New bones from the egg...

[drspears]

Hey everyone, I'm tired of my crappy old sempron and I have $300 to spend on a new mobo, proc, and memory...

I don't need much, the most intensive program I have is probably counter-strike.

Here is what I'm looking at right now from newegg:


1) Intel Bones
Intel E7200 wolfdale $130 (link)
Asus P5N-EM $75 (link)
G.SKILL 4gb (2x2g) ddr2-800 $80 (link)
Total $285 (pre-ship)

2) AMD Bones
Athlon 64 x2 6000+ windsor 3ghz $114 (link)
Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H $90 (link)
Same memory
Total $284 (pre-ship)

3) Other recommendation for under $300


I used to keep up with all the technology but I haven't recently so I'm not sure what would be best...

What do you think?


Thanks in advance...

DrSpears

 

[Zap]

I'd go for the Intel setup because even 500MHz down it should be as fast in most things, plus run cooler. Also, will overclock higher (if you OC).

HOWEVER, I don't think that board is a good choice because it doesn't do dual channel memory. Do you need integrated video? Do you already have a PCIe video card? Do you need micro ATX or can your case take regular ATX?

 

[kaos kid]

Here was my idea of a budget AMD box core that no one had commented on yet, but would start you out cheap and be highly upgradeable.

MSI K9N2 SLI Platinum $147.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813130161

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ CPU Memory Bundle - Black Edition, OCZ Platinum Revision-2 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Dual Channel Memory (2 x 1024MB) $79.99 after rebate
http://www.tigerdirect.com/app...pNo=3969587&CatId=2329

The mobo is fully loaded with USBs, firewire, e-sata, 8000 series gforce IGP and SLI ready, can take just about any CPU all the way up to the current Phenoms. The processor I picked out is the black edition which is unlocked and highly OC'able so could be a good cheap start. The CPU/memory combo offer that ends today also gets you a 2x1GB kit of OCZ platinum memory, so for $228 you can have a box that will run circles around your current rig but can be upgraded to the latest CPU, memory, and video cards as your budget allows to make it a killer rig. As it stands now you should be able to reuse your current power supply, too.

 

[DSF]

I agree with Zap that there are better motherboard choices, and I would change the RAM to this Mushkin kit:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146731
It will save you a few bucks, and the performance will be the same or better.

 

[Magusigne]

How about we really switch it up.

Gigabye IP35 85 shipped.
E2180 70 shipped
G.skill DDR2-800 2x1gb 45 shipped
XFX 8600 GTS XXX Edition 70 Shipped AR

That leads you to 270 shipped. If your not comfortable with that processor then perhaps step up to something else..Maybe worth spending 330 to get the E7200 on top of the rest of my mentioned things.

Only thing that requires the MIR is the XFX card.

It just depends on your priorities man. Your not much of a gamer then? No plans on gaming at all in the future? Are you computer savy? Do you want to overclock? etc etc

 

[drspears]

Originally posted by: Zap
I'd go for the Intel setup because even 500MHz down it should be as fast in most things, plus run cooler. Also, will overclock higher (if you OC).

HOWEVER, I don't think that board is a good choice because it doesn't do dual channel memory. Do you need integrated video? Do you already have a PCIe video card? Do you need micro ATX or can your case take regular ATX?

-I like having integrated video just in case...
-I don't have a PCIe video card yet, but I may get one depending on what the integrated can do. Do you think it will play counterstrike? That's really all I play and I don't anticipate playing anything else in the near future... the older I get the less time I have for gaming
-My case can fit either micro or regular ATX...
-I'm not into overclocking... but you never know

-What mobo in the same price range would you recommend. If I get that muskin ram DSF recommended then I could spend another $25-30 on a mobo...

Thanks

 

[drspears]

How about one of these:

ABIT I-N73HD $82

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L $60

GIGABYTE GA-73PVM-S2H $80

GIGABYTE GA-73PVM-S2

MSI P6NGM-FIH $75 or $60 w/ rebate

MSI P6NG Neo-Digital $75

MSI P6NGM-L $45

BIOSTAR TForce TP43D2A7 $90 or $80 w/ rebate

Abit I-45CV $50

or (if I only get 2gb ram, or save/get more money somehow)

Asus P5E-VM HDMI $130

Intel BOXDG35EC $95

ASUS P5K-VM $97

ASUS P5E-VM DO $117

 

[Magusigne]

I really wish I could tell you.

Honestly...my own opinion..would be sell your old rig to someone on craigslist for 100-200 bucks and combine with the 300 to get one of the hot deals dells that sell for 399-499 imho.

 

[DSF]

Any of the G3x chipset motherboards should do just fine. I wouldn't go with the Nvidia chipset ones. As far as whether or not the integrated graphics would play CS, I don't know. I suspect that they would, but quality might be low. If you go with something like the G31-S2L you might even be able to squeeze something like an 8600GT into your budget that would play CS like a champ.

 

[drspears]

Ok, thanks for everyone's input!