Suggestions for 2 AMD based cheapo rigs

R

random2

Adept
Hi,

I have to build 2 rigs this weekend. Would need suggestion and rough price guide (Bangalore)

1. For myself. It will be mainly used for running vmware/vitrualbox instances. I need dual core as my q6600 is already killing my UPS. Might also watch HD movies over weekends.
I only need -
Motherboard - Suggestions needed with IGP and DDRII
Processor - Possibly PII 550 (Any power efficient alternative, but still has some punch in performance?)
HDD - 500gb (Have a diff HDD for storing instances)
Cabby + PSU - As cheap as possible but should have stability
Optical drive - Think will go for cheapest of LG/Samsung/....

I already have -
DDR2 ram
22" Monitor
KB + Mice

What would be the cheapest possible config for the above??
Budget - ~13-14k ideally, but pretty ok with stretching as long as it provides some value.

2. For my cousin -
Usage - MS office, Downloading snaps from digicam, minor photoshop work, printing documents and photos, playing music, part time gaming for 4+ year old kid :)
His aim is to keep this setup for next 3-4years :)

Needs -
Mobo, proccy, RAM, HDD, Optical drive, Cabby (think cheapo PSU should do), KB, Mouse

Already has - Monitor and printer

Budget - 10-12k ideal, can stretch to 15k

TIA
 
PC-1
Processor - AthlonII X2 250(3GHz) - 3.3k ( For non-gaming PC this proccy should do. Also has a lower TDP of 65w against PhenomII's 80w)
Motherboard - Asus M2A74-AM - 2.7k/ECS A785GM-M5 - 3.4k
HDD - WD Blue 500GB - 2.35k ( Has 5 yrs warranty against Seagate's 3 yrs)
Cabby + PSU - Zebronics Bijili w/o SMPS - 1.1k + FSP SAGAII 350w - 1.45k
Optical drive - Samsung DVD R/W - 1.1k
Total: 12,000-12,700 INR

PC-2
Mobo - Asus M2N68-AMPLUS - 2.3k
proccy - AthlonII X2 240 - 2.85k
RAM - 2GB Kingston 800MHz - 2k
HDD - 500GB WD Blue - 2.35k
Optical drive - Samsung DVD R/W - 1.1k
Cabby - Zebronics Bijili with 400w SMPS - 1.7k
KB+Mouse - Logitech MMKB Combo - 0.7k
Total: 13k INR
 
@DarkAngel -

Thanks man..

1.

Performance wise (i.e running 2-3 virtual instances), do you think X2 250 doesnt differ much from Ph II 550? I built and used a 230 (I think) for a month and it did decently well. But used to lag a bit even wile running 1 instance. If Athlon X2 250 is almost the same as Ph II 550 for my use, I will save a lot.

Motherboard - Will look into those models and also check with shops here

HDD and the rest look fine - Thanks again

PC-2 looks pretty set :thumb:

DDR3 too is fine for this rig as ram has to be bought and since he plans to keep it for long.
 
random2 said:
@DarkAngel -
Thanks man..

1.
Performance wise (i.e running 2-3 virtual instances), do you think X2 250 doesnt differ much from Ph II 550? I built and used a 230 (I think) for a month and it did decently well. But used to lag a bit even wile running 1 instance. If Athlon X2 250 is almost the same as Ph II 550 for my use, I will save a lot.

Motherboard - Will look into those models and also check with shops here
HDD and the rest look fine - Thanks again

PC-2 looks pretty set :thumb:
DDR3 too is fine for this rig as ram has to be bought and since he plans to keep it for long.
Click to expand...

IMO a quad would be a better bet for u. The AthlonII X4 635 (2.9Ghz, 4 cores, 95w TDP) - 5.15k / Athlon II X3 435 ( 2.9GHz, 3 cores, 95w TDP) - 3.9k.
Cant u add a new UPS for your purpose :S

If DDRIII then consider the
Biostar TA785G3 - 3.7k~ (HD4200 IGP with 128MB DDR3 sideport :))
Kingston 2GB 1333MHz DDRIII RAM - 2.2k
 
As I already have mentioned, Im moving from Q6600 to Athlon 250/Phenom II 550 just because of power consumption. It drains too much of power. I could use the other Athlon 230 rig for nearly 2hours on UPS, but the same ups would drain out in max 1hour running the Q6600 rig.

I can easily add a dedicated 2kva UPS for my whole setup, But plan is to get my work done with minimum power consumption (Just the battery cycling of new UPS would increase my power bill by 200-300bucks i.e 2400/year minimum). I guess my display card X1900GT which died recently might also be a reason for high power consumption.

PS: The main reason is - If you are in Karnataka, you will start considering leaving your IT job and start looking for some physical/paper-work job which doesnt need electricity :mad:
 
Refer this. Its power consumption comparision between 250 and 550. Also take a look at the performance page. I came to the conclusion that there's not much difference between both these, I mean in performace. So I think even an Athlon II 250 will do for you.
 
Thanks Saqib

I read that comparison and few more including one from Anandtech. But the results in terms of power consumption varies a lot if you compare comparisons (;)). But overall conclusion regarding power consumption is ok. Will decide on these two depending on how I feel about my pocket on friday :)
 
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