New build: AM3 or AM2+

[toneb021]

Hi,
I am looking to build a pc, but I'm still not sure if I should go with AM3 or AM2+. Even after reading a few posts here and there, I'm not sure if I understand that AM2+ is phasing out to give way to AM3. I do not have a huge budget, around 600-700$. I am not looking to OC anything yet. I have a bias for AMD, but I'm open to Intel.

I had 2 systems in mind:
1) AM2+
- Phenom 2 X4 940 (219.99 CAD at tigerdirect)
- MSI K9N2 SLI Platinum (119.99 CAD)
- OCZ Fatal1ty 4GB PC8500 DDR2 1066MHz (87.99 CAD)
- XFX GeForce 8800GT 512MB DDR3 (89.99 CAD)
- Coolmax CU-700B 700W (107.99 CAD)
total of 621.95 CAD

2) AM3
- Phenom 2 X2 550 (148.99 CAD)
- Gigabyte MA790XT-UD4P (188.99 CAD)
- OCZ Fatal1ty 4GB PC10666 DDR3 1333MHz (78.99 CAD)
- Visiontek Radeon HD3850 256MB GDDR3 (121.96 CAD) *might too low?*
- Coolmax CU-700B 700W (107.99 CAD)
total of 646.92 CAD

I'm really undecided between the two. If someone has any input, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for all your help.
tony

 

[Pyrothrillah]

Phenom 940 - Without a doubt.

The AM2+ isn't really phasing out to AM3, it's just the new age mate.

AM3 is backwards compatible as well. I would have no worries into purchasing AM2+

 

[toneb021]

Thanks Pyrothrillah for your input.
I was just wondering if you think the mobo and the video card in the 1) would be good enough!

 

[Hefemeister]

Is this a prebuilt or a build that you are putting together yourself.

The video card is a little weak if you are looking at this machine for gaming.

AM2+ is just fine as ddr3 does not add much for the extra price with AMD cpus.

 

[toneb021]

Hi Hefemeister,
The pc I had built died and I wanted to replace some parts...
It would be better to buy a video card with 1gb ddr3?
thanks

 

[veg1992]

The RAM in the Video Card doesn't mean anything mate... you should go by the models and our Graphics Ranking Lists...

For you I recommend the HD 4830, HD 4850, GTS 250 or HD 4770

 

[hikaricloud]

4770 would be the best bet, if it's in stock.

 

[toneb021]

Thanks Vernong1992 and hikaricloud for your ideas.
By the way, do you guys know of stores for good deals? I know of tigerdirect and newegg...

 

[Hefemeister]

newegg all the way.

 

[hikaricloud]

Well, you're in Canada, right? Newegg is terrible for shipping in Canada from what I've heard. You can us NCIX.com and price match anything that's cheaper on newegg.