Gaming CPU/Mobo/RAM for under $300

[Lothain]

I need to upgrade my processor and motherboard. I'm currently using an E6300. I will need new ram as well since I'm on DDR2. I'd like to keep as much of my current "rig" (or derelict) as possible. I'll upgrade my video card later. I need CPU, Mobo, RAM for 300 dollars.

Best I've come up with is (these are Amazon Prime prices):
CPU: X4 970 ; 139.99
Mobo: MSI 970A-G45; 99.99
RAM: Corsair 2x4gb 1333mhz.; 41.99

281.97 before tax.

I've never used an AMD before, they just seem like a better option for me since I'm building a budget machine and generally want fewer cores with higher clock speeds.

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
Gaming
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
300; yes.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
Ithaca, New York.
4) What exact parts do you need for that budget? CPU, RAM, case, etc. The word
CPU, Mobo, RAM
5) If reusing any parts, what parts will you be reusing? Please be especially specific about the power supply. List make and model.
PSU: Corsair 750W; CMPSU-750TX (purchased expecting to upgrade)
Case: some random coolermaster, ATX
HDD: OCZ Vertex 60gb; one random 500gb hdd;
GT 240
6) Will you be overclocking?
I'd like to, in future.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
1920x1080p. It's a 38 inch LCD TV.
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
Around black friday.
9) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
Nothing needed.
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit?
Yes Windows 7 64 bit.

 

[Dangman]

What games will you be playing?

Also, how long will it be before you start overclocking?

I ask the above questions because right now, the $115 Core i3 2100 actually beats that AMD Phenom II X4 970 CPU in lot of games. However you cannot OC the Core i3 2100. The X4 970 can be OC'd and thus can actually beat out the Core i3 2100 depending on the game once it's OC'd past 3.8Ghz.. However in certain games, even OC'd to 3.8Ghz, the X4 970 still loses out to the Core i3 2100. Hence the answers to the above questions will determine which CPU you should go with.

Also, is power consumption a factor at all?

 

[Deleted member 88227]

If it was me, I'd go with the i3 setup, because once you get another budget in place to upgrade the GPU, you also have the ability to upgrade to an i5 2500k.

 

[TeeJayHoward]

If you've got a Microcenter near you, you can grab an i5-2500K, a Z68 mATX motherboard, and 8GB of DDR3 for $269.97 plus tax makes it $290.81 out the door.

 

[Lothain]

Unfortunately, I live very far from a Microcenter. Used to be one just up the highway in Dallas. Oh well. Thanks for the advice though. I think I will go the i3/i5 route and then upgrade later on to another 1155 CPU.

Re: your questions Danny Bui,
1) I'll be playing Skyrim. Other than that really nothing until Mass Effect 3.
2) I'd like to be OC'ing by Christmas.
3) Power consumption is not an option.

What sort of price difference am I looking at between 1155 and AM3 boards suitable for OC'ing?

 

[Dangman]

Do note that if you go the Core i3 route, you won't be able to OC at all.

The cost difference between an AMD mobo and Intel mobo for overclocking is around $10 or so. However there is a big cost difference between an overclock capable Intel CPU and overclock capable AMD CPU. Virtually all of AMD's current CPUs, including the $60 ones to all the way to the $200+ ones) can be OC'd in one way or another. But the Black Edition CPUs are easier to OC. However Intel prevents oveclocking of the Core i3 2xxx CPUs at all, provides only limited overclcoking (Only up to 3.6Ghz) for the regular Core i5 2xxx CPUs and full overclocking capability with Core i5 2xxxK CPUs. The cheapest full overclock capable Core i5 CPU is the Core i5 2500K at $220. The cheapest limited overclock capable Core i5 CPU is the Core i5 2300 and Core i5 2400 at $180 and $190 respectively.

Also, are you stuck on Amazon.com or can you buy from Newegg?

So far the general build is something like this
Intel Core i3 2100
Intel Z68 mobo
8GB DDR3 1333 RAM rated at 1.5V (that Corsair RAM that you linked won't work).