Shaping up a PC - part deux

[Arianna]

Follow-up to this thread: http://runescape.sal...haping-up-a-pc/

 

Summary: I have this:

 

CPU: Athlon 64 3200+ (old)

RAM: 4GB DDR2 DIMM (installed 2013)

Mobo: Asrock AM2NF6G-VSTA (old)

HDD: 580GB (installed 2013)

GPU: Radeon HD 7750 (installed 2013)

PSU: 550 W (installed 2013)

 

I have to build up a very basic computer for a friend's child, so I though - what better occasion to use the old CPU and mobo and bring them up to snuff (within budgeting reason)!

 

The 'weak' computer would be built with my current mobo and CPU, along with spare parts scattered here and there.

 

I'd like to get something manufactured later than 2009 this time ( :P), and I was thinking of:

 

CPU: AMD Athlon II X3 450 (65,00 €)

Mobo: Asrock N68C-GS FX (48,00 €) or Asrock N68-VS3 FX (39,00 €)

 

Which would be a definite improvement. I'd like to reuse the 4GB DDR2 I have around, since I'd use other DDR2 sticks for the 'weak' computer.

 

Thoughts? Tips? Insults? :)

Edited September 22, 2013 by Arianna

[Bob-sama]

It would work, but I'd say you're probably better off with an AMD APU and FM2 motherboard.

[Arianna]

It would work, but I'd say you're probably better off with an AMD APU and FM2 motherboard.

*checks*

 

Oh, I see. Is it because they cost (marginally) less, because of better performance, or because it's evenly matched with the GPU in terms of processing power?

[O hai im KAMIL]

It would work, but I'd say you're probably better off with an AMD APU and FM2 motherboard.

*checks*

 

Oh, I see. Is it because they cost (marginally) less, because of better performance, or because it's evenly matched with the GPU in terms of processing power?

 

Cheaper, no need for a graphics card, pretty much the same performance.

 

Could you clarify, is this computer for you or your friend?

[Arianna]

It would work, but I'd say you're probably better off with an AMD APU and FM2 motherboard.

*checks*

 

Oh, I see. Is it because they cost (marginally) less, because of better performance, or because it's evenly matched with the GPU in terms of processing power?

 

Cheaper, no need for a graphics card, pretty much the same performance.

 

Could you clarify, is this computer for you or your friend?

I already have a graphics card (noted in the OP); the computer (with the new CPU and mobo) is for me, for the same usage as in the former thread (AutoCAD 2012, InDesign and Photoshop CS4, Oblivion and Europa Universalis III, cit.). It would be needlessly redundant to have a GPU embedded in the CPU, wouldn't it?

[O hai im KAMIL]

It would work, but I'd say you're probably better off with an AMD APU and FM2 motherboard.

*checks*

 

Oh, I see. Is it because they cost (marginally) less, because of better performance, or because it's evenly matched with the GPU in terms of processing power?

 

Cheaper, no need for a graphics card, pretty much the same performance.

 

Could you clarify, is this computer for you or your friend?

I already have a graphics card (noted in the OP); the computer (with the new CPU and mobo) is for me, for the same usage as in the former thread (AutoCAD 2012, InDesign and Photoshop CS4, Oblivion and Europa Universalis III, cit.). It would be needlessly redundant to have a GPU embedded in the CPU, wouldn't it?

 

Ah that makes more sense, then yeah go for the Athlon.

 

Also a heads up, the ASRock N68-VS3 FX only supports DDR3 memory so you won't be able to use the DDR2 memory whilst the ASRock N68C-GS FX has slots for both DDR3 and DDR2 memory.

[Arianna]

It would work, but I'd say you're probably better off with an AMD APU and FM2 motherboard.

*checks*

 

Oh, I see. Is it because they cost (marginally) less, because of better performance, or because it's evenly matched with the GPU in terms of processing power?

 

Cheaper, no need for a graphics card, pretty much the same performance.

 

Could you clarify, is this computer for you or your friend?

I already have a graphics card (noted in the OP); the computer (with the new CPU and mobo) is for me, for the same usage as in the former thread (AutoCAD 2012, InDesign and Photoshop CS4, Oblivion and Europa Universalis III, cit.). It would be needlessly redundant to have a GPU embedded in the CPU, wouldn't it?

 

Ah that makes more sense, then yeah go for the Athlon.

 

Also a heads up, the ASRock N68-VS3 FX only supports DDR3 memory so you won't be able to use the DDR2 memory whilst the ASRock N68C-GS FX has slots for both DDR3 and DDR2 memory.

Ah, right - I only included that mobo because there was a bundle offer with 4GB of DDR3 RAM, and I'd have put the DDR2 RAM for sale (or other usage). :D

[Bob-sama]

It would work, but I'd say you're probably better off with an AMD APU and FM2 motherboard.

*checks*

 

Oh, I see. Is it because they cost (marginally) less, because of better performance, or because it's evenly matched with the GPU in terms of processing power?

Basically yes, all of the above. They're also newer, so they should offer better performance for the power consumed. An HD 7750 is not too shabby on its own, but one advantage of a modern APU is that you can use the GPU portion as a second display adapter without needing either generic or conflicting drivers. Also, many modern FM2 motherboards natively support (most notably) SATA-III & USB 3.0. And the required DDR3 isn't that expensive, either, especially not for 8GB or 16GB kits. Beyond all that, there are also higher-end APUs which offer significantly more power. AMD's APUs are sort-of like Hyperthreading. A basic model with a single module is essentially a 3-core processor. Basically, specific types of calculations are done on a single-core unit while other types of calculations can be split between two more cores. Another way of looking at it, the system is a 1½-core processor, since half the power is shared while half are dedicated to a specific core.