Best Value CPU, Mobo, RAM, VPU?

[Jonathan Bones]

It's time to upgrade the core components of my system--CPU, motherboard, RAM, and video card (and power supply, if necessary). There's usually a sweet spot when it comes to price for these (especially CPU and video card). A decent investment will get you the best in the mid-range, before dollar per performance point begins to rise and you get into the really high-end stuff. That's what I'm looking for. I've been out of computers for a little too long to know what the current favourites are.

I'd like my new build to be able to do a bit of everything, potentially. Will definitely be doing gaming, though I don't need cutting edge stuff. Budget is variable, though I'd like to come up with the least I could spend for a viable system as well as something a little more luxurious. Value is definitely an issue for me.

As well, I'm interested in upgrades that do and don't include upgrading the video card, depending on your recommendations. If my 8800GS still has life in it, great. If not, I'd be happy to pick up a worthwhile mid-range successor. That would make it easier to stick the stuff I'm upgrading into an old case to act as a back-up, anyway. (I.e., I don't want to spend cash on a cheap PCI-X VPU to get my back-up rig running when I could invest that money in a better card for my main rig.)

Here's what I currently have:

- Athlon 64 3200+
- ECS GF6100-M754
- 1GB DDR-RAM
- 8800 GS 384MB

- Thermaltake 420w (I presume this will likely need to be upgraded?)

Components I don't feel the need to upgrade:

- Audigy 2 ZS
- 500GB HD
- Viewsonic VX2025wm 20.1"
- XP Pro (Probably want to upgrade to Vista/7 eventually--perhaps immediately, if I need 64-bit OS support?)


Your recommendations are appreciated! Thank you.

[Silver Bullet]

Good start I think ...

$ 50 - Antec Two Hundred Mid-Tower
$116 - Corsair 750W TX
$215 - Core i5 750 (s1156)
$167 - MSI P55GD65
$136 - Corsair XMS3 Dominator 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1600 (CMD4GX3M2A1600C8)
$165 - BFG GeForce GTX 260 OC MAXCORE (AMIR $30)
$ 27 - Samsung 22X DVDRW
$ 17 - 2 x GELID Solutions GELID Silent 12 (1000rpm)
$135 - Windows Vista Home Premium 64BIT OEM with Windows 7 Upgrade Offer (66I03525)
------
$1028

- For a 21" LCD you won't need much gfx power for todays games. A used 4890 is also a good alternative.
- i5 750 defiantly best band for the buck right now
- 4GB of ram, so you'll want 64bit OS. Either stick with XP until Oct 22nd or buy Vista and use the upgrade coupon.
- I would very much recommend a HD upgrade, you might not need the space, but the speed of the new 1TB HD's is alot better than your old 500GB.
- 750W - good quality, and you won't have to upgrade it again hopefully.
- There are not good cheap aftermarket heatsinks yet, so you'll probably want to just use stock for now and wait it out a couple months.

Price via pricecanada.com

[ppl4golf]

SB,
Half decent rig but it doesn't spell VALUE (nor BEST for that matter)

[Jonathan Bones]

A grand is a little more than I want to spend, but then I don't need a tower nor the optical drive. I've always had a mixed opinion of MSI, but haven't had a chance to look up that actual board yet. I guess you have to look at them on a case-by-case basis anyway considering that I've heard bad things about even some ASUS models these days.

Would definitely like to know what options exist in the $600-$800 bracket, though. If you tell me this is the sweet spot for performance right now, I could be convinced to fork over the dough. But if I get a minimum decrease yet am able to shave off a few hundred dollars, all the better.

Thanks so far!

[mr_raider]

Value?

Start here:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ComboDe...t=Combo.262320

And get a board like this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813128392


Use your current GPU until the prices on the new ATI GPUs settle down, and get a 5850, or a discounted 4870.

[nite4evr]

OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W ATX12V 24PIN Active PFC ATX Power Supply 120MM Fan Black

* Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Business days.

Yes $57.89 $57.89


Gigabyte Radeon Hd 4850 625MHZ 512MB 1.92GHZ DDR3 PCI-E Crossfirex DU-DVI-I Hdcp Hdtv Out Video Card

* Limit 1 per customer.
* Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Business days.
* $20.00 CAD Mail in Rebate for this item - click here

Yes $109.99 $109.99


OCZ Gold XTC PC2-6400 4GB 2X2GB DDR2-800 CL5-5-5-18 DDR2 240PIN Dual Channel Memory Kit

* Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Business days.

Yes $60.35 $60.35


Gigabyte MA790X-UD4P ATX AM3 AMD790X DDR2 CrossFireX 2PCI-E 2PCI SATA2 Sound GBLAN Motherboard

* Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Business days.

Yes $125.14 $125.14


AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Dual Core Processor Socket AM3 3.1GHZ 7MB Cache 80W Retail Box

* Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Business days.

Yes $119.26 $119.26

How much is shipping & handling?

Province

Shipping Method

Estimated Shipping & Handling:

Sub Total: $472.63

[Silver Bullet]

$116 - Corsair 750W TX
$215 - Core i5 750 (s1156)
$167 - MSI P55GD65
$136 - Corsair XMS3 Dominator 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1600 (CMD4GX3M2A1600C8)
$144 - Powercolor Radeon HD 4870 770MHZ (AMIR $20)
------
$778

Cut extra that weren't needed. IMO you can't do much better for the money. Also leaves you with a great upgrade path for later.

[nite4evr]

$116 - Corsair 750W TX
$215 - Core i5 750 (s1156)
$167 - MSI P55GD65
$136 - Corsair XMS3 Dominator 4GB DDR3 2X2GB DDR3-1600 (CMD4GX3M2A1600C8)
$144 - Powercolor Radeon HD 4870 770MHZ (AMIR $20)
------
$778

Cut extra that weren't needed. IMO you can't do much better for the money. Also leaves you with a great upgrade path for later.

You have no case and no dvd drive.

[Silver Bullet]

You have no case and no dvd drive.

A grand is a little more than I want to spend, but then I don't need a tower nor the optical drive. I've always had a mixed opinion of MSI, but haven't had a chance to look up that actual board yet. I guess you have to look at them on a case-by-case basis anyway considering that I've heard bad things about even some ASUS models these days.

....

[jollyeskimo]

You have no case and no dvd drive.

... neither of which are necessary for an upgrade if the OP has them already.

[nite4evr]

oops didn't read that, good eye!

[Jonathan Bones]

You guys are all being incredibly helpful--thank you very much! This has given me a lot to consider. It would seem that going AMD still gets you good performance at a good price, while choosing Intel gets you the best performance at a slight premium and better upgrade possibilities. Much like when I was last into computers, when AM2 was only about to come on the scene.

Anyway, I'm thinking I might drop the GPU from my upgrade temporarily, as my wife's new laptop has gone over budget. The 8800GS should hold me for a bit, right? I definitely do want to upgrade down the road (as my back-up box needs a GPU to run, anyway), and hopefully by the time it's more financially feasible I'll score a great deal on the old gen stuff or be able to afford one of the newer cards.

A couple of questions plaguing me:

1) I've always had a tough time figuring out how powerful of a PSU is actually required. Back in the day, I'd calculate that what I had really wasn't enough, yet it would work fine. And the last time I upgraded, machines actually seemed less efficient than they are today. I presume newer GPUs are still beasts, though.

Silver Bullet is pushing for a monster 750W PSU, while nite4evr suggests that an up-to-date 500W is sufficient (and is half the price). Is this because the newer Intel chips are hogs? Or does SB just think it's worth the cost to have something that should exceed my needs until an entirely new generation of hardware? I can never see myself investing in dual GPUs, or anything. Just doesn't seem worth the money for someone like me who games fairly seriously, yet isn't hardcore.

2) Will definitely research this to death, but can you in a few words tell me what the benefits of the Core i5 750 are? Is it light years beyond the Phenom II X2 550? Again, we're talking about doubling the price of the CPU. If the Intels are so awesome, I'll certainly consider it. But if I can upgrade to something even better than the Intel in 2-3 years for another $100, there doesn't seem to be much point when I'm on a budget.

Thanks guys!

[CheapScotsman]

A couple of questions plaguing me:

1) I've always had a tough time figuring out how powerful of a PSU is actually required.

Silver Bullets video card recommendation is here:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...ce%20GTX%20260

From their specs:

525W PCI Express-compliant system power supply with a combined 12V current rating of 38A or more*

*Minimum system power requirement based on a PC configured with an Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9650 processor

So 750watts gives you headroom for expansion in the future

2) Will definitely research this to death, but can you in a few words tell me what the benefits of the Core i5 750 are? Is it light years beyond the Phenom II X2 550?

From http://www.anandtech.com/bench/defau...46.47.48.49.50

Pure CPU is at least double the speed. SysMark overall performance appears to be at least 20% faster.

[nite4evr]

Doesn't have to be the Phenom II, the new Athlon II X4 620 is the new quad core for approx same price as the Phenom II I mentioned.

It runs pretty close to Intel's Q8200 but with a much more attractive price point(approx $100).

Don't use the calculator as it'll tell you to have more juice because it's not accurate.

None of your hardware will run exactly 100% full throttle 24/7.

I'm sure a 250W can handle it but you'll be putting too much stress on it.

I tested Antec EarthWatt 500W/Corsair VS550 and OCZ StealthXStream 500W with the setting below.

i7 920 OCd @ 4.0GHz
Gigabyte GA-X58-DS4
6GB DDR3 Ram
1 X Western Digital Black 500GB
1 X Samsung Spinpoint F1 500GB
2 X Western Digital Green 1GB
2 X 4850 1GB OCd
2 X LG DVD-RW Driver

[nite4evr]

Silver Bullets video card recommendation is here:
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...ce%20GTX%20260

From their specs:So 750watts gives you headroom for expansion in the future

From http://www.anandtech.com/bench/defau...46.47.48.49.50

Pure CPU is at least double the speed. SysMark overall performance appears to be at least 20% faster.

That will not likely happen. Reason? Computer become more and more efficient, same goes for gpu and all the other parts. (smaller, less power, higher performance)
And by the time it does happen, he'll be upgrading again.

The power requirement 10yrs ago comparing to now isn't that much of a difference. People THINK they'll need more, but truth is the "headroom" is just a waste of money.

As for the i5, it might be 20% faster but in terms of price and performance ratio (best bang for the buck). AMD is a better price and performance considering it's like 40% cheaper.

I also have a Q6600 @ 3.6GHz and comparing to an i7 920 @ 4.0GHz, I can't see a single difference with bare eyes. Spending money on something with such minimal difference is not worth it, i've walked through that path and I rather save money for a car, house, food, etc....