I7 860 vs 2500k which CPU on a budget

[Gorrillasnot]

I want to upgrade my current PC (specs in sig) which is feeling more and more sluggish, but I don't have a ton of cash.
My budget is $125-$200 for the CPU and the intended use is posted below.
Light gaming, mostly web surfing, and allot of ConvertXtoDVD putting home videos on DVD.

Since at the very least I am gonna need a motherboard, CPU, and RAM it may not make since to upgrade to older technology like the I7 860 but on the other hand I cant really afford a 2600K sandy or 3770k ivy like I really want.

Would I be better off losing the hyper-threading of the I7 860 and just going with a 2500k and associated hardware?

thanks

 

[krnmastersgt]

How much is your budget for the whole system?

 

[Gorrillasnot]

I plan on reusing the rest of my parts for the time being so probably just whatever a decent CPU, mobo, and ram would cost. I'm guessing $250ish

I am on a fixed income so I don't really have the option to build a total decent rig right now. My intention is to save for Hazwell and build then with a $1200 or so budget.

I would just continue using my current rig but just browsing youtube with multiple tabs in firefox open causes some pretty bad slowdowns.
I keep my PC defragged, with only a firewall, AV, and sound driver listed in startup (viewed in CCleaner).
I think my current hardware is getting long in the tooth, so I thought maybe a $200-$250 upgrade now might hold me over until haswell but I dont know if an older platform like an I7 860 would be wise to invest in.

 

[krnmastersgt]

I don't see a 2500K + motherboard + RAM coming it at under $250 unless you have a Microcenter nearby or you were planning to buy it used off someone else.

Best I could come up with:
RAM: Kingston HyperX 8GB $35 AR
Motherboard: MSI H61 $48
CPU: i3 2100 $115

Total: $208 - $10 MIR

I'm not entirely sure the 2100's HT would help with decoding but its the best you can really hope for on the budget, unless you live near a Micro Center or buy them used not likely to get a quad in this budget.

 

[beginner99]

My advice is either buy a complete new rig now or wait for haswell and don't by anything.

I think another 2 GB of ram would help a lot but ddr2 is expensive and you will not be able to use it in your next build.

My work pc is similar to your rig. E8500 with 3 Gb RAM and a radeon hd 4650. Good enough for most stuff.

 

[Gorrillasnot]

If I was to buy now it would have to be used to get the most bang for the buck.

But I think I will try to hold off until haswell if I can.

thanks for the advice everyone

 

[mfenn]

Buy It Now 2400's on Ebay are around $150. Then figure in $50 for a decent H61MGC and 8GB of RAM from Newegg and you are set for $250. I don't see how you're going to get it under $200 without getting a really good used deal or going for a dual.

 

[RaistlinZ]

There's also the option of just going with an SSD to make things snappier overall, and build a new system around that once Haswell comes out.

 

[soholingo]

There's also the option of just going with an SSD to make things snappier overall, and build a new system around that once Haswell comes out.

Yep, I like that option...

 

[Exeodus]

I've had both, and the 2500k would trounce the 860. No question.

 

[LagunaX]

If you don't have a microcenter nearby then buy used or post a WTB ad since something might be available from ppl that recently switched to Ivy Bridge.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

2500k may be better but for your usage I wouldn't upgrade anything except ram and Ssd in case you feel the need for them. For most stuff 860 is very good, even light gaming. It is still comparable to top end amd CPUs. Unless you play games like bf3 and want 60+ fps when maxed out, the CPU isn't a needed upgrade.

Though 16 go Samsung 30nm ram and 256gb Ssd may help if you have an itch to spend money

 

[Gorrillasnot]

2500k may be better but for your usage I wouldn't upgrade anything except ram and Ssd in case you feel the need for them. For most stuff 860 is very good, even light gaming. It is still comparable to top end amd CPUs. Unless you play games like bf3 and want 60+ fps when maxed out, the CPU isn't a needed upgrade.

Though 16 go Samsung 30nm ram and 256gb Ssd may help if you have an itch to spend money

I don't have an 860 but saw 1 for sale with mobo for $175 (moot point now because its already sold) and was trying to determine if it would be a good investment vs the expense of a 2500k.

Thanks everyone for ur advice. I'll probably just continue to scour the for sale section and if a good deal pops up hopefully I'll get lucky..otherwise there's a microcenter about 2 hours from where I live. I might go in with my brother to share travel expenses and take a road trip if they have a killer deal.

 

[aaksheytalwar]

Btw the two get 2500k