Good budget box?

[Neurot]

CPU:
AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz Socket AM3 80W Dual-Core Processor

MOBO:
GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

Memory:
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit

Two questions.

Looks like for only 3 dollars more I can get the GIGABYTE GA-MA785G-UD3H which comes with on board video. I was going to purchase a SAPPHIRE 100296HDMI Radeon HD 4670 1GB card but maybe I might be happy with the on-board video instead and save a few bucks? I really don't play any games, but I do run some 3d CAD software from time to time. What is the difference between the on board video on the MA785G vs the SAPPHIRE card?

Also, I cant decide if I want the higher clock speed of the Phenom II X2 550 BE or if I should spend a bit more and get a 2.8ghz AMD Athlon II X4 630 quad core? I'm not sure how to compare these two chips in terms of speed running Windows 7.

If anybody has any better budget hardware suggestions for me that would be great thanks.

[pam123]

That Sapphire card is more powerful but if your use of CAD programs really is minor that may not be a problem.
What would be a problem is whether or not they'll run with Win 7 so, before you buy anything, go over to the Win 7 compatibility page and make sure everything you intend to carry over will run under the new OS.

When you know that then you can make your hardware choices.

[mazz72]

Originally Posted by Neurot Also, I cant decide if I want the higher clock speed of the Phenom II X2 550 BE or if I should spend a bit more and get a 2.8ghz AMD Athlon II X4 630 quad core? I'm not sure how to compare these two chips in terms of speed running Windows 7.

A lot of people have had very good luck unlocking the other cores on that 550, thereby making it a quad-core cpu. Now, I wouldn't get that cpu banking on that working out, because it is pretty much a crap shoot, but the good possibility is there. Also, people have had luck doing it with both of the motherboards that you're trying to decide between.

Again, I wouldn't get that cpu solely depending on that working out for you, because if it doesn't work, then you're just stuck with a dual-core. Then again, the 550 just as a dual-core is a very good cpu, and should be enough for what you want to do anyway...so it's really a win-win situation.

[glc]

I'd recommend some kind of discrete video card for CAD - to take the load off the CPU and system ram. You don't need a high end card, a 4670 will work very nicely, as would a 4650.

[Khalil]

glc you are so right, those 4650 are really amazing for how cheap they are, I use them for chepaer gaming rigs and they work nice, I have people playing all kinds of games with them at medium settings and its never a problem.

[Jdorty]

The 4670 has been working great for me on any games I want to play at 1680x1050, I'm sure the 4650 would as well.

[glc]

The way I read the original post, this person is not a gamer. We are talking about CAD here.

[systempat]

The CAD usage is really mostly 2D so high frame rates would not be an issue.

Neurot,
What monitor size and screen resolution do you run. If it is like 1280x1024 or 1680x1050, then you are probably fine with onboard video on the 785G chipset. If higher resolution then adding a card like suggested would be good. Main benefits of the added card vs. the onboard HD4200 video: Higher frame rates in 3D games, reduces competing with the CPU for system memory when using lots of memory, handles higher resolution display better and faster. By high resolution, that means 1920x1080 and up these days.

Oh also a 4th reason. Running a dual-monitor setup. Not sure how well the onboard does that, seems to be short on connectors. But it is not on your requirements list.

[glc]

CAD rendering, even 2D, will tax the onboard video, taking resources away from the system. Hence my recommendation for a ~$50 video card.

[Neurot]

i do mostly 3d CAD in Catia and on my current system it is EXTREMELY slow even with the most basic models but I have a feeling video isnt my only problem there. Currently I'm running a resolution of 1280x1024. I'm just gonna try the on board video and see how it goes for now. If it doesn't work out I'll just spend another 50. I got a 550W antec PSU just in case I'll need the extra power in case I upgrade to a better card.

[glc]

A 550w Antec can handle any single video card up into the $300 range, so that's not an issue at all. If you need 3D rendering, you may want to go into the $100+ range - like a 4850 - or get a workstation card such as a Quadro or FireGL.

[systempat]

Sounds like a good plan to me. Try it on the integrated video. Then if not fast enough check out the options that have been suggested in the $50 and up video cards.

You have given yourself room with the PSU selection to do the upgrade if needed.

[trdsdd]

Hi -

I am building pretty much the same exact build as the OP. Thanks for all of the advice and tips you have provided. I do a little gaming, and we do watch movies on the PC. I also do quite a bit of sound editing as a hobby. I plan on 2 or 3 partitions Win 7, Ubuntu and maybe Wix XP. Win Xp only until the Mrs gets used to Win 7. Anyway, I am upgrading from about a 6 year old P4 and trying to keep the budget down as much as I can. The old PC is going to our soon to be 3 yr old's for his educational software and etc.

I gotten it down to a few video card choices

ASUS EAH4650/DI/1GD2/A(LP) Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit DDR2 $38 After $20 rebate
MSI R4650-MD1G Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 $50 after $10 rebate
GIGABYTE GV-R465OC-1GI Radeon HD 4650 1GB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 $50 after $10 rebate

I looked at the 4650 in 1GB and 512 and found them to be almost the same prices so i did not include them in my choices. The Asus 4650 is a Low Profile Ready Video Card, and I do not need a low profile card. Wiill it being low profile cause me any issues? I am really trying to keep this to a very tight budget.

Thanks for any advice. Also feel free to point me at an NVIDIA option.

I'm looking for all the advice I can get on this one.

Thanks
Dave

[glc]

Please keep questions about your build in your own thread. Thank you.