As basically I will Intel Core i7 is the best one, because it covers the latest technology which is use full from high end media encoding and decoding, high end games and graphic design.

if you are a first time user on the desktop or laptop I suggest you to take the Pentium which is worth for your usage and many more things you should consider while buying Intel Core i7. As you feel that after buying you got the latest technology but the question how much you can use the Intel Core i7, does that much high end is required my usage? and ask yourself a question regarding this?

If you are a basic user of using the small applications like office, internet usage and games(small games) you can go for Pentium, actually let you know that Pentium has also got 3rd generation technology as like Intel Core i7 but cannot beat the performance of the Core i7. 

You may research in the Internet where the processor Core i7 needs, at what point of time it is useful to a desktop user?

Let me suggest that Based on the usage you can take the desired processor that which fulfills your needs.

I want a laptop for college. Laptops with Intel processors are good because of the processor but lack a good graphics card Laptops with AMD processors come with way better graphic cards but Intel is kinda faster Basically AMD A10 Vs Intel i3 Laptops. I'm going to be playing games most of the times on my laptop, i want something that can at least play BF 3 on medium. I only wanna spend around up to 430 dollars

Better go with AMD laptop because the AMD introduced APU's in the past so just because silently choose amd  they have better graphic card with inbuilt processors where you don't need to install the graphics card and when compared to Intel processors and performance the AMD APU's perform better.

If you are a hardcore gamer don't go for the Intel because really lack of graphics which I faced the problems alot while playing games and if in turn it is a desktop we can insert a PCI graphic card where we will have a chance to change the GPU but in laptop its not possible.

In past 7 years I heard that AMD laptops getting overheated so many people are not willing to buy AMD laptops and now there is no such type of heating in the processors the technology got improved alot and you can dare to buy a one.

But I assist you with the AMD laptop go for it.

So I'm not very good with computers. And I'm not big into gaming, so I really have no idea what to look for. I'm buying it for someone else, since my mom can get it for very cheap through her work.

Can anyone tell me if it's good or not?

CPU: Intel i7 3770 3.5GHz

RAM: 16GB DDR3

HDD: 320GB SATA

Video: Nvidia 1GB

Like I said, I'm not good with computers, so if I'm missing any info I apologize.

Intel i7 is excellent processor, as 3770 is a 3rd generation processor and I found there is lot of performance difference in the 1st generation and 2nd generation. You have choosen good processor as it is 3rd generation. Better go for Intel i7 3770k you can unlock the processor speed upto 3.9ghz. Better install a cooler master Thermal Solutions when you installed with 3770k.

You didn't mentioned motherboard, choose a motherboard that suitable to processor, best is Intel Z77 express chipset choose from the best makers like Gigabyte, Asus, MSI as per requirements. My opinion is go for Asus SABERTOOTH Z77, it is very good in performance, if you need more specs click here

You didn't mentioned whether the hard disk cheetah, baraccuda, SSD. Choose SSD's there will be a lot difference between normal hard disk and SSD's. Transfer rate will be more in SSD's than compared to normal harddisk.

Nvidia 1GB, Make sure which model you are going to install, if you mention the games which you play I can give the list of graphic cards supported by that games. Make list of games, then choose the better graphic card.

As you are installing 16 GB DDR3 of memory, you need install 64bit operating system.

So I am really interested in playing ArmA 2 and DayZ and other such demanding games, but I have a really bad desktop, I also can only spend 500$ max for the new one, I would like to be able to run both at higher settings and still have it run smoothly, should I get a laptop or desktop? And if either does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks for any input:)

Get Desktop, You will get better gaming experience and reality, awesome. You can sit back and relax, very comfortable with desktop.

For both ArmA2 and DayZ you need medium configuration PC. As the both games runs on dual core processors but totally settings must be changed to low detail. If you want to play the Game with out struck and if you want to experience the Game play, you need to have these configurations

 

Core i5-750s Quad 2.4GHz

Phenom II X4 B97 

GeForce GTX 260 

Radeon HD 5770 1024MB

 

I recommend to take AMD Phenom II, as it is the old processor try for the AMD APU's they are awesome. I brought AMD APU A8 3870k which is excellent performing. So i Suggest to go with AMD and Radeon.

2 GB of RAM is recommended for these games to run in a smooth way and hard disk space about 7 GB.

If you can afford to buy the highend PC go for Core i7 black edition in Intel or AMD APU A10 black edition have medium end mother board I recommend ASUS, GIGABYTE. and RAM of 4GB.