2nd hand CPU and MOBO

[lanmonkey]

I'm building a PC for my lad and I want to buy 2nd hand CPU and MOBO off ebay. He will use the computer for Gaming and music/video production. I don't have a specific budget but I'm looking for the following:

* Best bang for buck
* Intel CPU, preferably i5 or i7
* Very simple overclock or none at all (just need it to work, stability is essential)

What should I be looking to buy?

 

[Soulkeeper]

This could be a tough decision without a budget in mind.
Also you might want to look at other options like the refurbished/used section on newegg.
Craigslist has a lot of cheap dell/hp/etc. systems also if you're willing to deal with random people in person.
Basically, i'd focus on getting the newest/best option you can in a specific budget.

 

[lanmonkey]

Ok thanks

Are there any CPU/MOBO combination that are well reguarded or considered sweet spots?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Ok thanks

Are there any CPU/MOBO combination that are well reguarded or considered sweet spots?

Z77-chipset mobo, and an i5-2500K. Those people should be upgrading to Skylake around now, so I would expect to find more of those types of rigs up on offer.

 

[lanmonkey]

Thanks Larry - just what I was looking for

 

[Callipygous]

I was able to score an i7 2600k, Z68 motherboard, and a water cooler for 160USD a few weeks ago on craigslist. I could have gotten by without hyper threading but it was such a smoking deal and it will help me with a few of the programs I run. The tech is two generations old but I think it's more than enough for modern games as well.

A 2500k is essentially the same processor without hyper threading. I would recommend either a Z68 or Z77 chipset. P67 is not horrible, if one was gifted to me I would put it to use, but I wouldn't pay much money for it.

The Z77 chipset is cool because it allows you to upgrade to an Ivy Bridge CPU if you ever find a great deal on one.

If you don't mind doing some running around and scrounging then good places to look for parts are local universities (they often have a dedicated surplus store), county/city surplus sales (if you have to buy a whole pallet of stuff to get the one thing you want just buy it and donate the rest to Goodwill), craigslist (as well as other local classified ads), and you already mentioned ebay.