Poor man build thoughts/advice

Betaboy1983

Betaboy1983

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Dec 31, 2008
Messages
1,264
Well, it's been a quite a few years since I upgraded! I'm trying to build a new budget PC to replace my Core2 Duo grey haired beast. It doesn't have to be fancy as I'm not looking to run Witcher 3 at max settings at 1080p. Just casual gaming, web, photo/video editing on a 1920x1200 monitor.

The best I can come up with so far is:
ASUS Z97-A motherboard - $139.99

Core i5 4440 Haswell - $189.99

Corsair Vengence 8 GB DDR3 - 44.99

I will probably use my trusty 4870X2 GPU for a little bit with this build while saving a few more bucks for a better GPU. I just need to get the ball rolling and start buying a few pieces to get started.

I plan on re-using all of my other hardware, sound, PSU etc.

How does this sound for a budget rig over my current geezer? Any thoughts, or changes? I guess I just want a cheap main rebuild to support a nicer and more energy efficient GPU. I was thinking of a ATI 7770 or Nvidia GTX 750 but once I buy the main parts, I may feel the need to keep saving and get something a little more. Just not sure what to do when I don't have a lot of cash to throw around.

Thanks all for any input!! :D
 
So I'm assuming you've got a ~$400 budget? What exact PSU do you have? You probably need a new one if it's as old as that C2D. They don't last forever and it would be a real shame to change the load on the PSU with your new build just to have it blow and take something out.
 
Well I don't have a set budget, can always wait a bit longer and save some more but yes, around $400ish is what I'm aiming for so I can just start building. Minus the video card which I'll get later.
I've replaced the PSU already from when I built my rig. (I'll never buy a BFG PSU again) and I am now using a Corsair HX850. Looks like I forgot to put it in my sig.. PSU is probably 3 years old.
 
Buy a piece at a time and chunk it in the closet. Once you have it all binge drink the red bull and build the machine! I've done that many times in the past when I was scrounging around for parts!
 
If you live within distance of a Microcenter, you can get a i5 4590 for $160.
 
If you want to save cash and you're not overclocking, you may want to look at the B85 instead of a Z97.

That will probably save you a chunk of change.

I use lots of B75s, H61s and B85s at work and they get the job done.
 
horrorshow said:
If you live within distance of a Microcenter, you can get a i5 4590 for $160.
Click to expand...

Nice deal, but I don't live near anything, lol!

mda said:
If you want to save cash and you're not overclocking, you may want to look at the B85 instead of a Z97.

That will probably save you a chunk of change.

I use lots of B75s, H61s and B85s at work and they get the job done.
Click to expand...

That does look like some nice boards to save money. Looking quick Newegg is out of stock on the 75's and 85's and Hoverhound says Amazon wants $262 for a B85. I'll have to do some hunting for these boards and see if I can snag one!

Thanks for the info guys!:cool:
 
You need to save your money then. By the time you get everything you want together you'll be already running on out dated hardware.

Case in point: You're looking at a Haswell build when the next generation of Intel CPUs have been out for a little while now code named Skylake. They're faster and use DDR4. The price difference between the two are slim at best. You'd be better off with a Skylake build.

Even with $400 you could still get a nice Skylake build with DDR4 memory, but I think the sweet spot for a MB/CPU/RAM is closer to $500. You'll get more, faster memory and a better CPU.
 
im in the same boat as you im looking for a board for my i7 i have lying around i need to upgrade my E6600 ASAP
 
Thought about going to one of the Core 2 Quads? They're real cheap nowadays and should be powerful enough for the casual usage you mentioned. You could also build a new system, but I figured i'd point out a "quick" alternative. On my 775 machine I went from a Core2Duo E6400 (2.13ghz) to a Core2Quad Q6600 (2.4ghz) and it was like night and day in terms of multitasking.
 
Last edited:
Skillz said:
You need to save your money then. By the time you get everything you want together you'll be already running on out dated hardware.

Case in point: You're looking at a Haswell build when the next generation of Intel CPUs have been out for a little while now code named Skylake. They're faster and use DDR4. The price difference between the two are slim at best. You'd be better off with a Skylake build.

Even with $400 you could still get a nice Skylake build with DDR4 memory, but I think the sweet spot for a MB/CPU/RAM is closer to $500. You'll get more, faster memory and a better CPU.
Click to expand...

Having kids I have no time to really 'play' games anymore so maybe in 5 years I'll go for the 'big' upgrade. However checking around a little the MSI Z170A SLI Plus seems reasonable, and also has the [H] Gold Award. Could maybe manage that. I do like mda's idea though of saving some cash on the build..

In the end, I plan to move my current rig into the living room and slap my old Nvidia 8800GT video card into it.

Thank you for you're input, now I really need to do some shopping/price comparing!
 
PornoSatan said:
Thought about going to one of the Core 2 Quads? They're real cheap nowadays and should be powerful enough for the casual usage you mentioned. You could also build a new system, but I figured i'd point out a "quick" alternative. On my 775 machine I went from a Core2Duo E6400 (2.13ghz) to a Core2Quad Q6600 (2.4ghz) and it was like night and day in terms of multitasking.
Click to expand...

Sorry, kids and a new puppy are flying all over the place and I somehow missed your post. Depending on how things pan out, this could be an option too! I would like to make my current computer an 'old' computer and move it somewhere else, but hey.. I'm open to all options. :)
 
For Haswell, you're looking at a B85 (LGA1150).

An amazon search (on the webpage itself) for B85 boards have them at around 60-70$

I have a lot of these Asus B85s in production as workstation machines.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Betaboy1983 said:
Having kids I have no time to really 'play' games anymore so maybe in 5 years I'll go for the 'big' upgrade. However checking around a little the MSI Z170A SLI Plus seems reasonable, and also has the [H] Gold Award. Could maybe manage that. I do like mda's idea though of saving some cash on the build..

In the end, I plan to move my current rig into the living room and slap my old Nvidia 8800GT video card into it.

Thank you for you're input, now I really need to do some shopping/price comparing!
Click to expand...

Well I still stand behind what I said. You might not want/need a quad core Skylake CPU, but you should still be getting on board with the latest tech. Buying "last gen" hardware to save money is generally never wise.

With that being said. Here:
$205 - Intel Core i5-6500 6M Skylake Quad-Core 3.2 GHz LGA 1151 65W
$100 - GIGABYTE GA-Z170-HD3P (rev. 1.0) LGA 1151 Intel Z170
$75 - G.SKILL Ripjaws 4 Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) 288-Pin DDR4 SDRAM DDR4 2400

Total: $380

Quad core Skylake build with 16GB of DDR4 RAM for about $5 more than your original components in the OP.

You get the latest hardware tech including the newer CPU architecture. You get faster RAM at 2400 plus it's DDR4 and it's twice as much as your other build. All while being a tad more friendlier on the power bill.
 
Also, I know people here beat the Core i5 drum loudly, but you can game pretty competently on a Core i3 6100.

http://www.techspot.com/review/1087-best-value-desktop-cpu/page4.html

With a mid-range GPU, you're not going to notice the difference between an i3 or i5. This goes especially if you're not the hardcore game you used to be :D

Core i3 6100 3.7 GHZ - $130:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=2MN-0004-00002

That will save you $75 over Skillz build, which opens up the potential for buying a GPU now!

And if your needs change in the next few years, you'll have plenty of newer processors to choose from! Thanks to Kaby Lake plus the delay of Cannolake, there should be almost 3 years on this socket!.
 
Last edited:
My build does have 16GB of RAM.


edit
Nice ninja edit. Haha!

I do agree with defaultuser though. I was going to originally recommend the i3 6100, but since it was only $5 over your original build for the i5 I figured I'd post it instead to see where you stand. The i3 is more than enough for what seems to be what you intend to do with it and still faster than the Haswell build you originally posted.
 
Thanks for all the advice everyone!! I've been looking a little bit and a Skylake build ran me just over the Haswell build.

Corsair Veng LPX 8GB Ram - $52
MSI Z170A SLI Plus Mobo - $139
Core i5-6400 - $189

$382.00

I was looking at some i3's, but I just wanted to jump off of dual core and hit up some quad action.. But $70 is a nice savings... However, a Haswell and a B85 would be even more savings, but less future proofing.

Arg! So many options. Maybe I should buy a Powerball ticket and I won't have to worry about it, lol.
 
Slower CPU, less RAM. Makes no sense on that build over mine.

Not to mention going with a 2x4GB kit is retarded. That limits your ability to really maximize the RAM.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Skillz said:
Slower CPU, less RAM. Makes no sense on that build over mine.

Not to mention going with a 2x4GB kit is retarded. That limits your ability to really maximize the RAM.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't understand the fixation of spending $140 on a motherboard that has a bunch of features he'll never use.


Cause you know, budget gamers need SLI support :rolleyes:

I'm out of this thread. OP has obviously already made up his mind about what he wants to buy, and just wants to us to listen while he waffles about it being too expensive.
 
defaultluser said:
Yeah, I don't understand the fixation of spending $140 on a motherboard that has a bunch of features he'll never use.


Cause you know, budget gamers need SLI support :rolleyes:

I'm out of this thread. OP has obviously already made up his mind about what he wants to buy, and just wants to us to listen while he waffles about it being too expensive.
Click to expand...

I know! Right?!?! My board even supports multiple GPUs as well. Smh
 
I thanked you all for your advice, and appreciate all of it. I am throwing out options and ideas. In regards to my motherboard choices I was looking at [H] Gold Award motherboards for reliability. I have not locked onto anything yet. I don't want to spend $600 over the course of 4 years on motherboards that die after 2 years like my old Abit's did.

I don't have a lot of time on my hands right now so I clicked "add to cart" on the 2x4 gig for a quick general idea.

Thanks again for the advice, and thanks for calling me retarded. I've built a lot of PC's in my day and don't need an 'audience'. A forum is for talking and chucking ideas, not bashing someone because I don't bite your ideas asap.

Plus default, I was giving your build props on the i-3 idea. Guess I am retarded.

Good grief, learned that lesson the [H]ard way. I'm out of this thread too. :confused:
 
I didn't call you retarded. For the record.

Also [H] reviews have nothing to do with long term reliability. They have the boards for a shorter period of time than you or I would have before making those reviews. You should look at the boards warranty period and how they treat their customers after the sale. Both boards offer a 3 year warranty.
 
Betaboy1983 said:
I thanked you all for your advice, and appreciate all of it. I am throwing out options and ideas. In regards to my motherboard choices I was looking at [H] Gold Award motherboards for reliability. I have not locked onto anything yet. I don't want to spend $600 over the course of 4 years on motherboards that die after 2 years like my old Abit's did.

I don't have a lot of time on my hands right now so I clicked "add to cart" on the 2x4 gig for a quick general idea.

Thanks again for the advice, and thanks for calling me retarded. I've built a lot of PC's in my day and don't need an 'audience'. A forum is for talking and chucking ideas, not bashing someone because I don't bite your ideas asap.

Plus default, I was giving your build props on the i-3 idea. Guess I am retarded.

Good grief, learned that lesson the [H]ard way. I'm out of this thread too. :confused:
Click to expand...

THANK YOU for finally telling us what's actually going on in this thread. I was beginning to think we were talking to a brick wall :D

I NEVER SAID YOU WERE RETARDED, I said you were not communicating with us. There's a big difference!

[H] Gold Award winners don't necessarily indicate the motherboard has better long-term reliability - it just means that MSI sent [H] a motherboard to review, and it turned out to be a good experience overall.

Usually a good award for one z170 motherboard for MSI is usually, means you'll get good experiences from all their z170 motherboards, since all the launch motherboards should be based upoin the same base firmware. They just add more features and better VRMs as you jump up the price bracket!

But what best determines reliability overall is user reviews on sites like Newegg. These board have not been out long enough that we can draw conclusions based on complaints and DOA reviews, so we're just going by brand.
 
Last edited:
Do you have a MicroCenter near by? I picked-up a great deal on a 4790K & a Gigabyte GA-Z97MX Gaming 5 for short money. They are the place to score a MB & CPU.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top