Bang for Buck CPU/MB/Video card. Under $300.

F

FanZ

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
May 7, 2002
Messages
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This is my current computer, it works well but there are a few small problems with the motherboard, and the video card is probably dying again (hot-airgun-fixed once already) so I'll be buying a new video card and CPU/motherboard to replace these (4+ years old):
C2D E6600 - 3.3 GHz
IP35-E board
9600 GSO 384MB video card

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
The only games I play are the ones that drop to $5 when on sale, so that translates to 2 years old or older games. However, I would be keeping the system for at least 4 years. So I'm hoping to be able to play 2014 games in 2016 with medium/low settings like I've been doing with my current system.

2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
$290 total after rebates. The lower the better.

3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
NC, so no microcenter or frys nearby.

4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word "Everything" is not a valid answer. Please list out all the parts you'll need.
Video card, CPU, motherboard

5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
Corsair 430W V2, 1 hard drive, and a corsair heatsink.

6) Will you be overclocking?
Sure, if I ever figure out how.

7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1680x1050 22". Not going to change.

8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
by Feb 26th. or Tomorrow.

9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video (as a backup or main GPU)? etc.
I don't care about any of that. As long as it works and not too likely to die within 4 years. USB 3 would be nice to have, but as long as it's not too expensive.

10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
64 win7

I prefer to go through newegg, because I still have that Google Offer code that will expire at the end of this month. I also have another $35 in a newegg gift card.

I was thinking about this (I already have the RAM, 1.5v DDR3-1600):

Phenom II 960T $125 with a $15 bonus gift card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103995
Motherboard : ??? hopefully one that can try to unlock the processor cores: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131657
Video card: Gigabyte 6850 for $119: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125353
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$125 - $15 + $119 + $80 - $20(Google offer discount) - $35 (gift card) = $274.

would a core i3-2100 for $110 be better? or FX4100 for $100? would future games (3 years from now) and office suites use more than 2 cores?
 
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Even with games that do scale well with quad-core CPUs, the Core i3 2100 still outperforms the quad-core Phenom II 960T. You have to heavily OC the Phenom II 960T (3.8Ghz and higher) to even pass the Core i3 2100 in games. You would need a 3rd party HSF for that and that will further lower the cost-effectiveness of that AMD setup. So for the forseeable future, stick with Intel.

So I recommend this motherboard if you go the Intel route:
$90 - Intel BOXDH67BLB3 Intel H67 mATX Motherboard
 
Thanks. It's a lot to read up on the current generation of hardware overnight; all of my information's outdated by at least 4 years. From what I can tell: AMD AM3+ socket is coming to an end soon while the Intel chipsets can support the upcoming Ivy Bridge, maybe even more down the road with the same socket.

From what I've read, and I might be wrong; if I ever get a 2500K down the road when it's fairly cheap, should I try to get a P67 board right now instead? or would it be more cost effective to just ditch the i3 and H67 when that time comes?
 
FanZ said:
Thanks. It's a lot to read up on the current generation of hardware overnight; all of my information's outdated by at least 4 years. From what I can tell: AMD AM3+ socket is coming to an end soon while the Intel chipsets can support the upcoming Ivy Bridge, maybe even more down the road with the same socket.

From what I've read, and I might be wrong; if I ever get a 2500K down the road when it's fairly cheap, should I try to get a P67 board right now instead? or would it be more cost effective to just ditch the i3 and H67 when that time comes?
Click to expand...

You are partially wrong about Intel. Ivy Bridge will be the last CPU generation for LGA 1155. The Haswell successor to Ivy Bridge will use a completely different (and totally incompatible) socket.
 
Thanks, I didn't know that. So, i3 > 960t?

I also figured in that if I leave the computer on 12 hrs/day, with a 50W saving on the i3 vs the 960t per day - even though the 960t idles slightly lower than the i3 but 40W more under load; for 4 years; I'd save ~$25 - $30 with the i3.

I'm so cheap.
 
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I don't see any RAM on your list. You will need ddr3 ram with your upgrade, your current mobo uses ddr2.
 
It's an ok motherboard. Biostar tends to be on the lower-end scale of quality but not horribly so to the point where I can't recommend them. Though if you plan on longevity, I'd go with the higher quality Intel mobo I linked to earlier.
 
Thanks for the input, everyone.

I have just ordered the 6850 card, because the small discount expires today.

I'll use tomorrow to mull over whether to get the i3 or 960t after reading a bit more forum posts; but I'm pretty sure it'll be between those two... probably the i3.

Thanks for the help, and if everything goes well, I'll see you all in a new Bang-for-buck thread 4 years from now, asking the very same thing again.


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just bought the i3, biostar board, 6850 card. total price: $110 + $80 + $140 - (rebates: $25 + 20) - $20 (google offer) - $35 GC = $230 after rebates.
 
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