Building on a budget, HELP!

PinkPunisher

PinkPunisher

New Member
Alright so I originally was planning to make a AMD based system but I've read that an Intel based system would be waaay better. I will list both though and hopefully I can get your opinion as to which is better, I feel its probably the Intel but its worth checking. My bugdet is $720 and with the AMD system I was under by about $40 and with the Intel system I am over about $80. I don't plan to do much OC, very minor stuff if any. My regular uses will to play Starcraft 2, Skyrim, watch online streams, and possibly attempt to stream myself. I need to be able to do some multitasking as well, not much, just be able to skype/watch a stream while I play SC2.

AMD system
CPU: FX 8150
Mobo: Asrock 970 Extreme3
GPU: Gigabyte HD 6850
RAM: 8Gb of AMD ram, 1600Mhmz
PSU: Ultra LSP 6500W
Case: DiabloTek Epik ATX
DVD: Lite-on
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB

Intel system
CPU: i5-3570K
Mono: Asrock Z77 Extreme4
GPU: Gigabyte HD 6850
Ram: 8Gb of Mushkin Radioactive, 1600Mhz
PSU: Ultra LSP 550W
Case: DiabloeTek Epic ATX
DVD: Lite-on
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB

Thoughts? Also both systems would be running Windows 7 64 bit for an OS. The GPU will need to stay the same as well because I already own it.

Cheers!
 
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You really couldent tell the difference between the two in real world use. The only time you see differences is in benchmarks, which Intel normally wins. However, AMD does hold the fastest CPU Frequency of 8.429GHz. Some people say thats really nothing when Intel has a 6-year-old Celeron D 352 that ran at 8.309 GHz. But the thing is, they never got that Celeron stable enough to run benchmarks, so I consider that a fail.

To the original question; Go for Intel.

Edit: that LSP 650 only has 32amps on a single rail, the 6850 needs 30amps. I would recommand atleast 40+amps PSU to be safe. I think that brand is Tigerdirect house brand, not sure though. Go for a more reliable brand,corsair, antec, silver stone,ect.ect.

And I see you went even lower on the Intel build, 550w w/30amps? The 650w w/32 want be enough, let alone the 550w.
 
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negative. Look at the CX600 or anything from antec, Corsair, NZXT, OCZ, PC power and cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, or XFX. Do not skimp on the power supply.
 
wolfeking said:
negative. Look at the CX600 or anything from antec, Corsair, NZXT, OCZ, PC power and cooling, Seasonic, Silverstone, or XFX. Do not skimp on the power supply.
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I wouldent put OCZ in the same catagory as Corsair,SilverStone,Seasonic, and PC Power. I would put OCZ in the catagory with Cooler Master,Thermaltake, NZXT you know, the middle brands.
 
tech savvy said:
I wouldent put OCZ in the same catagory as Corsair,SilverStone,Seasonic, and PC Power. I would put OCZ in the catagory with Cooler Master,Thermaltake, NZXT you know, the middle brands.
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That list is the ones that I have seen everywhere in post here. I personally do not have an issue with mine. If it works, it works.
 
for 3 months now. only issue I see with it is the 12 volt is not 12 volts, its 11.95 volts, but that seems pretty normal. But I think you are over thinking it. They build good machines. And for the most part will do the same thing as a Corsair for cheaper.
 
tech savvy said:
I wouldent put OCZ in the same catagory as Corsair,SilverStone,Seasonic, and PC Power. I would put OCZ in the catagory with Cooler Master,Thermaltake, NZXT you know, the middle brands.
Click to expand...

Except for their Lazer Platinum, the Silent Pro, Hale82, and ZS/ZT..
 
I my opinion you should go for Intel :). I'd say 600W - 700W should be enough. I'd probably choose Corsair. Something off this page maybe. I'm in the process of building a computer and I bought the one on the top of that page. It has nice blue LEDs :P.
 
Hey all, wanted to give an update. So I ended up going over budget >.< But in the end I will have a better computer so its worth it. Here is the system specs and let me know what you think.

CPU: i5-3570K
PSU: XFX 650W 53A Single Rail
GPU: Gigabyte Radeon HD 6850
Mobo: Asrock Z77 Extreme 4
RAM: 8Gb of Mushkin Radioactive 1600 Mhz 9 Cas
HDD: Wesatern Digital Caviar Blue 1 TB
OS: Windows 7 Home 64 bit
CPU Heatsink: Corsair H60 Liquid Cooling

Do you think this could handle BF3, if so on what settings? Can it handle Skyrim on the highest setting you think? Also Starcraft 2 shouldn't be an issue at all right? :) If I try overclocking whats a safe level to go to? Does even minor OC shorten the lifespan of my components?

Cheers! ^_^
 
BF3 on medium probably, with 40 FPS. Skyrim on high, not max. Starcraft 2 on max. The zalman case is fine. I would reccomend no corsair, and a nzxt source 210 case. That will save you money to get a 6950 gpu, for $200.
 
Okay need a quick reply here folks, found a good sale where I can pick up a Asus Maximus IV Gene-Z Gen3, that has the Z68 chipset. On the Asus website it says its compatible with the i5-3570K since a certain Bios. Does that mean if I buy it new online it will work with the Ivy Bridge, or do I have to update Bios on it? Is that motherboard better then the other ones I've been looking at?

Asrock Z77 Extreme 4
MSI Z77A-G45
ASUS Z77-V-LX
ASUS Z68 Maximus Gene-Z Gen3 (like mentioned above)

So which is the best motherboard to pair with my i5-3570K? I think the Maximus Gene-Z Gen3 probably is but with it being a Z68 I'm not sure. On the website I'm looking to buy it from it says it supports Intel 22nm CPU's if that help?

Regards
 
Oh alrighty! haha sorry :P I just want to make it clear that I've gone over budget on this build.

I picked up the GPU used for $105.
CPU, OS, HDD, and Case I got at Direct Canada for 477.17 before taxes. I could have gotten the CPU for about $15 cheaper at NCIX but I had already made my order and forgot to include it >.<
CPU Heatsink, PSU from NCIX.com for $147.32 includes shipping but not taxes.
Mobo and RAM I will be picking up from Newegg.ca for around $250 before taxes and shipping.

So I'm waaay overbudget but I've stopped caring at this point haha
 
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