new pc for less than $200.00?

[indy2878]

I'm looking into a motherboard, cpu, ram and dvd-writer all for preferably less than $200.00. I'm not sure I'm thinking about the AMD "FM2" platform, but I'm not sure how well the upgradability will be with the FM2 vs an AM3?
I currently have a REALLY old single core 3500+ amd socket 939 platform which I want to get rid of/donate, etc.... I could probably upgrade the socket 939 chip to a dual core 3800+ dual cure, but its an ancient platform and the newest gpus, components might not work well with it...
I would consider an intel ivy bridge platform with say an i3 or the "G" series cpus, but that might be too expensive..

Okay maybe I can push my budget up to $230.00 if need be and I prefer to buy from newegg or tiger direct online. And will my Evergreen 430 W PSU
(non modular PSU) work with the newer platforms or will I have to get a newer PSU? Any help and suggestions will be appreciated!

 

[ultimatebob]

It looks like you can hit the $200 budget if you get an A6-5400K CPU, ASRock FM2A55M, and the cheapest 8 GB memory kit and DVD burner you can find on Newegg.

 

[futurefields]

$20 cheaper CPU

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819113283

the OP is looking for CHEAP

 

[Sleepingforest]

What parts do you have and can re-use, other than that PSU? I wouldn't trust that PSU even as far as I can throw it.

I'd actually go with a Celeron over an APU at that price level since both iGPUs will be too weak to do anything other than basic flash games, and the Celeron will give superior CPU performance:
CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar B75MU3+ Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $168.96
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-13 19:10 EDT-0400)

Plus this $30 AR (original price of $50) Corsair CX430M. It's a bit more reliable and power efficient, and is also modular (iyou like that kind of thing).

 

[Gillbot]

http://forums.anandtech.com/showpost.php?p=34881273&postcount=7

 

[indy2878]

I have:
-an ancient Nvidia 6800xt (8 shader cores) 256MB GPU,
-2 hard drives, 1 SATA 2 WD 160GB and 1 old ATA 120GB something...
-a low end mid tower (uses spacers rather than the newer standoffs) case
-430WATT "Evergreen" PSU

I need a motherboard, cpu w/hsf, RAM and a SATA DVD WRiter of any brand.....
The build is going to be for regular usage such as: web, email, watch hd 720p youtube vids, gaming: Battlefield 2142 and call of duty modern warfare 2,nothing that requires a quadcore cpu at least not yet, maybe some photoshop CS5 and Solidworks (later on down the line IF I decide to go that route....)....

I will just upgrade slowly as needed later on and imho maybe the FM2 platform MIGHT be a better deal since my videocard is too old to do much of anything modern and it probably uses up a great deal of power since its so old.... etc...

 

[Sleepingforest]

An APU that'll sucessfully play that game is a bit too expensive for you, so you should just go with Intel on this one (unless you're okay with 768p and 20-30 frames per second).

 

[Steltek]

What parts do you have and can re-use, other than that PSU? I wouldn't trust that PSU even as far as I can throw it.

I'd actually go with a Celeron over an APU at that price level since both iGPUs will be too weak to do anything other than basic flash games, and the Celeron will give superior CPU performance:
CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar B75MU3+ Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill NS 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($33.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($14.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $168.96
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-13 19:10 EDT-0400)

Plus this $30 AR (original price of $50) Corsair CX430M. It's a bit more reliable and power efficient, and is also modular (iyou like that kind of thing).

+1

Another potential advantage of this setup is that you can update the BIOS and then stick a current high end LGA1155 i5 or i7 CPU in the board for an upgrade when you can afford it.

 

[aarontpx]

Intels HD integrated graphics are horrible vs AMDs apus. If gaming is at all important to you and you aren't going to be purchasing a dedicated video card anytime soon you should be getting an A8 or and A10 ($100-130). They will allow you to play many recent games on low/medium settings at semi respectable frame rates.

Do not expect to play any relatively modern games with any kind of consistency on intels onboard graphics. If you get the celeron save your bones and pick up a radeon 7770 for around a hundred bucks in the near future. This will bring your build to around the $275-300 range.

You will not need a new power supply for any of the suggested builds.

Minus any gaming situations, looks like for less than $200 you should have no trouble meeting your criteria.

 

[Sleepingforest]

Intels HD integrated graphics are horrible vs AMDs apus. If gaming is at all important to you and you aren't going to be purchasing a dedicated video card anytime soon you should be getting an A8 or and A10 ($100-130). They will allow you to play many recent games on low/medium settings at semi respectable frame rates.

I would say that his budget only allows for an A6 or A4, which doesn't play games well enough to make it worth sacrificing the CPU ability (and those are dual core, just like the Celeron).

I also think he should get a new power supply just because I am loathe to trust any generic brand PSU. They are too likely to have shoddy QC and cause a fire or damage to parts. It's only 20 bucks more for a quality PSU, and it still fits under his budget.

 

[futurefields]

get xbox 360

budget is too low for pc gaming

 

[Arkaign]

It will take some patience, but that's the kind of budget that you'd be way better off getting some used (but not ancient stuff).

Quick scan of the FS/FT reveals :

PhII 550BE Retail $45
8GB DDR3 $45
AM3 970 Mobo $38
Sapphire Toxic 6850 $80

Total $208

Bonus is that you can drop in later a cheap Thuban or 955 into that socket and give it some more life as well.

It's really really really hard to beat those kinds of deals with new stuff.

 

[aarontpx]

I would say that his budget only allows for an A6 or A4, which doesn't play games well enough to make it worth sacrificing the CPU ability (and those are dual core, just like the Celeron). I also think he should get a new power supply just because I am loathe to trust any generic brand PSU. They are too likely to have shoddy QC and cause a fire or damage to parts. It's only 20 bucks more for a quality PSU, and it still fits under his budget.

Agreed.

I am saying he should expand his budget a bit. SAVE YOUR MONEY OP!

I also loathe cheap power supplies, no argument there.

 

[indy2878]

Wow, this forum has some good responses. Thanks to everyone
who contributed to this thread! I actually already have an xbox 360.
The gaming capability is not really something that's of utmost importance
for the build at least at this point.

But the 2 games I mentioned an A8 or A10 will handle those games just fine.My monitor doesn't even go beyond 1600x1480, etc....

The A8 or A10 actually is a decent
suggestion as at least I can step up to a quadcore which is more future proof.
Hmmm.... yeah I'm not too sure about the 430 WATT PSU I'm using, but I think
it might be just right for an A8 or A10 APU since I plan on running the system using
that integrated gpu on the chip considering the ancient 6800 xt I'm currently using is a power hog to some degree.... So say, I get an A10 FM2 based platform its the same system I'm using now, minus the need for a dedicated gpu....

 

[2timer]

I'm looking into a motherboard, cpu, ram and dvd-writer all for preferably less than $200.00. I'm not sure I'm thinking about the AMD "FM2" platform, but I'm not sure how well the upgradability will be with the FM2 vs an AM3?
I currently have a REALLY old single core 3500+ amd socket 939 platform which I want to get rid of/donate, etc.... I could probably upgrade the socket 939 chip to a dual core 3800+ dual cure, but its an ancient platform and the newest gpus, components might not work well with it...
I would consider an intel ivy bridge platform with say an i3 or the "G" series cpus, but that might be too expensive..

Okay maybe I can push my budget up to $230.00 if need be and I prefer to buy from newegg or tiger direct online. And will my Evergreen 430 W PSU
(non modular PSU) work with the newer platforms or will I have to get a newer PSU? Any help and suggestions will be appreciated!

OP an Evergreen 430W PSU is a pretty decent start. If it has a 4 pin 12v connector, I'd keep it along with your case and peripherals. A 430W PSU with a 4 pin 12v connector is enough to power newer motherboards.

If you want to buy your parts from Newegg, $230 is actually a pretty good amount for CPU/Mobo/RAM plus a GPU. You can get a fairly sprite machine that will play many newer games on medium high settings.

Since you're on a budget there is absolutely no point in spending any more on a the mobo/RAM then you have to, since these components have only minimal effect on performance.

If you want to go to the Intel side, I'd start out with an H61 mATX mobo for under $50, like this one that also supports IB CPUs: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...CE&PageSize=20.
4GB of DDR3 G. Skill RAM can be had for $34: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231396

Now we're at, what, $75? So you have have $155 left to split between your GPU and CPU. Going for budget performance, that should be just right. This Sapphire Radeon 7750 with GDDR5 is $95: http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemNumber=N82E16814102969

That leaves you with $60 for a CPU. This G2020 Pentium is a fine choice: http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemNumber=N82E16819116886. At 2.9 Ghz and with a 3MB L3 cache, it should handle all except the most heavy FPS's with ease.

So there you have it. $237 for a G2020, Sapphire Radeon 7750, 4GB RAM, and H61 mobo, plus a shipping. If you really need to trim some more, you can also go with a 49.99 2.6 Ghz Celeron like this: http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemNumber=N82E16819116408 and a 2GB Sapphire 6670 for 79.99: http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemNumber=N82E16814102992

Then you're looking at a total of $204 + shipping. You can always upgrade later easily

 

[Sleepingforest]

I don't actually think keeping that PSU is a good idea, but 2timer's response should show how close you are to getting a pretty powerful build (if you can save up to $250 or so, you can get a Pentium and a 7770).

The other flaw with his build is that an H61 mobo won't work with an Ivy Bridge chip unless you own a Sandy Bridge and can update the BIOS.

 

[aarontpx]

While its possible a 4pin 12v power connector may work in a motherboard that requires an 8pin, I would not recommend that whatsoever.

 

[2timer]

I don't actually think keeping that PSU is a good idea, but 2timer's response should show how close you are to getting a pretty powerful build (if you can save up to $250 or so, you can get a Pentium and a 7770).

The other flaw with his build is that an H61 mobo won't work with an Ivy Bridge chip unless you own a Sandy Bridge and can update the BIOS.

This particular H61 lists Ivy Bridge support and 22nm support: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813135343

Your instincts are absolutely right because that's a hang up on most H61 boards. The newest ones ship with updated BIOS chips. It's tricky to tell and I was skeptical too, but a review confirms that this particular model does support IB out of the box.

A 430W PSU with a 4 pin 12v connector meets the specifications for newer mobos and graphics cards without an auxiliary connector. No need to doubt the PSU because because of its age unless reason says otherwise.

 

[aarontpx]

No need to doubt the PSU because because of its age unless reason says otherwise.

Like it being a piece of junk. Ha.

 

[Sleepingforest]

This is why I worry about off brand PSUs. Who knows how they're cutting costs?

 

[VirtualLarry]

CPU: Intel Celeron G1610 2.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: Biostar B75MU3+ Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($69.99 @ Newegg)

I just picked those two up for a build I'm doing. Only, I got that board for 20% off during a sale, and I already have a stockpile of $15 DVD-RW drives and $30 8GB DDR3-1333 kits. (Which are what now, nearly $70? Crazy. Glad that I stockpiled them.)

 

[aarontpx]

If you got a bundled power supply chances are its total garbage, but not always.

Going with a celeron and a dedicated gpu is a good plan. Though going with an i3 and a 7770 is a better idea. Up your budget to around $300-350 and now were talking!

**EDIT**
With your original budget of about $200 you have pretty much been presented all your available options...more or less.

 

[indy2878]

Yeah, just FYI, the +12V1 and +12V2 are 15 and 17 Amps
respectively.... The +5V is 35A (red)....

It might handle a setup like an A10 APU WITHOUT a videocard, but eventually
I'll be upgrading to a dedicated videocard and a more powerful PSU anyway
so yeah perhaps I might as well save money and push the budget up a bit....
Let's not forget I plan on getting windows 8, AV sw, games, etc so $200.00 is nowhere going to cut it.

But yes thanks again to everyone who pitched in for your ideas! I'll definitely
stick into my sig whatever I purchase, whenever that is.....

 

[lakedude]

Does the OS need to come out of the $200? That is a budget killer right there.

Linux and GIMP (instead of Photoshop) could save some money.

 

[Insert_Nickname]

I'll be upgrading to a dedicated videocard and a more powerful PSU anyway

In that case, sleepingforests build doesn't look half bad. Add a 7750/70/90 later and you'll have a decent gaming machine.

I really can't recommend the low-end AMD APUs. They're too slow to run games on and you get much lower CPU performance then a Celeron, if you add a discrete card later...