Budget Build - I3 still a viable option?

[slow9300]

----- UPDATE ------

Doubt anyone is following this thread, but thanks for those that posted, just got my new rig up and running.

I5-4690K
Asrock Z97M Pro4
8 GB G SKILL Ripjaws 1866
Intel 530 - 120 GB SSD
PNY GTX660 (used)
Antec VP-450
Fractal Designs Core 1000
8.1 Pro

Total cost $647, (K processor was cheaper than the non K, Z97 on sale was the same price as the H97)




I haven't built a system or posted here in a very long time, however, I'm getting back in the game and looking for advice on a budget home system. Is the I3 still a viable processor? Specifically the I3-4130 Haswell?

PC will be used for basic tasks and internet use, price range is $500ish, no components retained, fresh start build, USA build with no brand preferences, build time is within the next few weeks, current resolution is 1024x768 on an old LCD, no overclocking obviously, micro atx form factor, windows 7, on board video, no dvd drive needed.

Here's what I'm currently considering:

Intel Core i3-4130 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor
ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
G.Skill Sniper 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory
Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower Case
SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit)

Total Price - $476.46..... Seem fair?

I know it will be slow compared to my work rigs (I7-4770K, 24 gigs, GTX 770) but given the tasks I can't imagine it's going to be terrible? Would I be better off with a pre-built?

 

[frozentundra123456]

For sure no gaming? If so, more than enough. You could actually save a bit on the motherboard. No need for a Z97 unless you think you might want to switch the processor some time in the future. Same for the power supply. A high quality 400 watt unit like the Corsair CX430 would be more than enough.

A pre-built is a good option as well. You might find one slightly cheaper.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Nothing wrong with the i3 - it's just an i7 with on hand tied behind its back.

Yeah, save some money on the Motherboard/PSU and get an SSD instead.

 

[slow9300]

For sure no gaming? If so, more than enough. You could actually save a bit on the motherboard. No need for a Z97 unless you think you might want to switch the processor some time in the future. Same for the power supply. A high quality 400 watt unit like the Corsair CX430 would be more than enough.

A pre-built is a good option as well. You might find one slightly cheaper.

Thanks for the response, no gaming whatsoever, but I'd like to build something that has the potential to be upgraded. The dilemma I'm running into is how quick will that upgrade will come. I keep kicking around the idea of starting with an I5 as opposed to an I3, guessing the I5 would probably buy me some time before an upgrade.

I became leery of pre-built rigs when I got burned on a two year old HP I5 system at work. Threw a SeaSonic 620w in it with a 256 bit 4GB GTX 760 only for it not to be supported with no bios updates on the horizon. I don't recall if it was an HP proprietary board, we chucked them when we built the I7 rigs, time is money and we figured we had gotten our use out of them given we update every couple years (cnc machining boxes).

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Thanks for the response, no gaming whatsoever, but I'd like to build something that has the potential to be upgraded. The dilemma I'm running into is how quick will that upgrade will come. I keep kicking around the idea of starting with an I5 as opposed to an I3, guessing the I5 would probably buy me some time before an upgrade.

I became leery of pre-built rigs when I got burned on a two year old HP I5 system at work. Threw a SeaSonic 620w in it with a 256 bit 4GB GTX 760 only for it not to be supported with no bios updates on the horizon. I don't recall if it was an HP proprietary board, we chucked them when we built the I7 rigs, time is money and we figured we had gotten our use out of them given we update every couple years (cnc machining boxes).

...

I have a hard time believing you're CPU or GPU limited on a CNC controller...

...unless you're playing a lot of WoW on the CNC controllers.

 

[slow9300]

...

I have a hard time believing you're CPU or GPU limited on a CNC controller...

...unless you're playing a lot of WoW on the CNC controllers.

Guess I should have rephrased that, they're design boxes, not controllers.

 

[escrow4]

You want Haswell refresh so a 4330 and 8.1. 7 is obsolete.

 

[daveybrat]

Intel Core i3-4150 Processor (3M Cache, 3.50 GHz) BX80646I34150 $89.99

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i3-4150-...words=intel+i3

ASRock ATX DDR3 1333 LGA 1150 Motherboards H97M PRO4 $74.99

http://www.amazon.com/ASRock-DDR3-Mo...&keywords=h97m

Kingston HyperX FURY 8GB Kit (2x4GB) 1600MHz DDR3 CL10 DIMM - Black (HX316C10FBK2/8) $69.99

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Hyper...b+ddr3+desktop

EVGA 500W 80PLUS Certified ATX12V/EPS12V Power Supply 100-W1-0500-KR $34.99

http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-80PLUS-Ce...a+power+supply

Crucial MX100 128GB SATA 2.5" 7mm (with 9.5mm adapter) Internal Solid State Drive CT128MX100SSD1 $59.99

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX100-...ords=128gb+ssd

Fractal Design Core 1000 FD-CA-CORE-1000-USB3-BL Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case $25.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-032-_-Product

Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64bit, System Builder OEM DVD 1 Pack (New Packaging) $99.99

Total comes to $455.93!

For web surfing and basic use, the 128GB SSD should be fine. Also the motherboard is upgradable to Devil's Canyon and Broadwell cpu's. Also has 4 ram slots for expansion. (and Intel Nic!)


http://www.amazon.com/Windows-Premiu...7+home+premium

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Guess I should have rephrased that, they're design boxes, not controllers.

That makes more sense. Thank you. My sense of right, wrong, and the universal order has been restored. ()

 

[Burpo]

Would I be better off with a pre-built?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...G1E35337-S4A2A

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103950

 

[Charlie98]

Thanks for the response, no gaming whatsoever, but I'd like to build something that has the potential to be upgraded. The dilemma I'm running into is how quick will that upgrade will come. I keep kicking around the idea of starting with an I5 as opposed to an I3, guessing the I5 would probably buy me some time before an upgrade.

TBH, if you are looking for a 'CPU upgrade in the future' I wouldn't bother... just buy an appropriate chip and mobo now and be done with it. It reminds me of 'future SLI' or something like that... which usually means it never gets realized.

For your purposes a Pentium CPU like the G3258 would suffice (...and before you balk at a Pentium?!? D: ...today's Pentiums are not the Pentiums of yesteryear, ) not that I'm knocking the i3 or i5 if you can fit them in your budget.

I also agree with the others... put an SSD in that rig, even if you have to downsize (or completely eliminate if you don't need the storage) the HDD. Couple an SSD with a budget processor like the Pentium and you get a very responsive machine.

...and knock that PSU down to a Corsair CX430, anything more is overkill.... Heck, the 430w is overkill...

The Core 1000 is a decent case for the price... it has no cable management to speak of, so if you are looking for a case for a clean install, this is not the case to pick. I built a budget PC in one last year, it seemed like a well-built case for the price, especially compared to some of the other cases in the same price range.

 

[Remobz]

TBH, if you are looking for a 'CPU upgrade in the future' I wouldn't bother... just buy an appropriate chip and mobo now and be done with it. It reminds me of 'future SLI' or something like that... which usually means it never gets realized.

For your purposes a Pentium CPU like the G3258 would suffice (...and before you balk at a Pentium?!? D: ...today's Pentiums are not the Pentiums of yesteryear, ) not that I'm knocking the i3 or i5 if you can fit them in your budget.

I also agree with the others... put an SSD in that rig, even if you have to downsize (or completely eliminate if you don't need the storage) the HDD. Couple an SSD with a budget processor like the Pentium and you get a very responsive machine.

...and knock that PSU down to a Corsair CX430, anything more is overkill.... Heck, the 430w is overkill...

The Core 1000 is a decent case for the price... it has no cable management to speak of, so if you are looking for a case for a clean install, this is not the case to pick. I built a budget PC in one last year, it seemed like a well-built case for the price, especially compared to some of the other cases in the same price range.

I am in the same boat more or less. Solid advice here.

 

[Cerb]

I haven't built a system or posted here in a very long time, however, I'm getting back in the game and looking for advice on a budget home system. Is the I3 still a viable processor? Specifically the I3-4130 Haswell?

The i3-4150 is the one to get. Only 100MHz, but the same price. The i3s are fine CPUs, though, and probably more than you need, TBH.

ASRock Z97M Pro4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard

No. Complete waste.

SeaSonic 620W 80+ Bronze Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power

Why 620W? On the high side, you might need 120W.

Would I be better off with a pre-built?

Maybe. You can also go SSD-only, where with a prebuilt, at a low price, you can't really choose to not buy a HDD. Some prebuilts may use proprietary parts, or have a hard time fitting some upgrades, as well. But, for a basic office type PC, that's not a big deal, and with a prebuilt, you don't have to do the work. Your call.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883101027

There's a decent spec prebuilt, just add SSD, shrink C:, clone, then grow C:. Due to SSD, total prices are comparable to white boxing it (same when looking at Lenovo's outlet, ATM), in the end, and am with the others on that. $60-110 on a SSD will be very well-spent.

 

[piasabird]

Well I don't have anything against the parts you want to use if you are happy with them. Some people have tried using something like a B85 chipset motherboard to save a little money. A lot of people have purchased the CX430 Sometimes it sells around $40 with a mail-in rebate to drop it down to about $20. I have the CX430M and it is really quiet on my HTPC.

Antec Earthwatts is pretty good also along with the 350 watt Antec Basiq which is on sale for like $29

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...9SIA1N82842307

You don't need much power for just an i3 and some RAM and a HD or whatever. If you want 4 hard drives or a video card you might need something a little better.

Antec also sells a V450 power supply but it is green. Some people prefer black to match their case like the CX430.

I never look at the back of my power supply, so I don't care.

 

[piasabird]

Might look at the black Friday deals for the i3

4150 = $99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...95&ignorebbr=1

4360 = $129 4600 graphics 4m cache (This would be my Choice)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...93&ignorebbr=1

Everything keeps changing in price.

 

[slow9300]

I appreciate all the replies, I think that I'm going to stick with an I3 and the more research I do, the 4360 is starting to look more appealing than the 4150 / 4330. I'll seek a smaller power supply as well. SSD is now on the list.

The board I have listed the asrock z97m pro is on sale for $65 AR, can I really get cheaper than that for a board?

 

[guidinggod]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qT9xWZ

Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/qT9xWZ/by_merchant/

CPU: Intel Core i3-4360 3.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($129.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: ASRock H97M PRO4 Micro ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($61.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Team Vulcan 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: PNY Optima 240GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($48.49 @ OutletPC)
Case: Cougar Spike MicroATX Mini Tower Case ($29.99 @ Mwave)
Power Supply: Antec EarthWatts Green 380W 80+ Bronze Certified ATX Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($88.98 @ OutletPC)
Total: $516.41
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-11-24 20:03 EST-0500

That's with an H97M-Pro4 board - If you're getting the Z97M for similar price, sure throw that in there instead.

Take out the HDD if you don't need a TB's worth of extra storage (that SSD is 240GB) and you can knock it down to about $467.92 - heck, could also throw in an i5-4460 then and it would still be about $519 http://pcpartpicker.com/p/PJQjbv

 

[Charlie98]

The board I have listed the asrock z97m pro is on sale for $65 AR, can I really get cheaper than that for a board?

Maybe a few bucks cheaper... but I'd spend it and get the Z97, that way you are covered if you ever do upgrade to a K chip.

 

[Cerb]

Well I don't have anything against the parts you want to use if you are happy with them. Some people have tried using something like a B85 chipset motherboard to save a little money.

Even just last year (maybe even today), you could get a H67 board w/o support for Ivy Bridge (of course, they were listed as supported, but the board didn't have a new enough BIOS). That's the most important reason not to necessarily try saving with B85, as opposed to H97. That H97 prices are such that they are directly replacing the B85 price points helps, too.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Antec also sells a V450 power supply but it is green. Some people prefer black to match their case like the CX430.

WUT? I have two Antec VP-450 PSUs, and they most assuredly have a black case, all the way around.

 

[escrow4]

If you are getting Asrock, get this:

http://www.asrock.com/mb/Intel/Fatal1ty H97 Performance/

I wouldn't bother buying any mobo anymore with anything less than ALC 1150 (or 898). Sound is as everyday as a monitor. Don't cheap out.

 

[PliotronX]

I3's are monster duallys and give you better motherboards/chipsets and one heck of an upgrade path.

 

[piasabird]

Most motherboards that can take an i3 can take an i5 or i7 for an upgrade. DDR4 is probably around the corner. It will sneak in sooner or later. Probably come out in workstations and servers first.

I used a gigabyte mini-itx Motherboard with WIFI. I turned the cx430 over and suck the air right off the top of the retail cpu cooler.

I still have an older PC in my basement with Vista on it. It is running off of an old socket 775 E7200. Still runs pretty good.

 

[Cerb]

Most motherboards that can take an i3 can take an i5 or i7 for an upgrade. DDR4 is probably around the corner. It will sneak in sooner or later. Probably come out in workstations and servers first.

No, "probably," about it. Meh 1st-gen DDR4 workstation hardware is already here, just the C-series chipsets are missing, for what that may be worth (there are numerous X99 ECC-supporting mobos, unlike X79) (or, unless the C608 is forward-compatible).

 

[slow9300]

Thanks all --- update in first post.