Looking for affordable MOBO/CPU/RAM to use with my extra GTX 780.

Globber

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Hey guys, so I ended up with an extra GTX 780 that I would like to put to use. I am looking for the most affordable MOBO/RAM/CPU combo that I can get that is still reliable, stable and will not bottleneck my 780. I plan to use the set up for surround displays @ 6040x1080p. What would be a good setup?
Thanks!
 
Solution
Well the size or magnitude of the adjective "affordable" is not only subjective but also relative to ones income.

Thus, it would help if you write your budget, perhaps something like "The combo may not exceed X amount of dollars!"

The cost also depends if you wanna OC or not. Initially, just taking your OP into account, my suggestion for a mobo will be the GA-970 AM3+ from Gigabyte, its around 100 dollars - which is very cheap. As for the CPU the FX-8320 Vishera may do the job, and that is around 150 dollars.

Then we have the RAM which is the cheapest. Corsair Vengeance Blue 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 1600 MHz for 43 dollars.

Total: 293 dollars. (USD)

Well the size or magnitude of the adjective "affordable" is not only subjective but also relative to ones income.

Thus, it would help if you write your budget, perhaps something like "The combo may not exceed X amount of dollars!"

The cost also depends if you wanna OC or not. Initially, just taking your OP into account, my suggestion for a mobo will be the GA-970 AM3+ from Gigabyte, its around 100 dollars - which is very cheap. As for the CPU the FX-8320 Vishera may do the job, and that is around 150 dollars.

Then we have the RAM which is the cheapest. Corsair Vengeance Blue 4GB (1x4GB) DDR3 1600 MHz for 43 dollars.

Total: 293 dollars. (USD)

 
Solution
Intel Pentium G3258 = 70USD.

H81M-ITX LGA1150 = 50 USD

Team Elite Plus 8GB DDR3-1600 Memory = 57USD (i) or Crucial 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 = 28USD (ii)

Total (i) = 177USD

Total (ii) = 148USD.

This is much much cheaper than the previous setup I mentioned, the catch here is that you need to OC, if you wanna get that 780 going.
 

Globber

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Yes dollar figure can be a specific tool. Ultimately, I was curious if it is worth going with an AMD APU or Athlon on the FM2+ socket since it seems they are moving forward with more future plans on that socket, or if it is worth going for a lower Intel setup. Also, I was curious as to how the PCIe 3.0 x16 slots on the FM2+ socket boardswith the A88X chipset compare to the older 970 and 990 chipsets from AMD on the AM3+ socket which only has PCIe 2.0 x16 slots. I have an FX8350 set up now and an FX6350 setup as well, both run fast and powerful but the 6350 honestly feels more stable. If you think it is still a viable decision to go with the AM3+ socket then I probably will just get another 8350 and go from there. Thanks!
 

Globber

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If I were to go with the LGA1150 I would want to go with a high end board. I have done a bit of overclocking, mainly on NVidia GPUs and AMD CPUs. Definitely not opposed to the Intel idea, my plan was to work on saving up a bit to wait for the next gen of I7 chips before getting an Intel setup. So if I get an LGA1150 board, I want it to be good enough to upgrade to a high end chip later. If I can use a cheap chip like the G3258 for now so I can afford to spend money on a good board that would be fine, as long as upgrading to a high end processor is feasible. I have had too many issues with cheap motherboards in the past to go super cheap.
 

giantbucket

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well, ITX is just a size, not a price bracket. you should be able to find a solid long-term board that'll support the next 1150 chips, though it might need a BIOS flash and it might not be a $50 board like the above.

i just personally like the ITX form factor. for you, maybe mATX is better (not inherently, but simply because it's the most popular size so there may be more top-notch choices)
 
Well, my best advice, even though we have found some cheap builds is simple. Wait. Be pateient. Save your money untill you have enough to buy long term quality. Don't compromise quality, longlivty and performance because of impatience - thats is my standpoint.

If you can't wait, however, I think we have provided you with some reasonable answers, regarding budget build.
 

Globber

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Ok. So I am now thinking about other possibilities. I am not going to rush the build. Is it worth going to a LGA2011 socket after saving a bit extra if I want to run SLI? Or will the Z97 chispets handle 2-way SLI @ x16 speed on both cards? I am able to go a bit higher than the budget listed. I would like to stay around 400 USD or so, unless it is worth the wait to go with a good chip for the LGA2011 socket? I know the 2011 is a much much higher price point, but if it is worth the wait then I can have patience.

Also, in the meantime I would like to get the best motherboard I can get for my current FX8350. Can you recommend the best motherboard for my FX8350? USB controller on my current board is having problems and I am outside warranty period. Prefer to just try to get a new model, the best I can to last me a bit. Since I plan to hold off on the Intel build, I don't mind spending whatever it takes to get the best board for my chip. 2-way SLI support with OC capability are definitely a positive. Thanks!
 

Globber

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Board size is not really an issue. I would prefer to stay under EATX form factor, but if it is comparable to get the larger of 2 boards then I don't mind going bigger. Main thing is that I am more familiar with AMD chips, which are not very plentiful in options and the most expensive AMD board I have seen is around 225. So going to an Intel set up provides with many more options that I am not as familiar with.
 

Globber

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It seems like the 3258 would be a bit of work, and from what I have been told it would most likely bottleneck me even under high overclocks. I would be more tempted to get a cheaper i5 with multi threading that i could later upgrade to an i7. Still preferring the x99 chipset and 2011 socket.
 

Globber

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Thanks. I just have not had stable results in SLI with the 990FX chip set and 8350 I am running. I would assume it must be my motherboard. I just need to find the best 990FX board I can get. I really do not like to skimp on the motherboard, it is the backbone of your entire system.