Right, New Build

nJoyo · 18 Aug 2010

Right, some users may know i've posted relating a new build, and would like to be ready for the purchase, but I don't have much knowledge on which parts to purchase. I would like help from everyone who can give me a build for my new PC. I am willing to spend around £300 for either a intel i3/i5/i7 or moving on to a Quad core processor. personally i don't know which is the better processor but, would like to have your opinion. Thanks in advance if i may not be able to reply but i will be looking at the forums to check

Regards,
nJoyo

Petey7 · 18 Aug 2010

I can get you started by telling you that all i7's are quad-core processors, plus they have hyperthreading (computer acts like it has eight cores instead of four). The i7 is the top of the line from Intel at the moment.

nJoyo · 18 Aug 2010

Well. there expensive by looking at the price currently...

nJoyo · 18 Aug 2010

But, which is very good value for money?

nJoyo · 18 Aug 2010

If you could just give me a good build... Like motherboard, and CPU under £300 or just above then I will definitely consider it

TVeblen · 18 Aug 2010

I doubt that anyone here wants to do your shopping for you. What you need to do is get out a fresh pad of paper, sharpen your pencil, brew a fresh pot, and get to work!

It's best to start with the processor decision first, everything else will fall in line.
Your first decision is what level of performance you require (are you planning high CPU demand tasks like video editing?) and how much you want to "future proof" your purchase (trying to stay on the leading edge of the technology). Those are personal decisions.

You will find your best "bang for the buck" deals when buying a slightly older technology platform that provides the same or better performance as the (lower end) of the new technology platform.

This is a good resource for doing so:
Notebookcheck: Mobile Processors - Benchmarklist
(it includes desktop processors too) There are others.
Write down the model numbers of the processors that you are considering for your needed level of performance and then start online shopping. Write down the prices and compare. The decision will make itself.

In a nutshell, Intel's current technology is the Core i series, based on a new architecture different from the older Core 2 and lower lines.
The i7 line is on top: quad core, hyperthreaded (as Petey said)
The i5 line is mid-performance: Dual Core, Hyperthreaded.
The i3 line is low end, consumer grade - the new version of the "Celery" (Celeron). Dual core and "crippled".

As you will see from the above benchmarking chart, many Core 2 processors actually outperform the i3's and even some i5's. As do some of AMD's newer Phenom II's.

It's a little complicated, but just go at it and you will have your buying decision soon. Post what you are thinking of buying and then you will get some better responses and opinions!

Good Luck

ignatzatsonic · 18 Aug 2010

Three hundred pounds is about $460 US dollars.

The choice would depend on if that amount is for motherboard and processor ONLY.

If you just need those 2 components, you can build a very powerful machine.

If you need more than those 2 components, such as new RAM, you will have to scale back on the processor to stay within budget.

Generally--I would investigate Intel i5 CPU series on a socket 1156 motherboard. That would require DDR 3 RAM.

But I have no idea if you need components beyond CPU and motherboard.

If you need RAM, a rough estimate in US dollars within your budget would be:

4 GB RAM: 125
Socket 1156 motherboard: 150
Intel i5 CPU: all remaining money (185)

The i5 650 and i5 750 are about $185. The 650 is dual core; the 750 is quad core. In many situations, the 650 would be faster even though it has just 2 cores.

Bill2 · 18 Aug 2010

Petey7 said:

I can get you started by telling you that all i7's are quad-core processors, plus they have hyperthreading (computer acts like it has eight cores instead of four). The i7 is the top of the line from Intel at the moment.

Well, the core i7 6xxx processors are actually dual core, the quad cores start from the 7xxx series. There are other subtle differences like the amount of cache memory.

Core i5 processors share several features, like turbo boost and dual-channel memory with Core i7 processors. So the difference between Core i5 and Core i7 will boil down to which particular Core i7 one is being compared to Core i5.

Core i5 is meant to be a more mainstream processor than the i7. Its far more cost effective and quite adequare for general needs.

nJoyo · 18 Aug 2010

I'm actually thinking to get a Quad core, with the intel as i've never used one before, and would like to see the performance. But still finding that the price are a little high...

nJoyo · 18 Aug 2010

Bill2, which one do you think i should get the intel i5 or intel i7. Looking towards 4 cores