Upgrade Desktop Advice

choons

So something on my motherboard has given out and I need a new system.

My old motherboard was an AM2 socket with DDR2 Ram which means I think I'll have to get a new processor, cpu and ram. I still have my case, hard drives and PSU.

Old spec: AMD Athlon X2 3.2ghz, 2gb ram.


1. What is your budget? [€250]
2. What will be the main purpose of the computer? [Video editing/3D Modelling/HTPC/Internet]
3. Do you need a copy of Windows? [Lol No]
4. Can you use any parts from an old computer? [Most parts - 2x 2Tb hdd, case, psu, graphics card]
5. Do you need a monitor? [No]
6. Do you need any of these peripherals? [No]
7. Are you willing to try overclocking? [Yes]
8. How can you pay? [Bank Transfer/Credit Card/Laser]
9. When are you purchasing? [Soon after Xmas]
10. If you need help building it, where are you based? [Nope]


Here's what I'm thinking:
AMD FX-4170 AM3+ 4.2GHz 12MB 125W €120
Gigabyte GA-970A-D3 AM3+ AMD 970 + SB950 DDR3 ATX €80
Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) Ballistix Sport DDR3 1600MHz CL9 1.5v 240pin €37
Total €240

I built the last one myself and got almost 5 years from it. Would like this one to last a few years too. Most taxing tasks will be some CAD and simulation programs, nothing too heavy.
Any advice for me?
Thanks

smileyj1987

IF you an AMD build I would go with this .

http://lb.hardwareversand.de/home.jsp

AMD Build :
Amd.JPG

tuxy

The Amd fx is a better option, the phenom II would be about the same as the old athlon x2 in some applications.

smileyj1987

tuxy wrote: »

The Amd fx is a better option, the phenom II would be about the same as the old athlon x2 in some applications.

The AMD FX and Phenom perform to about the same level in most cases and when you factor in the SSD you will get quicker boot times and the system will feel a whole lot quicker .

tuxy

Not in the intended uses for the PC (Video editing and 3D Modelling), the FX is way ahead. Although it would probably be best to the budget to a AMD FX-8150

smileyj1987

tuxy wrote: »

Not in the intended uses for the PC (Video editing and 3D Modelling), the FX is way ahead. Although it would probably be best to the budget to a AMD FX-8150

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/700?vs=80

There isn't a whole lot of difference between the CPU's .
IF you can stretch the bugdet by about 50 more you could go with an intel build that would blow any AMD build out of the water unless its a very heavily multi -threaded application then its about neck and neck . Right now Intel holds the performance crown and AMD are only really in the game when it comes to a value orientated system .

choons

Thanks for the replies.

Would an SSD noticeably improve performance?

I'll have a look at Intel's range within my price.

smileyj1987

choons wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

Would an SSD noticeably improve performance?

I'll have a look at Intel's range within my price.

With a copy of windows and your most used apps on an SSD it will feel very fast indeed . Most pcs with an SSD will boot in about half the time it takes on a normal hard drive . It was also make programs launch alot quicker too .

choons

So I went ahead and ordered some stuff. I stuck with AMD but went for next processor up, the FX-6300. I cheaped out on the motherboard and RAM to stay under budget.

FX6-6300 AM3+ 3.5GHz 14MB 95W €130
8GB (2 x 4GB) Ballistix Sport DDR3 1333MHz CL9 1.5v 240pin €35
Gigabyte 78LMT-USB3 AM3+ AMD 760G DDR3 mATX €47

Total came to €212 so I can buy a SSD in a few weeks

Should arrive today