Cool Quiet and cheap workstation cpu

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bruthaflex

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Dec 7, 2009
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I am replacing the motherboard in my wifes computer, the sound and usb has tanked, and I would like to do an aesthetic upgrade on the PC.

It is a matx case with a 300w ps, we havee been running a P4 630, which sounds like a cessna taxiing on the runway.

I would like a cpu that uses less power, and subsequently dissipates less heat, but matches or increases performance. I would like to just upgrade the cpu/mobo and the ram, possibly throw in a very cheap vid card to play some of the cheap/free mmo's like DDO.

Most of the sites I have looked at are very Intel biased, so I thought I would try here.
 
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

This is a 65W X2 CPU. I just built a basic rig for my dad around this CPU. This will wipe the floor with your P4 with 1 core tied behind it's back. There are ways to go cheaper but not by much. match it up with one of the microATX boards in the combo deals. Many of them come with built in ATI HD4200 graphics that will handle some basic games like that just fine.

In terms of PSU, you are probably using one that is as old as the CPU? I would recommend replacing that as well. It is probably less than 60% efficient and is much noisier than modern PSUs. For around $30-40 you can upgrade to a nice Antec Earthwatts or Corsair 300-400W unit that is better than 80% efficient. If this machine runs much it will save enough power to pay for itself in time along with the reduced risk of a worn-out power unit screwing with your new parts.
 
yes Athlon II and a mobo with 785G Chipset is your best choice, with not-so-bad onboard graphics my friend enjoy playing CoD MW 2, and Left 4 Dead @ 1024x768, which is his LCD's native resolution, he's on a budget.
 
Athlon II is awesome for what you are thinking. Cheap, cool and low power. Plus it'll fit into a wide variety of MOBOs.
 
the athlon II 240 is your best choice.. it actually uses around 55w and not 65w which is what its rated at full load..

and like malih said.. either the 780g or 785g motherboards will be perfect for what you need.. dont need to get a dedicated card.. just use the onboard video..
 
Just a thought but if you want something that uses even less power, check out the "e" versions of that Athlon II processors, like the 240e. They're somewhere in the 30-40W range on power consumption which leads to less heat and noise.
 
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