$300 Build / bang for the buck

[AnomalouS]

Down to these two.

AMD BUILD
-GIGABYTE GZ-KF03B Black SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $19.99
-GIGABYTE GA-A75M-D2H FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD $79.99
-AMD A8-3850 Llano 2.9GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic AMD Radeon HD 6550D AD3850WNGXBOX $129.99
-G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $46.99
-Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" $84.99
-Cooler Master RS750
-Crucial C300
Total. $362

Intel Build.
-GIGABYTE GZ-KF03B Black SGCC ATX Mid Tower Computer Case $19.99
-ASRock H61ICAFE LGA 1155 Intel H61 $64.99
-Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz $127.99
-ASUS 24X DVD Burner $19.99
-G.SKILL Value Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) $37.99
-Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX $84.99
-CoolerMaster RS750 $free - have
-Crucial C300 64GB $free - have
Total $356

[ThE_MaD_ShOt]

Also you could check out the for sale ads and maybe pick the parts to build a really good system. I just built a x6 system running crossfire cards for not much more then that.

[Huddo93]

Definitely go with the AMD budget build.

The reason is simple, their APU's are killer compared to Intels HD2000. Plus if somewhere along the line you have ~$60-80 to spend on the PC, you can do Hybrid CF with a HD6670 or 6570 and gain even better graphics performance out of a budget PC if your father finds that the graphics for Photoshop becomes a little laggy.

Also, JrRacingFan posted a link to a FS thread in TPU for some really cheap Mushkin 2x4GB 1866 DDR3. Id give a good look at probably opting for the better memory speed over the 1600 kit as it will allow for the full potential of the board since it runs naturally @ 1866Mhz.

Good luck getting this all done for fathers day Such a awesome gift!

[xenocide]

Since I didn't see you had more budget space due to having a PSU available, I restructured my Intel recommendation:

Intel Pentium G840
BioStar H61MGC
Mushkin Essentials 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1333
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB HDD
LG 24x DVD Burner
Gigabyte Mid-Tower
Sapphire HD6670
Total Price: $347.93

I think this is the most well balanced "bang for your buck" system you could make. You have substantially more power coming from an HD6670 than you do from the A8's 6550D (roughly on par for an HD6450 depending on game and RAM speed, at best it's nearly an HD5570). Looking at the HD6670 Review we see that the cards that the 6550D is equivelant to, are about half as powerful as the HD6670. The 6670 also overclocks nicely and can provide roughly a 20% gain in performance according to W1z's testing.

The G840, while only being a Dual-Core, is more than capable when it comes to games and every day computing. I also like that you have a viable upgrade path with this if you choose to add some new stuff, you could spring later on for a better motherboard for access to better RAM speeds, or pick up a second hand i3 or i5 if you decide the lower end Pentium is not cutting it. With the FM1 platform nearing EOL, you're not likely to see many upgrades--if any--come down the pipeline.

[Huddo93]

Originally Posted by xenocide

Since I didn't see you had more budget space due to having a PSU available, I restructured my Intel recommendation:

Intel Pentium G840
BioStar H61MGC
Mushkin Essentials 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3-1333
Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB HDD
LG 24x DVD Burner
Gigabyte Mid-Tower
Sapphire HD6670
Total Price: $347.93

I think this is the most well balanced "bang for your buck" system you could make. You have substantially more power coming from an HD6670 than you do from the A8's 6550D (roughly on par for an HD6450 depending on game and RAM speed, at best it's nearly an HD5570). Looking at the HD6670 Review we see that the cards that the 6550D is equivelant to, are about half as powerful as the HD6670. The 6670 also overclocks nicely and can provide roughly a 20% gain in performance according to W1z's testing.

The G840, while only being a Dual-Core, is more than capable when it comes to games and every day computing. I also like that you have a viable upgrade path with this if you choose to add some new stuff, you could spring later on for a better motherboard for access to better RAM speeds, or pick up a second hand i3 or i5 if you decide the lower end Pentium is not cutting it. With the FM1 platform nearing EOL, you're not likely to see many upgrades--if any--come down the pipeline.

The same can be said for the G840 CPU on the H61 platform, as now the new Ivy Bridge platform is being released by Intel. Plus if your really worried about EOL, I'd just stick it out for Trinity, as it will smoke both the Intel and AMD builds (but I understand this is for fathers day, so not possible).

The problem I have with the Intel low end hardware is that they lack the same APU technology that AMD has. The G840 would be like comparing the CPU to the A4 or A6 which are substantially cheaper CPU's from the AMD side of things and with that saved money you could just ADD in the HD6670 anyway.

Sorry if I seem angry in this post, but really I'm not. I'm not a AMD fanboy either. When it comes to gaming/high end computers I believe Intel has the top spot, but what I shall not deny (and what I believe other people forget) is that AMD really have the premium product when it comes to cheap bang for buck PC's with decent graphical power using there APU's, compared to same price/performance point Intel builds.

Just need to give AMD a little more love <3

[Jetster]

I'm a Intel fan. I believe you get what you pay for. But there is no denying the Fusion APU. For the money its one of the quickest little desktop in that price range. And you can add a 6670 and X fire it with the APU later if he want more gaming power

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Jetster

I'm a Intel fan. I believe you get what you pay for. But there is no denying the Fusion APU. For the money its one of the quickest little desktop in that price range. And you can add a 6670 and X fire it with the APU later if he want more gaming power

Gaming power for dad

Thread for thread, there is no denying the fact that the Sandy Bridge cores smokes all competition. However, the problem lies in the fact that OP's dad is more likely to use single threaded applications than multithreaded ones, which is why I favour faster cores over better graphics. A graphics card can be added in the future if onboard is not powerful enough, whereas you will need a radical overhaul of the APU build if you find yourself lack of cpu power.

I like AMD's APU and will not hesitate to recommend them to budget gamers, but right now we are building for an old man whose most demanding video task is probably watching HD porn.

[xenocide]

Originally Posted by Huddo93

The same can be said for the G840 CPU on the H61 platform, as now the new Ivy Bridge platform is being released by Intel. Plus if your really worried about EOL, I'd just stick it out for Trinity, as it will smoke both the Intel and AMD builds (but I understand this is for fathers day, so not possible).

Not entirely true. You will have upgrade paths for at least another 1-2 years. With buying into FM1, if you get an A8, you're at the top. Going for the Intel you can either get a better motherboard further down the line, or a much, much better CPU if you decide you need it. With FM1 since it's being replaced by FM2 for Trinity, you have nothing.

Originally Posted by Huddo93

The problem I have with the Intel low end hardware is that they lack the same APU technology that AMD has. The G840 would be like comparing the CPU to the A4 or A6 which are substantially cheaper CPU's from the AMD side of things and with that saved money you could just ADD in the HD6670 anyway.

Performance is not an issue, the guy asked for the best bang for the buck, and everything indicates that the G840 is much better performance per cost than the Llano CPU's. Tomshardware did a huge "Sub-$200 Gaming CPU" review, and it indicated that for gaming, the G860 (200Mhz faster version of the G840) was as good as the i3-2100, which displaced most of the AMD offerings, including the A4 and A8 they tested.

I highly suggest reading through the whole Tomshardware assessment, it definitely reveals that Llano--while being good--may not be as amazing as some people think. The A6's cost about as much as the Pentium, FM1 mobos are about on par for H61, sometimes a little pricier, and the 1155 Platform has much greater upgrade options. It just doesn't seem like getting one is worth it if you can afford a decent discrete GPU and CPU setup. If you were trying to build a $200 or $250 PC, Llano would be unbeatable.

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

However, the problem lies in the fact that OP's dad is more likely to use single threaded applications than multithreaded ones, which is why I favour faster cores over better graphics. A graphics card can be added in the future if onboard is not powerful enough, whereas you will need a radical overhaul of the APU build if you find yourself lack of cpu power.

EXACTLY my point. Getting a much more powerful dual-core would be a huge advantage for someone like him.

[Jetster]

If its for HD porn then hes going to need that APU :P

AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core...
EMCYTZT1403 ........... $99 with code

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Jetster

If its for HD porn then hes going to need that APU :P

AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core...
EMCYTZT1403 ........... $99 with code

HD2000 can easily play 1080p no problem.

I raise you Pentium G840: $85 and doesn't need code, higher clock, more powerful clock for clock, core for core except when it comes to heavy multithreaded applications which I don't think dad is going to use.

[xenocide]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

I raise you Pentium G840: $85 and doesn't need code, higher clock, more powerful clock for clock, core for core except when it comes to heavy multithreaded applications which I don't think dad is going to use.

Even in heavily multithreaded apps I think the G840 would be close enough. Check out Tom's Metro 2033 benchmark, a game that basically scales linearly with core count (at least for AMD CPU's) and you see the G860 is as good as the A8-3870k, despite having half as many actual cores.

[AnomalouS]

Here is what I decided on after getting everyone's help. I am going to see how the Intel graphics are, they will either be fine or I can pick up a gfx card as needed.

Rosewill FBM-01 Dual Fans MicroATX Mini Tower $29.99
Intel Core i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz $127.99
ASRock H61M/U3S3 LGA 1155 $69.99
Seagate Barracuda ST31000524AS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s $109.99 - $20 instant = $89.99
LG DVD Burner 24X DVD+R $16.99
G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) $49.99 no cost -already have have
COOLER MASTER Real Power Pro RS-750 $119.99 no cost -already have
Crucial RealSSD C300 $134.99 no cost -already have
Win7 64b no cost -already have

Total $340.90 shipped.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by Huddo93

The same can be said for the G840 CPU on the H61 platform, as now the new Ivy Bridge platform is being released by Intel. Plus if your really worried about EOL, I'd just stick it out for Trinity, as it will smoke both the Intel and AMD builds (but I understand this is for fathers day, so not possible).

The problem I have with the Intel low end hardware is that they lack the same APU technology that AMD has. The G840 would be like comparing the CPU to the A4 or A6 which are substantially cheaper CPU's from the AMD side of things and with that saved money you could just ADD in the HD6670 anyway.

Sorry if I seem angry in this post, but really I'm not. I'm not a AMD fanboy either. When it comes to gaming/high end computers I believe Intel has the top spot, but what I shall not deny (and what I believe other people forget) is that AMD really have the premium product when it comes to cheap bang for buck PC's with decent graphical power using there APU's, compared to same price/performance point Intel builds.

Just need to give AMD a little more love <3

The G840 still beats the A6 in gaming as a CPU and when you throw in the 6670, it makes it faster than the APU.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/405?vs=403

[JrRacinFan]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

The G840 still beats the A6 in gaming as a CPU and when you throw in the 6670, it makes it faster than the APU.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/405?vs=403

Again as I pointed out over in the sister thread I just replied to, it's going to be more of a matter if there will be casual gaming involved.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by JrRacinFan

Again as I pointed out over in the sister thread I just replied to, it's going to be more of a matter if there will be casual gaming involved.

But again, the G840 is a better chip due to the fact that it beats the A6 in almost every CPU test other than gaming

[AnomalouS]

I just submitted my order. No more debating.
Intel wins.

[brandonwh64]

Originally Posted by AnomalouS

I just submitted my order. No more debating.
Intel wins.

LOL yes I know.....


BTW he will be happy!

[Munki]

Originally Posted by AnomalouS

I just submitted my order. No more debating.
Intel wins.

Glad you got things sorted out to your likeling. However, you can't start a thread with a bunch of geeks and expect it to just stop. Geeks live for debating

[AnomalouS]

Originally Posted by Munki

Glad you got things sorted out to your likeling. However, you can't start a thread with a bunch of geeks and expect it to just stop. Geeks live for debating

The debate can continue!

I went with the Intel build as I myself have Intel and when I upgrade he will get ever better "hand me downs"...

[LagunaX]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Gaming power for dad
...but right now we are building for an old man whose most demanding video task is probably watching HD porn.

The man speaketh the truth LOL!

[Fourstaff]

I find the lack of SSD ... disturbing. Add one and make your old man happy

[AnomalouS]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

I find the lack of SSD ... disturbing. Add one and make your old man happy

Bottom line of components. C300 SSD

[PopcornMachine]

Originally Posted by AnomalouS

Bottom line of components. C300 SSD

Too late. He already strangled you from across the room with his Jedi powers.

[Jetster]

Originally Posted by brandonwh64

But again, the G840 is a better chip due to the fact that it beats the A6 in almost every CPU test other than gaming

Thats like saying my car is better then yours. (other than driving)

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by Jetster

Thats like saying my car is better then yours. (other than driving)

No, that's like saying my car is better than yours except for the lack of passenger seats which I don't need anyway when I am driving.