Opinions between these three familly type configuration

[Jelly]

Hello,

It's been a while I haven't made a new pc. And it seems I'm getting old...

So I'd like your opinion on these three configurations I've prepared. The computer as you can see should be small, evolutive, quiet and cheap.

It will be used for basic use at home for wife and kids, but should be able to run a few non-demanding games right away, and bigger games later on through an upgrade.

Three sockets have been selected: AM3+, FM1, and 1155.


First config (1155):

Case:

Heden B1078CAL00 - 39,99 €

Case Fans:

Antec TriCool 92 - 6,90 €

Advance V-A120 - 4,90 €

Motherboard:

ASRock B75M - 69,95 €

Processor:

Intel Core i3-2100 (3.1 GHz) - 107,95 €

SSD Drive:

OCZ Agility 3 Series 60 Go - 74,95 €

RAM:

Crucial Ballistix Tactical 4 Go (2x 2 Go) DDR3 1866 MHz CL9 - 35,65 €

Wifi:

Netgear WNA1100 - 9,90 €

TOTAL: 350,19 €



Second config (am3+) (all the same except motherboard and processor):

Motherboard:

ASRock 880GMH/U3S3 - 76,95 €

Processor:

AMD FX 4100 (3.6 GHz) - 106,95 €

TOTAL: 356,19 €



Third config (FM1) (all the same except motherboard, processor and obviously an additional graphic card):

Motherboard:

ASRock A75M - 63,95 €

Processor:

AMD Athlon II X4 631 (2.6 GHz) - 74,75 €

Graphic card:

AMD Radeon HD 5450 512 MB - 26,95 €

TOTAL: 337,94 €


So as you can see the total prices are really close. That's one of the reason I find it hard to choose.

Also, this FM1 socket bothers me. It's more recent than an AM3+, but only supports up to 4 cores... That might be a problem for future upgrades.

AM3+ config looks good right now, but what about the future ?

Concerning the 1155, it doesn't seem worth the price considering the power it provides. The other two config provide more powerful processors. Also, the compatible motherboards in this "micro" size are generally much weaker in terms of connectors, RAM speed ...etc.


Now I only hope you guys don't tell me I did a terrible job and need to start all over ;D


Thanks a lot.

Alex.

ps: if you want me to get links for each components please let me know.

[zanzabar]

if you are going to use an IGP go with FM1. im not sure why you have a gpu listed with fm1 get an a8 they have a better gpu on the cpu than teh 5400 series.

[Source]

Agree on above post. Get the A8 FM1.

[Jelly]

Thanks for the fast answers guys.

I understand your points. In fact, the AMD Athlon II X4 631 was considered because of this:


AMD A8-3850:

PassMark - CPU Mark: 4,064 points

Price: 119€99


AMD A8-3870K:

PassMark - CPU Mark: 4,947 points

Price: 129€99


AMD Athlon II X4 631

PassMark - CPU Mark: 4,326 points

Price: 74€75


So the price/performance ratio is just awesome for the latest. I understand that the graphic card is really weak, but I think it will meet family needs for a while. But true that if I take off the graphic card and add the A8-3850, there's just a 25€ difference... But 300 points less too...

Also, the AM3+ socket will provide me a support for more that 4 cores in the future if needed. I don't understand why the FM1 is stuck with only 4. I'm afraid to have to change the motherboard in the future if I want a decent processor upgrade.

Don't you think FM1 is kinda dead already because of this core limitation ? I don't see how AMD will match 8 cores processors based on AM3+ with little 4 cores on FM1. And FM1 is more recent, it doesn't make sense.. I don't get it.

Thanks a lot.

[Jelly]

The "points" come from here: http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

[zanzabar]

why are u looking at pass mark, and the socket fm1 with IGP parts have the phenom cpu cores on them, and the 3850 is clocked at 2.9ghz + turbo and the 631 is only 2.6 with no l3 so i dont see how it could be slower.

if price matters there is also the a6 but the a8 gpu is much faster and since that is the 1st thing to go outdated the a8 should be better.

[Jelly]

True.

Decision made. We'll take the A8.

Thanks a lot for your help. Much appreciated.