Motherboard CPU Combo

[trax1]

I posted this in another thread, but thought more people might see it here, but if someone who knows more about this stuff then me could find me the best motherboard CPU combo for under $130 I'd really appreciate it, thanks.

Right now I was looking at buying this one, but if you can find a better one please let me know.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3720338&csid=ITD&body=MAIN

[Denholm]

Well, just because a processor is a dual-core doesn't mean it's going to be great. I really don't care for Intel's pentium line, simply because my old AMD 1.33 GHZ XP 1500+ (It was at default clock and voltage settings) could run faster than a 1.90 GHZ Pentium II processor. If you're going dual-core, you definitely want to get the E8400 (Intel Core 2 Duo) processor. It's fast, uses a low amount of wattage, and runs cool. Heck yeah it's over your budget, however that processor is a screamer and will run circles around your other choice.

Here's a combo I found on Newegg (And the only combo I found on Mwave, Newegg, and TigerDirect that looked good). It's the E8500 (A little faster than the E8400) combined with an Asus P5Q Pro:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.173008

You could always avoid the bundle through buying the motherboard separate along with the E8400 which would save you an extra $25. Either way you're still over budget.

[TheZohan]

i posted in your other post too

AMD X2 4400+ (2.3ghz) 39.50 + free shipping
AM2+ Motherboard MSI K9N6PGM2-V AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard 49.99
2GB's DDR2 Kingston 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory 19.99
CPU fan COOLER MASTER DK8-9GD4A-0L-GP 95mm CPU Cooler

125.00 + shipping

the AM2+ board has great upgrade potential to the Phenom II's
http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=prodcpu2&prod_no=1472&maincat_no=1

[trax1]

Thanks, I might get that, plus I if I bought that RAM I'd have 4 gigs, as long as it's compatible with the RAM I already have, so I'd have to look into that.

[TilDeath]

Thanks, I might get that, plus I if I bought that RAM I'd have 4 gigs, as long as it's compatible with the RAM I already have, so I'd have to look into that.

Do not mix and match Ram unless from same maker and same specs

[trax1]

Do not mix and match Ram unless from same maker and same specs

Yeah, thanks.  I read in my other thread Skuzzy mentioned against going with the AMD chip because of problems with it and AH, and that's what I use my computer a lot for, so I'm gonna go with an Intel chip, so if you could TilDeath, I know that you know a lot about computers and building them, could you find me the best Intel chip & motherboard for under $150-160(found a little more money I can spend), I'd really appreciate it.

[TheZohan]

i would start with the E5200 for sure then its seems to be the sweet spot for money and power

[trax1]

i would start with the E5200 for sure then its seems to be the sweet spot for money and power

Yeah, actually the Intel chip I was looking at was the E5200.  Here's the setup I was looking at getting, but I'd like to hear what TilDeath thinks would be good, as I know he knows a lot about building computers.


This setup is right at the edge of my money limit.

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - $72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - $52.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357

Rosewill RCX-Z4 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200015

[BaldEagl]

Yeah, actually the Intel chip I was looking at was the E5200.  Here's the setup I was looking at getting, but I'd like to hear what TilDeath thinks would be good, as I know he knows a lot about building computers.


This setup is right at the edge of my money limit.

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - $72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - $52.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357

Rosewill RCX-Z4 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200015

Gigabyte pretty much owns the low end motherboard market so that, along with the E5200 are good choices.  As long as you're not going to be overclocking the processor don't bother with the CPU cooler.  The one that comes with the CPU will be fine.

[trax1]

Well would it be worth the $35 to buy that cooler and overclock the E5200, I mean could I get a nice performance boost with it?

[TheZohan]

you already have DDR2 memory that will work in your system? be another 20.00-30.00  for 2GB's

i would also suggest a tube of Artic 5 heatsink paste

[Getback]

Yeah, actually the Intel chip I was looking at was the E5200.  Here's the setup I was looking at getting, but I'd like to hear what TilDeath thinks would be good, as I know he knows a lot about building computers.


This setup is right at the edge of my money limit.

Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor - $72.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116072

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - $52.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128357

Rosewill RCX-Z4 120mm 2 Ball CPU Cooler - $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835200015

You can drop the cooler. Intel's cooler is good enough if you don't overclock too much.

[Fulmar]

Actually I've had good luck with the Intel cooler.  And as I recall when the C2D's first came out, people were overclocking nicely on the stock coolers.  You'd see reviews on Newegg about users getting to 3ghz on say a E6400 with acceptable temps.  I left my E6400 OC'd moderately on the Intel stock cooler for quite a while before I did a minor system upgrade and replaced some fans and cables along with a new HSF.

Then as time progressed you'd see people post that the stock ones were junk etc., not so IMO.

[Ghosth]

If you don't overclock it, it will last longer, be more stable, with fewer problems and issues.
Your choice of course.

[BaldEagl]

You should be able to get an easy 20% overclock even with the stock cooler.  If you want to go higher you'll need an aftermarket cooler.  Just make sure to test it under full load and monitor temps closely no matter what type of overclocking you're doing.