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Best bang-4-buck 1155 Mobo?

rivethead

rivethead

Platinum Member
Hi all,

I'm helping my son build his first system. His budget is tight. CPU/Mobo budget is only $200.

He's decided on an i3 2100 CPU which NewEgg currently has for $112. That leaves about $80 for a mobo.

This system will be primarily used for Steam games, watching Netlix and Hulu, managing his iPod media, and homework (I hope).

Early on he'll have to settle for using the onboard graphics of the i3 until he can save money for a VC.

Quality is a concern....since this is his first build, I'd hate to take a chance on bad components (well....more of a chance since there is ALWAYS a chance of bad parts).

Any recommendations?

Thanks!
 
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Is there a microcenter in Austin? If not, I know that they have them in Dallas and Houston. They typically have a cpu/mobo combo for a 2500k for less than $200. That way, you can get him started building computers the right way... 😉
 
bryanW1995 said:
Is there a microcenter in Austin? If not, I know that they have them in Dallas and Houston. They typically have a cpu/mobo combo for a 2500k for less than $200. That way, you can get him started building computers the right way... 😉
Click to expand...


If you can do this it would be great he won't be held back by having a dual core (not an issue most the time but some games prefer 4 phisical cores and as time goes by more software games will appear that can take full advantage of quad cores) and the rig will last him a lot longer. Pay close attention to the PSU, if you buy a low output one he will just end up replacing it once he buys a discrete GPU and if he buys a cheap one he runs the risk of bricking his components. Better he saves up for a half decent one that will last him throughout the rigs lifetime which could be a long while with the 2500K.
 
Unfortunatley no, no Microcenter in Austin. With all the technology here (Intel, AMD, Dell, Blizzard and just about every other gaming company) I've never understood that. I moved from Kansas City and KC has one!

That i5 2500K is what I want to upgrade to! Maybe later this year (might just wait until the next time I'm back in Kansas City to see the folks).
 
Puppies04 said:
Pay close attention to the PSU, if you buy a low output one he will just end up replacing it once he buys a discrete GPU and if he buys a cheap one he runs the risk of bricking his components. Better he saves up for a half decent one that will last him throughout the rigs lifetime which could be a long while with the 2500K.
Click to expand...

He's getting the Corsair CS 430W that I originally bought for myself a few weeks ago. It was only $18 after rebate so I'm giving him this great deal. I'm back to waiting for the next great sale on a PSU to replace my 350W Antec (a loyal component for 7 years now!).
 
GoStumpy said:
I've had great success with all the motherboards I've used in the past 6 months... Biostar TH67+ (Paid $65), 2 - Biostar H61MU3 ($45), and a Gigabyte mITX motherboard....

I think Biostar makes a great budget board...

Then again, browsing newegg there is an Asus in your budget:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131787

This Biostar has more options, however:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138308
Click to expand...

I really like the look of that Biostar H67 board you linked. While an H61 board would be cheaper, it seems (from reading the reviews) that those H67 boards just have less issues.
 
Just for reference, I have a Biostar TH67+, i3-2100, Corsair CX430V2, paired with a XFX HD6850, I can play any game at medium-high settings 😎

Friend has the Biostar H61MU3 with the same CPU/GPU/PSU and has no problems either.

But I admit my splash screen is MUCH better looking than his 🙂
 
rivethead said:
That i5 2500K is what I want to upgrade to!
Click to expand...

Sorry to confirm... what "you" want to upgrade to or what you want your son to upgrade to in the future. Just need to know because if you get a h61 or h67 board he won't be able to overclock ever. You would be better off picking up a cheap Z68 mobo for him if he has any chance of upgrading that I3 2100 at any point and if i'm right there will be a lot of I5 2500Ks floating around second hand once IB comes out. There is no logical reason for people to upgrade but trust me they will.
 
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