Looking for a build <$600

Status
Not open for further replies.

mopar man

Posts: 1,286   +1
It's finally time for the summer shack up, and I finally got a job, so I need some help with a build.

I'm on a budget, of course, but I prefer to keep it UNDER 600, preferably around 500.

I play every type of game imaginable, I've played CS:S for years and am about to start WoW, but then I plan to switch to more demanding MMO's like Darkfall....

I'd like to get a monitor, but it honestly CAN be separate from the price listed as it can be bought later, and I'd like the cheapest mouse/keyboard that you know has good reviews.

Yes, I've done a bit of research already, yes I used to create builds all the time, and no I've not kept up with anything after Intel released Dual Cores. I basically stepped out of the scene. So now I'm needing to know what I can get for this low cost.

I was looking at the i5/i3, but I'm not sure how good i3's will do for what I'm wanting, and the i5-750 seems a bit too expensive.

I'm heading over to tomshardware.com to check the benchmarking here in a few, though. Maybe that's outdated, too? o.o
 
Hi mopar,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9115222&cm_re=intel_i3-_-19-115-222-_-Product CPU 120.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231277&Tpk=G.SKILL F3-12800CL9D-4GBRL Ram 105.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128429 MB 110.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003 60.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131331&cm_re=hd_5750-_-14-131-331-_-Product GFX 120.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136498 HDD 50.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129042 CASE 60.00

Are you reusing any components?
well this is $615.00, a Intel i3 gamer for under 500.00 is a rather tall order, but yes it does a great job for gaming. this is about as low as it gets with quality components. you can get lower if you go with lesser stuff, but i wouldn't:)
if you can build with AMD, it can fit in your budget more easily and you will get the same gaming performance.
here is Tom's review of the i3 for gaming. http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i3-gaming,2588.html
 
IDK...AMD build wouldn't be terribad compared with the i3.
Anyway, i'm pretty sure you can go with a corsair 400w for around $60.
 
IDK...AMD build wouldn't be terribad compared with the i3.
Anyway, i'm pretty sure you can go with a corsair 400w for around $60.

oh..no, I didn't mean the AMD was the 'lesser' stuff. I meant like an ECS mb or a cheaper PSU etc.

very true about the PSU, changed it to the 450w :)
 
Got one question for ya, do you have an Operating System? Since this is a new budget build I'm curious to know if you factored it in or plan on reusing your old one (XP I assume?).

Also since you are on a budget I would say check out the 4770, especially if you plan on reusing XP. Granted it is from last generation its price/performance ratio is still amazing and one of the best imo. It is currently going after MIR for $90 at Newegg and Tigerdirect but they are offering free shipping. Hope I gave you some more options :) .
 
I really like the system red recommends. The only way to cut down on cost would be to look at the Athlon II X2 / X3 / X4 from AMD.
 
Well, since I only had $200 today and I get paid Thursday, I went ahead and decided to buy a 5750. Long story short, I did it because I have access to something better than what I'm running now, but it had no GPU. I got one off newegg with a $15 off promo, so I got it for $131.

Now I'm leaning toward...

Phenom II X4 940 Black Edition


But is the BE worth it when I might not overclock, and if I do, it'll be a little while? I mean, with that card+this processor, and whatever ram I may get, it's going to be a damn good system in comparison to what I'm used to. (see specs for understanding xD)

EDIT: Looking back at the tomshardware.com link for the i3, I see that the 5850 actually bottlenecked every one of the processors, including the i7. So I highly doubt the 5750 will be able to perform up to even the Phenom II x3 720 BE?

EDIT: Yes, I'm looking at your builds. =) The Powercolor WAS cheaper, but I honestly don't trust them anymore. I've had bad experiences.
 
But is the BE worth it when I might not overclock, and if I do, it'll be a little while? I mean, with that card+this processor, and whatever ram I may get, it's going to be a damn good system in comparison to what I'm used to. (see specs for understanding xD)

It is for me.I like to isolate the different components and aspects of them. what your paying for here with the black editions are ease of OC and the last tweaked 5% of performance. you can still overclock close to the BE's OC number by going the 'fsb oc' route.

EDIT: Looking back at the tomshardware.com link for the i3, I see that the 5850 actually bottlenecked every one of the processors, including the i7. So I highly doubt the 5750 will be able to perform up to even the Phenom II x3 720 BE?

I have read that five times and I am not sure what your concern is, so I will try to answer it like this.
Check out this benchmark where the x3 720 is within a couple frames as an i7 920, sometimes a couple less, sometimes a couple more.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/reviews/phenomii_720_810_am3/9.htm


here is the key point for consideration.
From the Toms article:
While we’ve often seen so-called CPU bottlenecks impeding the performance of our multi-GPU systems, today’s highest-quality gaming test has proven that when it comes to single-GPU systems, even a high-performance card like the Radeon HD 5850 can’t outstrip the capabilities of a modern low-cost CPU.

so there is more than enough CPU with the i3,x3 720, and the like. The graphics performance will depend on the level of Graphics card you put in there.

well I hoped that helped :)
 
At such a price point, I would suggest the possibility of one of the E5300s or 7400s, at that price they still hold value. Actually it may be better to go with an AMD athlon 240 or something.
Card - Retail[/URL].
With the E6500 @ about 80 bucks with hardware VT, why would you suggest these 2 Intel CPUs?

If you're anywhere near a Microcenter, they run the i3-530 @ $99.95 month after month.
Here's a board; http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128421 Techspot reviewed this board. Ignore the reviews at Newegg. They offered this board as a combo with an i5-750 (no graphics) then everybody returned them because the boards wouldn't boot without a graphics card. Stupid Newegg, stupider customers. This only has PCI-eX16 lane, bt with HDMI out it doubles as a HTPC.
 
With the E6500 @ about 80 bucks with hardware VT, why would you suggest these 2 Intel CPUs?
Oh idk, I imagined they would be cheaper and the E6500 phased out...or don't they have a new 45nm version?
 
The Pii X4 940BE is a fine choice. However, won't you be overshooting your budget?

Also, as red says, the X3 720 BE is a gem of a chip. I have been using it for quite sometime and am very happy with its performance. It OCs really well too.

Between the i3 and the X3 720 it's a pretty close call. Really depends on whether you'd like the extra third core.
 
I like the Phenom II 720 X3. Probably a tiny cheaper motherboard wise too.

I suppose they did phase out the old E6500 and replace it with the 45nm refresh...
 
My budget is over time, so I can go a bit over. My friend just gave me a case (not a bad one, either) so I'm good with the case.

I have read that five times and I am not sure what your concern is, so I will try to answer it like this.
Check out this benchmark where the x3 720 is within a couple frames as an i7 920, sometimes a couple less, sometimes a couple more.
http://www.overclockersclub.com/revi..._810_am3/9.htm

Sorry, I didn't say that right at all. I was saying that since my GPU is going to be the "bottleneck", then I don't have to worry about making sure my CPU is up to par with my GPU, so I can actually go with the Phen II x3 720 and be a happy camper!

I like that board, but I think I'll go with teh x3 since it's a good bit cheaper and I've splurged more than expected on the GPU.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back