Upgrade Low Budget 2nd Computer

[Frontrunner]

Guys,

I built my gaming rig a few months ago. I have always kept two computers going. I usually build a new gaming rig every two years & hand down the 2 year old gaming rig minus a premium part or two. The hand me down I use as my all around general web-surfer, picture editor, movie edit/video stream & web building. Then the one I used previous to that gets handed down to my wife.....lol...... hey don't laugh. (We waste nothing around here) She never complains because even at 4 years old when she gets it............Its still a decent computer for just surfing the web & its usually still as good as most new store bought budget systems at the time. Its a free computer to her and she has never had to buy one.

Now for the question.......... with the economy falling out a few years ago, I skipped a gaming build and went a little over 3 years which put my 2nd at almost 5 years old. I just want to update that one with a few new parts as its still decent for what Its use for. I wanted to see what you guys thought about this Motherboard, Processor & Ram upgrade? I have everything else and with a discount I have from Newegg. I basically get 2 x 4gb of ram free + free shipping for a total of $214.97 Total Upgrade Cost. I have never purchased Biostar Brand.

Motherboard- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138316

Processor- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103940

Memory x 2 for 16GB- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231445

Thanks for your help, Frontrunner

 

[Dangman]

Please answer the following questions so that we can help you better:
1) What PSU will you be using?
2) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
4) When do you plan on doing the upgrades?
5) Will you be overclocking?

That RAM however is a poor choice. It's ridiculously overpriced for an 8GB RAM set. Unless Newegg is literally giving you that RAM for free or giving you that second 8GB set of RAM free if you buy that 8GB set of RAM, I recommend this RAM set instead:
$35 - G.Skill Value Series F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

 

[Frontrunner]

Please answer the following questions so that we can help you better:
1) What PSU will you be using?
2) What features do you need in a motherboard? RAID? Firewire? Crossfire or SLI support? USB 3.0? SATA 6Gb/s? eSATA? Onboard video? etc.
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
4) When do you plan on doing the upgrades?
5) Will you be overclocking?

That RAM however is a poor choice. It's ridiculously overpriced for an 8GB RAM set. Unless Newegg is literally giving you that RAM for free or giving you that second 8GB set of RAM free if you buy that 8GB set of RAM, I recommend this RAM set instead:
$35 - G.Skill Value Series F3-10600CL9D-8GBNT 2 x 4GB DDR3 1333 RAM

Danny,

Thanks for the response. I didn't list all the other specs because I am just upgrading what I have with the a motherboard, processor & memory.....Yes, I am getting 2 sticks of the memory for free more or less. It will be $65 for 16GB all together. I was most concerned about the motherboard and processor. I have never owned anything but ASUS. This Biostar looks to have alot of decent options for the money? The Processor I just wanted to get others take on it as far as what I think is a decent price for a quad core..... I will list my existing stuff

1) What will you be doing with this PC? Gaming? Photoshop? Web browsing? etc
My 2nd system for Web browsing, Photoshop, Networking, Movie & Streaming
2) What's your budget? Are tax and shipping included?
Just and Upgrade $300 Max
3) Which country do you live in? If the U.S, please tell us the state and city if possible.
US- Mississippi- Southaven
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
Motherboard/Processor/Memory
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 CMPSU-750TX) Hard Drives: (Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKS) & (Seagate Barracuda ST31000528AS) + (External 1TB Passport) Drives: (LITE-ON 4X BD-ROM Reader Model iHOS104-08) & (2 x LITE-ON 22X DVD±R DVD Burner Model iHAP222-06) Fans: 8 x (Antec Blue LED 120MM) & (1 x Antec Hard Drive Fan) + (Areo Cool Fan Controller) Video Card: (Radeon HD 6570 1GB 128-bit DDR3) & (ATI Tv Wonder Tuner HD) + (Rosewill RHRC-11001 Windows 7 MCE Infrared Remote) Sound Card (Sound Blaster 5.1) Processor Cooler (CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance)
6) Will you be overclocking?
I Might At Some Point but not right now.
7) What is the max resolution of your monitor? What size is it?
Samsung SyncMaster 2494 (24")
8) When do you plan on building/buying the PC?
12-16-2011
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.
(2 x USB 3.0) (4 x USB 2.0) (HDMI) (Firewire) (Sata 6Gb/s) (Sata) (at least 1 x PCI Express & 2 x PCI) (4 x 240 Pin Ram Slots) (At Least 16GB Max Ram) (ATX with 24 Pin)
10) Do you already have a legit and reusable/transferable OS key/license? If yes, what OS? Is it 32bit or 64bit? Windows: 7 Home Premium 64 or 32 Bit

Well that's it but again I am just upgrading the Motherboard Processor & Memory. I wanted to know about the ones I posted in the first post I made. I think for the money they will work nice but Im not sure about Biostar or the AMD quad core (For what I want to do with the system) With discounts I can get all three for $214.97

Thanks In Advance, Corey (AKA Frontrunner)

 

[Dangman]

Thanks for the response. I didn't list all the other specs because I am just upgrading what I have with the a motherboard, processor & memory.....

I understand that. Hence why I only asked five questions rather than make you answer ten. Anyway, thanks for answering the sticky.

Yes, I am getting 2 sticks of the memory for free more or less. It will be $65 for 16GB all together.

Welp, as long as it's not due to any rebate crap, that's a fine deal for 16GB of RAM.

I was most concerned about the motherboard and processor. I have never owned anything but ASUS. This Biostar looks to have alot of decent options for the money?

The Biostar mobo is fairly solid for the money.

The Processor I just wanted to get others take on it as far as what I think is a decent price for a quad core..... I will list my existing stuff

It's a good CPU for your usage scenario. Just make sure that you have a compatible heatsink as that CPU does not come with a HSF.

 

[Frontrunner]

I understand that. Hence why I only asked five questions rather than make you answer ten. Anyway, thanks for answering the sticky.

Welp, as long as it's not due to any rebate crap, that's a fine deal for 16GB of RAM.

The Biostar mobo is fairly solid for the money.

Good deal because I like the features for the money.

It's a good CPU for your usage scenario. Just make sure that you have a compatible heatsink as that CPU does not come with a HSF.

Comment 1
lol...... I actually didn't notice you only listed 5 to answer. I read as I was on the way out the door. I just saw the start of that template so I copied, answered and moved on. Its ok I just had to work harder.

Comment 2
Naa...... no rebate. Its a combination of code instant savings and a credit that didn't come out of my pocket in any way..... I don't ever mess with those. The money is usually not worth my time. They usually don't send it or say something didn't qualify. I made it a habit to not even base my decision on that factor.

Comment 3
Good deal because I like the features for the money.

Comment 4
Em not sure if I am missing something on this one. Do you not like the one I posted above? "Processor Cooler (CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance)" I know its the older model but it has done great on the computer I have it on now. I thought about doing one of those newer COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm or upgrade to the H70. I was going to try and get by with that 50 for a little while.


Thanks again Danny for answering my questions.

 

[wtourist]

OK, I buy and use inexpensive Biostar motherboards, my experience is very good. I do not see see any problems, I bought the processor you are looking at, great buy and 95 watt, no cooling worries.
Worst case would be go to a Cooler Master Hyper 212 + ($26) or the newer EVO ($34) though I would expect the Corsair to be fine.

 

[Frontrunner]

OK, I buy and use inexpensive Biostar motherboards, my experience is very good. I do not see see any problems, I bought the processor you are looking at, great buy and 95 watt, no cooling worries.
Worst case would be go to a Cooler Master Hyper 212 + ($26) or the newer EVO ($34) though I would expect the Corsair to be fine.

Thanks for the words of encouragement on the choices I am looking at. It helps me feel a little at ease choosing the board. I have 0 experience with Biostar. I have always used the ASUS Deluxe line but its kind of a waste to use on this build. I have had several AMD processors and I think through history they have proved their worth. The one thing I have noticed over the years from using both Intel and AMD, is that each has its good points and bad. This based alot on what you like to do and the amount of money you want to spend. I had not bought an Intel for gaming in quit a while. I like AMD for gaming and Intel for everything else I do. I switched the rolls this go round. I have to say, I have not been disappointed in the Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz....... I recently purchases for my gaming rig. That thing is a beast and that is not downing AMD at all because I have not used Intel for gaming in 10 + years.

 

[Dangman]

Comment 4
Em not sure if I am missing something on this one. Do you not like the one I posted above? "Processor Cooler (CORSAIR CWCH50-1 High Performance)" I know its the older model but it has done great on the computer I have it on now. I thought about doing one of those newer COOLER MASTER V8 RR-UV8-XBU1-GP 120mm or upgrade to the H70. I was going to try and get by with that 50 for a little while./QUOTE]
Sorry, didn't see that Corsair cooler there. Yeah, just ignore that last sentence there.