Gaming build advice (AMD vs Intel)

T

TrainTrackHack

VIP Member
Nothing fancy, just need a mediocre gaming build that can handle a few years old titles at 1360x768 or so without chugging at all, and should handle most current releases fairly well at medium settings. So far I've got

RAM: G-Skill 2x4GB set (1333MHz) $39
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=16930
(would downgrading to 4GB make any significant difference? I'm considering getting a 2x2GB set for $25).

Graphics: HIS Radeon HD6770 (1GB) $109
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=18835
(would spending extra on a better brand or a 6850 be worth it, keeping in mind that I don't like upgrading very much and once I've completed a build, I'd like it to remain useful for several years as it is).

PSU: Antec Neo Eco 450C 450W $59
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=13454

Case: CoolerMaster Elite 331 $39
http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=4969

And Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) to go with it. I've already got a 320GB HD lying around and only need the tower.

Now, though, the AMD vs Intel part:

I can get the Gigabyte GA-MA770T-UD3 and a Phenom II X4 960T for $180 total and I hear the board is fairly decent (it's on clearance - if the board is good I might also consider shaving off a $65 and getting an Athlon X2 260 instead). On the intel side I've got the Pentium G620 and ASRock H61M-HVS mobo together costing $130. Now I'm leaning towards Intel since according to benchmarks I've seen and things I've heard it's a very capable dual-core for gaming, and for $50 savings and way lower power consumption I'm more than happy to go with the less powerful option. However, what kinda scares me is the board... I don't know how true this is today, but when I was doing my last build several years back I was told to stay away from cheap ASRock boards. What I really want to know is is the board I posted any good, especially as far as reliability goes (not features so much, and I'm not planning to overclock either setup)? The next board up is $20 more and there's only a few around that price, then it jumps to $95... at those prices, just getting the Phenom instead maken way more sense to me since it would be quad vs dual for almost the same price.

Any advice on all components posted will be greatly appreciated.

Oh and I'm ordering from www.pccasegear.com
 
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Go AMD for this system. Even at 1080, my AMD CPU never goes to 100% usage on battlefield 3. (Without the overclock, too.) At that resolution, an AMD CPU would tear through it.
 
linkin said:
Agreed, at that resolution you won't really notice the difference.
Click to expand...

What? A common misconception.

The lower the resolution, the higher the CPU workload.

You are crazy to build an AMD system right now, even if it is just for the lack of real upgradability. If you are using a discrete GPU, then the LGA1155 is still the best bet, even at the i3 pricepoint.
 
linkin said:
Lack of upgradeability?

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=138_1207_803&products_id=18660

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=187_345&products_id=15291

Now he could go through the entire athlon ii, phenom ii and fx series if he wanted to.
Click to expand...

Yes, he could, all of which are about the same or slower than the i3. And thats their best product. The 1155 can go through the i5 and i7 chips. I consider that upgradability.
 
You are crazy to build an AMD system right now, even if it is just for the lack of real upgradability. If you are using a discrete GPU, then the LGA1155 is still the best bet, even at the i3 pricepoint.
Click to expand...
I'm not looking to upgrade, with the possible exception of adding RAM (if the board has free slots) or a hard drive/SSD. In general, I tend to avoid (the need) to do upgrades that involve replacing parts rathern than adding them. I plan my builds with the assumption that whatever parts go in now remain in it for the rest of the computer's life.

Also, what really interested me the most about the AMD setup was the motherboard - I've been given to understand that it's very good and since it now goes for only $50, it seems like a good deal to me. I'm considering Intel but I've yet to receive any suggestions for a good motherboard (I'm clueless as far as intel motherboards go) and I'm really not particularly comfortable with the board I mentioned in the OP.

Here is the list... there's no real "upper limit" for the price, I can pay essentially anything as long as it's absolutely and completely worth it for my needs, but I'd rather not spend much more than $100 (not with the AMD board costing half that).
 
Alright, a little update... they seem to have pulled the board I looked at earlier today (I was kinda surprised since on their site it says they're closed today and tomorrow), so the build's going to have to change (that or I might scrap it altogether).

I'm probably getting the G620 with the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3 (the board seems a bit overkill but I hear it's very good and solid board, haven't really found that much good to be said about the cheaper ones) or the phenom quad with the ASRock board posted earlier... I'll have to think about this a little more.
 
Is the ASRock 970 Extreme3 mobo any good and does it even compare to the ASRock Z68 Extreme3 Gen3? Reliability/stability wise, of course, not so much features. Also, does the VRM really matter a lot if I'm not planning to OC? As long as its an otherwise solid board, 4+1 should be fine, no? I'm still stuck with choices and am trying to figure out if I can get a really solid AMD board for cheap enough to justify putting more money to a Phenom quad (or if I should get an i3, but that's another thing).
 
i3, lga1155 mobo, such as Asus Z68 chipset , 4gb ram you have a sweet base for anything between now and 2015.
 
Ah cheers, but I had a change in plans... figured that since me and my bros got an xbox for christmas (first time I've ever played console FPSs in my entire life... consoles aren't quite as boring as I thought lol), I might as well do my gaming on it and save money so I just abandoned the idea altogether. Will probably revisit the idea when I move out, my laptop will probably need to be replaced at that point anyway.
 
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