Best Budget CPU?

[five0hfox]

Hi everyone! I've been looking at the benchmark tests on cpus because I'm trying to decide on one to get to upgrade. Currently I have an old emachines t2895 and it has a 2.8ghz Celeron with 512mb of ram running XP. I also have a fall 09 Macbook with the 2.26gmz core2duo with 2gb of ram.

Anyways, I'm looking to upgrade the cpu/mobo in my emachines because it crawls and I can't decide what to get! I don't want to spend more than $100 on the cpu. I considered the cheapest i3, but all the computer will really do is internet, iTunes, and if i get the urge...(I know...) runescape.

Anyways, I was considering this. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681

and I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight to how it would compare to my Macbook's speed because I have no idea how big of a difference is is between the different numbers. (I was going off of a similar core2duo cpu because the one found in my macbook isn't listed)

I hope someone on here can help shed light on how that would compare to my macbook and how much faster it would be compared to my emachines!

Oh, almost forgot I'm pretty sure I'm going to run XP. Might go with windows7, or maybe even Linux. I haven't really decided yet since this is going to be done on a budget; partially since I don't use the computer much during the summer, and I don't need the top of the line stuff. A mobo recommendation along with the cpu would be nice too! *sorry for such a long post, I just hope someone can help*

Also, I have never done overclocking and I don't really plan on doing it.

 

[jvroig]

The link doesn't work for me, all I get is a blank page, so I don't know what you are trying to consider. I'm not sure if you are asking about a dual-core Atom or an Athlon II, which are about the only things that belong in a $100 budget

 

[five0hfox]

The link doesn't work for me, all I get is a blank page, so I don't know what you are trying to consider. I'm not sure if you are asking about a dual-core Atom or an Athlon II, which are about the only things that belong in a $100 budget

Oh I didn't realize the link was bad. Link is now fixed. It's the Athlon II x2 250. At $63(free shipping) it seems like it would be a decent budget; but I'm not sure how it would compare to the two processors in my first post.

 

[jvroig]

That will certainly be much faster than the 2.8 Celeron.

As for the 2.26 Core2Duo, since I am not familiar with the actual model, the closest I can come up with was this comparision. The X2 250 will be a bit faster due to an almost 800MHz clock advantage which makes up for any IPC disadvantage it may have.

It is certainly inexpensive. If it suits your needs well enough, I do not see anything wrong with it to warrant making you change your mind.

 

[BladeVenom]

The Athlon II X4 635 is a good bargain. http://www.microcenter.com/specials/...AMDbundle.html

 

[DrMrLordX]

The king of budget chips is still probably the Sempron 140, if you can get it to unlock.

~$35 for a single-core that unlocks to a dual core that you can OC to about 3.5-3.8 ghz is a killer deal.

There's also the oddball Deneb-based x2-5000+ that sells as a 2.2 ghz dual-core, but can unlock to a C2-stepping Deneb, complete with L3 cache, again, if you're lucky. It's sort of multiplier-limited but it's possible to get a 2.8-3.1 ghz quad out of one.

There are less "gimmicky" bargains like the C3-stepping x2 220: http://www.eworldsale.com/ews_product_8665_53326.html

Just be careful, since there are C2 variants available as well, often at the same price and from the same vendors.

 

[Cerb]

For that kind of use, what about this (note: I very much don't like what I'm reading in the Biostar uATX board reviews):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455949

Add some RAM, and you can just crack $200, with RAM included. If the eMachines has a 24-pin PSU, you can even keep that. It'll handily beat your C2D (Ok, not by a mile, but it'll be a little faster in general), and do everything you're looking for. If no 24-pin, a Corsair with a rebate should be good.

Want to go closer to your budget? Heck, the same board has...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455952

Toss this RAM in there, and you aught to be good to go.

All that said, I wish I had a Microcenter nearby.

 

[five0hfox]

For that kind of use, what about this (note: I very much don't like what I'm reading in the Biostar uATX board reviews):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455949

Add some RAM, and you can just crack $200, with RAM included. If the eMachines has a 24-pin PSU, you can even keep that. It'll handily beat your C2D (Ok, not by a mile, but it'll be a little faster in general), and do everything you're looking for. If no 24-pin, a Corsair with a rebate should be good.

Want to go closer to your budget? Heck, the same board has...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455950
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455955
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455952



Toss this RAM in there, and you aught to be good to go.

All that said, I wish I had a Microcenter nearby.

That first combo is great! That's a better mobo that the one I picked out, for the same price after the discount. The psu in my emachines was replaced a few years ago but I really didn't use computer a whole lot after it was replaced. How do I go about checking the psu?

 

[Cerb]

The psu in my emachines was replaced a few years ago but I really didn't use computer a whole lot after it was replaced. How do I go about checking the psu?

If the main power connector obviously has a break-away 4-pin part to it, that's also a dead giveaway (close-up of one). What's the brand and model? With the rebate deals coming out of the woodwork lately for Antecs and Corsairs, it might not be a bad idea to get a new one anyway, if what you have already is so-so quality.

 

[five0hfox]

That's my current psu. I'm hoping I can use it. I also plan on using the hard drive and dvdrw drive I have in there to save money

 

[Vette73]

The Athlon 250 is the one I got for my HTPC. If you want even cheaper look at the single core AM3 chips.

But I would get a motherboard with the 880/890 amd chipset. Most should be upgradeable to the next Gen CPU with just a Bios update.

 

[God Mode]

Buy a intel e5xxx or equivalent amd cpu, 2gb ddr2 and mobo combo in various FS forums for 90-100. With that PSU, I would pick intel solely for the slight power savings.

 

[five0hfox]

I think I'm probably going to go with the CPU in my first post with the mobo combo that cerb posted. Looking at the mobo though, it lists ddr2 as the memory standard. I assume the ddr3 would be fine though? If the memory in my old computer is 240 pin also, could I add it in there too? But since it's slower than the memory suggested, all of the memory would run the same speed as the slowest stick right?


Is my current board a regular ATX board? Looking at the picture I took a while back it looks like it's not the 9x9(?) that the micro is. (I know... filthy heatsink has been cleaned)

 

[iGas]

IMHO, it is best to get a 1/2 decent AM3 mobo, a cheapest CPU that will do the tasks that you need, then upgrade the CPU to a better AM3 or AM3+ CPU when you need more horse power.

 

[Vesku]

1. DDR2 and DDR3 are two separate memory types. Usually a motherboard supports only DDR2 or only DDR3.

2. Count the pins on your main (big) power supply ATX plug. If it's not 24 pins or 20+4 optional pins then you should probably get a new powers supply. Otherwise, the rating of your current power supply is sufficient for any simple non-gaming setup.

3. I'm not sure from the picture if that's a standard mATX form factor but I can't imagine a full ATX motherboard fitting inside. Stick to mATX motherboards.

I'm not exactly sure what parts you are trying to keep from your eMachine so can't comment much on build other than in the $100 ish range an AM3/AM2+ AMD build is a good buy.

 

[Rifter]

for $100 you just cant beat the Athlon II 635, i mean with a quad core for $99 how can you go wrong. I just built one for my mother in law and that chip would do 3.5Ghz on stock voltage and cooler and not go over 60c. I dont know why you would not get it instead of these dual cores being discussed. Unless you really dont want to spend $100.

And i have no idea what you are talking about with that ram. DDR2 and DDR3 are in NO WAY interchangeable.

 

[Rifter]

3. I'm not sure from the picture if that's a standard mATX form factor but I can't imagine a full ATX motherboard fitting inside. Stick to mATX motherboards.

This 100%

It is mATX, look at the expansion slots, how many are there in the back of the case. Definatly mATX.

 

[happy medium]

IMHO, it is best to get a 1/2 decent AM3 mobo, a cheapest CPU that will do the tasks that you need, then upgrade the CPU to a better AM3 or AM3+ CPU when you need more horse power.

Thats what I did for my kids pc.

 

[balane]

I can see about 5 percent of your CPU heatsink fins. Nearly all of them in the photo are covered with lint and getting no airflow whatsoever. Yank that fan off and pull up the lint. Maybe your CPU is throttling itself down because it's running hot.

 

[five0hfox]

I can see about 5 percent of your CPU heatsink fins. Nearly all of them in the photo are covered with lint and getting no airflow whatsoever. Yank that fan off and pull up the lint. Maybe your CPU is throttling itself down because it's running hot.

As mentioned, I cleaned it already. It's not running any faster, but it's just an old computer.

My PSU does have the 20+4 pin connector so I think I'm good to go. I think I'm going to just go with the Athon II x2 250. This combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455949

with 2gb of ram ( i know it's less that what you all recommended) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231098

because I really don't do a whole lot at once and my laptop before my macbook had 2gb on vista and it ran ok, so I think with windows7 I should be ok too.

But now, should I get the 32 bit version or 64 bit version...? And what's up with the Full version and the builders version?

 

[balane]

As mentioned, I cleaned it already. It's not running any faster, but it's just an old computer.

Sorry, missed that part.

 

[DrMrLordX]

for $100 you just cant beat the Athlon II 635

Directron has the x4 640 here for $106 shipped:

http://www.directron.com/adx640wfgmbox.html

Pretty good deal I'd say, though there are probably combo deals out there that are better.

 

[Cerb]

I think I'm probably going to go with the CPU in my first post with the mobo combo that cerb posted. Looking at the mobo though, it lists ddr2 as the memory standard. I assume the ddr3 would be fine though? If the memory in my old computer is 240 pin also, could I add it in there too? But since it's slower than the memory suggested, all of the memory would run the same speed as the slowest stick right?

No. I managed to totally misread it as a DDR3 board, initially. So, if you want to save the $, DDR2 (or a cheap Biostar). Not many good deals on straight AM3 boards, w/o at least getting a AII X4, from what I see, too. Well, if you can't travel to a Microcenter, anyway.

I can see about 5 percent of your CPU heatsink fins. Nearly all of them in the photo are covered with lint and getting no airflow whatsoever. Yank that fan off and pull up the lint. Maybe your CPU is throttling itself down because it's running hot.

Doubtful. It seems to be a <ominous>Northwood Celeron</ominous>.

But now, should I get the 32 bit version or 64 bit version...? And what's up with the Full version and the builders version?

OEM is supposed to be bought with the hardware, and be tied only to it. Realistically, there isn't much difference. 32-bit can't access all of 4GB of RAM, yet some legacy code will not run in 64-bit (many DOS & Win95 games, some installers that kept using very old code, etc.). There are other minor differences, but those are the most important.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Do you have DDR2 RAM already? If not, then you should consider getting a DDR3-based platform. Get a DDR3 AM3 micro-ATX mobo, and an Athlon II X2 250 is a fine choice, although you probably get more bang-for buck with the X4 630, 635, or maybe 640 if you can find one. Your PSU seems acceptable to re-use.

Consider getting an 880GX chipset based motherboard, they are the most current, and will likely support an AM3 Bulldozer CPU in the future.

 

[evolucion8]

The Athlon II X4 635 at such price can't be beat.