Budget Update on bed ridden system. (Psu/Gfx/Mobo/Cpu/Ram)

[bgriffin]

Hello all,

So my current pc is terrible:
PSU: Jeantech 350w generic
CPU: Amd 64 x2 4600+ (Socket AM2)
MOBO: Asus M2N-MX SE (One broken DRAM slot, so maximum of 1GB Ram)
Ram: 1gb crucial ballistix (in machine) 2x 1gb crucial ballistix (not able to put in)
GFX: Radeon x1950 GT
H Random 250gig hd


The whole machine is giving me problems in games, fps drops, freeze ups. The game I play is Mount & Blade: Warband, this is an FPS game with upwards of 100 people potentially on screen. It's not a massive pc hog, but my PC is only just dealing with it on lowest possible settings, so Its time for a budget upgrade.

When are you buying?: Within 1 week
Country: United Kingdom
Any brand preferences? No
Total budget: 200 (give or take 20%)


So far I have seen these items and have been considering them.

Graphics. PSU
Radeon HD 4850 (£50/60) Xigmatek 400w (high praise on toms) 35)
Geforce GTS 250 ($50/60) Corsair 430w system builder (35)
Radeon HD 5670 (50/60) Coolermaster 500w elite power (30-40)
(note: I have seen a Coolermaster deal . with a case, same PSU for £55)


Mobo + psu + Ram

This is where I need most assistance, if I end up spending about 80/90 on a PSU/GFX combo It leaves me 110/120, what are the deals like on bundles these days? And what kind of processor should I be looking at?

Last time I was building systems was this one three of four years ago, so my knowledge is really limited about what is going to be good for the money and for the purpose (gaming).




So, any advice on all fronts would really be handy, I want to start putting it together asap.

All the best,

Ben.

 

[striker410]

Well, this is gonna be tough. We are in the "cheapest possible" category. For that, here's what I suggest.
Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138179

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103871&cm_re=athlon_x4-_-19-103-871-_-Product

GPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102871&cm_re=5670-_-14-102-871-_-Product

We are already out of the budget. Keep the PSU you have and hope it doesn't explode, then when you can spare around $40 get this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371033

For ram, use the ram you have until you can spare another $40: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231253&cm_re=g.skill_4gb-_-20-231-253-_-Product
That system will be MUCH better than the one you have now. Like, at least 2x better, if not more.
That's what I recommend, but we shall see what the other members say.

 

[bgriffin]

Sorry, I am in the United Kingdom. So it would be 200 GBP (exchange rate at 1.64) 328 dollers. But shipping from US would probably cost a fair bit.

skinflint (dot) co (dot) uk is a good website for UK comparisons. For anyone outside the UK who is helping me.

Thanks striker, given my budget is abit bigger would you still recommend the same parts?

 

[striker410]

Those are the parts I recommend, yes. You really don't want to go cheaper than that, as it won't be worth the upgrade. Keep in mind you will have to format your HDD to use a new mobo, so you might need a new OS.

 

[bgriffin]

I have an OS (windows xp) ready to install. So its just those components

 

[striker410]

I will get back to you when I get home, But I still stick with the components I listed.

 

[Silvune]

AMD Phenom II X2 550 3.1GHz £65
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/166518

MSI 870-C45 AMD 770 Socket AM3 £42
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/241003

Kingston 2GB DDR3 1600MHz CAS9 1.65V £18
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/239263
Add another 2GB when you have another £18

Sapphire Radeon HD 5670 512MB GDDR5 £57
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/190139

Antec VP450P £30
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/245675

Total: £216

 

[bgriffin]

That's nice man, and right on budget. About the HD5670 512MB, I can pick up a GTS 250 for 49 and the same with a HD 4850 (and I believe some of these are 1GB) and theres a xfx5670 1gb floating around for 50 would you still recommend the above gfx card wise?

 

[bgriffin]

Also, would you recommend the Antec 450 (£30) even given the coolermaster elite power 500w is only £33?

 

[Silvune]

The GTS 250 will have the highest performance out of the ones you listed, about the level of a 5770 in ATI/AMD terms. It also uses the most amount of power with a TDP of 150W. So if performance is all you care about then it's the obvious choice for £49.

These are the sorts of reviews around for the Cooler Master Elite Power series:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-Elite-Power-460-W-Power-Supply-Review/1005
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Cooler-Master-Elite-Power-350-W-Power-Supply-Review/1184
I don't know much about the Cooler Master Elite Power 500W unit, but if it's much like those two then I don't think I'd want one. And I would choose the Antec over it, despite it not having been reviewed by a site like hardwaresecrets, altho I have tried reading a few translated reviews from China on it which seem to be more positive.

 

[striker410]

I would recommend an athlon quad over a phenom dual anyday. And if you can get a gts 450 for cheaper, get it. Also, get 4gb of ram, as with 2gb things may lag/crash. Good job though silvune, especially on that PSU.

 

[bgriffin]

Ok, how are the x3 445/440's? I can pick one of them up for £50?

Or around 60/65 the x4 640?

 

[striker410]

ok, I revised the build. here's what I cam up with
RAM (2 sticks): http://www.ebuyer.com/product/147903
Mobo: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/241003 ( I splurged a bit)
CPU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/242140 OR http://www.ebuyer.com/product/238326
PSU: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/245675
GFX: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/251328 OR http://www.ebuyer.com/product/255465
220 euros with the Athlon II x4 and the 5670.
About same with Athlon x3 and gts 450.
The best build, the X4 and the gts 450, is 250 euros.

 

[bgriffin]

Also: Power supply wise:

Check out the Xigmatek 400w : http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/power-supply-psu-80-plus,review-32016-9.html They say its really good and suspect it might handle more than it claims. (Given the gfx card I am looking at and reading the review how would this handle?)

Finally, the Corsair 430 system builder has some 'ok' reviews. Looking around I couldn't find many big reviews on the antec.

 

[striker410]

The antec isn't a great PSU, but it's an antec so it should be fine. If you can afford a bit more, the Antec Earthwatts would be the go-to. http://www.ebuyer.com/product/185183
I've used it in a buddies build, it's quiet, efficient, and 80+ certified.

 

[bgriffin]

Sorry to ask but:

What about i3 CPU build vs x3 450?

 

[striker410]

an i3-2100 is going to beat the snot out of the x3. The problem is, it's not in your budget. You need a new mobo, cpu, ram and gfx card. With the i3, it's not possible.