It's been a while since I've built a new desktop since scratch (not since 2007), and there are a lot more options available than there were back then. I've having a difficult time deciding which direction to go with this build. I'm really not sure if I should go with an FM2 board and APU, or an AM3+ board and FX CPU. I'm building on a budget and would like to end up around $500 for the complete system. Also, I'm not a gamer so high performance graphics are not required, though decent graphics are needed for light photo editing, HD video, etc...
I like the idea of getting Radeon 7000 graphics and a quad core CPU with the A10 Trinity for $129, but I'm concerned about upgrade-ability and overclock-ability with the APUs. At this point, there are only quad core APUs available and I'm not sure how well the FM2 boards overclock. On the other hand, FX series CPUs up to 8 cores are available and they seem to be great overclockers. I could get a quad core Vishera CPU for $129, but would have to spend more money to get a discrete Radeon 7000 series GPU.
At the end of the day, I'm tempted to go with an APU because it seems like a better value, but I'm uncertain about overclocking and upgrading FM2 boards and APUs. Any advice?
I like the idea of getting Radeon 7000 graphics and a quad core CPU with the A10 Trinity for $129, but I'm concerned about upgrade-ability and overclock-ability with the APUs. At this point, there are only quad core APUs available and I'm not sure how well the FM2 boards overclock. On the other hand, FX series CPUs up to 8 cores are available and they seem to be great overclockers. I could get a quad core Vishera CPU for $129, but would have to spend more money to get a discrete Radeon 7000 series GPU.
At the end of the day, I'm tempted to go with an APU because it seems like a better value, but I'm uncertain about overclocking and upgrading FM2 boards and APUs. Any advice?