AMD Motherboard + CPU Combo for old case? Would like to reuse DDR3

R

RavinDJ

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Apr 9, 2002
Messages
4,446
I have a nice, old case: Corsair CC-9011023-WWCORSAIR Carbide 200R Compact ATX Case
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009GXZ8MM
Right now it has an old ASRock 870iCafe motherboard with a Sempron CPU:
https://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/870iCafe/
It's probably not worth reusing the MOBO since it's old and I can't imagine any decent CPU fitting in there. I'd like to rip out the mobo and CPU and buy a new one of each... preferably a combo, unless you guys don't recommend a combo purchase.

I'd like to reuse my DDR3. The DDR3 in this mobo is old... 1167Mhz, I believe. But I have a bunch of A-Tech 4GB DDR3 1333MHz PC3-10600 Desktop RAM Module | Non-ECC Unbuffered DIMMs laying around. I'd like to put those to good use.

What mobo would you recommend and what CPU? It would be basic web browsing, some file storage, word processing, etc. OS would most likely be Win10Pro 64bit or possibly Linux or possibly Windows Server 2012R2 or 2016.

PSU is 750W and in good shape. I have six (6) 2TB SATA drives in the case and I'd reuse those for storage and I have an extra SSD 120GB for the OS.

Thanks!!

[edit] Budget for MOBO/CPU is $200... possibly $250. I don't mind buying used, but new is preferred.[/edit]
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
ADDITION: Unless you think for $250 I can buy MOBO/CPU/DDR4 (4 to 8GB) and it's a much better investment than buying old DDR3-based stuff. Thanks :)
 
Here's what I would do. Find an AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (~$100), a cheap B450 board ($60-80), and 16GB of DDR4 3200 memory ($65). For around ~$250 you get a 6C/12T CPU, modern memory, and an upgrade path. Plus, it all fits in your case.

I appreciate that you have a bunch of DDR3 lying around, but you'd probably be looking at an Intel Z97 board and 4C/8T CPU which would run you $250 anyway.
 
kirbyrj said:
Here's what I would do. Find an AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (~$100), a cheap B450 board ($60-80), and 16GB of DDR4 3200 memory ($65). For around ~$250 you get a 6C/12T CPU, modern memory, and an upgrade path. Plus, it all fits in your case.

I appreciate that you have a bunch of DDR3 lying around, but you'd probably be looking at an Intel Z97 board and 4C/8T CPU which would run you $250 anyway.
Click to expand...

This. In building a new system its pretty easy to find cheap parts these days (unless budget is incredibly slim) you should look at a minimum of Skylake or Ryzen gen 1 parts at this point. $250 is plenty.
 
Do you live near a Microcenter? They can sell you a 2600x for $100

https://www.microcenter.com/product...-am4-boxed-processor-with-wraith-spire-cooler
plus AM4 motherboard for $67

https://www.microcenter.com/product/510208/gigabyte-b450m-ds3h-amd-am4-matx-motherboard
Plus this ram for $30

https://www.microcenter.com/product...l-desktop-memory-module-bls8g4d26bfsbk---gray
Now subtract $20 for motherboard + CPU combo, and you get amazing performance for $175!

Even if it's a drive, it's still worth it.

If you need a new SSD, they'll sell you their house brand m.2 drives for cheap:

https://www.microcenter.com/product...ii-6gb-s-25-internal-solid-state-drive-(480g)
That's an entire system for $250. Assuming you already have a video card.

Three years ago was the time to worry about not buying DDR4 ram,, but not today - go hog-wild!
 
Last edited:
if you dont have/need a gpu, you could get a board, apu chip and ram for that
amazon:
3200g - $94
asus b450m - $79
8GB(2x4) viper 3000 - $40
total - $213.
 
Done deal... going the DDR4 route. I do have a MicroCenter nearby... within 10-12 minutes, actually. I'll look at those CPUs you guys recommended and the mobos. Like I said, it's only going to be a light-use PC and some storage. I do have a GPU laying around and also those six SATA drives.

Thanks for the input!

Anyone need DDR3?
 
RavinDJ said:
Done deal... going the DDR4 route. I do have a MicroCenter nearby... within 10-12 minutes, actually. I'll look at those CPUs you guys recommended and the mobos. Like I said, it's only going to be a light-use PC and some storage. I do have a GPU laying around and also those six SATA drives.

Thanks for the input!

Anyone need DDR3?
Click to expand...

2600x at $100 is a no brainer then. That should last several years.
 
RavinDJ said:
Done deal... going the DDR4 route. I do have a MicroCenter nearby... within 10-12 minutes, actually. I'll look at those CPUs you guys recommended and the mobos. Like I said, it's only going to be a light-use PC and some storage. I do have a GPU laying around and also those six SATA drives.

Thanks for the input!

Anyone need DDR3?
Click to expand...
I just gave mine away to first long time [H] member who wanted/Needed it ;)
 
I have some friends that still run ddr3, Will pay shipping if you are looking to get rid of it.
 
In think I could use the ddr3 in my wife's machine, not that she really needs more but for the cost of shipping it may be worth an upgrade. LMK, thanks.

Good decision on moving to a new platform though, doesn't make sense to skimp and buy old used parts with AMD stuff being so cheap and much faster than anything on ddr3.
 
DDR3 is honestly my least favorite part about my older 1155 system (now retired to full time game server duty). I spent so long trying to get the ram stable at higher speeds and it just isnt worth it. Not to mention AMD systems old enough to use ddr3 are garbage performance wise. Bulldozer was a mistake. BUT NOW AMD HAS RYZEN AND ALL IS GOOD.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top