So here's the deal. My current computer is laughably bad it's a 4 year old low low end compaq laptop with a broken screen and a screwy fan. I use it as a media PC atm but 720P is barely usable and 1080 I'd have better luck playing on my toaster.
I'd like to be able to play 10bit 720 and 1080P comfortably I'd also like to be able to play games on atleast medium at 1280x1024 (current computer has a hard time playing minecraft without stutter and things like TF2 or CS? forget it ain't happening)
I currently have the following
Case: CM storm series trooper
DVD drive
HDD:OCZ agility 3 120GB (the only salvageable part in the laptop)
keyboard mouse monitor and speakers
student discounted win 7 pro
so I need
RAM
MOBO
CPU
PSU
GPU
anyone wanna help me out my budget is 400$ as that's what I can safely swing at any given time
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078]I3 2100[/url] ~120
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1035681]Asrock Z77 Pro3 + G.Skill Value 2x4gb[/url] ~122
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150598]XFX 7770[/url] ~125
[url=http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171060]CM 450w PSU[/url] ~60
Total /w shipping: 419.28 with promo EMCNBNC34 +35mir.
[editline]8th August 2012[/editline]
You can swap out the psu for this one if you prefer: [url]http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139026&Tpk=cx430[/url]
You can also save like 10 bucks and a 25mir if you buy the cpu from tigerdirect: [url]http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=7295297&CatId=6983[/url]
thats pretty much what i was thinking except add a CX600V2 and 8gb G.skill ripjaws ram and maybe a G630/G870
since from what I've been reading it only benchmarks 1 or 2 fps lower than a 2100, and haswell architecture is coming out in the spring anyway.
Decent idea or should I definitely try and swing the i3 2100 did it this way to give me a little more wiggle room on upgrades in the future
Make sure you get the z77, then you have plenty of upgrade room in the future. I'd get the i3, but it's up to you. They are about 30% better.
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103889"]AMD Athlon II X4 645[/URL] - 79.99 (I own it and it is phenomenal for the price. Also performs very closely to an i3)
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103099"]Cooler Master Hyper 212 Pro[/URL] - 34.99
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157319"]ASRock 970 Pro3 Mobo[/URL] - 74.99 / 7.65 shipping
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130625"]EVGA GeForce GTX 550TI[/URL] - 134.99
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171039"]Cooler Master eXtreme Power 600w - room for upgrades, 2 12v rails, and a very reliable manufacturer [/URL] - 64.99 / 9.65 shipping
Really great parts for a grand total of 389.95. With shipping, it rolls out to about 407.16. Plus you get a better power supply capable of more expansion, a better graphics card, an excellent, reliable motherboard, aftermarket cooling, AND a very good CPU. I would recommend all of these parts.
As much as you love that build, it's not that good anymore. He would be investing into a dead socket and really not worth it.
The Athlon is plenty for a processor. With mine and a GTX 460 and 8GB of DDR3, BF3 plays well at 30+FPS 1080p maxed. No doubt its not as fast as an i3, but the motherboard comes with an AM3+ socket that is well beyond able to take the highest tier AMD processors with a max TDP of 140w. So if he does upgrade (which shouldn't be any time soon) he can do so with ease.
AM3+ is going to die and the processors are weaker than the 1155 counterparts is what i'm trying to say.
He's better off with an i3 over that AMD processor, QuikKill brings up a great point.
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