AMD good for budget build?

[luciusad2004]

Quick question. I'm mocking up a hypothetical budget build for family and wasn't sure about something. I haven't been keeping up w/ the hardware wars lately so i don't know were things currently stand.

Is Intel still on top?

Is AMD good for a budget build? Last i checked AMD processors seemed to be dirt cheep thought not quite as good in terms of performance. Would AMD thus be a good choice for this build or would i want to go w/ Intel no matter what?

Thanks for any input guys.

[crenn]

Intel have higher performance, however when doing a budget build for under $500, I always go for an AMD system.

[luciusad2004]

Intel have higher performance, however when doing a budget build for under $500, I always go for an AMD system.

Thanks for the response, I have a feeling that if this build takes off it would probably be in that range. She needs a whole set up though, so I'm not sure if building would be the best route. I figure she might get a better deal on a monitor and what not through a big name brand. IDK, I'll have to see how it all plays out.

Thanks : )

[crenn]

Big brands normally have sales on currently for whole systems, look at both options.

[blueonblack]

While from what I have heard, Intel does have the performance edge at the moment, that edge is pretty far out into the performance spectrum. For the average build, even for the average gamer, I'd have to say AMD is the way to go, for price to peformance ratio if for no other reason. I have always used AMD products in my builds and I have never once been disappointed.
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[luciusad2004]

Thats what i was thinking. She could probably purchase a computer and get a nicer monitor than what she might otherwise be able to afford.

Thought of another question. If it's a budget build. Should i get a case w/ a power supply since it probably won't be taxed to hard, or should i just go with a nicer power supply. I can probably shave a few bucks off the cost by using a case/PS combo but I've always read about how important it is to have a good power source.

[crenn]

Depends on the case really. Antec have good PSUs included.

[SgtM]

What's your budget? I just put a nice system together for my Dad for $300.
Intel Dual Core 2.53 GHz
2GB RAM
Asus mobo with builtin 7100, HDMI audio
160GB SATA HDD.

I can get links if you want.

[OvRiDe]

Intel pricing has gotten alot better, we just put a system together for my Son-in-Law, he got a E8400 3Ghz C2D, 2GB of Corsair RAM, Gigabyte Motherboard, Zotac 8800GT, Seagate 250GB HDD, and a case for just a hair over 600 bucks, and thats before the 70+ in rebates. Not bad for $530ish. The only thing he reused from an older system was his 20X Liteon DVD burner. The case was a cheapy with a 450Watt PSU but it seems to be holding. If your not looking for a higher end video card the 8800GT was 144 after rebate, so if you got with something like a 8600GT you can take 40-50 bucks off that price and your looking at under 500.. and that was shipped. As for performance.. I gotta say it seems to be way faster then his friends AMD 6000+ with an 8800GTS and 3GB or RAM.

Just my 2cents...

[Tavarin]

The only thing that Intel has the performance advantage with are their quad core chips. AMD still has the best dual core chip with the 6400+ black edition, far better than even the best Intel dual cores I've seen. And it is cheaper to go AMD on a budget build since it's usually 20 to 30 dollars cheaper for the same frequency chip.

[nevermind1534]

I've used AMD for all of my recent budget builds, except for my NES PC. I only used Intel for that and my own personal computer. You can get an Athlon64X2 for the same price as a single-core Celeron.

[luciusad2004]

I'm not to sure on the budget since, as i said, it's all sort of hypothetical at the moment. Since they are pretty tight on money however, I'm gonna guess that this would be sub 500 for the machine and then peripherals

As for uses, my girlfriend says her mom will probably use it as an internet machine. She also adds that she likes to download music. So i figured it doesn't need to be a power house at all. I'm not sure if she ever plays any casual games or not. I know she doesn't do any real gaming though.

[nevermind1534]

My parent's new computer with the x2 I think 2200+ only cost $120, although the DVD drive was purchased previously, the hard drive taken from a computer in the trash, and I got the case and power supply free as a combo deal with my motherboard, and a mail-in rebate.

[chaksq]

Why don't you refurbish an old machine? Any Pentium III or newer machine will make a great internet and basic use machine. Fill the motherboard with the max possible supported RAM which you can find on ebay cheaply, and maybe a 1000base network card. Then load it with Xubuntu, unless you need to run a specific application or piece of hardware.

I just rebuilt two machines i had in my basement one for my workshop, one to give my cousin. Xubuntu 8.04 runs efficiently on older hardware and comes with enough software for most people, I just recommend adding Open Office suite if you need spreadsheet or presentation software. It even comes with a number of popular simple games a lot of people play, like Majong. I am used to the speed of my gaming rig and still find my rebuilt P3s with linux to function at a comfortable pace.

Unless there is a space issue, go for a CRT monitor, they are a lot cheaper and easier on the eyes than budget LCDs.

[nevermind1534]

Or if you don't have any old ones, look in the trash, you never know what you'll find.