Want to cheaply replace 2010 rig

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Eroge

Eroge

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My $800 build from 2010 isn't cutting it anymore, and I miss the fun involved with getting a new PC.

Instead of giving a hard budget, this is what I'm looking for/to spend, roughly. Taking ALL opinions and looking for pages of replies like I got back in 2010 when I came here for help.

CPU: $100
GPU: $100
Mobo: $60
Case: $50 - But looking for something pretty and maybe a small case. Either something clean and brushed metal looking, or something glossy white and glowing blue. But my biggest problem with finding a case is every one seems to have negative reviews stating the Motherboard doesn't sit on it properly, or that the GPU doesn't fit, and it makes me not trust myself choosing one.
500gb HDD, and may add 128SSD later when I feel like re-installing Windows and WoW on it
Windows 10 as cheap as possible since I've always bought my OS for $100 and have heard people buy it cheaper online (legally)
Don't need optical drive
RAM: I'll likely choose 8gb of whatever timed G.Skill memory I end up needing, since it's sexy looking. lol
PSU: $50

Initial Thoughts: I'd love to hear all your opinions, but I'm honestly leaning towards an Intel build. I haven't been keeping up with hardware over the years, but in the past I've always wanted the i5 2500k and regret not choosing that before. I went with an AthlonII x4 640 and because of that, my PC ran most MMORPGs horribly. I'm not sure what the newest AMD chips are, but back when those AMD FX 8 core ones came out, the Intel i5 2500k still provided more FPS in WoW, Tera, SWTOR, GW2, and so I'm only assuming the same results will be found in all these 2016 MMOs that have come out.

The i5 2500k seems to be around $80-150 on ebay, so I'm wondering if there are much better price/performance CPUs available that won't drive the motherboard cost up? That's why I didn't want to put a hard cap on the budget. I want room for suggestions.

As for the GPU, I'm kind of an Nvidia fanboy, and I saw a deal on a GTX 960 for $100 after rebate. I'm wondering what all my options are for around $100? Lastly I'm hoping people here will stick around long enough to later confirm that every part that ends up being chosen will work together, not bottleneck, and hopefully fit correctly in the chosen case.

Thank you so much for reading! Please help
 
Solution
StormBrew
You are correct in your initial assessment that buying used can increase your performance for the same price. That said, buying used is a bit of a gamble, you don't know the condition or accuracy of parts shipped off Ebay, as you do from a trusted seller like Newegg. I put together a new system in the parameters you asked for:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($29.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM...
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StormBrew

StormBrew

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You are correct in your initial assessment that buying used can increase your performance for the same price. That said, buying used is a bit of a gamble, you don't know the condition or accuracy of parts shipped off Ebay, as you do from a trusted seller like Newegg. I put together a new system in the parameters you asked for:
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i3-6100 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($110.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-B150M-DS3H Micro ATX LGA1151 Motherboard ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: GeIL EVO POTENZA 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2400 Memory ($29.98 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Case: BitFenix Comrade ATX Mid Tower Case ($22.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $441.42
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-17 00:32 EDT-0400
The CPU is the i3 6100, and while being a dual core, it offers great performance in games. It will be beat out by the 2500k, but (in my opinion) it makes more sense to purchase the 6100. First you get a newer motherboard with more features (m.2 support, USB 3.0, ect.). Secondly, it gives you more upgrade options in the future, should you choose to change CPU's to an i5, ect.
The motherboard, as I said, offers m.2 support, USB 3.0, ect.
The case is a fairly good deal for it's price, but the sale ends on the 22nd. It is a white brushed metal case, with red LED's on the inside.
Added a 1TB hard drive, and the m.2 slot on the motherboard leaves room for an m.2 SSD, which is significantly faster than any 2.5" model.
The RAM I selected is a good model, and will work fine.
The power supply is rated tier two by the PSU tier list, is on sale, and offers great efficiency for gaming systems.
The graphics card is on sale for the same price as a GTX 950, and offers much more performance. While you may be an Nvidia fanboy, the R9 380 outperforms the GTX 950 in every benchmark. If you find a GTX 960 for cheaper, go ahead and purchase that.
Everything is compatible within the case I selected, and will work fine together.

Best of luck!
 
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Solution
Bearmann

Bearmann

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Sep 14, 2015
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For your consideration:

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: G.Skill Ripjaws V Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($33.89 @ OutletPC)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($47.49 @ OutletPC)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 380 2GB Video Card ($124.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Phanteks ECLIPSE P400S ATX Mid Tower Case ($74.99 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: Antec High Current Gamer 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX Power Supply ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Home OEM 64-bit ($83.89 @ OutletPC)
Total: $609.21
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2016-06-17 00:48 EDT-0400

Nice MB with upgraded audio (ALC 1150 codec) & additional PCIe x4 slot for expansion. The R9 380 is generally considered better than the GTX 960.
 
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Eroge

Eroge

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Thank you so much. I've done some more looking around and have decided I want to save more money and get this case here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811108480 - It may sound stupid to pay more for a case than the CPU, but I figure I'll have this thing for another 5+ years so it's best to choose whichever case I love the most.

Because of this, I don't think I want a tiny motherboard anymore. Would look kind of stupid having a large case and tiny mobo. I'm sticking with your i3 6100 suggestion because it's well priced and will play my games perfectly. Do you think this motherboard is a good buy? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128863

Now to be honest, I don't know much and chose this board based off how it would look in my case, lol. I do know it'll support the i3 6100 and DDR4-2133. I don't see myself ever installing more than a single GPU, so I'd like any motherboard that "looks nice." I also don't know the difference between a "server motherboard" and "gaming pc motherboard." I was told my current Biostar one was meant for servers...oops?

Do I actually need a mechanical HDD? Or could I simply install a 240gb or so SSD and install windows and everything else to that? I keep all other files on my 2tb external HDD anyway.

Thank you for convincing me to get the R9 380 instead. I agree with that for sure. I was just used to using nvidia experience software and have always liked their GPU naming system better.



 
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StormBrew

StormBrew

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The H170 board is a great board, and will work fine. In fact I would recommend it more if you have the budget.
An SSD is fine if you can store other files on an external drive. I would recommend anything from Samsung's 800 series or higher.
I understand what you mean about the case. It should be fine.
 
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Bearmann

Bearmann

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Sep 14, 2015
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Have a look at this case too: http://www.phanteks.com/Enthoo-Evolv-ATX-TemperedGlass.html

The Gaming 3 is a nice board. Also look at these two boards. Both have 15% off promo coupons with promo code EMCEKFL23 at checkout

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007627%20600567584%2050001312%2050001314%2050001315%20600530942%20600560221%20600533617&IsNodeId=1&Description=PPSSAJTVMVOVNU&bop=And&CompareItemList=280%7C13%2D128%2D840%5E13%2D128%2D840%2C13%2D128%2D880%5E13%2D128%2D880&percm=13%2D128%2D840%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24%3B13%2D128%2D880%3A%24%24%24%24%24%24%24


Yes, you could just use a SSD and an external HDD. Keep you OS and programs on the SSD and data (photos, videos, documents, etc.) on the HDD. A back up system of some sort is also recommended.
 
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