Should I switch to an intel set up?

[Mrsquirreleo]

So I finally build my own computer

Heres the thing though, I had very very little money to do it so I ended up going with the down right cheapest parts I could find. I found that I could get a better deal if I went with AMD so I got this motherboard http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186189 and I put this CPU in http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103904 .

This was my first build so I did a few things kinda wrong. The first "mistake" I made was I searched for a motherboard with an embedded graphics chip on it (I had no clue intel CPU had one in them) the only one I could find was that cheap Foxconn board I linked above. I atleast knew that it was an AMD board and I would need an AMD CPU so I bought the CPU I linked above, it looked good and the specs where pretty good.

Know the think is when I look to upgrade I feel kind of stuck in the whole AMD family of stuff, this didn't concern me until I looked up the bulldozer series (I was not impressed when I saw that AMD's best was getting pwned by intel). I now have 2 options I could upgrade my MOBO and CPU to intel, with this MOBO http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186225 and this Cpu http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116397 or for about the same price get a real graphics card (I'm using the one on my current MOBO atm) like this one http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625

Basically would it be in my best interest to switch to Intel or get the graphics card?

 

[wr6133]

What CPU and board do you have? your links simply go tolistings of many different ones.

Long as your CPU is not utter junk then your going to be best of getting an actual graphics card rather than integrated graphics.

 

[Mrsquirreleo]

I had so trouble with the links (I think I fixed them now)

I got a Foxconn M61PMP-K AM3 NVIDIA MCP61P Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
And a AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor

 

[wr6133]

Its an old and relativley weak CPU but if this about gaming I would still spend my money on a graphics card. Theres no point getting a cheap intel board and celeron and not having a graphics card you wont game any better than you do now with the AMD and no graphics card. Or put more clearly add a Graphics Card to your current setup and you will game better than a celeron with no graphics card.

 

[Mrsquirreleo]

Ok thanks, I'm still new to all of this lol

 

[tigeryeow]

Ok thanks, I'm still new to all of this lol

that chip is not good for gaming i would go for an i3 2120 over that old cpu even if you have a powerful gpu hte processor is holding it back

 

[wr6133]

ok well for gaming you need a graphics card of some sort the integrated graphics (intel or AMD) simply wont cut it for modern games at anything but the most basioc settings and poor frame rates.

Swapping to an Intel whether it be the celeron you found or the i3 the guy above suggests but not getting a graphics card to go with it will not really help your gaming experience. Most games are heavily bound by the GPU (graphics card) so even though your athlon is kind of crap by current standards I would take it with a half decent GPU over a newer budget intel build without a GPU.

 

[smorizio]

I would sit back and hold on to your funds..by this time next year both intel and amd going to have new cpu on the market.
at that time i look to see what the price and performance of those chips are. when they do come out chips like the ib are going to drop into a price range that you can pick up a 4 core cpu for about the same amount that you paid for the 2 core cpu.
im one of those builders that builds a new pc every 3 or 4 years..dont need a new one as i put money and time into the one i build that take a few years for games to bring the build to it keens. any good cpu and a good video card should play most new games fine for a few years before they get long in the tooth. most cheap parts are going to be older parts..not bad if your doing light gaming..not good if your a hard core gamer.

 

[nekulturny]

A G850 would be just compounding one bad idea on another, yes its decent for what it is, but hardly a justifiable "upgrade". My advice is not to do anything until you can afford a proper "Gaming system".

At bare minimum an i3-2120 or an AMD Phenom II 965, but for the sake of system longevity you might want to consider an Intel i5 2400/3450/2500K/3570K, with a motherboard of competent quality, quality and Foxconn generally do not go hand in hand however.

As far as graphics cards, at bare minimum I would look at 550 TIs or 7770s/6850s/6870s. You're looking at spending at least $600 (price for the tower, not including monitor or other peripherals or operating system) for something that I would truly be able to call "a gaming system" and keep a straight face.

 

[Mrsquirreleo]

that chip is not good for gaming i would go for an i3 2120 over that old cpu even if you have a powerful gpu hte processor is holding it back

I would love to get a CPU like that but the problem is I'm extremely strapped for cash (I'm 16 and don't have a real job) and Intel CPU's tend to be on the pricer side. I also have to admit there is properly biggest holes in my setup that I could fix with the money that chip would cost me

 

[wr6133]

that chip is not good for gaming i would go for an i3 2120 over that old cpu even if you have a powerful gpu hte processor is holding it back

You do realise he has no GPU so holding it back is not a factor

Or are you actually suggesting he is better getting an i3 and gaming on integrated graphics over his current CPU with a GPU added?

 

[nekulturny]

You do realise he has no GPU so holding it back is not a factor

Or are you actually suggesting he is better getting an i3 and gaming on integrated graphics over his current CPU with a GPU added?

I dismissed it as typical fanboyism lol.

 

[wr6133]

I dismissed it as typical fanboyism lol.

I know but it makes me bite especially now we have the school holiday season and we are bombarded with prepubescent childrens "expert" views constantly...... its like intel has its own version of the Hitler Youth (and equally brainwashed)

 

[nekulturny]

Intel Youth! I like that.. Btw that has occurred to me as well, although I thought of it more like the Borg from Star Trek. We are Intel! You will be assimilated! Resistance is futile!

 

[wr6133]

LOL

I'm going to put on my tinfoil hat they cant get me then

 

[Mrsquirreleo]

Now that I think of it what I could do is get a graphics card and and then get an AM3+ motherboard and then by that time AMD will properly have there next line of CPU's out. But then I'm the Amd hole pretty deep and if the next line of CPU's from them is as underwhelming as the bulldozer series well then I will have wasted 3 4 hundred on a CPU people can laugh at

 

[nekulturny]

I honestly and as much as it pains me to say this, considering the hole you backed yourself into with this build is to avoid repeats at all.

Get yourself a halfway decent video card for now. Plan on it costing you at least $150-240, save up your money after that and get yourself an Intel i5 CPU for about $180 and a decent motherboard for it is going to cost you about $100. Thats the best thing you can do.

Btw. what brand and model power supply are you using? I have a bad feeling you made an error with that too.

 

[nekulturny]

Now that I think of it what I could do is get a graphics card and and then get an AM3+ motherboard and then by that time AMD will properly have there next line of CPU's out. But then I'm the Amd hole pretty deep and if the next line of CPU's from them is as underwhelming as the bulldozer series well then I will have wasted 3 4 hundred on a CPU people can laugh at

I'm not laughing at you. If you feel I'm being harsh, I'll soften the blow, I'm a fat gay nerd. Keep that in mind.

You made a mistake, it happens. I know it was an expensive lesson to learn, but I will help you try to dig yourself out of it as best as I can.

 

[Mrsquirreleo]

I honestly and as much as it pains me to say this, considering the hole you backed yourself into with this build is to avoid repeats at all.

Get yourself a halfway decent video card for now. Plan on it costing you at least $150-240, save up your money after that and get yourself an Intel i5 CPU for about $180 and a decent motherboard for it is going to cost you about $100. Thats the best thing you can do.

Btw. what brand and model power supply are you using? I have a bad feeling you made an error with that too.

I wish I could tell you but by the time I bought everything else I was so broke I just nabbed it form some random old computer I tore apart a few years ago that was lying in my closet half smashed

I do plan to buy a new one when I buy a graphics card though

 

[nekulturny]

Heres something to give you a reference point to start at:

Power supply- Corsair CX500v2 $34.99 with mail in rebate $54.99 without
Despite its cheap price, this is actually a very capable power supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027

Motherboard- Asrock B77 $80- Cheap, but decent.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157314

CPU- i5-2400 $190
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074


Video card- You have a few different options here, but I consider this one to be pretty decent at a pretty fair price.

Sapphire 6950 $190 with rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102987&Tpk=sapphire%206950

What kind of RAM are you running? Ideally I would suggest a 2x4GB (8GB total) of 1333mhz DDR3. You must have 1.5v RAM for Intel CPUs though, so double check what you have.

 

[Mrsquirreleo]

Im using these atm http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

I think there 1.5v but I'm not sure

 

[nekulturny]

Im using these atm http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277

I think there 1.5v but I'm not sure

Yes it is. I'd get 2 more of those at some point. That would give you 8GB.

 

[Mrsquirreleo]

Ok so im basically replacing everything major but the case, it'll take me awhile but then again I never though it was gonna be an overnight project


Thanks for all the help

 

[wr6133]

start with the GPU and PSU use them with your current setup then just set a target based on the parts nekulturny lists to save too when you get to the amount you should be able to buy whatever the current equivalent to them will be at that time and reuse the GPU and PSU.

 

[odiervr]

You have the classic requirement (want) / resource ( $) mismatch. You need cash. You want - but you can't afford. That kind of bind usually gets fixed in one of 3 ways:

1. You solve it yourself. Get a job / jobs and you get cash.
2. Sit and hope - maybe someone will give you cash. If they do, pls let me know I'd like to get some
3. Gift from famliy or friends

#1 is hardest, but you only rely on you. #2 & #3 ... easy but not likely.

You've already built one so you have a good knowledge base. Take some time, read reviews of items you are looking at on Amazon, Newegg, PCpartpicker. Gather some cash via all legal ways and make your PC the best thing since sliced bread ! Good Luck !!