Endless Paradigm

Hi all.

With Uncle Kevs moolah, I am looking to get a new PC (this one won't open MS Word...). Below is what I am looking at. Please give me some advice on whether you think they are alright (and if all the parts would all work together). In both builds the case, keyboard, mouse and speakers are fairly generic.

PC 1. INTEL

MOBO: Intel S775 Gigabyte GA-EP43-UD3L
CHIP: Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 (2.80GHz/45nm/1066FSB/3MB) LGA775
RAM: Desktop DDR2 Ram 2GB Kit (2x1024MB) PC8500 1066MHz Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2K2/2GN 5-5-5-15
VID CARD: PCI-e (nV) 9500GT 1GB Sparkle SF-PX95GT1024U2-HP (550/800MHz)
HDD: 3.5" HDD SATA-300 500GB 16MB Seagate (7200rpm)
DVD: 5.25" SATA DVD Buner/Rw Samsung SH-S223-BL 22x Black (oem)
MONITOR: WideScreen LCD Monitor 19" ASUS VH192D (5ms)
PSU: Power Supply 650W Coolermaster eXtreme Plus RS-650-PCARE3-AU (with SATA Cable)

PC 2. AMD

MOBO: AMD AM2 S940 Gigabyte GA-MA770-DS3P
CHIP: AMD AM2 Athlon 64x2 Dual Core 6000+ (3.0GHz/2MB/89w)
RAM: Desktop DDR2 Ram 2GB Kit (2x1024MB) PC8500 1066MHz Kingston HyperX KHX8500D2K2/2GN 5-5-5-15
VID CARD: PCI-e (nV) 9500GT 1GB Sparkle SF-PX95GT1024U2-HP (550/800MHz)
HDD: 3.5" HDD SATA-300 500GB 16MB Seagate (7200rpm)
DVD: 5.25" SATA DVD Buner/Rw Samsung SH-S223-BL 22x Black (oem)
MONITOR: WideScreen LCD Monitor 19" ASUS VH192D (5ms)
PSU: Power Supply 650W Coolermaster eXtreme Plus RS-650-PCARE3-AU (with SATA Cable)

According to itestate.com.au the prices for the above would be PC 1: $1054 and PC 2: $952

Thanks in advance.

I'd go for PC2.

Looks like it'll do everything you want it to.. the graphics is good, CPU is nice too.

EDIT: Though I know the INTEL CORE 2 DUOs are easier to Overclock...

Intel will blow away the Athlon in that comparison!!

If you're just using it for Office applications, this is what I'd suggest:
- get a motherboard with integrated graphics (ie G41 for Intel) and scrap the video card - if you intend to play (newer) games, or do some 3D modelling or video editing or the like, don't do this
- get cheaper RAM - don't need HyperX in that build
- I'd go for lower Intel CPU (E5300), for AMD, probably at least go for a 7750
- get a lower PSU - around 400W (reasonable brand) is enough

If you've got heaps of money left over, get a bigger monitor or perhaps even an SSD :P

SchmilK Wrote:Intel will blow away the Athlon in that comparison!!

really?

I thought the AMD had the edge..

Isn't it the case they perform better with lower clockspeeds than Intel anyway? Or are those days no more

EDIT: Zingas got it right, though it looks like you want it for gaming, right?

EDIT2: Welcome to the site, by the way!

Nah, E7400 will easily beat a 6000+.  E5300 is more around a AthlonX2 7750's range in terms of stock and overclocking abilities.

ZiNgA BuRgA Wrote:If you're just using it for Office applications, this is what I'd suggest:
- get a motherboard with integrated graphics (ie G41 for Intel) and scrap the video card - if you intend to play (newer) games, or do some 3D modelling or video editing or the like, don't do this
- get cheaper RAM - don't need HyperX in that build
- I'd go for lower Intel CPU (E5300), for AMD, probably at least go for a 7750
- get a lower PSU - around 400W (reasonable brand) is enough

If you've got heaps of money left over, get a bigger monitor or perhaps even an SSD :P

All that except, a 300W CoolerMaster PSU is sufficient for normal Office application. Also, bigger monitor is something you won't regret. SSD is okay, but only if you save up money. Personally,I wouldn't recommend it.

Also, go for 3-4GB RAM. 9500GT is not at all expensive, so its upto you whether you want a GPU or not.

feinicks Wrote:Also, bigger monitor is something you won't regret.

QFT!

That seems to be rather overpriced if you ask me...

My PC (specs below), cost me about $1200 AU and that would be about $980 AU without the monitor.

Screen
   1 x 22' 2ms ASUS VK222H
Case
   1 x Cooler Master HAF 932
Motherboard
   1 x Gigabyte EP45-UD4P
CPU
   1 x Intel E8500 @ 3.8 Ghz
RAM
   2 x 4 GB Team Xtreem Dark DDR 2 1066 Mhz
Hard Disk
   1 x Seagate SATA 250 GB
   1 x Seagate SATA 1 TB
Graphics Card
   1 x Gainward GTX 275 896 MB
DVD Drive
   2 x ASUS SATA DVD Burner

Mind me asking where you are buying it?

maxexcloo Wrote:Mind me asking where you are buying it?

alfiewhite Wrote:According to itestate.com.au the prices for the above would be PC 1: $1054 and PC 2: $952