Computer overhaul. $400 Will it work?

[playajames]

Approximate Purchase Date: Next Week

Budget Range: $300-$400

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Home, gaming, surfing the internet, watching movies)

Parts Not Required: Graphics Card(HIS Radeon HD 6750), Power Supply(Raidmax RX-530SS), Hard Drive, CD ROM

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg.com

Country: US of America

Parts Preferences: AMD

Overclocking: Maybe

SLI or Crossfire: No

Monitor Resolution: N/A

Additional Comments: Is this a decent build, and suggestions would be appreciated .

--------------------------------------

ASUS Sabertooth 990FX AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD Motherboard

AMD FX-4100 Zambezi 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo) Socket AM3+ 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor

G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory

**Extra, not in budget**

NZXT Phantom PHAN-001WT White Steel / Plastic Enthusiast ATX Full Tower Computer Case

 

[geofelt]

How wedded are you to a AMD cpu?

In the most recent tom's article on the best gaming cpu's for the money, there are NO winners from AMD; only Intel.
The FX-4100 is the only one to even get a honorable mention.
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-cpu-review-overclock,3106-3.html

Here is another article on <$200 gaming cpu's:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-fx-pentium-apu-benchmark,3120.html

Also, a Z77 based motherboard will cost you less.

Consider a i3-2120 and a Z77 motherboard for about $50 less.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115077

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=13-138-355&SortField=1&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=-1&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1

 

[playajames]

I'm willing to get intel as well I've just always had AMD processors. If they are better for gaming I think its a better choice then.

Is the i3-2120 actually faster than the FX-4100 even though the 4100's clock speeds are faster? Also I think the Core i5-2310 would still be manageable with my budget would that be better? As for the Z77 I keep seeing it pop up on threads and the price is nice, I think I will go with this as well.

 

[azeem40]

The clock rate is faster, but the clock for clock performance is slower.

 

[geofelt]

I'm willing to get intel as well I've just always had AMD processors. If they are better for gaming I think its a better choice then.

Is the i3-2120 actually faster than the FX-4100 even though the 4100's clock speeds are faster? Also I think the Core i5-2310 would still be manageable with my budget would that be better? As for the Z77 I keep seeing it pop up on threads and the price is nice, I think I will go with this as well.

The intel chips have a better internal architecture that makes them do more work per clock cycle.
Games rarely use more than two or three cores, so faster cores is usually better than more cores.
If Intel made a fast 3 core chip for gamers, I think tht would be ideal.
The i5-2310 would also be a good choice.

If you live near a microcenter, they will sell you a 2500K for $170. Or an ivy bridge 3570K for $190(and a $50 discount on some Z77 motherboards). A great deal for either. The "K" lets you oc that chip conservatively to the 4.0 range and beyond. That is really more than a gamer needs.
Once at the I5-2310 class chip, it is probably better to spend the incrementa lnext $50 dollars on the graphics card.

 

[JamesSneed]

At the top of your budget you could do something like this:

Intel 2500k, $220
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115072

ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3, $104
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB, $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212, 29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

You can do a combo on newegg when you select the motherboard to add the 2500k which will save $18 and that puts you slightly under $400 budget.

 

[playajames]

I think I will go with the build above, instead of the Z68, would the Z77 be better? I may exceed my budget a bit.

Thank you for all the help guys.

 

[playajames]

I think I will go with the build above, instead of the Z68, would the Z77 be better? I may exceed my budget a bit.

Thank you for all the help guys.

 

[Onus]

Geofelt is absolutely correct about Intel vs. AMD. Make SURE you replace your PSU-shaped object; you've got a Chokemax that isn't good for anywhere near what's on its label. It is likely to die a grisly death, and may take other parts with it when it dies.
Since you have it, by all means try your HD6750, but it is possible you will find it weak for games (unless you tolerate significantly lowered settings on most things).

 

[loops]

better? Z77 be better?

It would give you an upgrade path but not one to get excited about if you have 2500k.

I'd just stick with the z68/i5 and save the money. Or get an Z68 board that allows for Cross Fire. Like a http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128512

 

[playajames]

Ok I think ill stick with the z68 for now then. Heres the build I think I will follow;

Intel 2500k, $169
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0354589
(I do have a microcenter about 30miles from me)

ASRock Z68 PRO3 GEN3, $104
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157279

CORSAIR Vengeance 8GB, $50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233186

COOLER MASTER Hyper 212, 29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065

As for the PSU how bad is it, it was a cheaper PSU? I may have to hold off on one of these.

 

[azeem40]

PSU is pretty crap. It has one of the lowest quality out of any brand.

 

[Onus]

Fortunately, Xigmatek, Noctua, and others make comparable coolers for similar prices, so there's no unnecessary pain from refusing to support dishonesty.
A $45 380W Antec Earthwatts is a solid, efficient PSU that will support up to a HD6850 or HD7770. If at all possible though, I'd suggest something in the 500W-550W range in order to allow a more substantial upgrade, if desired.

 

[playajames]

Best answer selected by playajames.

 

[playajames]

Does anyone have a decent power supply in mind? 500W-500W as jtt283 suggested.

 

[Onus]

Anything in that wattage range from Seasonic, Antec, Corsair, XFX, or Enermax/LEPA will be good. There are often decent deals, so check the day you order.