MB/CPU upgrade

queequeg99

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
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I originally budgeted $500-600 to upgrade an existing machine. There will be some occasional gaming (BF4 and Crysis 3) @ 1680x1050 resolution. Otherwise, it’s just surfing. I’m in the US and don’t care about brands. Build time is anytime in the next month or so (so I can wait until BF). I have 8GB of DDR3 1600 memory, an optical drive, SSD, HDD, KB, and mouse. In a fit of impatience, I just placed an order for a HD7950 (for $180). So now I’m trying to find a combination of case, motherboard, CPU, and PSU that will match up well with the remaining money (let’s say $400). No overclocking at all.

Newegg has an i5-4670/ASUS H81M-K combo on sale for $268 shipped. I figure I can find a decent PSU for under $100 (suggestions for a quiet one are welcome) and cheap midcases can generally be found in the $40 range without too much difficulty (I don’t care about case appearances at all). So my main concern is with the MB/CPU combo. Thoughts? Would this CPU/MB combo match up well performance-wise with the 7950? Are there any other big considerations that I'm totally missing?

Oh, I have a Fry's nearby but no Microcenter.

BTW, I've built about 10 machines over the past 15 years or so, almost all with the help of people on these forums. You've never led me astray. Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide.
 

Torn Mind

Lifer
Nov 25, 2012
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Good PSUs can be had for about $60. Here's a couple.

XFX Pro 500W: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371030 na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

Neo Eco C 520 C: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817371030
The Neo Eco is an updated version with 80 Plus Bronze, but Newegg decided to simply use the catalog listing for the older Neo Eco for whatever reason. Any reviews before July is for the older one.
Note that you must register the XFX to get the longer warranty term.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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I'd consider the Cooler Master N200 mATX case. It will work well with that motherboard.

Personally, however, I think you're cutting back a bit too much on that motherboard. It has only four USB ports and no HDMI port, meaning it's about as stripped-down as you can get. Assuming you spend $50 on the N200 case, plus about $50-60 on a power supply (I'd suggest the Corsair CX500, by the way), you have ~$300 remaining of your $400 budget. That buys you a 4670 and this H87 motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157385

Definitely worth the extra $30 in my opinion.
 

queequeg99

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
571
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I think you're cutting back a bit too much on that motherboard. It has only four USB ports and no HDMI port, meaning it's about as stripped-down as you can get.

Agreed that it is a bare bones MB. Quick stupid question: what's the point of an HDMI port on the MB when I have a discrete graphics card? The potential for running a dual monitor using Haswell's graphics abilities for regular desktop operations? That might be a possibility in the future.

Good PSUs can be had for about $60. Here's a couple.

Thanks for the pointers. I suspected that something could be had for less.

Unless he wants a compact case, that is definitely the way to go.


The machine will be going under a desk so a full sized case is totally acceptable.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
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An HDMI port is great for trouble-shooting problems with the system, and can also be used down the line if you re-purpose the system for HTPC or family use.

I only listed a few things that the Asus H81 board was missing. Here are a few more reasons I don't recommend it:

(1) only two SATA 6Gbps and two 3Gbps ports versus six 6Gbps ports
(2) bottom-of-the-line audio
(3) only two fan connectors versus three or four

If you want to save money on a motherboard, you'd be much better off with this B85 instead for just a few dollars more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157389

Personally, I'd never buy a motherboard with only four USB ports. You'll almost certainly end up buying a USB hub, which means you won't save any money in the end.
 

queequeg99

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
571
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An HDMI port is great for trouble-shooting problems with the system, and can also be used down the line if you re-purpose the system for HTPC or family use.

I only listed a few things that the Asus H81 board was missing. Here are a few more reasons I don't recommend it:

(1) only two SATA 6Gbps and two 3Gbps ports versus six 6Gbps ports
(2) bottom-of-the-line audio
(3) only two fan connectors versus three or four

If you want to save money on a motherboard, you'd be much better off with this B85 instead for just a few dollars more: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157389

Personally, I'd never buy a motherboard with only four USB ports. You'll almost certainly end up buying a USB hub, which means you won't save any money in the end.

Thanks for the clarification. $15 won't break the bank by any means. Also, I note that the more expensive board clearly indicates that it has a 4-pin chassis fan connector, which in my limited experience allows greater control over fan noise. I think I'll go for that option.
 

queequeg99

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
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Also, any thoughts about the i5-4670 CPU? Is this well matched to the 7950 for the games I play (BF4 and Crysis 3)? A bottleneck? More than enough (i.e. an opportunity to save some money?)? Thanks again for any pointers.
 

Termie

Diamond Member
Aug 17, 2005
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The 4670 is the second-fastest processor you can get for use on a B85 motherboard. The fastest is the 4770, and I don't recommend it given your budget.

The 4670 will be more than a match for your video card in BF4. Crysis 3 needs a huge amount of CPU power, and a 4670 could bottleneck a 7950, but that's the nature of a system-crushing game. You'll just need to turn down a few settings.
 

queequeg99

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
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Thanks. Almost done with my order.

One additional question: If I were interested in making the system a bit quieter, do you have any suggestions for an after-market heatsink/fan combo that would fit the ASRock H87M board (which will go in the NZXT Source 210 case)? Or would I have to spend some serious money to get something that's more quiet than the stock unit (i.e. more than $50)? Again, no overclocking involved here - just trying to reduce noise at stock speeds.
 
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Termie

Diamond Member
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What really makes a heatsink quiet is the quality of the fan. The stock Intel fan of course has a fixed fan that cannot be upgraded. Most heatsinks under $50 still have fairly loud fans, but they can be replaced. I'd consider something inexpensive like the Cooler Master Hyper 212+ heatsink, and then add a high-end (~$15) fan to it, because the fan it comes with is not quiet. Something like the Corsair AF series should work well.