Desktop build - Intel or AMD?

tquattro

tquattro

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Thinking of replacing my laptop(i7 3630QM,12GB RAM, video 2GB DDR 740m, 250GB SSD) with a desktop PC, but kinda lost the touch with the technology. I have a budget of around 850USD/700EUR for: case, power supply, mb, CPU, RAM, video card. (I already have SSD, HDD, monitor, keyboard, mouse...)
Some of the parts I already decided on:
-case: http://www.pcgarage.ro/carcase/zalman/zm-t4/
-power supply: http://www.pcgarage.ro/surse/zalman/zm700-lx-700w/
-RAM: http://www.pcgarage.ro/memorii/crucial/ballistix-sport-8gb-ddr3-1600mhz-cl9-dual-channel-kit-1/
-video card(not 100%decided on this...but something similar): http://www.pcgarage.ro/placi-video/gigabyte/radeon-r9-280-oc-windforce-3x-3gb-ddr5-384-bit/.

So I would still have left ~ 420USD/340EUR for CPU&MB. I don't need a MB with lots of bells and whistles, I will probably get the cheapest mATX MB with 4 RAM slots and PCI Express x16 3.0. But what route should I choose, AMD or Intel?

I'm most tempted by an i5, but is AMD FX-8350 4.0GHz a better alternative to similar priced i5s?Would it be worthwhile to stretch my budget to get the cheapest i7 available, the 4790 3.6GHz? Or for the same money as that i7 I could get this liquid cooled and unlocked AMD FX-9370 4.4GHz(but I don't really care about overclocking)

Any other tips? Better alternative for the video card?
 
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Everyone I know uses Intel CPUs. AMD CPUs seem to have gone by the wayside.
 
Yeah, I'm gonna go with Intel. But still can't decide between i7 4790 and i5 4690, I don't know if the extra 100$ for the i7 is worth it.
 
This might help you...


I would say put more money towards the GPU rather than the CPU. My friend is running a 8320 with a GTX 970 and it has no problems maxing out any game.
 
Great video, I wish I could have seen it a bit earlier, I would have probably went with a 8350 CPU :lol:, but I already placed my order(and went 100$ over my planned budget).

Here's what finally went into my basket:
-Intel Core i5 4690 3.5GHz box
-GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 970 OC Mini-ITX 4GB DDR5 256-bit(good discount because opened package)
-motherboard Gigabyte GA-B85M-DS3H
-RAM Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB DDR3 1600MHz CL9 Dual Channel Kit
-power supply: Zalman ZM700-LX 700W
-case: Zalman ZM-T4

Total price: 944USD/766Eur

Hopefully I didn't choose poorly
 
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Wow, RAM is very expensive nowadays.
 
What are you planning on using it for? It makes a huge difference, my amd fx 8350 is a beast when it comes to cad, video editing, photo editing, and general multitasking. I have not found a game that i cant run at mad well but Intel cpus are favored in gaming due to lack of core usage. The 8350 has 8 weaker cores compared on a core to core level to the 4690k but since it has more, if the program uses them, the amd works well. Its a toss up until you look at price. An amd build almost always comes out substantially cheaper than a "comprable" Intel one.

Like mentioned above. The graphics card makes the biggest difference for a gaming build, I wouldnt go less than 3 gigs or the equivilent of a 660ti, ati 7950hd/r9 280x but thats my opinion.

Here was my build last April,

http://www.reddit.com/r/buildapc/comments/2gtxqi/build_complete_twice_actually_yes_i_am_a_natural/

Sean
 
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