Master Builder's Budget Gaming PC

sik (New user):

for 1,467$ instead of having a crappy AMD processor why wouldnt you get a i5 750 for the same price

Michael J (User):

i'd say that with the way the graphics card market is at the moment it would be a better idea to go with an ati 5000 (probaly a 5850 or 5870) series card instead of an nvidia card. I say this because I think that a budget computer like this one probably wouldn't get upgraded very often, meaning it wouldn't get dx11 for quite some time, and dx11 is pretty damn sweet compared to dx 9 or 10!
also the ati cards are usually better value.

DrLOK (New user):

sik does not know his prices! The AMD X4 955 sells for $187 while the Intel i5 750 for $224 at the CPL. And what about the motherboards sik?
Why are people so obsessed with Intel CPU's?

sik (New user):

a gigabyte ga p55 ud3 is 135 and supports ati crossfire and is alot better and every likes intel because every knows amd is crap they cant compete with any intel card

azariah007 (New user):

Since my last comment on this issue I've started working at a computer store and had the opportunity to research into this a little more deeply. And I'm gonna tell you, I'm a super tight budget builder the cheaper I can make a build but still get good performance the better.

And I'm gonna say this if I had $1,300 total for a system (minus Windows) I'd invest in a good AMD system. A Phenom II X6 1055T, on a Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H, 4Gb of gamers RAM (2x2Gb), 4x 500Gb HD's in RAID 0+1, and to round it off a $400 ATI graphics card.

Try building an Intel / Nvidia system with similar specs and I'd be willing to guarantee that it'd cost easily double. Now I'm not saying that AMD / ATI is better then Intel / Nvidia but.... for the common user it makes no sense to go for an Intel system. Because they can get better performance for there buck across the fence with AMD. But if your a really hardcore gamer then you can't go passed Intel.

So it's more of how much money can you afford to doll out for a system? Than which is better. AMD is targeting the budget market and Intel is targeting the performance market. The problem is that they overlap, and in that overlap area there's a lot of argy bargy from Fan Boys on both sides. Truth is that they are both equally good when comparing performance level to performance level however when you look at price there is no denying that AMD has a huge lead.

DrLOK (New user):

sik, good to hear your profound comments!
1 Tell us why AMD is no good. Did you have some poor experience with their products, please elaborate. We all know that some of the Intel processors are faster than the AMD chips. Anything else?
2 If you read the relevant 'literature', viz the PC Authority April 2010 p56-67, you will learn that AMD processors are really not 'crap' at all
3 Do we need Intel monopoly? Should not we support competition that gives us choice? Somebody from APC should comment on this subject!

azariah007 (New user):

Ok I'm going to put my two bobs worth in. Intel is better than AMD yes I'll admit AMD is cheaper and I can't find fault in there socket system at least they had some for-sight to plan ahead! However Apple didn't go Intel for no reason. Oh and ah how many mainstream pre-built laptops or desktops have an AMD chip. :) only the low end budgets and maybe a few others. :) Intel all the way for me! Oh and an i7 860 is my preference for a desktop thank you.

Exodus01 (New user):

DR LOK
It is clear that AMD/ATI are competitive to NVIDIA and INTEL however it is a known fact that the NVIDIA and INTEL products are better quality as you stated, however AMD/ATI are cheaper and you get what you pay for where NVIDIA and INTEL are over priced but if your Hard Core about your system it would be the way to go.

Exodus01 (New user):

DRLOK
Where it is a good thing that AMD/ATI are so competitive, it is obvious that NVIDIA and INTEL are better quality devices as you stated. AMD/ATI are however much cheaper and you get what you pay for which is not the case for NVIDIA and INTEL. Their products are over priced but are better so if you are hardcore about computers that would be your choice. If your happy to spend less for second best AMD/ATI is the way to go. Both are good choices and you wouldnt notice the difference between either unless you had them side by side so why does this arguement still exist? Both are sufficient.

DrLOK (New user):

Well said Exodus01. I build computers for fun, pleasure and work (eg photography), I am not a hardcore gamer. However, I remember a few years ago, all those gamers were building their machines around AMD CPU's rubbishing the Intel. Now, when the AMD needs a bit of our support, where are they? Competition is the most important part of our capitalistic system.
Also, I am interested in the reliability of those two products? In the last 5 years I have not had any reliability issues with my well cooled, overclocked AMD's. Any comments?

Exodus01 (New user):

Reliability was never the issue however, i have run my intel and amd systems for about 4 years now with no issues on either. However i am sure like me you maintain your systems quite well? this may not be the case on a system left in a garage workshop.

DrLOK (New user):

You are right again! The reliability is influenced by maintainance. Friends coming with their dead machines, (all Intel based so far), cannot believe it when they see the garbage inside. You know the consequence, burned power supplies, motherboards etc. Most men do not clean houses why should they worry about cleaning their computers?
We will forgive our women, though.

Paully (New user):

I love the Antec Skeliton case. Apart from the fact that it's not practical storage-wise, it's still pretty kick-ass. Then again, would you want to hide it away?

DrLOK (New user):

i have been looking at this antec case for a while. the APC guys claim they use it as a test rig in their labs. its footprint could be a problem, the dust and also the airflow through the structure. any comments from APC? i shell google it.

Hradfc (New user):

Budget game build?

I'm like looking at a core i3 2.93MHz and an amd 5670 or 5750 for my budget game setup.

But if you're earning say $75,000+ PA then I suppose it is a budget build.

DrLOK (New user):

azariah007 posted an excellent summary of the Intel vs AMD builds. where is it? there, he answers Hradfc's question regarding the budget gaming set up. i totally agree with him.

now, what is your experience with the Windows7 and overclocking? i have foolishly installed the W7 on my current top system recently and tried to run it at the same CPU/RAM settings as i used it on the WinXP O/S, viz 4.02GHz/1.8GHz respectively. one crash after another. however, it runs on the default 3.6GHz/1.6GHz OK. fortunately, the W7 is installed on a separate drive.

the same happens when i tried to use the AMD OverDrive utility!!!

azariah007 (New user):

Ok my friend that's a technical question may I suggest that you take that question to a tech support forum. I'm all for helping a fellow computer user but to keep APC's website clear of to much tech help I'm going to suggest that you join this tech site. I've usually had a great turn out of responses to problems. And I think I know a person or two who may be able to help you.

Here's the link. http://www.techguy.org/ you'll find me under the same username.

Now to extend the hand of good will I will say this. I have as much over clocking experience as a chihuahua. :D That is, none. :) So I can't tell you much other than that while Windows 7 does have it's faults as did Vista and XP it's likely not a software fault. Although you said that you've only had trouble since you changed OS. Hmmm.... Have you checked that every thing is all clear of dust and that there's no chance of insufficient contacts between heatsinks and components? Because, while a sort of out of the way thing it could simply be that the systems due for another clean out and you've just met it going the other way. :D At least you've got two separate HD's. I presume having now read that, that you've tried putting XP back in with the overclock and it has worker? :)

Yeah, if you want to jump on our tech forum I'll have ago helping you out. Read the dossia regarding site rules they aren't as loose about things like torrents as the fellows here at APC are. :D I managed to get a conversation regarding the legality's of torrents and why this and that can't be used but we didn't get past 30 posts despite the thread being allowed. :( Ah well.

DrLOK (New user):

thank you 007. i will investigate further when i come back next week. cheers