Is this a good CPU/mobo for gaming?

[Cored17]

I currently have a pentium Dual Core e2160 rated at 1.8Ghz. I have been looking at upgrades for awhile and im going to upgrade my motherboard and cpu with a combo deal. So i found this deal on Ebay and i want to know what you all think..

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-AMD-PHENOM-8600-2-3GHz-MOTHERBOARD-CPU-COMBO-KIT-/260386068402?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3ca03817b2#ht_2950wt_698

also there is a bundle on Newegg that isnt too bad with a x3 core AMD as well but it is a lot more on newegg obviously than Ebay. Just wanted to get some opinions the games I play are MMOs like WoW, RoM.

Also, I am running Win7 32 bit with 4g DDR2. and I also have a Radeon HD 4350. My PSU is still stock and that will be eventually upgraded when i upgrade my card i just want to upgrade my mobo and cpu first.

 

[geekapproved]

Ripoff.

For a cheap upgrade to your system, get a H61 or H67 mobo an i3-2100 and 4gb ddr3-1333 for about $230. i3-2100 smokes a 3.5ghz Phenom II X4 in gaming.

 

[tecmo34]

IMHO... it is not worth it!!

The older Phenom's are not the best of CPU's compared to the current Phenom II or Athlon II's. I would recommend saving enough money to be able to purchase at least the Athlon II X3 435 to go with a AM3/AM2+ board (but preferred to upgrade to an AM3 and DDR3, as well).

 

[simon12]

+1 the 1st phenoms are no good at all. If you are on a very tight budget and need to keep your DDR2 RAM you could get this board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157204 and an Athlon II x3 or X4

 

[Cored17]

I had a post a couple days ago and someone suggested this combo from newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157226&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103886&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-RSSDailyDeals-_-na-_-na&AID=10521304&PID=3463938&SID=

is that a good combo for gaming? again im not doing hardcore stuff like crysis 2 or anything of that caliber. I only do mmo's

 

[simon12]

Its good for the money but you really want a better graphics card at least a radeon 5670 (Nvidia 450) preferably a 5770 or even better a 6850 (or Nvidia 460 1Gb).

 

[Wisecracker]

Splurge on a motherboard like the ASRock 880G PRO3

 

[Cored17]

Splurge on a motherboard like the ASRock 880G PRO3

sure thats a nice board. But i cant afford that let alone afford DDR3 memory to add to it i need to stick with my DDR2 but thank you.

 

[Cored17]

+1 the 1st phenoms are no good at all. If you are on a very tight budget and need to keep your DDR2 RAM you could get this board http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157204 and an Athlon II x3 or X4

how much of a difference will i see out of the Athlon II x4 over the athlon II x3?

 

[simon12]

how much of a difference will i see out of the Athlon II x4 over the athlon II x3?

It depends on the game some there will be no difference but other there will be a noticeable performance increase see http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu-core-i3-2100-recommended-processor,2895-2.html for more details.

 

[Cored17]

Alright so i went with the AMD Athlon II x3 450, and the ASRock a770de+ board.. I am just wondering for sure without a doubt if my PSU which is the stock 250 will be able to handle it. I know my gpu is a low power one but it is a upgraded one and i also upgraded the Ram from the stock 1g(512x2) to 4gb(2x2) and if my psu isnt quite powerful enough what would happen if i tried to power it up?

 

[ratclifff4]

You should look at the reviews for I3 and I5 quad core 3ghz cpu's that are in your price range. Don't go less than a quad core. If you are on a tight budget then I would go 2.8ghz quad core at the minimum. Also you want an unlocked cpu if money allows. I thought an E8400 would be good enough, and it is a nice cpu by the way, but my qx9650 blows it out of the water. Figure out what you can afford and look on Google shopping and/or Pricewatch.com for the model #'s you have decided on. Then you'll be able to avoid any abused or burnt up components. I'd start with the cpu first and then the mobo. Good luck!

 

[ratclifff4]

Here's just a suggestion, I don't know what your budget is:

i5-760 $210 @ Amazon

Biostar H55 HD $74 @ 3btech

4gb dual channel 1333mhz ddr3 $40 @ Komusa.com

 

[simon12]

You will most likely need a better PSU especially if you want to upgrade the GPU (which in my opinion is a more or as important upgrade as the CPU) I suggest a 480W Antec or corsair.

 

[Cored17]

well thank you for the suggestions but i already bought the X3 and the ASRock board like i had said and i just want to know if my PSU will ruin my new mobo or cpu if its not enough power. But @Ratcliff.. thats 240$ and thats way over my budget i wanted to be less than 175 and i paid 169 for the mobo and cpu with 1 year warranty on each.

 

[Cored17]

Ty Malmental again... lol... but sigh i feel i have made a error? Although i hope i have been reading wrong and not being stupid. Micro ATX and ATX? i believe my board now is a micro atx and i believe the one i ordered is a ATX am i screwed now and need a new case and psu?

 

[Cored17]

yes totally a idiot man i cant believe this a week i have been doing research and after i order i find out its too big. i hate my life lol.

 

[tecmo34]

What is your case? If it supports an ATX motherboard, you are still good to go! Your PSU has no effect on if a motherboard is ATX or mATX. It will perform just the same either way.

 

[Cored17]

i cant tell what my case is but im assuming its a micro its only 14.5 inches tall? what else do i need to know or how else can i find out?

 

[tecmo34]

Can you list a maker or model #?

 

[Cored17]

sorry its a Presario SR5410F if u google it i think a pic comes up.

 

[tecmo34]

I think you are in trouble, as I don't see it fitting your case. I would look to cancel or plan returning upon receipt. The case is too small for an ATX motherboard.

 

[Cored17]

ok well there are some Case/PSU deals on Newegg for like 50ish bucks. would that work?

 

[Cored17]

I think you are in trouble, as I don't see it fitting your case. I would look to cancel or plan returning upon receipt. The case is too small for an ATX motherboard.

Ok this is the PSU thats in my case now.. i dont know a lot i just wanna make sure but it doesnt say Micro anywhere just ATX does that matter?

 

[Cored17]

alright yea i just looked up the dimensions of a reg ATX PSU and mine and mine is smaller so i know im screwed. But is it ok to just buy a case/psu combo from newegg?