Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Lucked out and found this AMD FX-4100 vs Intel i3 2100 comparison.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...mark,3136.html

[WTF]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Keep in mind that the FX-4100 can be overclocked VERY easily with the board that I talked about, or just about any board. It'll overclock to around 4GHz on stock cooling without a problem assuming you get a decent chip. The i3 is locked, no overclocking. See if you can find one that has GTA IV as one of the test games.

And Burns, of course the i5 isn't going to be utilized 100%, but the i3 will come pretty close to it, and he's looking at the i3 2100. The utilization of the 8150 gets near 50% when playing Sleeping Dogs w/ everything to the max. I have a feeling in the next year or two, we'll see quite a few more of these great games coming down the pipeline with a Recommended requirement of a quad core at least. The i5's are great chips, but for the price of them, they better be. I have a wife and 2 kids, I'd prefer to get a capable machine and keep the rest of my money in my pocket. Tom's Hardware is notorious for pushing Intel as well. I stopped going there when the i7's were released, as that's when they really started their trend towards Intel.

Sleeping Dogs, Recommended requirement is a quad core amd or a core 2 quad intel.

GTA IV, which released in 2008: Recommended Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 2.4Ghz, AMD Phenom X3 2.1Ghz

You can run it on a dual core, but I think to get anywhere near futureproofing, you'll want to grab a quad core. On the games tested, you aren't going to see a massive difference, because two cores "can" handle it, although some it'll push to the limits. But for less money, I'd go w/ a quad core amd build, which can be overclocked with ease. Some of the guys on youtube who are running GTA IV with insane details, are limited by their CPU most times.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

I modified my Intel build a little and also did an AMD build. I have two graphics cards on both so I can watch prices. If prices don't come closer/down I will probably opt for the 560 ti.

Intel

Spoiler

I actually changed from the i3 2100 to the 2120 since it was only 5 bucks more and a little bit higher speed. PSU and HDD have been changed from before as well.

AMD

Spoiler

The 4100 is actually less than the i3s I've looked at. With this I'm planning on using 4 total sticks of RAM (two of which I already have) and my HDD.

[WTF]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Keep in mind too that the RAM speed will be a bottleneck moving forward too. I'd opt for some 1600MHz RAM, like on the upcoming shell shocker deal. But yeah, the 4100, you can get for $84 if you watch newegg for it. They just had a deal the other day on it. I sold mine on eBay for $75 shipped. The 4100 is no slouch, especially when overclocked. With that ASRock 970, just hit F8 (I think from memory) when it's starting up, and it'll automatically overclock it. Maybe its X, can't recall, but quick and easy overclock. the 560ti is no slouch either. Very nice card for the money.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

So, go with the RAM from the Intel build? Would it be useful to put my current RAM in the other two slots on the AMD mobo or will it not be utilized?

[WTF]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Def go with the stuff that's in your Intel cart. Or the stuff that's coming up at 4pm ET on Shell Shocker. And don't put the other current RAM in the other two slots or all 4 modules will run at the slowest speed (1333 in this case). I don't know what the "deal" is going to be on the corsair vengeance, but I'd assume around $35 or so, which isn't bad. Comes w/ the heat spreaders, looks "cool".

Also, it's been said that w/ AMD, piledriver and steamroller (future cpu's) will utilize the same sockets as the current gen processors, so no need to upgrade your motherboard for the next few releases of processors as well.

If you can get an i5 SB or IB for the same price, go for it. I'd just honestly take a look at buying a quad core up front (of either brand). I'm just partial to the performance/price of my AMD build currently. My last 2 have been AMD builds, and have not had an issue one. Before that, numerous Intel builds. No preferences, other than best performance:dollar ratio.

[Burns11]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

http://www.overclock.net/t/1266084/amd-fx-4100-vs-core-i3-2100

http://forums.guru3d.com/showthread.php?t=364654

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1653484

The reason those games recommend those quad core chips? They are the oldest that can support three threads, and most games are three threads or less. Two threads on an Intel runs better than three on the same price AMD.

Edit: Just wanted to add, 2 cores on an I5/3 run better than 3 on a C2Q.

[WTF]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

http://promotions.newegg.com/NEemail...-Memory#Memory

Some decent deals to be had. Free 8GB RAM w/ motherboard purchase too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820313080

That's the RAM. If you opted for AMD, you'd be hard pressed to find a better start than this. It has the ASROCK 970 Extreme3 board that I was talking about. $84.99 for the board and 8GB PC 1600 RAM.

http://www.newegg.com/special/shells...llShocker-L16B
Complete i5 system (minus GPU) for $499, w/ SSD and fully modular 650W PSU.

[CaptainZombie]

So, go with the RAM from the Intel build? Would it be useful to put my current RAM in the other two slots on the AMD mobo or will it not be utilized?

Make sure to go with a quad core, especially if your going to play games like GTA IV and Dogs. If you have a micro center near you they always have good mobo/CPU combo deals. Shoot man if you don't have all the money now wait a few more weeks or a month and save it up. I wouldn't skimp out on that CPU considering you want to play some games that tax the CPU.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Intel Build #2

i5 2400, SSD, 8GB RAM 560/660ti GPU.

For HDD, how big of a difference is the 6 SATA versus the 3 SATA speed? Would it be worth it to use a new SATA 6 HDD or to just use my current drive?

Will that SSD work in a desktop? I was reading that 2.5" HDDs are mainly for laptops?

[WTF]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

To my knowledge, all SSD's are 2.5". I could be wrong. THe newer cases have spots for them.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Intel Build #2

i5 2400, SSD, 8GB RAM 560/660ti GPU.

For HDD, how big of a difference is the 6 SATA versus the 3 SATA speed? Would it be worth it to use a new SATA 6 HDD or to just use my current drive?

Will that SSD work in a desktop? I was reading that 2.5" HDDs are mainly for laptops?

How much difference is the 15 2500K which you can overclock if that is something you want to do.

[Fresh Tendrils]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

$40. That link above would likely be the build I go with and is a little bit over my budget.

[WTF]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

http://www.tigerdirect.com/sectors/category/deal-of-the-day.asp?SRCCODE=TIGFACEBK&cm_mmc_o=m21CjCd-2HPRRsCjC1zEpbETVzTwCjCabTwyKwzkmkzltwy

Awesome deal on some Patriot 3 Viper Memory. $24.99 for 8GB. Even though you have to wait for a $20 rebate, Patriot has always been QUICK on getting mine back to me.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Official "I want to build a New PC!" Thread

Most SSD come with a mounting bracket. And they all for the most part 2.5 inches, except for the PCI-E slot mounted ones. Those are flat like a sound card. They do have some even smaller ones that mount directly on to the mother board and about the size of mini cassette tape. Very few boards have the slot built in for it though currently.