Build Opinions Wanted - AMD Vs Intel

Thanks all; here is the rest of the build (with AMD brd/cpu). If there are anymore thoughts before I pull the trigger...

$189 ASUS VH226H Black 21.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail
$65 WD Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 -OEM
$70 RAIDMAX SMILODON ATX-612WB 1.0mm SECC Steel ATX MidTower Foldout MB
$25 SAMSUNG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner LightScribe SATA Model SH-S223Q - OEM
$90 SeaSonic S12 Energy Plus SS-550HT 550W 80 PLUS - Retail
$37 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
$23 Logitech S-220 17 Watts 2.1 Multimedia Speaker System - OEM
$7 LITE-ON SK-1688U/B Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard - Retail
$8 Logitech SBF-96 Black USB Wired Optical Mouse - OEM

$738 + $26 shipping = $764

Any other ideas?

Go AMD, and not a bad choice on getting the 790gx chipset, but more so if you are adding a GPU or intend on XFire in the future. Im assuming you are just going to use the onboard graphics, but in that case I might look at a board with an NVidia chipset rather than Ati. I find the onboard graphics from NVidia do a better job lb. for lb than the ATI's.

I have experience with both, and IMO the NVidia does perform better for onboard. You can get a real nice NVidia 8300 onboard gpu motherboard for less than $100. Something like this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131354
paired with this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103291 would be an excellent system and last for several years and perform very well.
It also should be noted I usually lean towards AMD/ATI when building, so its hard for me to audibly promote NVidia.

I dont know if you were aiming at the AM3 for a specific reason, but neck and neck usually the 9950 outperforms the new X3 710 on most tests. I love this chip and it is a very good buy at that price. I bought mine about 4 months ago at $184

$240 + shipping gives you an excellent setup.
I also get the feeling that this will stay stock, as in no overclocking. The stock HSF is more than adequate for stock speeds, which are nice and fast.

AMD seems like the best option for your build

Quote:
what? hell no. ati 3300 is still the fastest igp. the 8200 is just on par with the 3200.

http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3430&p=4

i built my friend an ecs 8200 and i have the ecs 3200. he can't even max warcraft 3 and battlefield 2 on the highest resolution. 1080p utilizes 70% cpu on the 8200 while just 30% on the 3200.

the only thing that makes the 8200 worth buying is the hybrid power you get when pairing it with a 9800gt and higher gpus. it saves a lot of electricity.