Looking to build an htpc which will also be used to play The Sims 4 at 60fps. Budget is 20k (not including a monitor, kb, mouse).
I am seriously thinking about an A10 7800 on an ITX mobo. However, I know for a fact that a comparable Intel build can potentially be cheaper (and more powerful) but not as sleek.
Need to know your opinions on which build would be the better bang for the buck budget-wise and meralco-wise. A smaller footprint also helps but is not the most important criterion.
The A10-7800, i3 or i5 will handle the job just fine as long as you have enough graphics power for your intended resolution. The i5-4460 doesn't cost much more than the A10; that's probably my preferred processor at this price point if you can accommodate the slightly higher thermal requirement (though the ITX boards may be pricier).
Meralco-wise, you probably won't notice the difference too much in real world use. Though the i5 can consume more power at full load than the i3 or the A10, it will be running at partial load most of the time anyway. It will likely putt along at a lower frequency for most workloads, thus closing the system consumption gap (idle system numbers are within 10-15 watts from each other).
If you want a really slimline PC or one that uses little power, the A10-7800 in 45W TDP operating mode will use very little power and will give off little heat (especially since you're using a dedicated graphics adapter). Small heatsinks and cases are doable with this processor since the full load system dissipation reduction can reach 50W or more when compared to a typical desktop i5/i7.
Low power variants of the i3 and the i5 are also available (you'd probably have to get one abroad if you go this route); the i5-4670T is a good example. Load system consumption comparison between low power (i5-4670T) and standard power (i5-4670):
What graphics adapter are you looking at?
