New mobo/cpu/mem. AMD better bang for buck?

[blindrhino]

Hi folks,

I'm looking to upgrade my mobo/cpu/memory, since my current set isn't working so great after 5 years. I currently have an intel build and was thinking about doing another one but I feel like I might end up paying more than I want to. I seems like the 2-core processors are losing steam but that the i5/7 are still kind of pricey. I'd prefer not to want to rebuild again in a couple of years. That being said, I've been barred from upgrading by buying a cheaper mobo in the past, so if there is any place I'll spend a bit extra it's on a mobo. Anyway, I also set up an AMD build, which seems to provide more bang for the buck, and a potential upgrade path if I need it.

This will be for a general use Windows 7 computer, maybe some light gaming involved, definitely some watching of movies and such. I'm primarily interested in longevity, and reliability. I'd eventually like the ability to use two monitors as well.

I have the following components that I was planning to keep:

PSU - CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W
GPU - EVGA 512MB GeForce 8800 GT
Case - Antec LifeStyle SONATA II ATX Mid Tower


For memory, I'm thinking 2x2GB of whatever Corsair/Crucial/Kingston DDR3 1333/1600/1886 is on sale (like this). ~ $40


Intel options:
mobo - ASUS P8Z68-V $180. Budget option BIOSTAR TZ68A $100
cpu - Core i3-2100T 2.5GHz $135. Expensive option Core i5-2400S 2.5GHz $200

I suppose I could go with the non-z68 chipset but from everything I've read here, z68 is the way to go.

AMD options:
mobo - ASUS F1A75-V PRO FM1 $130
cpu - AMD A6-3650 Llano 2.6GHz $120


It seems like the $250 AMD option is roughly equivalent to the $380 Intel option. The one thing I can think of that I might miss is the ability to use SSD caching, which would be awfully nice. I don't know if the AMD mobo can do that.

Any advice/help/spotting-of-problems-or-oversights would be great. Particularly anything that I get from the Intel options that won't be available from the AMD options. Thanks!

[glc]

Get the regular Intels, not the T or S versions, if you go that way.

[Khalil]

SSD Caching is cool if you are going to spend the money on an SSD drive, being budget minded makes me wonder if you want to take that route.
The Llano will give you all the performance you need, so will the Intel, I use AMD more than Intel in my builds not because AMD is better I just always feel I am giving my custmers a better bargain with AMD.
Remember anything you buy now regardless of how much you spend will obsolete in a short period of time.
Look at the AMD AM3 platform and the Intel 1156, in less than a year they were both replaced by better hardware!

That being said if you need cutting edge performance and willing to fork out he bill for it then the Z68 and SSD drive is the way to go!

[blindrhino]

I'm sort of budget minded but not immune to shiny things, which is why the z68 board is tempting. But I think I'm going to go with the AMD options after all.

Thanks to both of you for the advice!

[Preston]

Originally Posted by glc Get the regular Intels, not the T or S versions, if you go that way.

Just curious, why do you recommend against the T or S versions? Is it a price vs performance issue?

Is it just a matter of intel locking the processor at a lower clock frequency to achieve the lower TDP?

[glc]

Price/performance.