[Stiffee]

Hey guys,

after having an All-In-One PC over the last 4 years I've decided it's time to move back to a full desktop, mainly because my beautiful touch screen on this machine came a victim of a temper tantrum I had after an argument with the missus.

I've been having a look at a barebones PC as I have a 2TB HDD sitting around and a graphics card could be sorted no worries.

I've seen 2 from a company called Novatech here in the UK and need help deciding between the two.
They both offer the same basic spec but with one difference, one has an AMD FX-8 chip and the other an Intel i7.

Now firstly... the spec of the overall machine. Is it GREAT, Good, Average or Poor?
and secondly...
Which chip do I go for, I have an Intel mac and my Acer PC is AMD so I'm not bothered either way, just which is better. Sure the AMD has a faster clock speed but does the turbo boost of the i7 smack the FX-8 in the face??

The AMD does also come with a 750w Crossair PSU whereas the Intel only has a 500w.

Well here they are..

AMD - http://www.novatech..../bb-83508g.html
Intel - http://www.novatech..../bb-37708c.html


Help me!!
Thanks

Paul

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Depends on if your just going to be strictly gaming on this rig or doing photo and video editing as well. Cause if your doing heavy editing of photos and videos I would go for the i7 (overall better than the FX-8 in performance in my opinion). However if just gaming I would go for the FX-8 cause it is good enough build to run games on depending on the graphics card you will be choosing.

[BL00PER]

Depends on if your just going to be strictly gaming on this rig or doing photo and video editing as well. Cause if your doing heavy editing of photos and videos I would go for the i7 (overall better than the FX-8 in performance in my opinion). However if just gaming I would go for the FX-8 cause it is good enough build to run games on depending on the graphics card you will be choosing.

[Stiffee]

I'm not a gamer at all. I do some minor Web Design in my spare time so nothing too strenuous. The majority of the time the computer is used for music/movies/web browsing/downloading. Other than that not a great deal else. I will probably go for a graphics card with something at least 1GB GDDR5. But Graphics cards have always alluded me on spec. I'd spend £100 on one but would need pointing in the right direction.

[BL00PER]

well graphics cards are dedicated pieces of hardware that is used for displaying images. It is meant to replace on-board graphics (which are usually poor). What were some graphics card you had in mind? Since you are not interested in gaming and just viewing and creating web material a £100 be perfect. Give me some time an I could find a decent one to your specification .

[Stiffee]

I have always has nvidea graphics so would like to keep to that. You still suggest the i7 pc is better as a unit than the FX-8? even with the lesser PSU

[BL00PER]

I would still get the i7 because with just under fifty dollars more you are getting better performance in the long run. An alright Nvidia is what you want how bout Nvidida GeForce GT 630 as a starting point. An what is your total budget?

Edited by BL00PER, 11 January 2013 - 06:47 PM.

[iammykyl]

Gday.
The Novatech bare bones, > http://www.novatech....erboardbundles/ Look good on apaper but need careful inspection.
Both the AMD and Intel motherboards appear to be bottom of the line. The AMD have no Video outlet, so not able to take advantage of the CPU integrated graphics, you have to buy a video card (see PSU)
The Intel only has a HDMI port so you need that on your monitor or an adaptor.
I can find no Pro review for the PSU, specs, > http://www.novatech....nov-psu500.html at seventeen quid, you can't expect much in the way of quality. Rated at 500 watts, but who can say how much it actually delivers, careful selection is needed when choosing a video card. Only supports 1 HDD, 1 optical drive.
The case, how many fans? any air filters?

I con not see included in the bundle, OS, HDD, Optical drive.

For your stated requirements, I would be looking at the if 3570K rig, read the customer reviews, > http://www.novatech....mbb-35708b.html

[Stiffee]

Thanks guys.

My overall budget would be around £400-£500 for the tower. are there any other PCs you would suggest for that kind of money?

[iammykyl]

Most, if not all tend to have weakness, especially at that price range, not quite good enough parts to keep prices down or just cons to get rid of overstocked old hardware.

Enquire if that company will allow you to upgrade one of their systems with parts you pick, give you a price, build it and give a warranty. Your other option is a self build with help from Geeks To Go, not hard if you can use a screwdriver, read the manuals from the hardware and take your time but, no shop warranty, only the sales one, any problems, you have to sort yourself, of course members would help troubleshooting.

Get back to us.

Are you close enough to get into any of their stores?

Edited by iammykyl, 12 January 2013 - 04:12 AM.

[Stiffee]

I could ask of they would upgrade the board to something better. I don't mind using on board graphics for now and spending more on the machine if it means the overall performance is better.

If I were to go for the AMD FX-8 CPU version, which motherboard from their stocks would you suggest to ask to upgrade to?

Their closest store is over an hour away from me.

Edited by Stiffee, 12 January 2013 - 04:36 AM.

[iammykyl]

Unfortunately. just changing the Mobo is no good as the CPU does not have integrated graphics.
To get the best available integrated graphics with the best performing CPU you need a Motherboard with FM2 Socket and CPU, Hudson D4 chipset. Selecting parts available at Novatech. The build will get a top notch rig for the price, reasonable game play as is, top gamer with the right add on video card. See how much it would cost to have it built,

http://www.novatech....extreme4-m.html 65
http://www.novatech....80kwohjbox.html 99
http://www.novatech....m2a1600c9b.html 38
http://www.novatech....t1000dm003.html 58
http://www.novatech....-224bbrsms.html 16
http://www.novatech....-zt650w-uk.html 75
OS. http://www.novatech..../wn7-00403.html 76 Does not have inbuilt advanced backup, need Pro, 113

Suggested cases to look at,
http://www.novatech....45-15230-3.html 80

http://www.novatech....r3-usb3-bl.html 75

Aprox cost of parts, 510

[iammykyl]

Hi Stiffee.
Been a while since we heard from you. How is the seduction going? An update would be much appreciated.