Peter.Cort
TF's First Dry Ice User!
- Messages
- 5,018
- Location
- Boston, MA
Ok, so I'm at a bit of an interesting place right now. I've got a clean slate on a major build. I've got everything but the big 3; Motherboard, CPU, GPU.
I've got 2 options to myself.
1. AMD
2. Intel.
Here's my rationale for AMD. Through work AMD has an EPP program in which I can get a 4850 and x3 8650 for $150. All I would then have to do is pick up a board and I'll be good to go.
Rationale for Intel. Through the Intel EPP I can get a q9300 and DP45SG Extreme for 300. In both scenario's it's a lot of money saved but each has it's drawbacks. The AMD leaves me with a mediocre CPU, but the ability to upgrade to Phenom II if I want. The Intel is a decent CPU, a good Mobo, but I would need to get ddr3 which I'm not sure I want to splurge on, especially when I just picked up a lovely set of OCZ Reapers from Veed.
I could just not use any of the EPP things, and go from scratch. In which case I would most likely go Intel because Newegg has the MSI P45 Platinum Open Box for like $85 shipped which is smexy. Part of me also really would like to go AMD and pick up a Phenom II..
My budget is pretty low, as in the lower the better, but some money is acceptable to spend
Also this game will be doing basically no gaming, I really just want it to benchmark like crazy and be a HTPC.
All suggestions are welcome on where I should go.
I've got 2 options to myself.
1. AMD
2. Intel.
Here's my rationale for AMD. Through work AMD has an EPP program in which I can get a 4850 and x3 8650 for $150. All I would then have to do is pick up a board and I'll be good to go.
Rationale for Intel. Through the Intel EPP I can get a q9300 and DP45SG Extreme for 300. In both scenario's it's a lot of money saved but each has it's drawbacks. The AMD leaves me with a mediocre CPU, but the ability to upgrade to Phenom II if I want. The Intel is a decent CPU, a good Mobo, but I would need to get ddr3 which I'm not sure I want to splurge on, especially when I just picked up a lovely set of OCZ Reapers from Veed.
I could just not use any of the EPP things, and go from scratch. In which case I would most likely go Intel because Newegg has the MSI P45 Platinum Open Box for like $85 shipped which is smexy. Part of me also really would like to go AMD and pick up a Phenom II..
My budget is pretty low, as in the lower the better, but some money is acceptable to spend
Also this game will be doing basically no gaming, I really just want it to benchmark like crazy and be a HTPC.
All suggestions are welcome on where I should go.