Upgrading my system ?

[Neeraj J]

Hi TDF friends,

I am new to this forum, though I read it daily & also want to share that the solutions provided here helps me a lot in keeping my computer knowledge updated.
I have a system 2-3 years old. And its config is Intel Core2Duo processor, Mercury PI945GZD MB, Hynix 2GB DDR2 RAM, Intex Cabinet along with Power Supply, Logitech K/B & Mouse combo, 2.1 Speakers, 17" LG LCD monitor. Now my system have some unknown issue of no display,but power is there on M/B. I've checked swapping RAM & SMPS too but all in vain so I decided to upgrade my system (only Processor,M/B & RAM).

1. What is the purpose of the computer? What all applications and games are you going to run? (Generic answers will not work. Be exact and avoid the word 'et cetera.')
Ans: Internet Surfing, Watching Movies/Songs, Office Work, Simple games(mostly flash based)

2. What is your overall budget? If you can extend a bit for a more balanced configuration, then mention this too.
Ans:8-10K

3. Planning to overclock?
Ans: No, Never

4. Which Operating System are you planning to use?
Ans: Win7 Ultimate or Linux (Ubuntu or Mint) or Unix

5. How much hard drive space is needed?
Ans: HDD I already have 160GB SATA, so right now not required.

6. Do you want to buy a monitor? If yes, please mention which screen size and resolution do you want. If you already have a monitor and want to reuse it, again mention the size and resolution of monitor you have.
Ans: LG Flatron L1752S , Resolution supported: 1280 x 1024

7. Which components you DON'T want to buy or which components you already have and plan on reusing?
Ans: Keyboard, Mouse, Cabinet & PSU(if possible), Speakers & Monitor

8. When are you planning to buy the system?
Ans: This month

9. Have you ever built a desktop before or will this be done by an assembler?
Ans: I will assemble myself.

10. Where do you live? Are you buying locally? Are you open to buying stuff from online shops if you don't get locally?
Ans: New Delhi, can try online.

11. Anything else which you would like to say?
Ans: Will add a good graphic card later for medium gaming. Also upgrade my monitor to 22-24 inch in future.

As per all system config threads I've selected these combination & want your comments/suggestions.
AMD A6-3650
Gigabyte GA-A55M-S2H
Asus F1A55-M-LE
Gskill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S-4GBXL
OR
AMD Athlon II x4 635
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P (rev. 3.1)
Gskill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S-4GBXL

Also I want to know what is merits & demerits of using AMD A6-3650 as processor as some of members are in favour of this and some are strongly against that. Waiting for your reply plz.

[vyral_143]

I guess PSU you are having with Intex case is generic one and you need to change it.

For A6-3650, well it is a Quad-Core proccy with GPU. It is bit slower than i3-2100 in CPU front but better than Intel HD2000 GFX. It is CPU if you do not want to add any Discrete GFX Card and want casual/entry level gaming. So one can hate or love it as per his/her needs.

[mithun_mrg]

first advice even if u r not installing a dedicated gpu please install a good psu
i think AMD Llano is good for HTPC use only if ur into serious gaming or u may think for in the future then better go with the second option which i feel is much more versatile then the first one add a dedicated gpu later for the jobs u mentioned ur current core2 duo will be able to handle them easily

[Neeraj J]

Thanks for this piece of information. but can you please suggest/comment on my narrowed configurations? I have used i3 in on of my friends system & found it slow. Does AMD proccy I have selected are slower than i3 too?

[vyral_143]

i3 which generation ?

i3-2100, second generation, being a dual-core (4 cores via HT) outperforms Phenom II X4 955BE in single threaded apps.

[mithun_mrg]

Thanks for this piece of information. but can you please suggest/comment on my narrowed configurations? I have used i3 in on of my friends system & found it slow. Does AMD proccy I have selected are slower than i3 too?

in which sense did u find it slower please expain

[Cilus]

mithun_mrg, who said that Llano is for only HTPC use? The high end models like A8-3800 series offer same performance of a Phenom II 925 or almost same as i3 2100 and far better Graphics performance. And HD 6550D is not at all any HTPC graphics, it is equal to a HD 5670 in terms of performance. Even if you want gaming, you can always add another GPU to it.

As per the OP's need where hardcore gaming is not even in the list, I think Llano based config is the best solution.

[Neeraj J]

in which sense did u find it slower please expain

@mithun_mrg: Mostly uses application by me is, GNS3 simulator , Dynamips, VMware and NetBrain Personal Edition. Despite additional RAM I found it slower. Now suggest please...

@Cilus: as per my requirements which config I should go with:

AMD A6-3650
Gigabyte GA-A55M-S2H
Asus F1A55-M-LE
Gskill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S-4GBXL
OR
AMD Athlon II x4 635
Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P (rev. 3.1)
Gskill Ripjaws X F3-12800CL9S-4GBXL

You can suggest Intel config also, but I think that would exceed my budget max. 12K. Also I don't have much info about PSU as suggested by vyral_143, so suggest some PSU in low budget with thing in mind that I would install a Graphic Card later on. Also would I need to change my existing cabinet???

[Cilus]

The AMD A6-3650 based config is the best for you.

[Neeraj J]

please suggest for best motherboard and a budget psu for this config.

[vyral_143]

Motherboard: Asus F1A55-M LX PLUS @ 4000
PSU : Corsair CX430 V2 - 2200 or Seasonic S12II 430W - 2600