need suggestions on new budget PC

[yellahfellah]

So far, I've come up with 3 base configurations (2 Intel & 1 AMD). This PC will be used for internet access, some games (SIMS 3, Warcraft III, DOTA), some (minor) video encoding and for general use (MS Office/Excel). My daughter will also be doing some programming on this PC as she's now taking up Computer Science. I'd appreciate your comments and suggestions as to which CPU/MoBo configuration I should go for.

Intel Core™ i3-530 2.93GHz
MSI H55M-E33 Intel H55/GBLAN/DDR3/HDMI
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB DDR4, 128bit DVI
Kingston 2GB DDR3 1333 / PC3-10600 (KVR1333D3N9/2G)

Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93GHz
MSI G41M-P33 G41/DDR3/A/V/GBLAN
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB DDR4, 128bit DVI
Kingston 2GB DDR3 1333 / PC3-10600 (KVR1333D3N9/2G)

AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2Ghz AM3
MSI 785GTN-E45 AMD 785G + ATI HD4200 / DDR2
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB DDR4, 128bit DVI
2GB Kingston DDR2 800 / PC6400

BTW, I included the 4670 video card (even though these MB's already have integrated graphics) just to be sure that that we can play games with the high settings on. I'll also be pairing this PC with a 17" 4:3 LCD Monitor (Samsung or LG) set at 1280 x 1024. I'm also considering the overclocking potential of these CPUs.

 

[Sp12]

So far, I've come up with 3 base configurations (2 Intel & 1 AMD). This PC will be used for internet access, some games (SIMS 3, Warcraft III, DOTA), some (minor) video encoding and for general use (MS Office/Excel). My daughter will also be doing some programming on this PC as she's now taking up Computer Science. I'd appreciate your comments and suggestions as to which CPU/MoBo configuration I should go for.

Intel Core™ i3-530 2.93GHz
MSI H55M-E33 Intel H55/GBLAN/DDR3/HDMI
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB DDR4, 128bit DVI
Kingston 2GB DDR3 1333 / PC3-10600 (KVR1333D3N9/2G)

Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93GHz
MSI G41M-P33 G41/DDR3/A/V/GBLAN
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB DDR4, 128bit DVI
Kingston 2GB DDR3 1333 / PC3-10600 (KVR1333D3N9/2G)

AMD Phenom II X2 555 3.2Ghz AM3
MSI 785GTN-E45 AMD 785G + ATI HD4200 / DDR2
PowerColor ATI Radeon HD4670 512MB DDR4, 128bit DVI
2GB Kingston DDR2 800 / PC6400

BTW, I included the 4670 video card (even though these MB's already have integrated graphics) just to be sure that that we can play games with the high settings on. I'll also be pairing this PC with a 17" 4:3 LCD Monitor (Samsung or LG) set at 1280 x 1024. I'm also considering the overclocking potential of these CPUs.

A: you're looking for general hardware.
B: You want 4GB of ram, you just do.
C: None of those parts have prices next to them, which is a big part of evaluating what could be better, if anything's a bad value, and if you're overpaying.

 

[daveymark]

Is there any way to get the phenom with a ddr3 board? If so, that's the way to go assuming you can keep the price down.

DO you have a fry's nearby? they currently have a sale on the phenom w/ ddr3 mobo for $89.

Those phenoms have a good success rate of unlocking the 2 other cores, and they OC easily on air to 3.6ghz+...throw a hyper 212 fan on it and you'll hit 4ghz with no problems. If it unlocks it will be comparable to an i5 in many situations.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Overall the Core i3 530 is going to be the fastest, but any one of those setups will do the job you're asking it to do well. And you should seriously consider stepping up to 4GB of RAM, although it looks as if you just getting a single stick of RAM in which case you can add more at any time.

 

[RussianSensation]

On a budget, I'd get the Athlon II X4 630. Get 4GBs of DDR3 ram. Don't waste any $ on DDR2 as you won't be able to reuse it later. Preferable get at least DDR3-1600 as the price difference with 1333 is minimal (G.Skill is the best DDR3 ram this generation for the $$$, bar none.) I would only go for the X2 555 if you plan on unlocking it into a quad core Phenom II.

For the games you mentioned, onboard graphics with the 870 or 890 chipset AM3 should be enough. 4670 is rather weak for the $: http://www.legionhardware.com/articles_pages/ati_radeon_hd_5570,4.html

If you want a budget card, I'd consider GTS250 512mb for a 17 inch monitor: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-495-_-Product

 

[wbynum]

Do you have a Fry's or Microcenter near you? They routinely run Phenom II/mb combos for ~$100. Fry's more so than Microcenter. Fry's sometimes has their combos available for shipping but they don't last long. Fry's also has i3 combos for ~$100. Either type of combo will more than fit your needs.

 

[LoneNinja]

Personally I wouldn't invest in DDR2 memory at this time, at least on a new build. I also wouldn't consider socket 775 as a choice, both AM3 and 1156 have much better price/performance ratio parts, and overall better performing parts. I would also take an Athlon II X3/X4 over the Phenom II X2, unlocked cores aren't a sure thing.

Basically it's Athlon II X3/X4 or Core I3, I wouldn't be looking at anything else in price range.