Tempest001

I'm getting a new computer for Christmas. My parents are giving me $700 (give or take) for the build + monitor, and I'm going to buy a 5850 with my own money.
This is my first ever build, but if it means anything, I did help my friend move his computer pieces from one case to another.
Both builds will use the exact same pieces except for the cpu + motherboard.

Basic components:
Samsung DVD drive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151175

Raidmax hurricane Case:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811156237

Samsung F3 spinpoint 500gb HardDrive:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152181

Acer 21.5" 1080p Monitor:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824009157

BFG tech 550W PSU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817702010

G.skill ripjaw 4gb gddr3 1333mhz RAM:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231274

AMD:
965BE:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103692

AM3 Gigabyte U3DH?:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128398

Total: 726.24 with shipping

Intel:
Core i5 750:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115215

ECS p55H-A Motherboard:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135244

Total: 735.42 with shipping

The computer will be used for gaming, photoshop, music recording and editing, and basic computer tasks like browsing the internet.

I need your help deciding which would be the best build so I can avoid buyers remorse... cause seriously, that **** sucks.

and I know it might be blasphemy around here, but I DON'T OVERCLOCK
Please just keep that in mind when helping me make a decision.

Feel free to add any input towards anything in the system, not just which side to choose.
and please, no fanboy crap.
"Go with AMD/Intel, trust me."
Eff that.. give me reasons.

I'd be happy to answer any questions at all if you have any for me.

Thanks in advance!!

spRICE

I would choose the i5 over the AMD any day. Benchmarks have proven that the i5 is a very good processor and there is room for upgrades on that motherboard too.

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OtherMike

i5 is a little nicer imho close call tho.

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Skylit

The i5 is generally better for multitasking and encoding. The 965 is also just as good IMO, but wait for the 125w version. You can also get a 955. same processor honestly, just lower base clock.

The good thing with the AMD set up you picked is that it can support full x16 x16 graphics if you crossfire/sli. The i5 will only crossfire/sli in x8/x8, though, its not really a performance loss, 5 fps at most. Both are great choices, but I think the AMD platform will last longer due to AM3 socket. (Intel plays the socket game too much.) so in short. AM3 will last longer as a platform. the 1156 might die out in a few years.

Both are great honestly, hope you make the best decision. (its a hard one!)


Edit: Leaning towards the intel. Btw, change out that p55 motherboard, ECS is horrible.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128401

I like this one for the price.

lemans81

If you were overclocking I would lean towards the i5. Stock to stock I would put my money on the AMD 965.

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Conley

i5 750. Reason? It's generally faster than the 965.

Really though, you should overclock it. Anyone can hit 3.5 GHz in five minutes.

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Dopamin3

i5

Afrodisiac

i5 performs better clock for clock, but I'm not sure if it would do better in games with that big of a clockspeed difference.

For the music editing and multitasking stuff, i5.

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Tempest001

Wow, really fast responses guys, I appreciate it.
+rep to all of you who can get it
I was thinking i5 over the 965 as well, just wasn't entirely sure which would be the best investment. So thanks for the help, I'm going with the i5.

I would overclock, but the computer isn't just for me. It's going to be a family computer. While I use it more then everyone else in the house, my parents do get on once in awhile and so do my brothers. I really don't want to mess anything up and as far as I understand overclocking can get pretty risky.

This would be a good thing, but I'm not going to crossfire. I like the idea and reputation of single gpu solutions over crossfire/x2 solutions.

+I'll take your advice and switch out the motherboard.
I've never heard anything good or bad about ECS boards, so I figured why not, but the board you picked out looks like a sweet pick. Thanks a lot!

Afrodisiac

It's not very risky but my rule of thumb is that if you can't afford to replace it, don't overclock it.

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