Best RAM + CPU + Motherboard for $300

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

I want to upgrade my old i3-530 CPU, the motherboard P7H55D-M PRO 1156 socket based and my 4gb of ram for new ones (all this parts are 4-5 years old).
Which parts do you recommend me that not exceed $300?

Also I dont know if choosing Intel over AMD or the other way around.
Any thoughts?
Thank you very much.

Zerk2012 · Jun 9, 2016

http://pcpartpicker.com/list/QNmTyc
Right at 300. A big upgrade from what you have.

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Zerk2012 :

Hi, thank you for your answer. What do you think about LGA 1150 and LGA 1151? Is it worth getting 1551 over 1150? Also, which power supply could I get for a low price?

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

I would do this. The D3H has a PCIe x4 slot for future upgrades, e.g. USB 3.1, NVMe SSD, etc. If you could go about $9 over budget, I would get the Gigabyte Sniper which includes the 1150 codec for upgraded sound.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($72.59 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $298.56
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 09:49 EDT-0400

There is no reason to get the older 1150 chipset over the 1151. I assume that you are not using a separate GPU. This PSU would be OK, though there are better ones for more money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=IGNEFL060916&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL060916-_-EMC-060916-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17139027-S1A6B

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Bearmann :

I would do this. The D3H has a PCIe x4 slot for future upgrades, e.g. USB 3.1, NVMe SSD, etc. If you could go about $9 over budget, I would get the Gigabyte Sniper which includes the 1150 codec for upgraded sound.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($72.59 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $298.56
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 09:49 EDT-0400

There is no reason to get the older 1150 chipset over the 1151. I assume that you are not using a separate GPU. This PSU would be OK, though there are better ones for more money:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139027&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=IGNEFL060916&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL060916-_-EMC-060916-Index-_-PowerSupplies-_-17139027-S1A6B

This are very good options, but my chassis is so small I dont know if this mobo will fit. Is it too big?

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

Both motherboards are micro ATX. The Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H is 9.61" x 8.86". Your current P7H55D-M PRO is 9.6 inch x 9.6 inch.

You are correct about the Sniper, though- it's ATX -too big.

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Bearmann :

So with Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor, MSI B150M BAZOOKA Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard and Corsair Vengeance LPX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory I would be good to go? Or is there a better option for that price range?

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

I added to my previous post for clarification. I prefer the Gigabyte board for the additional PCIe x4 slot. The BAZOOKA would also work, however. No difference in the Corsair or Crucial RAM.

If you want the upgraded sound and don't mind significantly busting your budget, this would be my choice for the upgrade:

Asrock micro Extreme 4:

http://pcpartpicker.com/product/6JfmP6/asrock-motherboard-z170mextreme4

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Bearmann :

If it were up to you, and you had 350 USD for upgrading. Would you spend those extra 50 bucks ona cabinet or a power supply?

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

What PSU are you using?

If your PSU is good, I would consider this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B7 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $356.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 14:47 EDT-0400

If you don't care about the upgraded sound, you could go with this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($72.59 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $353.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 14:50 EDT-0400

The Pro M is on sale TODAY ONLY. You should also consider the Phanteks P400 (no optical drive bay) which is the same price. Check out the youtube videos on these cases.

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Bearmann :

What PSU are you using?

If your PSU is good, I would consider this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B7 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($47.99 @ Micro Center)
Total: $356.94
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 14:47 EDT-0400

If you don't care about the upgraded sound, you could go with this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i5-6500 3.2GHz Quad-Core Processor ($194.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($72.59 @ Amazon)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $353.55
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 14:50 EDT-0400

The Pro M is on sale TODAY ONLY. You should also consider the Phanteks P400 (no optical drive bay) which is the same price. Check out the youtube videos on these cases.

My PSUs' fan is dead and my case is wreked. I should buy both. Any recommendations?

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

If your PSU fan is dead, then you better replace the PSU. Do you have a GPU?

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Bearmann :

Yes, the fan is dead. I am using an external fan so it does not overheat. I own an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460. It's good for now.

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

The GTX 460 needs about 550W. Either of these would be good:

https://pcpartpicker.com/products/compare/antec-power-supply-hcg620m,evga-power-supply-110b20750vr/

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Bearmann :

So the total price would be around 400$, right?

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

Well it depends on which MB you get and if you upgrade the case or not. It sounds like you really need a new PSU. Now some people will replace the fans on their PSU's, but I suspect it wouldn't be worth it for yours, and that you wouldn't feel comfortable doing it. I assume your PSU is out of warranty.

This is probably what you should do:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B7 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $339.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 18:55 EDT-0400

The i3 6100 would be a significant upgrade over the i3 530, but you are GPU limited, so I'm not sure you will realize any real benefit. When you are ready for a AMD RX 480 or similar, you would likely only have mild bottlenecking on certain games with the i3. With your current GPU, you won't get any added benefit from the i5 over the i3 for gaming. With the Skylake MB, you'll be able to upgrade all the way up to an i7 in the future if you want. You really need to upgrade everything.

elgiov · Jun 9, 2016

Bearmann :

Well it depends on which MB you get and if you upgrade the case or not. It sounds like you really need a new PSU. Now some people will replace the fans on their PSU's, but I suspect it wouldn't be worth it for yours, and that you wouldn't feel comfortable doing it. I assume your PSU is out of warranty.

This is probably what you should do:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte G1.Sniper B7 ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($82.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($30.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks Enthoo Pro M ATX Mid Tower Case ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $339.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-09 18:55 EDT-0400

The i3 6100 would be a significant upgrade over the i3 530, but you are GPU limited, so I'm not sure you will realize any real benefit. When you are ready for a AMD RX 480 or similar, you would likely only have mild bottlenecking on certain games with the i3. With your current GPU, you won't get any added benefit from the i5 over the i3 for gaming. With the Skylake MB, you'll be able to upgrade all the way up to an i7 in the future if you want. You really need to upgrade everything.

I like your thinking. This i3 compres anything to the i5 you told me before? I wont upgrade the GPU soon, but the other parts you mentioned I have to upgrade them.

Bearmann · Jun 9, 2016

Gaming i3 6100 Versus i5 6500 with GTX 970

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJuadijvTSU

The AMD RX 480 is expected to be just a little bit better than the GTX 970. Remember that if you like the Phanteks Pro M case, it is on sale today only- only a few more hours.

elgiov · Jun 10, 2016

Bearmann :

Is the G1 Sniper B7 mobo too big for a normal case? Or it will do just fine?

Is this case ok for my new specs? http://www.kolke.net/Gabinete-Gamer-500W/
Because the shipping cost of the case is too high, as it weighs a lot. I have to buy it in my country.

Bearmann · Jun 10, 2016

The Sniper is an standard ATX size board, the most common size. It won't fit in a microATX case.

elgiov · Jun 10, 2016

Bearmann :

Did you see my edit? Could you please answer me that?

Bearmann · Jun 10, 2016

No I did not see the edit. That is a full ATX case, so it will fit a Standard ATX or MicroATX board. We should have been looking in your country all along. There may be pricing differences which may favor one component over another.

elgiov · Jun 10, 2016

Bearmann :

It comes with a 500W PSU, is it good for my GPU?

Bearmann · Jun 10, 2016

If the 460 is not overclocked, 500W will be enough, however, it would preferable get a tier 1 or tier 2 PSU. The one that comes with the case is likely poor quality.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

elgiov · Jun 10, 2016

Bearmann :

For starters the kit is good, right? I am getting the case and the PSU for just 30USD

Best RAM + CPU + Motherboard for $300

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