Generally speaking regarding the relative costs of components

toddstew

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Nov 8, 2008
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Generally speaking...without being too specific

Suppose one has $300 to spend on mobo/cpu/harddrive/memory/video card for a refurb...

Suppose one is trying to maximize bang for buck. Is it better to sacrifice on CPU speed to get more more mobo features?

Is it bad to choose the 2.0gHz processor over the 2.8gHz processor in order to get a better quality mobo? or should one get the most basic mobo with and buy max out on RAM so that one can start the new board with 8 gigs of memory rather than 4?

would it be better to buy less mobo so one can buy more graphics card capability?

You get the idea... in a nonperfect world when you just can't have the best of everything....what do you do to get by or keep up?

I'm not a gamer...but what would a serious but low budget gamer do to support his habit if he only had $300 to gut his 5 year old system in an effort to keep up with current technology?
 

Zecow

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In my opinion, I would pay premium for the board. Since all components are connected to the board - CPU, RAM, graphic card.. etc, I would pay more for a good quality stable board. I can always OC the cpu with a stable board so its not an issue for the cpu speed. I just bought the q6600 - best bang for the buck, as i would like to get at least a 3Ghz CPU. My board is the Asus Rampage - OC the CPU to 3.6Ghz. I'd look into the board first then balance my budget out.
@$300 - a cpu/board/vga will cover your budget without RAM. I got 4GB ram as I do not use any applications that require that much. All in all it depends on your usage.
 
There are great deals out there for budget components. Although the P31/35, G31/35 are a bit outdated, they can accept the modern Q9650 or E8600 CPUs and their PCIex16 1.1 socket are just fine for any reasonable cost GPU. On the AMD side a Athlon 64x2 5400 BE paired with a 790GX motherboard has decent performance with clear upgrade paths to crossfire, upgated CPU to PhenomFX at a reasonable price.

In terms of specifics
Motherboard at $53 Gigabyte G31, good overclocker.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128338
CPU - E5200 $83, will easily overclock to over 3.0, probably with the stock HSF.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072
RAM - 2x2 GB DDR2 800 1.8v $41 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146731
GPU - 9600GT $55 after rebate
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814162007
HD - WD SE16 250GB SATA - $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136010

under $300 if you count rebates, you could save by getting 2x1 GB RAM.
 

toddstew

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I was thinking of spending ~$100 on the mobo and 60 on a 2.7 GHZ CPU then make the rest balance out my budget. Due to my lack of experience and knowledge I just wasn't sure if spending a $100 on a mobo would get that much more than a $50 board. Then, I'd be could envision myself spending $100 and getting a 2.8GHZ dual core CPU.

But, with either scenario would I really experience that much difference between the two systems...