Trying to build a new budget rig (i know there are alot of these)

[jquintela]

HI,

I am currently deciding between 4 different budget rigs. My budget is around $300 - $350 max. I want to use it for a little gaming, 3d modeling, and photoshop, stuff like that.

My budget consist of:
1. motherboard
2. CPU
3. RAM

The prices are after the price cuts.

Rig 1 -
AMD 3800 X2 ~ $149
Biostar Tforce 4 AM2 ~ $72
1 GB DDR2 RAM (2 x 512MB) ~ $70
total = $292

Rig 2 -
AMD 64 3800+ ~ $109 to $118
Biostar Tforce 4 AM2 ~ $72
1 GB DDR2 RAM (2 x 512MB) ~ $70
total = $251 to $260

Rig 3 -
intel Conroe E6300 ~ $186
Gigabyte GA-8I945PL-G ~ $85
1 GB DDR2 RAM (2 x 512MB) ~ $70
total = $341

Rig 4 -
intel PD805 ~ $93 to $99
Gigabyte GA-8I945PL-G ~ $85
1 GB DDR2 RAM (2 x 512MB) ~ $70
total = $248 to $254

I would like to overclock. So, if you think the motherboards i chose suck, then what would be some decent overclocking motherboards?
Also, how much would i be able to overclock the 3800 X2 with stock voltage and stock cooler?
Which rig is the best choice?

 

[stevty2889]

945 chipset is terrible for overclocking, not matter which board you choose. Not sure that the 945 chipset board will even support conroe, mainly need a recent 975 chipset, or a 965 chipset, there may be a newer revision of that board that does support conroe, but it won't OC well. Haven't looked at anything about the Biostar board for the AMD chips, so can't really comment on it. I definatly wouldn't go with the 805 if you are on a budget, because it needs very good cooling, and a very strong power supply to get a decent overclock, and puts out massive heat. Conroe is an awsome chip, but you aren't likely going to get an inexpensive motherboard that can overclock it well, due to needing very high front side bus due to the already high bus, and low multipliers.

 

[o1die]

Assuming the price drops are in effect, my vote goes for rig #1. Am2 will be around for awhile, and you're unlikely to find an e6300 anywhere near the wholesale price. You'll be lucky to find it for less then $260.

 

[Xonoahbin]

I'd go with #1. I guess you must have a decent video card already. #1 is quite like a rig I plan on building, except that I'll be putting it together with some Patriot Extreme on a similar mobo..

 

[jquintela]

so if i get Rig #1 how much do you think i can overclock it at stock HSF and voltage?
Also, i know that AM2 is forward compatible with AM3. So, i would be able to upgrade to K8L when it comes out. But, if i manage to find an E6300 should i consider it? Since it is on par with the 4600+ X2, according to the anandtech benchmarks i saw the e6300 beat the 4600 X2.

 

[broly8877]

Originally posted by: o1die
Assuming the price drops are in effect, my vote goes for rig #1. Am2 will be around for awhile, and you're unlikely to find an e6300 anywhere near the wholesale price. You'll be lucky to find it for less then $260.

Wow, mind checking the next winning lottery numbers while you have that time machine?

 

[jquintela]

Originally posted by: broly8877

Originally posted by: o1die
Assuming the price drops are in effect, my vote goes for rig #1. Am2 will be around for awhile, and you're unlikely to find an e6300 anywhere near the wholesale price. You'll be lucky to find it for less then $260.

Wow, mind checking the next winning lottery numbers while you have that time machine?

HAHAHA!!!

what do you think about my rigs? Which one should i go with?

 

[dexvx]

Just go by price/performance and performance/watt ratio.

The clear winning is Rig3. Even if you OVERCLOCK rigs 1,2, 4, I sincerely doubt you'll match the performance of Rig3 on stock.

 

[TanisHalfElven]

rig 1.
/thread

 

[jquintela]

how about the AMD 64 3800+? How does it compare to the 3800 X2? Is there any benchmarks comparing them both?

 

[hans007]

Originally posted by: stevty2889
945 chipset is terrible for overclocking, not matter which board you choose. Not sure that the 945 chipset board will even support conroe, mainly need a recent 975 chipset, or a 965 chipset, there may be a newer revision of that board that does support conroe, but it won't OC well. Haven't looked at anything about the Biostar board for the AMD chips, so can't really comment on it. I definatly wouldn't go with the 805 if you are on a budget, because it needs very good cooling, and a very strong power supply to get a decent overclock, and puts out massive heat. Conroe is an awsome chip, but you aren't likely going to get an inexpensive motherboard that can overclock it well, due to needing very high front side bus due to the already high bus, and low multipliers.

there is an asrock 945g that supports it.

theres even 865 boards that will. i would spent a bit more money and get a 965 g once more boards are out. but i'd get conroe.

$190 for the e6300, $100 for a board (albiet a cheap one like an ecs) and $60 for 1 gb of ddr2 533 or higher (it really doesnt matter that much over 533 mhz).

 

[DrMrLordX]

Whatever you do, do not get the 805.

 

[EndGame]

Rig 3 -
intel Conroe E6300 ~ $186
Gigabyte GA-8I945PL-G ~ $85
1 GB DDR2 RAM (2 x 512MB) ~ $70
total = $341

 

[jquintela]

Originally posted by: hans007

Originally posted by: stevty2889
945 chipset is terrible for overclocking, not matter which board you choose. Not sure that the 945 chipset board will even support conroe, mainly need a recent 975 chipset, or a 965 chipset, there may be a newer revision of that board that does support conroe, but it won't OC well. Haven't looked at anything about the Biostar board for the AMD chips, so can't really comment on it. I definatly wouldn't go with the 805 if you are on a budget, because it needs very good cooling, and a very strong power supply to get a decent overclock, and puts out massive heat. Conroe is an awsome chip, but you aren't likely going to get an inexpensive motherboard that can overclock it well, due to needing very high front side bus due to the already high bus, and low multipliers.

there is an asrock 945g that supports it.

theres even 865 boards that will. i would spent a bit more money and get a 965 g once more boards are out. but i'd get conroe.

$190 for the e6300, $100 for a board (albiet a cheap one like an ecs) and $60 for 1 gb of ddr2 533 or higher (it really doesnt matter that much over 533 mhz).

could you tell me specifically which motherboards they are?

 

[Griswold]

#1 You'll actually be able to get that and it fits the budget description.