I have two builds, which one would you recommend, change, etc?

[Funkster]

Alright guys, I had already started a thread asking about parts within my budget and have researched and am debating between two different builds. Neither have a video card as I was not all that sure I would need one. If you think I would, let me know.

I plan on using it to surf the internet, watch a lot of HD video and will do photoshop work with it. I multitask TONS. At about any given time I am watching a movie while surfing the internet with multiple tabs and usually have photoshop open to do editing to my website and label photos for my business. I wouldn't mind trying to get into PC gaming with things like entropia, etc as I mainly play XBOX, but I am not set on this at all.

I have a Antec 300 case and an Antec Earthwatts 650w PSU I will be using.

Here are the two builds, please tell me which one you would go with if you were in my situation and why. If you see any changes you would make please let me know what and why. Keep in mind I have to stay below $500 for everything including OS and would prefer the $450 price point.

Build #1
CPU - i3-2120 Sandy Bridge 3.3Ghz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077
MOBO - ASRock Z68M/USB3 LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157270
RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
HDD - Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986


Build #2
CPU - AMD A8-3870K Unlocked Llano 3.0GHz Socket FM1 100W Quad-Core Desktop
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819106001
MOBO - ASRock A75M-HVS FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI Micro ATX AMD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157261
RAM - G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231428
HDD - Seagate Barracuda ST500DM002 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148767
OS - Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116986

Obviously the builds are the same other than the CPU and Motherboard. I look forward to suggestions and thank you all for your help and time! 😀

 

[mopman411]

I plan on using it to surf the internet, watch a lot of HD video and will do photoshop work with it. I multitask TONS. At about any given time I am watching a movie while surfing the internet with multiple tabs and usually have photoshop open to do editing to my website and label photos for my business

That is key. This is the first time that i think the APU build would be better. The heavy multitasking is the only area where the APU does good. Simple gaming it's not bad but the i3 would beat it in that regard, as thats not your primary focus its APU for you.

Go the APU route on this build.

Skip that board on the AMD rig.

GIGABYTE GA-A75M-D2H FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ~ $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128517

ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS ~ $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157260

 

[a4mula]

It really depends on how heavy you want to get into pc gaming and if you plan on buying a discrete video card if you find it interesting.

If the answer is no you will not buy a discrete video card than the AMD is going to provide a much better onboard video solution.

If the answer is that you wouldn't mind spending as little as $70 on an entry level card than the answer is Intel.

As far as pure processing power there is no competition. Intel wins hands down, the main advantage the APU has is that its a capable video solution. Intel supports an IGP, however it's a pretty meager offering.

That'd be my advice.

 

[Funkster]

That is key. This is the first time that i think the APU build would be better. The heavy multitasking is the only area where the APU does good. Simple gaming it's not bad but the i3 would beat it in that regard, as thats not your primary focus its APU for you.

Go the APU route on this build.

Skip that board on the AMD rig.

GIGABYTE GA-A75M-D2H FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ~ $80
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128517

ASRock A75M FM1 AMD A75 (Hudson D3) HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard with UEFI BIOS ~ $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157260

Awesome, great info. Which motherboard would you prefer?

They seem similar to me with Gigabyte having an extra PCI slot and the DVI port. I did notice it has less USB 3.0 ports, but I don't think that will hurt me much.

 

[Funkster]

It really depends on how heavy you want to get into pc gaming and if you plan on buying a discrete video card if you find it interesting.

If the answer is no you will not buy a discrete video card than the AMD is going to provide a much better onboard video solution.

If the answer is that you wouldn't mind spending as little as $70 on an entry level card than the answer is Intel.

As far as pure processing power there is no competition. Intel wins hands down, the main advantage the APU has is that its a capable video solution. Intel supports an IGP, however it's a pretty meager offering.

That'd be my advice.

Yay conflicting information. :lol: JK

Alright, well I wouldn't be opposed to buying a seperate video card in the future, no.

 

[Funkster]

Since I will be doing so much Multi-tasking I think I am going to go with AMD. I can deal with not being able to game honestly. Next year I will probably build a computer with a bigger budget anyway.

 

[mopman411]

Awesome, great info. Which motherboard would you prefer?

They seem similar to me with Gigabyte having an extra PCI slot and the DVI port. I did notice it has less USB 3.0 ports, but I don't think that will hurt me much.

There is no harm in going with the cheaper of the two, so long as you avoid that first board you were looking at.

 

[Funkster]

All ordered up, I took the more expensive of the two suggested motherboards only because the two monitors I have on me now don't have HDMI just DVI and D-SUB.

I also like the slightly extended capability of the AC889 audio over the 892. However, that will probably be irrelevant as I will add an aftermarket sound card I would imagine.

 

[Funkster]

Best answer selected by Funkster.