New Budget Computer

[53m1d3u5]

Hello all! I'm looking to build a new computer. I'm burnt out on prebuilt systems, my latest pc is a six-year-old E510 w/ a Pentium D 930. I've upgraded the graphics and ram several times, and I made heavy use of the four-year warranty, and in the last month I've dealt with buying a new mobo. But it uses a weird BTX case/board config and it has reached the end of its road. I'm ready to learn a few things and build my own rig.

Here's the challenge, if you can dig it:

$500 budget. I can scrape an extra Benjamin if it makes a very significant difference.

I'm gearing toward longevity. I want to be able to upgrade and keep this rig working for many years to come. And my work/play/office needs will have it running at least 20/7, and probably more.

I have a GT430 graphics card I can make do with if the build needs the cash a graphics card would take. I would appreciate any recommendations on a replacement if that is the case.

Just assume I know less than average when it comes to hardware. I'm here to learn and get a new low-end gaming rig in the process.

- Semideus

 

[ngrego]

I would suggest getting the best CPU possible for your money now, since it is the most expensive component and will probably define the lifespan of your build. Spend less on MOBO, pick one for less than $100 you can invest in a better one later. Ram is quite cheap nowadays so you will probably be able to get enough to run decently on your budget. Use as much hardware from your old rig as possible and upgrade it later when you have more resources.
The others (in the forum) will make penty of suggestions on which model CPU will be best for your rig.

 

[SSri]

$500 budget. I can scrape an extra Benjamin if it makes a very significant difference.

I'm gearing toward longevity. I want to be able to upgrade and keep this rig working for many years to come. And my work/play/office needs will have it running at least 20/7, and probably more.

I have a GT430 graphics card I can make do with if the build needs the cash a graphics card would take. I would appreciate any recommendations on a replacement if that is the case.

- Semideus

IVY Bridge...with your budget, you may consider i5 3570 for $194 or i5 3570k (overclock) for $212...the top of the line is i7 3770k, which costs $100 more. Since you want to keep it for a few years, it is better to buy the IVY Bridge CPU. It comes with a native display support, provided mobo is enabled to take advantage of this. I cannot comment if that is good enough for gaming, though. This forum is full of experts and amazing gamers. They will guide you in the right direction.

The links below give you a review of the IB CPU tested on 4 mobos. These 4 are meant for overclocking with Asus' P8Z77-V being the best. It is expensive at about $227 at newegg, which also lists a lot of z77 mobo for IB. Hopefully, someone from this forum would help you pick a right motherboard for you.

http://techreport.com/articles.x/22833

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=z77+motherboard&x=0&y=0

DDR3 RAM is cheap....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&N=-1&isNodeId=1&Description=DDR3+ram&x=0&y=0

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/ivy-bridge-benchmark-core-i7-3770k,review-32428.html

As "ngrego" suggested, try using as much of the parts from your current pc to save costs. Please ensure that you pick a good PSU if the PSU from existing one is not good enough...

 

[53m1d3u5]

As for salvaging parts, I don't trust any of the stock Dell hardware. PSU, mobo, ect. They were both replaced about two years ago and the MB has already crashed again.

I'm also very interested in basing this build in AMD tech. Aside from obviously being cheaper, is there a drawback to building on an AMD CPU as opposed to Intel architecture? Am I just paying for a brand label with Intel or is there a real reason to avoid AMD?

I tossed together a hypothetical build after posting yesterday. This is about what I'm going for. Am I missing anything that will be a problem with this?

Cooler Master case - $130 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16811119160

Asus mobo (AM3+ socket) - $95 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16813131767

AMD FX-4100 (3.6Ghz) - $110 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16819103996

4 x 2Gb DDR3 - $56 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16820231323

Modular 650watt PSU - $90 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?item=N82E16817139020

500GB HDD - $80 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152181

[Total = $561]


Thanks for the info, keep it coming.
-Semideus

 

[SSri]

I'm also very interested in basing this build in AMD tech. Aside from obviously being cheaper, is there a drawback to building on an AMD CPU as opposed to Intel architecture? Am I just paying for a brand label with Intel or is there a real reason to avoid AMD?

[Total = $561]


Thanks for the info, keep it coming.
-Semideus

I have never used AMD; I would never as Intel makes far better processors. AMD, in my personal opinion, is miles behind Intel. Period. Good luck with your AMD build.

 

[53m1d3u5]

Best answer selected by 53m1d3u5.