Looking for CPU/RAM/Motherboard combo

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gbwelly

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# 173772 5-Jun-2015 15:30

Hello everyone. I am seeking the opinion of a seasoned individual who will understand what I am looking for, namely the best bang for my buck at a certain price point.

I find the current processor landscape very confusing with multiple generations of i3/5/7 being difficult to compare without a tedious process of checking against CPU boss etc. So I though I'd ask those in the know, i.e. You lot

I am looking for an ATX CPU/Motherboard/RAM combo with support for SLI.

I would like to spend about $400 if possible.

Bare in mind my current system is very old so even if you feel $400 wont get me anything decent, it may well easily be a 200% improvement over my existing C2D system.

As you can guess I have a graphics card which I'm content with, and is also getting old, meaning I can pick up a buddy for it quite cheap on the on-line tat bazaar, hence the SLI requirement.

Thanks heaps!

xpd

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# 1318000 5-Jun-2015 15:43

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Any particular games youre wanting to play ? More and more are "minimum" quad core core these days (altho Ive had a few running on my dual core G3258).
Whats your current video card ? Might find a new single card will give similar or better experience than an SLI setup thats getting on in age....

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

Server : i5-3470s @ 3.50GHz 16GB RAM Win 10 Pro Workstation : i5-3570K @ 3.40GHz 20GB RAM RX580 4GB Win 10 Pro Console : Xbox One

https://www.xpd.co.nz - Games, emulation, geekery, and my attempts at photography. Now on BigPipe 100/100 and 2Talk

http://storm.xpd.co.nz - NZ Rock at its finest (WIP)

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sidefx

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# 1318022 5-Jun-2015 16:01

Agree with the above. I always look at SLI\Crossfire options but struggle to justify them. you end up paying extra for a motherboard just so you can get stuck with 2 old video cards at some point in the future. Not to mention the issues you hear of with drivers, etc.

I also wouldn't discount smaller form factors for the new motherboard. Larger cases often support mATX and sometimes micro-itx and you may find they offer better bang for buck too.

Jase2985

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# 1318081 5-Jun-2015 16:52

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http://www.logicalincrements.com/

change the location to NZ to get an idea of what you can expect to get for for what price.

$400 you are not going to get much

ludez

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# 1318084 5-Jun-2015 16:57

I would look at a second hand combo on trademe.

gbwelly

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# 1318106 5-Jun-2015 17:51

Jase2985: http://www.logicalincrements.com/

change the location to NZ to get an idea of what you can expect to get for for what price.

$400 you are not going to get much

I don't need much, I'm CPU bound at the moment. For example an i5 4460 is about 3.5x quicker than my current CPU and quad core too. I can pick one up with motherboard and 8GB RAM for $390

The motherboard may be a pile of s__t though.. I don't know, hence asking for advice.

gbwelly

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# 1318108 5-Jun-2015 17:54

sidefx: Agree with the above. I always look at SLI\Crossfire options but struggle to justify them. you end up paying extra for a motherboard just so you can get stuck with 2 old video cards at some point in the future. Not to mention the issues you hear of with drivers, etc.

I also wouldn't discount smaller form factors for the new motherboard. Larger cases often support mATX and sometimes micro-itx and you may find they offer better bang for buck too.

This is good advice, plus it opens up plenty of sub $400 combo deals.

timmmay

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# 1318135 5-Jun-2015 19:16

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i5 is probably best value from Intel. Buy the cheapest motherboard from a good brand that does what you need. Buy RAM that's certified for the motherboard and test using "HCI Memtest" for 24h+ once it arrives - memtest x86 doesn't find problems - I know from hard experience.

If you're using SLI then you probably need decent CPU power to run it. I suspect your budget doesn't match your goals.

Sideface

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# 1318136 5-Jun-2015 19:19

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timmmay: ... I suspect your budget doesn't match your goals.

+1

Good advice.

Don't waste your $400 on rubbish - save up for a better system.

Sideface

sidefx

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# 1318149 5-Jun-2015 19:43

You still haven't told us what the video card you have is? Also what C2D CPU do you have and how much RAM?

gbwelly

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# 1318169 5-Jun-2015 20:30

Sorry guys, but I'm calling Abandon Thread on this one. No-one has suggested a CPU/ram/mobo combo. I'll do the boring stuff and work it out myself.

Jase2985

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# 1318171 5-Jun-2015 20:36

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its a bit hard to recommend something when we dont have all the details. like what GFX card you have or what you plan on using the computer for.

they do make a huge difference in what people can and will recommend

timmmay

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# 1318185 5-Jun-2015 21:00

gbwelly: Sorry guys, but I'm calling Abandon Thread on this one. No-one has suggested a CPU/ram/mobo combo. I'll do the boring stuff and work it out myself.

Yeah... do your own homework. We've pointed you in the right direction, but you have to do the leg work. Just about any cpu/mobo/ram will work, but the offerings change so quickly all we'd be doing is the same as you'd do, and why should we do it for you?

sidefx

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# 1318186 5-Jun-2015 21:01

Jase2985: its a bit hard to recommend something when we dont have all the details. like what GFX card you have or what you plan on using the computer for.

they do make a huge difference in what people can and will recommend

Pretty much this. I have a suggestion for an upgrade path but want to see if it's worth it over what you have now

xpd

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# 1318224 6-Jun-2015 09:55

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gbwelly: Sorry guys, but I'm calling Abandon Thread on this one. No-one has suggested a CPU/ram/mobo combo. I'll do the boring stuff and work it out myself.

If you answered the questions, we'd be in a better position to make a suggestion.

Its no point us offering you a Ferrari when you need a tractor.

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

Server : i5-3470s @ 3.50GHz 16GB RAM Win 10 Pro Workstation : i5-3570K @ 3.40GHz 20GB RAM RX580 4GB Win 10 Pro Console : Xbox One

https://www.xpd.co.nz - Games, emulation, geekery, and my attempts at photography. Now on BigPipe 100/100 and 2Talk

http://storm.xpd.co.nz - NZ Rock at its finest (WIP)

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