Building New system , please help with motherboard

rcloud7

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I''ve been out of the loop for a few years now and looking for help/advice building a new Intel system on a budget.
The PC I built a few years back just bit the dust (the mobo /or Vid card dunno which) either way It's junk now and I need to build a new one ASAP.

My case , monitor , hard drive ,burner, mouse and keyboard are all fairly new and good so no need to replace them.
I do some 3-D gaming and watch alot of HD vids , but I'm on a budget and can't go crazy

Basically what I need is this:
New CPU:
Intel please , not AMD , I was thinkin this: Intel Core i3-2100

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

or this: Intel Core i5-2400 Sandy Bridge 3.1GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115074

and a compatable decent Motherboard , here's my problem .. I do some gaming but like I said I'm on a budget and I only have @$400-$450 to spend this month on a new CPU +Mobo + memory to get me up and running again for now until next month. (I'm on a friends PC at the moment)

So.. yeah basically
I'm looking for help or suggestions with finding a motherboard that I can use the onboard graphics or whatever in the meantime until I can save up a couple hundred more for a decent video card and more memory later (in a month or 2). I don't really plan on doing SLI /watercooling or anything super hardcore.

Please Help me out! Thanks in advance.
 
Solution
Are you going to get a K series CPU and overclock it in the future? If so you'll need the Z68 board now. I think that CPU does actually come in combo with that board for a bit more....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.729518

That's probably your best choice. The dual core is hyper-threaded which is a bit like a quad anyway. You can upgrade the CPU later if needed. Keeps your options open.

I really have no idea why I linked the Antec Neo Eco 400W. IF you are going to get a new PSU grab something with a bit more amps.

Neo Eco 520 is a Seasonic built
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

This Seasonic is the same platform but with a few upgraded parts and better paint...

rcloud7

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err actually thanks but the power supply is this :

ENERMAX Noisetaker EG701AX-VE SFMA(24P) 600W EPS12V SLI Certified CrossFire Ready Active PFC Power Supply

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817194001

Will that not work for some reason? or is it outdated?

and whoa $236.. for a dual core? thats ALOT more then even the quad core i had in mind

Also I should have been more specific in saying that micro ATX won't work for me.. I would like a full size ATX board.

Thanks for the effort tho.
 
Let's see about the PSU.

It's an old design, very old. Max 12V amps are 35, so if it's still good it's the equivalent of a modern 450W. Voltage regulation tested well, and I did find one review with ripple testing that indicated it's fairly tight.
So as long as it's still operating within specs, it's OK. Not for a modern SLI/crossfire build but most single cards should be OK with it.

You are the one that sent up the red flag:

The PC I built a few years back just bit the dust (the mobo /or Vid card dunno which) either way It's junk now and I need to build a new one ASAP.

Dead components are often traced back to poor or failing PSUs.

The $236 figure was for the CPU AND BOARD combined. The combo basically got you a slightly faster CPU for the same price as the i3 2100.

Almost all ATX cases accommodate mATX, and you don't want to crossfire or SLI, so why do you need an ATX board? You are just paying for a couple extra slots you aren't going to need.

If that's too much then here is another option:

ASROCK Z68 board
You can't overclock that CPU so that feature is not needed, but at least you get the needed features and a DVI port
+
i3 2100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.729434

The same memory can be used.
 

rcloud7

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ahh yes you are right it's probably best I replace the PSU, I'll go with you first suggestion.
Also I somehow completey missed that it was the price for the combo not just the CPU. :eek:

I really like the idea of the slighty faster CPU for that price and you are putting me well under budget!

I suppose I could go with the mATX board you suggested as well. It was my friend's suggestion that I go with a full ATX "Z68" mobo. But you probably know better. I can still spend to $400-450 total. So I don't mind spending a bit more for some added features. Unless the mATX board you suggested is better then the Z68?
 

rcloud7

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Oh I forgot to say Thank you very much for taking the time and effort to try and help me, It really is greatly appreciated. :)
I was starting to get a migraine headache tryin to weed thru reviews and posts for hours and hours to try and get caught up on the latest tech without going over budget.
 
Are you going to get a K series CPU and overclock it in the future? If so you'll need the Z68 board now. I think that CPU does actually come in combo with that board for a bit more....
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.729518

That's probably your best choice. The dual core is hyper-threaded which is a bit like a quad anyway. You can upgrade the CPU later if needed. Keeps your options open.

I really have no idea why I linked the Antec Neo Eco 400W. IF you are going to get a new PSU grab something with a bit more amps.

Neo Eco 520 is a Seasonic built
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371030

This Seasonic is the same platform but with a few upgraded parts and better paint
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094
Probably the improved efficiency will cover the price difference in a year or so.



 
Solution

rcloud7

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I'm gonna go with this combo! and the PSU (never a bad idea) , nice and upgradable in the future, I agree 100%. It's good to keep options open.
This is exactly the type of setup i was looking for , Thank you so very much. :) Heck, I may even splurge and buy a shiny new case.