Searching for a processor

[Mahna Mahna]

I am looking to buy a new computer, and am trying to figure out which processor or group of processors best suit(s) my needs.

Mostly the computer will be used for simple tasks--hulu/youtube/document editing, but I do intend on playing a few games on it as well--(At this point, LoL and HoN. I am mostly a console gamer.) System requirements HoN 2.4GHz/System requirements LoL 3GHz

I do not mind low res graphics, and haven't upgraded to HDTV yet. But I do have a decent ~20" Asus lcd monitor which I intend to use with the new computer.

Also this new computer would preferably last as long as possible, beyond the 3 year mark of the normal expected window. The laptop I'm writing this on is ~5 years old. I am also on a budget of $700 for the whole computer.

Which series (or specific processor) would be best? (I'd rather get an Intel.) Since I don't mind low-end graphics, would a CPU with built in graphics be enough for my wants now and potentially upgrade to a dedicated GPU later? I would expect that to free up some of the budget so I could buy a better CPU now; would a better CPU contribute to a longer lifespan? Or should I go ahead and get an acceptable graphics card and save the few dollars without integrated graphics on the CPU? I don't think it's smart to get integrated graphics and a video card at once.

So far, I've been leaning toward an i3 or i5 series with intel graphics 3000, without a video card. But that still leaves quite a few options. I would also like to know if I'm barking up the wrong tree.

...
On a different subject, it remains to be seen whether my wife will allow me to build this computer myself or if we're getting it OEM. Right now she really, really doesn't want me to try to build it myself. I'm open to advice here too. (Convincing arguments for/against DIY, etc.)

Also if the answers change depending on DIY or OEM that would be good to know too.

 

[NTMBK]

What do you define as low-res? For some people that's 800x600, some that's 720p, and for some that's 1080p.

Going Intel is probably the best bet if you want longevity. AMD's Trinity has far superior integrated graphics (as in completely stomp the Intel chip in gaming benchmarks), but if you're going to upgrade to a discrete card down the line then the CPU will hold you back before the Intel one would. You'll be paying a higher price for it, though.

As such, you should probably be looking at something like the i5-3570k- you'll want a true quad core, not a dual core with hyperthreading (so i3s are out), but it's not really worth paying i7 prices just for the extra hyperthreading. You'll need (seriously, NEED) the HD4000 graphics, so that leaves you with only the i5-3570K to buy.

(There is also an i3 with HD4000, the i3-3225, but if you're going to go with a weaker CPU then you'd be better off going with AMD's A10-5800K instead for the far superior graphics they have.)

 

[sm625]

If you want to play those games, and watch videos or have videos playing in the background, then do not use integrated graphics. Intel HD 3000 is powerful enough to drive those games (LoL needs shadows turned down). But whn you throw multitasking video into the mix they choke and die. AMD integrated graphics is the same way. If I were you I would go on ebay and buy a Lenovo Thinkcentre with a Core 2 (> 2.66GHz) and slap a HD7750 in there. Then go find a 64GB SSD and grab a copy of windows 8 pro upgrade. You will have yourself a competent LOL box that can handle media in the background with no lag. All for less than $400 easy. Could be less than $300 if you are patient. For a very fast computer that really obliterates the user experience you get from anything new in that price range.

If that is too cheap for you then go buy a dell that has a pci express x16 slot and slap a 7750 in there. Inspiron 660s is a common model that comes with i3's and sb pentiums. These really are overkill for LoL though. A 7750 is overkill too but there just isnt much option. 28nm gpus are really nice, I wouldnt skimp on that.

 

[NTMBK]

If you want to play those games, and watch videos or have videos playing in the background, then do not use integrated graphics. Intel HD 3000 is powerful enough to drive those games (LoL needs shadows turned down). But whn you throw multitasking video into the mix they choke and die. AMD integrated graphics is the same way. If I were you I would go on ebay and buy a Lenovo Thinkcentre with a Core 2 (> 2.66GHz) and slap a HD7750 in there. Then go find a 64GB SSD and grab a copy of windows 8 pro upgrade. You will have yourself a competent LOL box that can handle media in the background with no lag. All for less than $400 easy. Could be less than $300 if you are patient. For a very fast computer that really obliterates the user experience you get from anything new in that price range.

If that is too cheap for you then go buy a dell that has a pci express x16 slot and slap a 7750 in there. Inspiron 660s is a common model that comes with i3's and sb pentiums. These really are overkill for LoL though. A 7750 is overkill too but there just isnt much option. 28nm gpus are really nice, I wouldnt skimp on that.

That's certainly the best purchase for the immediate user experience, but it fails direly on the "PC to last" front. That's why I reckon an Ivy Bridge quad is the best bet- you can keep buying mid range graphics cards for many years and pairing them with that CPU, and it should keep good. Pick up an 8750 (or whatever it is) next year, then a 10750 a couple years after that, and you'll still have a well balanced PC. But any dual core isn't going to hack it in a few years' time. Go for the beefy CPU now, because GPUs are damn easy to upgrade.

EDIT: Also, make sure you get something with HD4000 graphics, not HD3000, if you intend to use them. HD4000 performs much, much better: