Need proc/mobo suggestions for a budget PC system

[DrMrLordX]

With no overclocking, it's a tough choice.

Fair enough. I'm not a huge fan of the Core i3 either.

Really I'd feel oogy getting an i3-530 or an x3-720BE and NOT overclocking them, but that's just me.

Looks like the OP is on the right track anyway, and having a Microcenter nearby certainly helps.

edit: OP, for what it's worth, you should seriously look into making sure you get a chip with L3 on it if you go the AMD route, which it looks like you are. It can help a lot in games. Also, see if you can get your buddy to agree to at least some NB overclocking, since it should improve minimum frames by a bit. You know, less slideshow action when the carrier groups show up . . .

 

[Ilmater]

Thanks so much for everyone's help. I found a few more combo deals to take some small dollars off the price, and this is my final build:


Case + Windows 7: $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...504.11-119-218

1TB Hard Drive + 4GB RAM: $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455160

21.5" Monitor + Radeon HD 5770 video card: $295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.477371

DVD-Burner: $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151176

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition + 785G-E53 AM3 ATX : $175 + tax
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/...namitedata.com

Final Price: $768 + $0 shipping + tax on $175 of this = < $800

That's one hell of a system for $800!

 

[DrMrLordX]

Looks like a good bargain you got there. Hope the PSU works out well for you.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

people always think the best budget machine is the one with the cheapest cpu when in fact the best budget computer is the most expensive machine you can get. if you went out and got the q8200 for example youd want to replace that almost immediately, within the next year. on the other hand if you went out and bought the i5 760 youd pay maybe $50 more and it would be good for the next two years and youd be happy with it in every way. what is $50 over two years, an extra $2 a month? it doesnt make sense to try to save money buying the cheapest/obsolete chips e.g. who saved more money/had the better experience, someone who bought the e8400 or q9550 three years ago or the person who ran a low speed core 2 or phenom and upgraded it three times

 

[evolucion8]

If I have to choose between the i3 and the Athlon II X4, I would go to the latter. Athlon II is faster in multi threaded scenarios which is where the future is going. If you only care about gaming and that's it, then the i3 is the way to go. The performance difference in gaming between them isn't that great though.

 

[Ilmater]

people always think the best budget machine is the one with the cheapest cpu when in fact the best budget computer is the most expensive machine you can get. if you went out and got the q8200 for example youd want to replace that almost immediately, within the next year. on the other hand if you went out and bought the i5 760 youd pay maybe $50 more and it would be good for the next two years and youd be happy with it in every way. what is $50 over two years, an extra $2 a month? it doesnt make sense to try to save money buying the cheapest/obsolete chips e.g. who saved more money/had the better experience, someone who bought the e8400 or q9550 three years ago or the person who ran a low speed core 2 or phenom and upgraded it three times

I fail to see how any of your commentary applies here. I chose the best processor I could for the money. Did you really just waste all that time typing that out without reading the thread, or was there something in specific you think I could have spent money on more intelligently than I did?

 

[Termie]

Thanks so much for everyone's help. I found a few more combo deals to take some small dollars off the price, and this is my final build:


Case + Windows 7: $160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...504.11-119-218

1TB Hard Drive + 4GB RAM: $120
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.455160

21.5" Monitor + Radeon HD 5770 video card: $295
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboD...t=Combo.477371

DVD-Burner: $18
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151176

AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition + 785G-E53 AM3 ATX : $175 + tax
http://www.microcenter.com/specials/...namitedata.com

Final Price: $768 + $0 shipping + tax on $175 of this = < $800

That's one hell of a system for $800!

Awesome system. One caveat: the OCZ memory you have in that combo deal has some negative reviews (as does most OCZ memory). Going for the Patriot memory I linked before will only cost $10 more (just the combo discount): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220435