2) DDR3 1600 - $98 - 20MIR = $78
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon 4350 512MB - $35 - 10MIR = $25

Total - $438 - 45MIR = $393 + $506 = $899

Option 2 - C2Q
CPU: Intel C2Q Q8400 2.66 95W - $166
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R - $116 - 15MIR = $101
Memory: Corsair 4GB (2x2) DDR2 1066 - $80 - 15MIR = $65
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon 4350 512MB - $35 - 10MIR = $25

Total - $397 - 40MIR = $357 + $506 = $863

Option 3 - AMD
CPU: AMD Phenom II X4 945 3.0GHz 95W - $160
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA790GPT-UD3H - $115 - 15 MIR = $100
Memory: OCZ Gold 4GB (2x2) DDR3 1600 - $98 - 20MIR = $78
GPU: Radeon HD 3300 128MB HDMI onboard

Total - $373 - 35MIR = $338 + $506 = $844

From what I understand, the AMD should be a bit faster than the C2Q and a bit slower than the i5. Given that it's the cheapest, that's definitely what I'm leaning towards.

I appreciate all comments and critiques.

FYI, I'm upgrading from a Core Duo 1.7 GHz Sony Vaio laptop. My guess is that all 3 options are going to seem really fast. That's the reason I backed the video down from the 4670. I have onboard intel graphics now and I'm not stressing them with Vista.

 

[fffblackmage]

From a performance/gaming standpoint, I like the i5 build for only $50-ish more. (On the other hand, the recent article about heavily overclocked i5's scares me, since I would be overclocking.)

For the AMD build, there are cheaper PII X4 945+mobo combos that can bring the AMD build down a little closer to $800. Looking at features, you're probably not losing out on much, but I'm not certain either. Anyways, it might be worth checking it out.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: JDub02
Motherboard: Foxconn P55A-S LGA 1165 - $105 -- chose this because it was the cheapest

so i guess u missed my post about the gigabyte p55 ud2 for $90 shipped which is even cheaper.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: JDub02
Motherboard: Foxconn P55A-S LGA 1165 - $105 -- chose this because it was the cheapest

so i guess u missed my post about the gigabyte p55 ud2 for $90 shipped which is even cheaper.

that was micro ATX. does that mount OK in a regular case? excuse my ignorance, but i've never done anything with a microATX board.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: JDub02

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: JDub02
Motherboard: Foxconn P55A-S LGA 1165 - $105 -- chose this because it was the cheapest

so i guess u missed my post about the gigabyte p55 ud2 for $90 shipped which is even cheaper.

that was micro ATX. does that mount OK in a regular case? excuse my ignorance, but i've never done anything with a microATX board.

most cases handle both form factors. in fact, i haven't come across one that doesn't.
check with your case.