# attn: computer nerds **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Off Topic\ **Created:** [September 2, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/attn-computer-nerds/205268 "2010-09-02T15:24:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ShalerPunk](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shalerpunk/32/5976_2.png) [@ShalerPunk](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ShalerPunk)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 3:24pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/attn-computer-nerds/205268/1 "2010-09-02T15:24:49Z")
I’m building a computer for the first time in about a decade and know nothing about processors. I will not be overclocking, and will be keeping this PC aircooled. I’m trying to keep the CPU+mobo combo total under $350. Suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![Quik83Z](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/quik83z/32/6042_2.png) [@Quik83Z](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Quik83Z)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 4:21pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/attn-computer-nerds/205268/2 "2010-09-02T16:21:09Z")
Intel is supposed to have the hot CPU’s right now…however a decently fast i7 is probably out of your price range…I have run some i5 4-Core CPU’'s against some Phenom II 4-Core AMD’s (CADD/Engineering Applications) and really can not tell any difference. The AMD 6-Core is without a doubt the fastest machine in our office ( I think probably more to do with the SATA 6.0 than the CPU, but I’m sure two more cores help as well). Intel i5 CPU - 2.8GHZ 4-Core - $209 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115067) AMD CPU’s - The six core is absolutely faster, but I have heard of some compatibility problems with it, have not experienced any myself…runnning 64-bit XP on it currently with 16GB RAM for ANSYS FEM workstation. AMD Phenom II x4 CPU - 3.4GHZ 4-Core - $164 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103727) AMD Phenom II x6 CPU - 2.8GHZ 6-Core - $197 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103851) Motherboards are pretty much a matter of personal choice, but I have been using Gigabyte as of lately. I really like the new heavy duty thick copper ultra-durable design they are producing. Sample Intel Motherboard - USB 3.0 - HDMI - Lots of I/O ports and lots of expansion room - $125 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128437](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128437) Intel total: $334 Sample AMD Motherboard - USB 3.0 - HDMI - SATA 6.0 - ATI Radeon HD 4290 GPU - Lots of ports & Expansion - $140 [http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128435) AMD Total: $337 for the 6-Core setup Happy PC Building… ---
**Author:** ![Shaggy](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/shaggy/32/5945_2.png) [@Shaggy](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Shaggy)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/attn-computer-nerds/205268/3 "2010-09-02T17:13:43Z")
have a ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe mother board for cheap. Came from a alienware auro7500. also have a 650w power supply and Numerous DDRx’s rams availiable. Various Video cards all PCI express. ---
**Author:** ![77rednecktruck](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/77rednecktruck/32/5966_2.png) [@77rednecktruck](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/77rednecktruck)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/attn-computer-nerds/205268/4 "2010-09-03T21:43:08Z")
[http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.486632](http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.486632) or [http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6410516&CatId=4910](http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=6410516&CatId=4910) ---
**Author:** ![4doors5gears](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/4doors5gears/32/6006_2.png) [@4doors5gears](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/4doors5gears)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2010, 10:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/attn-computer-nerds/205268/5 "2010-09-04T10:30:50Z")
> [@What is fast?](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/what-is-fast/42407/69): > > have a ASUS A8N-SLI Deluxe mother board for cheap. Came from a alienware auro7500. > also have a 650w power supply and Numerous DDRx’s rams availiable. > > Various Video cards all PCI express. Pretty sure that’s the same board in my 4 year old PC… If I were to build a new one now I’d probably go with a Core i5 and board that supports DDR3, which is most Core i5 boards I believe.