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Lower end "reliable" desktop hardware build help please

I

ITloser

Member
Plans:
Looking to upgrade the "core" of an old 939 system I have. (mobo, memory, ram) (it CANNOT play a bluray) Its been a long time since I cared to build a PC. So I'm out of the loop on the latest "best of". I'm not poor or cheap, just trying not to waste money while making sure the parts work together.

Please speak to the 2 options (AMD and Intel) I've laid out given my points below. Do they work together, which option is better, etc. Purchase imminent (not urgent). No need to be posting at 3 AM tho....

Needs:
Looking to build out a lower end dual booter (Ubuntu/Win7-8) with a top end expectation of watching a bluray movie without issue (stuttering). I also wanted to future-proof the system to some degree. So I need HDMI/DVI,USB3, SATA3, UEFI. (PCI3 would be nice but thats Intel only and apparently not very useful yet, DisplayPort another nice to have). Just a couple of ports for the new stuff (I'm not relying on this new system, but want to have connectivity in case). Also want to be able to run at least 1 VM without much issue (memory) A big concern is general reliability. So top tier brands that are not prone to failure. I am unsure of any concerns about things like mem speeds and CPU/mobo other then posted specs for products. No OC/gaming here. And I hate noisy PCs, so if it could be a problem, let me know a fix.

Future:
Down the road I may look at a compute GPU (InfoSec here), but I doubt it.


I have some parts I will be keeping.
- Antec Neo HE 550W PS
- CompUSA Case - its terrible but it does the job. Don't expect awesome thermals, but it has 2 80 fans on the rear.
- Choices of SSD's and HDDs, I'm really trying to get to SSDs, so I have either an Intel X25M or a new Samsung 840 Pro to use. 🙂
- New Asus HD 6450 silent GPU (can still return if seen as weaker than built in GPU)


I have the following items in a AMD wish list:
- AMD A10-5700
- G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL
- ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M FM2 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
(cost ~ $250 + tax)

I have the following items in a Intel wish list:
- Intel BOXDH77EB LGA 1155 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
- Intel Core i3-3225 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 4000 BX80637I33225
- G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
(cost ~ $300 + tax)

Thanks in advance!
 
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Well about bluray playback, even the slowest CPU you can buy today can do that. I should know, I use a Celeron G465 for that and that's a single core 1.9GHz with HT... 😉

That being said since you mention running a VM, I would go with option 2. You could save a few bucks by using a regular 3220. The HD2500 will do bluray playback just as well as the HD4000 in the 3225.
 
- CompUSA Case - its terrible but it does the job. Don't expect awesome thermals, but it has 2 120 fans on the rear.
Click to expand...
i don't think i've ever seen a case with 2 120 fans on the rear. pics?


on your intel setup is it just me or is there no difference between the ram you selected and this stuff that's $15 cheaper?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231314

edit: now i see the difference, what's in your intel set up is a 2GB x 4 kit. definitely don't want that as it'll eat all your ram slots.
 
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Thanks ElFenix. lol The fans are 80s. I was not thinking when I put this in.

And also for the point on the RAM! I messed up.
 
Is there any particular reason you picked the Intel motherboard on your second option? I agree with the choice of an H77 board if you never plan to overclock -- it has plenty of memory capacity, and can take upgrades up to an i5/i7 processor in socket 1155. However, there are other quality H77-based choices available for probably less money. And, quite honestly, just because the board has an Intel sticker on it doesn't make it any more reliable.
 
As far as that mobo - It provides all my needs and wants (future proof flexibility) while coming from a company whose reliability I trust. (DisplayPort is nice because it can transmit audio like HDMI and works with my current monitor) I know the mobo shop is closing, but I trust it to not fail and have weird issues. I hear you. I'm running a 5yr old Gigabyte mobo for my server and replacing a Abit 939 mobo. If there are others you'd recommend that is what I want to hear. I don't expect to use this system too much, and want it to last ~ 5 yrs. (I don't upgrade often). Below $100 I think this is the only option with everything.
 
Both CPUs are dual-cores with some extra tech to make them have 4 logical cores (HT for Intel, extra integer-only units for AMD). Overall multi-threaded performance is very similar between the two. The i3 has an edge in single-threaded performance and the A10 has better graphics. Either will serve your purposes quite well.

I would grab the AMD because it costs less, but would swap the RAM to this Crucial DDR3 1600 1.35V. Also, return the 6450 because the A10 IGP is as faster or faster.
 
I want to thank everyone for their input. After considering all the input from everyone, I went with the Intel option. I felt I would be happier with a no-compromises solution, which the AMD option wouldn't be able to quite do. (I REALLY wish AMD was more competitive feature/performance wise) I'll provide an update, maybe theis weekend, after its built.
 
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