Intel or AMD: HELP!

[stconquest]

If this is a gaming PC, Intel has the fastest CPU architecture by far.  AMD CPUs are okay, but you will see their limits far sooner than with an Intel CPU.  To put it in perspective, the i3 4130 will beat out the FX 8XXX series CPU in many games:

 

http://www.hardwarepal.com/best-cpu-gaming-9-processors-8-games-tested/

 

and:  http://www.hardcoreware.net/intel-core-i3-4340-review/2/

 

The reason for the increased performance on the Intel CPUs is their IPC (Instructions per clock) value.  AMD has not been notably improving theirs for a long time (since Phenom II).  Intel has been making their CPU IPCs (due to architecture improvements) faster and faster with each generation.  Intel is now way ahead.

 

In order to have AMD processors even begin to keep up with current Haswell CPUs, you would need a motherboard that can supply enough clean energy to the CPU (a robust VRM - Voltage Regulator Module) and you would have to buy an aftermarket cooler.  Even when overclocked, the AMD CPU would still lose to the cheapest on i5/i3 in a lot of gaming titles.

 

With Intel, you do not need more than the stock cooler and the cheapest compatible motherboard.  Less hassle, more performance.

 

I noticed you did not have a graphics card in your build.  I am assuming you would be saving for one later.  I will warn you now that whether you go with AMD or Intel, the CPU onboard graphics is not a good gaming experience.

 

That said, I put together a comparative build in your price range.  I can do one with a decent GPU (R9 270), but sacrifices would have to be made:

 

$759 before rebates

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($163.95 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($101.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($87.79 @ OutletPC)
Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($129.99 @ Best Buy)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard  ($6.99 @ NCIX US)
Speakers: Logitech Z130 5W 2ch Speakers  ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $716.15
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-26 01:25 EDT-0400

[Guest]

For what you are going to use the PC for, I would definitely say intel

these video's mite help you out a little..

 

this video of Nicolas11x12 comparing the Intel i5-4690K with the AMD FX-9590 and FX-8350

 

or this video with linus but its not the same i5 CPU but still mite help with making up your mind..

 

p.s. I personally always use AMD

 

 

I'd say Intel, they have better single core performance CPUs. Games like stronger cores over more cores.

 

 

If this is a gaming PC, Intel has the fastest CPU architecture by far.  AMD CPUs are okay, but you will see their limits far sooner than with an Intel CPU.  To put it in perspective, the i3 4130 will beat out the FX 8XXX series CPU in many games:

 

http://www.hardwarepal.com/best-cpu-gaming-9-processors-8-games-tested/

 

and:  http://www.hardcoreware.net/intel-core-i3-4340-review/2/

 

The reason for the increased performance on the Intel CPUs is their IPC (Instructions per clock) value.  AMD has not been notably improving theirs for a long time (since Phenom II).  Intel has been making their CPU IPCs (due to architecture improvements) faster and faster with each generation.  Intel is now way ahead.

 

In order to have AMD processors even begin to keep up with current Haswell CPUs, you would need a motherboard that can supply enough clean energy to the CPU (a robust VRM - Voltage Regulator Module) and you would have to buy an aftermarket cooler.  Even when overclocked, the AMD CPU would still lose to the cheapest on i5/i3 in a lot of gaming titles.

 

With Intel, you do not need more than the stock cooler and the cheapest compatible motherboard.  Less hassle, more performance.

 

I noticed you did not have a graphics card in your build.  I am assuming you would be saving for one later.  I will warn you now that whether you go with AMD or Intel, the CPU onboard graphics is not a good gaming experience.

 

That said, I put together a comparative build in your price range.  I can do one with a decent GPU (R9 270), but sacrifices would have to be made:

 

$759 before rebates

 

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4440 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($163.95 @ SuperBiiz)

Motherboard: ASRock Z97 EXTREME4 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($101.98 @ Newegg)

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-2133 Memory  ($54.99 @ Newegg)

Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($52.49 @ OutletPC)

Case: Corsair 100R ATX Mid Tower Case  ($49.99 @ NCIX US)

Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply  ($49.99 @ Newegg)

Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)  ($87.79 @ OutletPC)

Monitor: Acer H236HLbid 60Hz 23.0" Monitor  ($129.99 @ Best Buy)

Keyboard: Logitech K120 Wired Standard Keyboard  ($6.99 @ NCIX US)

Speakers: Logitech Z130 5W 2ch Speakers  ($17.99 @ SuperBiiz)

Total: $716.15

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-26 01:25 EDT-0400

 

Thank you guys so much for the genuine help. I went with the Intel route:

 

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/Kmd7qs

 

I know AMD would have been cheaper, but I will really benefit with upgrading ability and power with the Intel build.

[Guest]

Wait a minute... wait... a minute.

Can't we all be unified for the girl gamer that wants to build a computer??

This is a momentous occasion. It's like finding a unicorn.

There should be a meme for times like this.

 

LOL !

 

It definitely is a rare occasion that a girl likes building computers.

 

It'll be my second build, so wish me luck!

[stconquest]

LOL !

 

It definitely is a rare occasion that a girl likes building computers.

 

It'll be my second build, so wish me luck!

 

Look into the differences between TN and IPS Panels.  You would enjoy the monitor I had picked much more that you 21.5" TN panel.  Drop the CM hyper 212 for the $30, you don't need it.

 

The i5 4690... spend $10 more and get the unlocked version (i5 4690K).  You might not overclock today, but a year or two down the road that option might be very desirable.  It is silly not to spend $10 more for such a beneficial option.

[CalculuS]

I like how everyone is posting cancerous memes of the intel vs AMD fanboyism when not a single fucking discussion or argument has happened in this thread.

 

Grow the fuck up people.

[stconquest]

I like how everyone is posting cancerous memes of the intel vs AMD fanboyism when not a single fucking discussion or argument has happened in this thread.

 

Grow the fuck up people.

 

What?

[Umzipumzi]

AMD CPU's have far less IPC than Intel CPU's do. That means that their something.whatever GHz means much less than Intel's, which have much greater IPC.

 

Not to mention that AMD's 8 core gets beaten out by i5's all the time.

 

I have used a FX-8350 before, it's definitely not as good as some of Intel's other offerings. And don't let those 8 cores fool you, the CPU is still weak, uses lots of power, and generates tons of heat.

[Guest]

Look into the differences between TN and IPS Panels.  You would enjoy the monitor I had picked much more that you 21.5" TN panel.  Drop the CM hyper 212 for the $30, you don't need it.

 

The i5 4690... spend $10 more and get the unlocked version (i5 4690K).  You might not overclock today, but a year or two down the road that option might be very desirable.  It is silly not to spend $10 more for such a beneficial option.

 

This is just an entry-level gaming build. I have plans to upgrade in the future, but I have no use for a lot of things that you put in your build. I don't need the 23" monitor; it's an extra $30, and the one I chose is just a standard, cheap 1080p monitor. I wanted to get the Hyper 212 because I am always concerned about temperatures. I've had heating problems with my last build, and I'm trying to avoid that this time around. This way, I have a great cooler to ensure my processor never gets too hot. And I don't need the 4690k. It's an extra $10 that I have in my pocket in the end of the day, and the i5 I chose is fine for my personal use. I'm not comfortable enough yet to take on overclocking a processor, especially since it is over $200.

 

EDIT: I saw in an earlier post you had that you saw I didn't have a graphics card. I mentioned in the beginning that I am using my 660 from my previous build.

 

I like how everyone is posting cancerous memes of the intel vs AMD fanboyism when not a single fucking discussion or argument has happened in this thread.

 

Grow the fuck up people.

 

Right?

[stconquest]

This is just an entry-level gaming build. I have plans to upgrade in the future, but I have no use for a lot of things that you put in your build. I don't need the 23" monitor; it's an extra $30, and the one I chose is just a standard, cheap 1080p monitor. I wanted to get the Hyper 212 because I am always concerned about temperatures. I've had heating problems with my last build, and I'm trying to avoid that this time around. This way, I have a great cooler to ensure my processor never gets too hot. And I don't need the 4690k. It's an extra $10 that I have in my pocket in the end of the day, and the i5 I chose is fine for my personal use. I'm not comfortable enough yet to take on overclocking a processor, especially since it is over $200.

 

EDIT: I saw in an earlier post you had that you saw I didn't have a graphics card. I mentioned in the beginning that I am using my 660 from my previous build.

 

Now, I don't mean to pester you, it is your money and you can spend it how you like.  I would not be doing my "job" here on a tech forum if I just let it go.

 

The reason I mentioned the monitor was not the 23" size, but the IPS panel associated with it.  IPS panels have richer colours and wider viewing angles.  It is nearly the standard for displays... yeah, it is that much better.

 

$120 - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/aoc-monitor-i2267fw

 

The Hyper 212 is a good cooler, but you will see absolutely zero benefit on a locked CPU.  I have a 212, it is not a quiet cooler.  I switched out my fan within a few weeks.  I ran my i5 3570K on stock cooling for two years, there is no heat issue.

 

Even after installing the CM hyper 212, I still run my CPU at stock speed.  The difference in price between the 4690 and the 4690K is around $10.  You don't have to overclock but if you ever needed to it is there.  If you ever decide to resell the CPU, the K version should be easier to sell as well.

 

That said, if you are dead set against overclocking (which seems to be your case), a Xeon would be a much better option for you.  A Xeon E3-1230 V3, or a Xeon E3-1231 V3 is just as good as the i5 4690 for gaming but you get the four extra virtual cores (hyper-threading).  It is like having the i7 without the integrated graphics.

 

I find it funny that sometimes people come to tech forums to ask questions, then ignore everything the community might try to inform them about.  :huh:

[stconquest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Xeon E3-1231 V3 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($246.67 @ Amazon) <<<like having an i7 4770
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($17.22 @ Amazon)  <<<You don't need a 212 to cool this thing
Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.64 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H25 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Amazon)  <<<Better internal layout than the Bitfenix you picked
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($34.94 @ Amazon)  <<<Better Wireless adapter
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($118.51 @ Amazon)  <<<Better IPS Panel
Keyboard: Microsoft JWD-00046      Wired Standard Keyboard  ($9.95 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers  ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $693.89
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-27 15:32 EDT-0400

[stconquest]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor  ($188.99 @ Amazon)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper TX3 54.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler  ($17.22 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: MSI H97 PC MATE ATX LGA1150 Motherboard  ($84.99 @ Amazon)
Memory: PNY XLR8 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory  ($57.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Sandisk X110 128GB 2.5" Solid State Drive  ($65.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($48.64 @ Amazon)
Case: Thermaltake Versa H25 ATX Mid Tower Case  ($39.99 @ Amazon)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (OEM) (64-bit)
Wireless Network Adapter: Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I 802.11a/b/g/n/ac PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter  ($34.94 @ Amazon)
Monitor: AOC i2267Fw 60Hz 22.0" Monitor  ($118.51 @ Amazon)
Keyboard: Microsoft JWD-00046      Wired Standard Keyboard  ($9.95 @ Amazon)
Speakers: Logitech Z313 25W 2.1ch Speakers  ($34.99 @ Amazon)
Total: $702.20
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2015-04-27 15:51 EDT-0400

[Guest]

Now, I don't mean to pester you, it is your money and you can spend it how you like.  I would not be doing my "job" here on a tech forum if I just let it go.

 

The reason I mentioned the monitor was not the 23" size, but the IPS panel associated with it.  IPS panels have richer colours and wider viewing angles.  It is nearly the standard for displays... yeah, it is that much better.

 

$120 - http://pcpartpicker.com/part/aoc-monitor-i2267fw

 

The Hyper 212 is a good cooler, but you will see absolutely zero benefit on a locked CPU.  I have a 212, it is not a quiet cooler.  I switched out my fan within a few weeks.  I ran my i5 3570K on stock cooling for two years, there is no heat issue.

 

Even after installing the CM hyper 212, I still run my CPU at stock speed.  The difference in price between the 4690 and the 4690K is around $10.  You don't have to overclock but if you ever needed to it is there.  If you ever decide to resell the CPU, the K version should be easier to sell as well.

 

That said, if you are dead set against overclocking (which seems to be your case), a Xeon would be a much better option for you.  A Xeon E3-1230 V3, or a Xeon E3-1231 V3 is just as good as the i5 4690 for gaming but you get the four extra virtual cores (hyper-threading).  It is like having the i7 without the integrated graphics.

 

I find it funny that sometimes people come to tech forums to ask questions, then ignore everything the community might try to inform them about.  :huh:

 

Like I said, the monitor I chose suites me better. The same goes for the processor I chose. I don't want to overclock my processor, which is why I am going for the 4690. It's the processor I want, and I think it matches my build quite well with what I will be doing. I'm not doing intense gaming or stress testing; I'm a casual gamer. I've already purchased my parts.

 

I find it funny that people will harass you about buying parts even though it clearly is against what they are using the PC for. Besides, if I was asking for advice on specific parts, my post would have been in the "New Builds & Planning" section, not "Troubleshooting."

 

I asked questions on whether to go with the AMD or Intel build that I created, which both match my personal preferences. I had my question answered by multiple people, and I took advice on many topics people mentioned. Thank you.

[stconquest]

Like I said, the monitor I chose suites me better. The same goes for the processor I chose. I don't want to overclock my processor, which is why I am going for the 4690. It's the processor I want, and I think it matches my build quite well with what I will be doing. I'm not doing intense gaming or stress testing; I'm a casual gamer. I've already purchased my parts.

 

I find it funny that people will harass you about buying parts even though it clearly is against what they are using the PC for. Besides, if I was asking for advice on specific parts, my post would have been in the "New Builds & Planning" section, not "Troubleshooting."

 

I asked questions on whether to go with the AMD or Intel build that I created, which both match my personal preferences. I had my question answered by multiple people, and I took advice on many topics people mentioned. Thank you.

 

 

You are completely right, I apologize.  Good luck with the new build.