A request for help...really need some suggestions

[thecoffeeguy]

1. What will computer be used for?

Primarily gaming and web surfing (son plays flash based games).

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread

Budget is $450

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

USA

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc.

Not really any fan-boy, but this rig will be intel.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

GTX260
Seasonic 620w PSU

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

No overclocking will be done.

8. What resolution will you be using?

1900x1280

9. WHEN do you plan to build it?

Immediately.


For the past year, my current rig has been very problematic and unstable. I will spare the details for now, but i'll just say that I am frustrated and ready to move on and build a new rig.

What im looking for is a nice, stable, fast rig and am keying in on a i52500 chip. I really just need help picking a mobo and memory (my last setup, I had some issues with the mobo, memory and timings, that never seemed to get stable after a lot of work put into it.) That being said, I really dont want to mess around with timing adjustings, overclocking etc. Just want a fast, stable and reliable rig.

Since I have the chip picked out, anyone recommend a mobo and memory to go with?
Going to be picking up a new vid card (haven't decided) and outside of that, just 2 hard drives, DVD drive and thats it. I have a seasonic PS, which should be fine.

I appreciate the help. Sorry if this sounds dramatic. Im just frustrated and want to move on.

Much obliged.

TCG

 

[Ken g6]

Welcome to the General Hardware forum. For advice on your new build, please begin by answering the questions in [thread=80121]this thread[/thread].

 

[thecoffeeguy]

Welcome to the General Hardware forum. For advice on your new build, please begin by answering the questions in [thread=80121]this thread[/thread].

I'll do that.

Thank you.

 

[DSF]

For some reason Question 1 (one of the most important) seems not to have made it into your post.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

For some reason Question 1 (one of the most important) seems not to have made it into your post.

Fixed.

 

[Ken g6]

If that's all you're reusing, one option would be to get a pre-built system and just stick the PSU and GPU in there. Here's an open-box one for $463. Or are you reusing more than you listed, like the case, drives, KB, mouse?

Do you also need an OS? (Question 'X'.) The above system comes with Win7.

Edit: Are you near a Micro Center?

Edit2: Consider: 2500: ~$200, 2 HDDs ~$200, mobo >$50, and now you've blown your budget.

 

[thecoffeeguy]

If that's all you're reusing, one option would be to get a pre-built system and just stick the PSU and GPU in there. Here's an open-box one for $463. Or are you reusing more than you listed, like the case, drives, KB, mouse?

Do you also need an OS? (Question 'X'.) The above system comes with Win7.

Edit: Are you near a Micro Center?

Edit2: Consider: 2500: ~$200, 2 HDDs ~$200, mobo >$50, and now you've blown your budget.

Probably should clarify a bit more.
Will be reusing:
case
keyboard/mouse
(2) hard drives
video card
I do own Windows 7, so I am good there.

My plan was to upgrade mobo, cpu for now and then in a few weeks/months, upgrade my video card. Im just frustrated with the instability i currently have. Figure, I could upgrade ths part for now, then more in a bit.

HTH.

TCG

 

[mfenn]

Probably should clarify a bit more.
Will be reusing:
case
keyboard/mouse
(2) hard drives
video card
I do own Windows 7, so I am good there.

You should probably put that stuff in the OP. Your answer to question number 5 explicitly states that you will only be reusing a GPU and PSU.

You can easily get the CPU, mobo, and RAM for less than your budget, leaving some for a future GPU upgrade:

i5 2400 $190
Intel H67CLB3 $90
Crucial DDR3 1600 8GB $37
Total: $317