virtualization/media build help

[kongqueror]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. After mulling over all your suggestions/recommendations, it looks like the best Intel rig that will fit my budget will be:

Intel i3-2120 3.3GHz CAD120.00
MSI H77A-G43 ATX CAD90.99
G.SKILL F3-10666CL9S-8GBXL Ripjawsx 8GB 1X8GB DDR3-1333 CAD49.07
Total: CAD260.06

For nearly the same amount of money, the best AMD rig I can get are:

FX-6100 3.3GHz CAD134.00
Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 CAD89.00
G.SKILL F3-10666CL9S-8GBXL Ripjawsx 8GB 1X8GB DDR3-1333 CAD49.07
Total: CAD272.07

Since my VM aspirations will be very basic stuff (Linux/open source learning, Windows XP, Mac OS) , I'm favoring the i3-2120 due to it's superior general performance even at stock, QuickSync, lower power draw plus its integrated video allows me keep my Radeon 4670 in my Pentium D 805 rig for a 2nd machine. I am very much intrigued by the FX-6100 rig though - I really enjoyed tinkering around with my Athlon XP 2500+ and Pentium D 805 to reach performance levels beyond what they were officially rated for and I feel that is what I will miss most with the i3 build.

Thanks!

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Oh, god, at least get two DIMMs so you can dual-channel...

 

[Cerb]

Definitely the i3, and this:

Oh, god, at least get two DIMMs so you can dual-channel...

 

[Zxian]

http://ncix.com/products/?sku=55544&vpn=996770&manufacture=Mushkin Enhanced

2x4GB DDR3-1333 - $44.69. Cheaper than what you specified, and it will give you dual channel performance. Single channel is going to bottleneck your performance far more than anything.

@kongqueror - Where in Canada are you located? I'm tempted to shuffle my upgrades along in my system so my i3-2100 would be available for use in another home. Of course, used hardware is sold at a discount. :awe:

 

[kongqueror]

Thanks, guys. The 1x8GB is just to get me going - I plan to purchase another 8GB RAM after 2 weeks of purchasing the initial hardware.

@Zxian - Same area as you and most of my pricing is from NCIX. I really miss Vancouver's Anitec as they were a very good alternative for PC components. My tax refund cheque can't arrive sooner! Let me know if you give in to your temptation.

 

[kongqueror]

@Zxian - So sorry to respond just now as I've been very busy playing around with my Thuban 1045T build. Yes, I went against the thread's universal advise to go Intel but so far, I am very happy and fulfilled in squeezing out the best performance I can get from it. Currently at 3.8GHz and running Windows XP VM for internet phone, Ubuntu 10.4 VM for torrents, playing with Windows 8 CP on another VM. Thank you for getting back to me though. Cheers!

P.S. For some reason, I can't respond to your private message so just responding here.