Help me buy a new computer

I want to buy a new computer (desktop) but I am stuck!
I can decide what CPU to choose. Intel or AMD?
Core 2 Duo or i3-i5?

The computer will be for general use but I also want to be able to play a couple of games like Left 4 Dead or Crisis.

Right now I have 500 Euros and I already have a monitor, mouse and keyboard.

What do you suggest?

 

You have similar problem like I, except you have a monitor.
Well if you have money I would suggest that you go for Intel. They tend to use less power, it's nothing drastic but still less.
As for number of cores...most of software is optimized for dual core systems, and they are not using the full potential of more than 2 cores, so if you don't plan to use your PC for video editing I don't think that there's need for you to purchase CPU with more than 2 cores.

Sorry that I can't help you more on this topic, I'm quite a hardware newbie with a same problem

 

i guess intel will be a better choice for you..

 

Intel can be a good and better option,so better you should look at buying it.

 

I think in 500 Euros u can get a Intel i7 Processor and i7 mobo and 4 or 6 GB DDR3 RAM and 1 TB HDD and also a decent graphics card....i think....anyway where do u live....

 

Well i7 cost about 265 USD ~ 192 EUR so you do the calculation. That is the cheapest model I think.
If you can afford i7, great. My friend has it and it's working perfectly. It has 8 threads and it costs around 200 eur, and motherboard for it was ~ 160 eur.
Maybe it's the best for you to buy a motherboard that can support i7 but put core 2 duo on it. Then when time comes you can simply put i7 instead of core 2 duo CPU.

 

Crysis demands a powerful machine. I'd suggest buying i5, compatible motherboard, and ATI Radeon HD 5770 (or 4870 depending on budget).

 

I think in 500 euro you can get i5 processor with Intel Original Compatible MBD, 1 GB nvidia graphic card, 4 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD with this config. you can easily play games you mentioned....

 

go with high end AMD CPU

 

500 Euro are more than enough for a Intel iCore5 PC.. i won't recommend iCore3.. If you are a Gamer and will do Overclocking and customization, Don't buy Intel Board, Go for MSI or Asus.

 

You are correct,but he can too use a media card accelerator to play games.

 

I've always prefered AMD to Intel but everyone has there preference.
My other preference is Nvidia over Ati as you will need a graphics card to play Crysis.

 

I suggest you Core 2 duo.... You can go for it... It is better than AMD in my view..

 

i do agree, go for INTEL. i also have one now but i do use my lappy now for work. do the Core 2. perfect..

 

DAMN

What do you want to use your computer for?

That may help your purchasing decisions.

 

If you are on a strict budget I would recommend something like an AMD Phenom II. They don't have quite the performance level of a i7 but its around half the cost, and they perform very well (I have one in a PC I built last month). Saving over a hundred dollars on a CPU will allow you to invest a bit more in a sturdy power supply (I recommend Corsair), several gigs of high quality RAM (again Corsair), a nice graphics card and a high quality motherboard (Asus is a great choice). In the short term a $30-40 power supply may seem like a great idea, but in the long run the cheap PSUs can cause a lot of heartache.

Phenom II costs less than an i5, yet i5 falls short in most benchmarks Ive seen.

 

I live in Greece, and hardware is NOT cheap here.
Here are the proccesors and the graphic cards from the shop I want to buy.

By the way, what do you think about Athlon X2?

 

I thinks AMD Anthlon X2 is pretty outdated. So i would like to suggest AMD processors prefferrably Phenom I or II series porcessors and a ASUS MB and about graphics go for Nvidia 9 or series cards....i think they should be good enough for u.

 

In all honestly go with Intel. They are cheaper for much better performance and they use less power. Intel is on top by far right now, in every market. Don't get a core 2 duo, they are really old. Get an i7 or i5. These are much faster. It will also force you to upgrade to better ram and get a decent motherboard. Try and get one with USB 3.0 if you can, things are moving that way. Make sure to get a good power supply. Do not buy a case that has a power supply in it and then use that power supply. Buy your own! Corsair makes a great power supply, the 520hx is great, and the 620hx is good for computers with more than two hard drives and a really powerful graphics card. If you want me to put together all the links of the right things to buy, PM me.

 

hey to be honest both are good as long as its dual core you can do pretty much alot of things