upgrade cpu/mobo/ram

[melloyellow]

Hi guys, I'm looking for some help double checking my plans to upgrade the cpu/mobo/ram on my computer. I've recently noticed I'm running under 30fps a lot in league of legends and 1080p youtube videos require gpu acceleration to run smoothly. I just got a copy of win8.1 so I'm using this opportunity to upgrade.

1. League of legends, youtube, rawtherapee (photoshop)
2. $200 for cpu/mobo/ram - can spend more, prefer to spend less, looking for bang/buck
3. usa (atlanta)
4. microcenter, frys, newegg, amazon, etc.
5. N/A
6.
Athlon 64 X2 5200+
ECS NFORCE6M-A(2.0)
4GB DDR2
XFX FX-785A-ZDF4 HD7850 1G
Crucial m4 ct128 SSD
antec tp3-430
antec atx mid tower case of some kind
sound blaster x-fi
dell u2211h
keyboard/mouse/headphones
7. default speeds
8. 1920x1080
9. tomorrow :biggrin: or at least sometime real soon
X. no, already got windows 8.1 pro

So based on looking around, it seems like microcenter's combo deals can't be beat. This is what I found at MC:

$45 MSI H81M-E33
$55 8GB DDR3 1600 Crucial Ballistix
$140 i3-4360
-$30 cpu/mobo combo with i3-4360/i5-4670k

There's also a $120 i3-4340, but it doesn't seem to ever be in stock here in atl. The other option that qualifies for the combo discount is the $190 i5-4670k. Without the discount, there's the $55 G3240.

Looking at AMD bundles, it looks like I can get a free mobo (Gigabyte GA-78LMT-S2P or ASUS M5A78L-M LX PLUS) when bundled with a processor. I assume I want an FX processor, not an APU. So there's the $110 FX6300 and the $130 FX8320.

So I guess my choices are:
$155 G3220 set
$165 FX6300 set
$185 FX8320 set
$210 i3-4360 set
$260 i5-4670k set

It seems my Athlon 64 X2 5200+ has lasted me about 5 years. What should I get to hopefully serve the next 5 years? Did I miss any other deals or any problems with these bundles?

Thanks!!

 

[mvbighead]

For your price point, the I3 is your best bet. I'd see if you could scrounge together a little extra for the I5s though, as they'll provide a significant improvement in games that do a lot of multithreading.

 

[piasabird]

So how much is the TAX?

 

[Ken g6]

Unless you have stut...tering in games, you should be able to get by with a single 4GB stick if you need to. You could always buy a second one later.

Yes, the i3 combo looks best for you, as you're not into overclocking.

 

[melloyellow]

So how much is the TAX?

Tax is 7% and yeah I didn't add that in. Are there deals at online vendors that are more favorable when tax savings are factored in? Amazon charges sales tax but newegg doesn't.

 

[mvbighead]

You won't find better deals than those locally at Microcenter tax or no tax, usually.

I'd agree with the single stick of ram sentiment and adding a second stick later.

 

[melloyellow]

OK, I got the i3-4360 set. Sales tax turned out to be only 6%, so I saved another $2 there lol. New mobo doesn't have ide, so now I have to figure out how to install windows without a DVD drive..

 

[mfenn]

OK, I got the i3-4360 set. Sales tax turned out to be only 6%, so I saved another $2 there lol. New mobo doesn't have ide, so now I have to figure out how to install windows without a DVD drive..

You can put the Windows 8.1 installer on a USB key. Here's a guide on how to do it. As a bonus, installing from USB is much faster than installing from disc.

 

[melloyellow]

i'm getting 200fps in league of legends on 1080p with max settings lol. Up from 30fps with the old athlon64x2 - didn't think it would be that drastic. I guess I could have cheaped out with a celeron or pentium, but this i3 hopefully will last me longer.

 

[mfenn]

Nice, glad it worked out for you!