Gaming cpu for 100-120?

[poseidun]

Hello,

Im trying to build a new budget computer for gaming and movie streaming for 500 bucks. With all these different cpu's im not sure what to get. AMD or INTEL? quad core? its so confusing.. any opinions would be appreciated

 

[dragonic2020]

That all depends.
Which games are you planning to play?
And what computer parts do you currently have?

 

[king smp]

I3-2100 or Phenom x 4 955 BE

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103808&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Processors+-+Desktops-_-AMD-_-19103808

or

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078&Tpk=i3-2100



the I3-2100 will beat the 955 at stock speeds
but with a good OC on the 955 you will be close

mobos for the 955 are cheaper

I3-2100 is socket 1155
better platform for upgrading

955 be is socket AM3/am3+
great mobos at low prices
still got some life in it

both are great choices for budget builds

the 2100 is dual core with Hyperthreading
the 955 is a quad core

I personally would pick the I3-2100
since you can upgrade to a i5-2500 or I7-2600 later

 

[BaronMatrix]

Hello,

Im trying to build a new budget computer for gaming and movie streaming for 500 bucks. With all these different cpu's im not sure what to get. AMD or INTEL? quad core? its so confusing.. any opinions would be appreciated

For under $500 you are pretty much stuck with AMD A-Series chips. You can get the APU and a second GPU for around $200. The mobo can be had for $100 also. I think I saw a bundle at Newegg for around $400.

TigerDirect also has a bundle for low price.

 

[poseidun]

That all depends.
Which games are you planning to play?
And what computer parts do you currently have?

im buying all new parts so the socket and everything else is open. I want to play games like crysis 2, diablo 3, sc2, old republic ect.. ones that arent out yet

 

[king smp]

really need to know what parts the OP has available to reuse in build
having a case,psu and optical drive will help alot

 

[king smp]

toms built a good I3 2100 tower for $500 on US Newegg
really couldnt go wrong building the same tower
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/diy-gaming-pc,2970.html

also did a nice amd rig a few months ago
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/budget-gaming-pc-phenom-ii-radeon-hd-6850,2903.html

both for $500 on Newegg

 

[poseidun]

i will probably bump the budget up to $650

 

[dragonic2020]

Well, for $500 eh?

Processor
Intel Core i3-2100 $124.99 + free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

Motherboard
MSI H67MA-E35 (B3) $84.99 + free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130569

RAM
G.SKILL NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) $29.99 + free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231396

Graphics Card
ZOTAC AMP! ZT-50402-10L GeForce GTX 550 Ti (Fermi) 1GB $134.99 + free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500194

Power Supply
CORSAIR Builder Series CX600 V2 600W $69.99 + $3.99 shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

Case + 3 fans
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower Computer Case
comes with Three Fans-1x Front Blue LED 120mm Fan, 1x Top 140mm Fan, 1x Rear 120mm Fan
$49.99 + free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811147153

Grand total = $498.93

 

[king smp]

nice looking build dragonic
+1 good job

 

[poseidun]

hmm thanks dragon..so i guess i3-2100 is the cpu to go for

 

[HMRkingpin]

unless you are set on buying new, tried used parts. Thankfully I haven't been burned buying used cpus and graphics cards. You can save money for your pocket or other upgrades.

 

[dragonic2020]

nice looking build dragonic
+1 good job

*bows.
Danke, danke.

You're bumping it to $650 now?
You just screwed up all my calculations...

Well, you could upgrade the i3 to an i5-2500 for $209.99 + free shipping, of course. O, and it includes a free Blu-ray burner, those things usually cost about $100.
So that's a grand total of $583.93.

-Other considerations-
So... that leaves $66.07 to spare to maybe... get a better graphics card. Bump the GTX 550 Ti up to a HD 6850. Or maybe upgrade the motherboard to a P67.
Or both.

Your choice.

 

[poseidun]

hmm.. there any good sites for buying used parts?? besides from ebay and craigslist

 

[dragonic2020]

hmm.. there any good sites for buying used parts?? besides from ebay and craigslist

Ummm... I'd really not suggest buying used parts.
As the old saying goes, "You don't know where that's been." And also how long it's been used for that matter.
Plus used parts have no warranty nor return policy.
When I buy a new computer, I look for reliability.

 

[king smp]

*bows.
Danke, danke.

You're bumping it to $650 now?
You just screwed up all my calculations...

Well, you could upgrade the i3 to an i5-2500 for $209.99 + free shipping, of course. O, and it includes a free Blu-ray burner, those things usually cost about $100.
So that's a grand total of $583.93.

-Other considerations-
So... that leaves $66.07 to spare to maybe... get a better graphics card. Bump the GTX 550 Ti up to a HD 6850. Or maybe upgrade the motherboard to a P67.
Or both.

Your choice.

me personally
go from the I3-2100 to an I5-2400
great cpu
toms recommended it at $180

then go from the GT 550Ti
to a GT 560Ti

the combination of an I5-2400 and a 560Ti will be a great budget build

look at the 560Ti benches
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/geforce-radeon-graphics,2977-4.html

also look at Toms gaming cpus
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gaming-cpu,2971-3.html

for a mid range build the combo of I5 2400 and GT560Ti cant be beat
powerful quad core (can match up to many I7 first generation in gaming) plus the best midrange card

Just my opinion
I could be wrong

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

2400 combo with blu ray burner 196 free shipping

 

[king smp]

Ummm... I'd really not suggest buying used parts.
As the old saying goes, "You don't know where that's been." And also how long it's been used for that matter.
Plus used parts have no warranty nor return policy.
When I buy a new computer, I look for reliability.

well I bought a used WD VelociRaptor 160gb 10k ($51 used Ebay)
it passes all SMART test perfectly

also got a E4300 ($13 craigslist) (retired-still workds) and a E4500 used ($53 ebay)
both are OCd 24/7

also got 4 x 1gb Gskill DDR2-800 CL5 for $50 used (craigslist $50)

everything works fine

on ebay look for top rated sellers and they do give 30 day DOA and 14 day return usually
On craigslist try to install parts and see working

but if I had $650 at one time to spend I would stick with Newegg

 

[HMRkingpin]

exactly my situation as well. If I am not on a tight budget I will buy new, But to get the most for my money, I buy used and refurbished. Have yet to have a problem with any used parts I have bought.... knock on wood haha well I haven't bought anything off craigslist computer related. I have sold a bunch on craigslist. I stick to ebay.

 

[simon12]

Something like this would be good http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/diy-gaming-pc,review-32216.html

 

[king smp]

I totally agree
I posted the same link earlier in thread LOL