Where to start?

onipar

onipar

Member
I've built one computer before (last year, for my parents), and I always have trouble starting the build off, mainly because I don't know a whole lot about CPUs and Motherboards.

I was hoping you can help me get started by choosing an appropriate CPU.

I'm looking to build a cheap desktop that I'll use mostly for word documents, internet, listening to music, some minor graphics applications such as Photoshop, and some minor video editing software such as Openshot or Microsoft Movie Maker. (I shoot HD video for my youtube channel and do very basic editing).

Since I'm looking to go cheap, I'm assuming I'll probably choose AMD over Intel, but any suggestions are welcome. I used AMD Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition (unlocked to X4) in my parent's build last year, and that seems to hold up pretty well for their use.

Motherboard suggestions welcomed too.

Thanks!
 
I would probably go for a Pentium or an i3 and get a board to match, perhaps a B75 board.
 
spirit said:
I would probably go for a Pentium or an i3 and get a board to match, perhaps a B75 board.
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Thanks!

I was just comparing the AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition to the Intel i3 2100, and the AMD is a good $20 cheaper. Any reason to go i3 over the x4?
 
spirit said:
Hmm looks like they're about equal http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/289?vs=102 other than the i3 is newer, I'd say a 965 should still be fine. You could always overclock the 965 as it's a Black Edition too.
Click to expand...

Right on. That's basically what my parents are running since I unlocked the fourth core on their X3, and it seems to do a pretty good job. I'm not planning on even getting a graphics card...unless maybe I should for video editing...but overall their computer works well for everyday use.

Thanks again! :)
 
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