Budget rig: i3-2100 or i3-2120?

[janas19]

Hello all. This might be just a pointless post for some, but I also thought other people might have some opinions to share, so I decided to post anyway! 🙂

I'm going to build a custom, budget PC sometime before Christmas. I want a machine to run mainstream applications, browse internet and video, and do moderate-casual gaming. By that I mean I'd like to be able to at least play modern games like BF3, but I'm ok with minimal graphics. My main concern is that I can play games without a lot of problems or freezing. Here is what I have already decided on: new Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2, new Samsung DDR3 1333 2x2 GB RAM, new Cooler Master 380w PSU. Everything else- monitor, HDD, optical drive- I will either recycle or purchase used. I will have to research what graphic cards later.

The main question I'd like to ask you guys is regarding the CPU. Truthfully, I would've preferred the i5-2400 for it's quad core. But for the price premium, and what my needs are at this time, I decided settle for dual-core for now, and if it becomes necessary I can upgrade later. Tough times mean realizing cost-saving whenever possible. But for now I want to buy an i3, but I don't know which one is better!

So I am fortunate to live near a Micro Center, and what they offer is the i3-2100 3.1 Ghz for $99.99, and the i3-2120 3.3 Ghz for $129.99. What I'd really like to get some opinions on is this: do you think the extra Mhz is worth it? I mean, looking at the games that are out now, and knowing this is for a moderate gamer, will the extra money turn a noticeable difference in performance? What would uou recommend I go with?

Thank you in advance for input.

 

[AKShockwave]

I'd just go with the 2100, it's still a good processor and probably not that noticeable a performance difference. Plus you might be able to overclock (note I'm just saying this, no idea if you can overclock them) which would boost you up to the same performance anyway.

 

[lehtv]

Here is what I have already decided on: Gigabyte GA-H61M-DS2, new Samsung DDR3 1333 2x2 GB RAM, new Cooler Master 380w PSU

The mobo is probably decent. But instead of Samsung RAM get 2x2GB G.skill 1333 $23. And Cooler Master low end PSUs aren't great. If you can buy in a few days, Antec Neo Eco 520C is only $35 after promo and rebate. Otherwise, Antec 400C or Corsair CX430 V2.

So I am fortunate to live near a Micro Center, and what they offer is the i3-2100 3.1 Ghz for $99.99, and the i3-2120 3.3 Ghz for $129.99. What I'd really like to get some opinions on is this: do you think the extra Mhz is worth it?

The price is 30% more, but 3.3GHz is only 6.5% more. So go with i3-2100, it is better value at these prices.

What about graphics card for your gaming? The integrated GPU isn't fast enough. What's your overall budget for the whole setup?

Plus you might be able to overclock (note I'm just saying this, no idea if you can overclock them) which would boost you up to the same performance anyway.

On an i3, only the turbo boost multiplier is adjustable but it is locked on a H61 motherboard. Need P67/Z68 to adjust it.

 

[janas19]

I'd just go with the 2100, it's still a good processor and probably not that noticeable a performance difference. Plus you might be able to overclock (note I'm just saying this, no idea if you can overclock them) which would boost you up to the same performance anyway.

Good point, thank you.

 

[janas19]

The mobo is probably decent. But instead of Samsung RAM get 2x2GB G.skill 1333 $23. And Cooler Master low end PSUs aren't great. If you can buy in a few days, Antec Neo Eco 520C is only $35 after promo and rebate. Otherwise, Antec 400C or Corsair CX430 V2.

The price is 30% more, but 3.3GHz is only 6.5% more. So go with i3-2100, it is better value at these prices.

What about graphics card for your gaming? The integrated GPU isn't fast enough. What's your overall budget for the whole setup?



On an i3, only the turbo boost multiplier is adjustable but it is locked on a H61 motherboard. Need P67/Z68 to adjust it.

Wow that is super useful advice, thanks.

Let's say my budget would allow for a 75 dollar GPU. Got any suggestions for the low end?

 

[lehtv]

Just to clarify, you would not be able to overclock.

 

[janas19]

On an i3, only the turbo boost multiplier is adjustable but it is locked on a H61 motherboard. Need P67/Z68 to adjust it.[/QUOTE]

PS, I did a little research, and according to Wikipedia, it seems only the i5 and i7 processors have the Turbo boost mode. Good to know right?

 

[janas19]

Yeah I know. I guess I won't be over-clocking. :/

 

[DaveSimmons]

For $75 you might find a used Radeon 5770 or 6770 here in FS / FT forums, or get one new for $95 after rebate.

Get the i3-2100 and H61 motherboard, that's still faster than the Core 2 E8400 I use for gaming now while I'm waiting a bit longer before building something new.

 

[lehtv]

PS, I did a little research, and according to Wikipedia, it seems only the i5 and i7 processors have the Turbo boost mode. Good to know right?

Yeah you're right. I remembered the i3 still had turbo and only the pentiums and celerons lacked it.

Let's say my budget would allow for a 75 dollar GPU. Got any suggestions for the low end?

Are you looking to buy a 1080p monitor?

XFX 6750 $75 AR. Anything slower than 6750 and you're not really going to get playable framerates in BF3 even on low settings. See here (6750 ~ 4850). I would however recommend to postpone the GPU purchase until you can buy a 6850, it'd give you better long term performance.

 

[pcsavvy]

I realize the OP wants an Intel cpu but for such a tight budget have you considered AMD cpu's.
At Microcenter you can get a quad core for as little as $49.99 (OEM) or for $59.99 get a rebadged Athlon II quad core (retail). There are quite a few good AMD motherboards for less than $100. Or you can get an AMD cpu/mb bundle for less than $200. That would include a quad core and a decent m/b. Or for around $200 you could get a 6-core cpu with a decent m/b.
I realize that the Intel chip has a lot going for it but you could get an AMD cpu with a m/b and still be able to swing a higher end GPU or get a board with integrated graphics for now, when your budget allows get an high end GPU so your gaming will be totally 😎.

 

[Skott]

Later on the OP could always buy a i5 2400 and install it if he wanted. The mobo has some upgrade ability to it. Perhaps he might even be able to install a IB chip on it although I don't see the GA H61M-DS2 listed on their list of mobos that can be upgraded to IB.

Not trying to change the OP's plans but perhaps the OP would like to buy a mobo that can be upgraded to IB at a later date? Perhaps he could find one of these listed as adequate enough to fit his build budget and give him some future upgrade path at the cheapest cost.

Gigabyte
http://www.gigabyte.com/press-center/news-page.aspx?nid=1048

ASUS
http://event.asus.com/2011/mb/PCIe3_Ready/

 

[Ken g6]

I would however recommend to postpone the GPU purchase until you can buy a 7770, it'd give you better long term performance.

FTFY. 🙂 I don't really know what the new numbering scheme will be, but the 28nm GPUs should be faster, cheaper, and cooler all around. 😎

 

[janas19]

Hey all,

Thanks so much for the input so far. Your suggestions have been super useful! Thank you. 🙂

I've decided to go with the i3-2100. The marginal performance difference doesn't make much sense for a budget build. AMD also has some great value, but I ultimately want to build on the 1155 platform, I feel it has an edge in long-term performance.

I'll most likely buy all the non-graphics part first as the base of my rig. Then later, as an increment, I'll purchase a GPU, per the recommendations listed.

The list of IB ready mobos was very useful, thank you poster. Looks like Gigabyte offers a selection of IB ready H61 boards, which will be perfect for my needs.

Awesome, you guys helped save me about $50 in my build! Thank you AT members! 🙂

 

[piasabird]

Depends what kind of computer you are building. Some of the variants of the i-3 processors cost more but have the thinner low profile CPU Coolers. I think the Slim Dell 620s uses the -T version of the processors. However, if you are going to add a video card, then the standard version with the Retail CPU Cooler may be just fine. If you are not building a slim case what is the point. I think in the long run a standard size mid-tower ATX or MATX case is cheaper.

As for the quad cost, you can pay more later or now. I have found that buying a beefier processor up front makes a PC more powerful and last longer. Everything is a trade-off.

 

[mvbighead]

I'll tell you why I have my eye on the Sabertooth p67. I want to eventually purchase an i5-2500k processor, and then looking at a possible 2nd Ivy Bridge upgrade after that. The p67 is the 1155 platform which would support both of those. It looks very well constructed, has stellar reviews, and it is guaranteed by a 5 year warranty. My criteria for choosing a motherboard was something that could play games comfortably, quality built, and hopefully last for at least two years with what's coming out in the mainstream video game industry. I'm not talking about extreme games like BF3 on 60 fps.. Given that the 775 platform has maintained its relevance for a number of years, don't you think it's reasonable to expect that a high end board like the p67 will do the same.

Now, I tend to totally agree that the price of the p67 is a Tad high but I think it will eventually drop, plus, the thing just looks awesome IMO

I pulled the above quote from another thread.

If I were in your position OP, I would NOT buy the I3-2100 in favor of something like the G620. (http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0367906)

Reason being, if you are looking at upgrading to an i5-2500k in the future, you just as well do good enough for now, and save for the better processor. There is a performance increase in going with the i3 over the G620 for sure, but if you're planning on replacing it... you'd be better off buying a solid video card first, and upgrading the CPU when you can afford it.

That's just my opinion anyway. $100-$60 leaves you with an additional $40 to buy a better video card. Or $40 in your pocket as you save for the 2500k. Either way, the G620 is sufficient enough.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/406?vs=289

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/57?vs=406 (It's comparable to a Core2Duo 2.83GHz)

 

[sm625]

There's no reason to ever buy a 2120 because its only 5% faster for 20-30% more cash. Makes no sense.

 

[janas19]

I pulled the above quote from another thread.

If I were in your position OP, I would NOT buy the I3-2100 in favor of something like the G620. (http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0367906)

Reason being, if you are looking at upgrading to an i5-2500k in the future, you just as well do good enough for now, and save for the better processor. There is a performance increase in going with the i3 over the G620 for sure, but if you're planning on replacing it... you'd be better off buying a solid video card first, and upgrading the CPU when you can afford it.

That's just my opinion anyway. $100-$60 leaves you with an additional $40 to buy a better video card. Or $40 in your pocket as you save for the 2500k. Either way, the G620 is sufficient enough.

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/406?vs=289

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/57?vs=406 (It's comparable to a Core2Duo 2.83GHz)

Hmm, now this is an intriguing idea. Swapping out a Pentium G620 for the i3 in a budget build. Now that I'm already walking down the savings path, this make sense... That was a damn good visual of comparing the benchmarks. Seems the G620 lags behind the i3, but not by much. In fact, I checked on Newegg, and at least one reviewer claims to run BF3 on "high" settings with the G620. So that's encouraging.

H'm, I'm starting to think I may go with the G620 as a budget build nucleus. Since I don't plan on utilizing Hyper-Threading (so far as I know) this may actually make sense, to realize even more savings by selecting a non HT'ing SB Pentium.

New idea for budget building (generally speaking): a G620 as a budget nucleus for a "sidegrade." When lower price points become available, then pull the trigger on a quad-core upgrade.

🙂

*Edit* Currently price points for SB quad cores seem to average at about $200 for the low end. When those dip below $150, then that might become viable for a budget build.

 

[janas19]

There's no reason to ever buy a 2120 because its only 5% faster for 20-30% more cash. Makes no sense.

Yeah that's basically it, the rationalization I did not understand, but now I do 🙂

 

[mfenn]

I realize the OP wants an Intel cpu but for such a tight budget have you considered AMD cpu's.
At Microcenter you can get a quad core for as little as $49.99 (OEM) or for $59.99 get a rebadged Athlon II quad core (retail). There are quite a few good AMD motherboards for less than $100. Or you can get an AMD cpu/mb bundle for less than $200. That would include a quad core and a decent m/b. Or for around $200 you could get a 6-core cpu with a decent m/b.
I realize that the Intel chip has a lot going for it but you could get an AMD cpu with a m/b and still be able to swing a higher end GPU or get a board with integrated graphics for now, when your budget allows get an high end GPU so your gaming will be totally 😎.

The problem with Athlon II X4s is that they perform the same as i3 2100s but use more power.

 

[mfenn]

Hmm, now this is an intriguing idea. Swapping out a Pentium G620 for the i3 in a budget build. Now that I'm already walking down the savings path, this make sense... That was a damn good visual of comparing the benchmarks. Seems the G620 lags behind the i3, but not by much. In fact, I checked on Newegg, and at least one reviewer claims to run BF3 on "high" settings with the G620. So that's encouraging.

Yeah, BF3 isn't as CPU bound as people make it out to be. The most important part for being able to play games decently is the GPU. I would definitely cut back to the G620 if it meant getting a 5770/6770 (same thing) now as oppose to somewhere down the road.

 

[janas19]

Yeah, BF3 isn't as CPU bound as people make it out to be. The most important part for being able to play games decently is the GPU. I would definitely cut back to the G620 if it meant getting a 5770/6770 (same thing) now as oppose to somewhere down the road.

:thumbsup: to this. I'm definitely thinking along the same lines. Thanks for verifying.

 

[Skott]

Just remember a year or so down the road you can always get a better GPU when money becomes available. Keep that in mind.

 

[Fefster]

If you plan on playing BF3 mp stay away from the g620.It will absolutely choke every gpu you throw at it.BF3 MP doesn't like dual cores.The i3s on the other hand thanks to HTT run the game like butter.

 

[pcsavvy]

AMD X4's may use more power but if this is going to be a gaming rig capable of playing higher end games wouldn't it be better to have the parts required to play it smoothly.
How much is a person going to save in energy costs over the year using an Intel vs AMD? Will it offset the higher cost of the cpu/mb combo?

OP there are AMD X4's that have the thuban core which potentially can be unlocked to the 6-core variant. They don't sell those at Microcenter but are sold through Newegg.

Have you checked out the AMD cpu/mb bundles that Microcenter is currently selling? For example, you can get the ASUS M5A87 Socket AM3+ 870 ATX mb with a Phenom II X4 970 (3.5 Gh) BE for $199.98 or for $10 more you could get the Phenom II X6 1055T with the same mb. If you really want to pinch pennies you could get the Phenom II X2 560 BE (3.3 Gh) instead for $147.98, the 560 could possibly be unlocked to either a tricore or quadcore. And remember the Black Edition AMD cpu's have unlocked multipliers so with just a little tweaking you can up the speed of all these cpu's. With 4 gigs of DDR3 ram, the grand total with tax would still be under $300. This way you could afford to get a higher end GPU and still be able to play the games you want the way you want them.

If AMD improves the bulldozer cpu's, you could pop one in at a later date.
Building a system on a tight budget unfortunately is about compromise and putting the most money towards the parts that will benefit you the most in getting your rig to do what you want.
Gaming = $$$GPU/$CPU
HTPC = $$$CPU/$GPU
General Purpose = $GPU/$CPU

Just my 2 cents.