Budget Build w/ Future Upgrades in mind

[glazer1972]

What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Mostly Web Browsing, Some Kids Games, Maybe some photo shopping. Nothing too taxing.


What YOUR budget is.
Around $250-300


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

IF YOU have a brand preference.
I'm thinking 1155 Skt. Intel.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
Antec Solo (original) Case, Seagate ST31000333AS 1 TB 3.0 G/S, 120mm Nexus Exhaust Fan, 2x Nexus 92mm Intake Fans, Zalman Fan Controller? Corsair HX520W PSU, Dell 2407WFP Monitor, and Klipsch 5.1 ProMedia. Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit (but I also have XP Pro 32 and 64 bit.)

IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.
I've researched it some.

IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.
Probably not overclocking but would like a board that gives me the option.

What resolution YOU plan on.
1920x1200

WHEN do you plan to build it?
Next month or so. Just want some faster than trusty old Socket A 2.0 GHZ w/ 2 Gigs.

 

[DSF]

When you say future upgrades, what upgrades do you have in mind? That would influence part choices.

Also, is there a chance that month by month you could save up a chunk of change to put towards the build? Let's say (and I don't know your personal situation) you could save up $50 a month. In 5 or 6 months you could do your computer more justice than you can right now. You'd probably get more out of that than you would by shoehorning new parts into a small budget, and then making another minor upgrade later.

Edit: Also, are you planning on integrated or discrete graphics?

 

[glazer1972]

I was thinking of integrated graphics.

I'm not sure I would need to upgrade for quite awhile.

I might would try to find an I5-2500k down the road.

I have had this old computer since 2002 w/ only minor changes along the way as parts went out.

I wouldn't mind having a board capable of having a couple of usb ports for the front.

 

[airdata]

When I think Budget, I do not think Intel.

Another question in OP should be "Do you live near a Micro Center?" Because they usually have best prices on CPU and have good CPU/Mobo combos.

I'm putting together a build for my mother in law and that was the first place I looked... they don't have much variety on combos right now, but they do have the 8 core FX8120 for $199 w\ a few free motherboards that would otherwise be in the $100-125 range. So really it's the best deal they have as opposed to a lesser cpu w\ a lesser mobo for only $50-60 less.

CPU + Mobo $199
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375765

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0375772
8GB DDR3-1600 $35
http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0360527

That's $235 + tax and would leave you enough money to buy a mid range video card.

 

[jpeyton]

Mostly Web Browsing, Some Kids Games, Maybe some photo shopping. Nothing too taxing.

Total is $232.80 shipped plus tax. I would recommend a Sandy Bridge Pentium and SSD for the best speed in everyday computing.

 

[glazer1972]

I'm about 2.5 hours from a Microcenter. Nearest one is Houston TX.

 

[General Kenobi]

H61 motherboard? Add a bit more and you'll get this Z68 board with SATA 6GB/s and USB3: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157270

 

[Danimal1209]

Grab an i3-2100 with a z68 motherboard.
The z68 will have support for ivy bridge so it gives you some upgradability, and the i3 is sickly fast for a middle of the road cpu.

 

[mfenn]

Total is $232.80 shipped plus tax. I would recommend a Sandy Bridge Pentium and SSD for the best speed in everyday computing.

:thumbsup: to this. An SSD is one of the best upgrades money can buy in terms of improving general usage performance. If you don't mind the rebates, you could swap the G620 for an i3 2100 and still come in under your max budget.