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Old 11-20-10, 04:17 PM Thread Starter   #1
Rizo-uk

 
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Where to spend my money?


put 2 systems together and im really not sure which to order?

Gigabyte GA-870A-UD3 870
AMD Phenom II X2 555 Black Edition
G-Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 Ripjaws CL7(7-8-7-24) 1.65V

--OR--
Intel Core i3 540 3.06GHz
Gigabyte GA-P55-USB3 P55
G-Skill 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 1600MHz/PC3-12800 Ripjaws CL7(7-8-7-24) 1.65V

the Intel one will run me about another £40/$60

Average Games, Music, Web, Downloads, Folding on the GPU. nothing to processor heavy, just want it to be snappy in use

Already have GTS450, Water Cooler and Good PSU/Case

Want to order by sunday night so i can build it next week one night after work

Thanks
Jon

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Last edited by Rizo-uk; 11-21-10 at 05:37 PM.
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Old 11-20-10, 07:20 PM   #2
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Well, the systems seem pretty similar. I don't have any first hand experience with these processors, but from benchmarks, the Phenom will get about 70% of the horsepower of the i3. IMO for basic use, the AMD would be smart move. No real reason to spend the extra $$, as either one should be fine for light gaming, browsing etc.

Unless you're folding on the cpu in which case you should get the 980X!!!!! lol jk

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Old 11-20-10, 11:57 PM   #3
fishys87
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Folding is processor heavy, if you enable CPU folding. I don't know how much more PPD you'll get with HT on, over the AMD, but if it were my $60, I'd go AMD.
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Old 11-21-10, 08:09 AM   #4
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amd unless you want to stand by it and watch it how fast it does its job all day long... :-)

I'd go for cheaper RAM too... why you want take such expensive RAM for something you don't really enjoy? I you get the cl7 eco, you can set them to cl7 as well and economize a few watts and half the price (atleast in europe).
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Old 11-21-10, 09:10 AM   #5
Wathnix
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The intel may give you better upgrading path in the future

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Old 11-21-10, 10:23 AM   #6
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i really like intel but in this case you should get the amd.

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Old 11-21-10, 01:11 PM Thread Starter   #7
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i3 530 purchased off Ebay for 40% less than retail whoop

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Old 11-21-10, 04:08 PM Thread Starter   #8
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Final Build specs:-

i3 530 - used
Gigabyte-GA-P55A-UD3 - new
Kingston HyperX 1600 4GB - new

all from ebay UK £193/$305 all in

Cant wait to get it built up

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Old 11-22-10, 09:49 AM   #9
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Quote:
i3 530 - used
Gigabyte-GA-P55A-UD3 - new
Kingston HyperX 1600 4GB - new

all from ebay UK £193/$305 all in
nice!!
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