Expandable PC 'budget'

[Elfo]

Hello forum.

It's been a while since I last visited, as I explained in the general forum, but I'm back with enthusiasm and here are my first doubts about the next computer I have in mind. I will use it for office work, programming and light multimedia editing, and since the budget is tight and limited (500€), I have come up with a 'poor' configuration that I can expand in the medium term for another 500€, bearing in mind that I don't mind expanding with second-hand parts.

That being said, here is the preliminary configuration I have made on PcComponentes, based on some reviews and scattered opinions. In italics is what I plan to change in the medium term. Let's see where we can squeeze

Case: Corsair Carbide 200R Black Power Supply: Corsair CX500 V2 500W Builder Series 80 Plus Bronze Motherboard: Asrock H77M CPU: Intel Dual Core G860 [i](to be upgraded to an i7)[/i] Memory: 2x2Gb GSKill Ripjaws DD3 1333[i] (to be upgraded to 2x8Gb of the same Ripjaws)[/i] Hard Drive: WD Caviar Blue 1TB[i] (I will add a Crucial M4 128Gb)[/i] Monitor: Asus VS197D 18.5" 

Keyboard, mouse, speakers, etc. will depend on stock and how I see it, but I will spend at most 60€ on peripherals (including webcam, microphone and mouse pad ;D).

Graphics are not a priority until much later (at most I play some games like DOD:Source or AOE3), but it would be good to know which one would be the best to accompany a future i7+16Gb+SSD configuration.

Thanks in advance!

[Obione]

I would get a FullHD monitor with DVI, even if it means getting a budget case:

Benq GL2250 21.5" LED DVI 9H.L6VLA.TPE Monitor
Cooler Master K280 USB 3.0 RC-K280-KKN1 Case/Tower

I would also change the motherboard and hard drive for a 7200.14. For the same price, I would give up a SATA 3 by changing the H77M for the B75 Pro3 or even better, a Z75 Pro3 with the Ripjaws X 1866 CL9, 2x2 now and 2x8 in the upgrade. With current prices, 2x8GB + M4 128GB + 3770 + 212 EVO are 500 euros.

[Fassou]

In June, Intel will release its new product with a new socket (LGA1150), so those who know nothing about the crisis will be offering their second-hand Sandy, although you can also look for some offers on socket 1366, thinking about a complete change of equipment in 1-2 years. Salu2! and Welcome back :sisi:

[Elfo]

@Obione:

I would get a FullHD monitor with DVI, even if it means getting a budget case:

Benq GL2250 21.5" LED DVI 9H.L6VLA.TPE Monitor
Cooler Master K280 USB 3.0 RC-K280-KKN1 Case/Tower

I would also change the motherboard and hard drive to a 7200.14. For the same price, I would give up SATA 3 by changing the H77M for the B75 Pro3 or even better, a Z75 Pro3 with Ripjaws X 1866 CL9, 2x2 now and 2x8 in the upgrade. With current prices, 2x8GB + M4 128GB + 3770 + 212 EVO are 500 euros.

Thanks for the reply! It makes more sense to get a slightly better motherboard (I'm still a bit lost with the chipsets) and more capable memory... As you can see, I'm still getting the rust off;D

In fact, you've made me think, and if I really wanted a good base configuration, I could avoid buying the monitor and peripherals (I can manage with the old PC's for now) and spend those extra euros on cooling and a decent power supply for the future.

With your advice, I've considered the following configuration:

• Asrock Z75 Pro3 + G860 + x2 Ripjaws X 1866 + Barracuda 7200.14 1TB

All this in a Corsair 400R + Corsair CX600M + Corsair Hydro H100 to cool well, have options for expansion and to get a bit more juice out of the G860 and when it's time to get the i7, to push it to its limits

A bit crazy or could it be a good option? I've always been a fan of Corsair and have never built a system with the trio case+power supply+liquid cooler of the brand... Maybe it's counterproductive!

Thanks again!

[Elfo]

@Fassou:

In June, Intel will release new products with a new socket (LGA1150), so those who don't know anything about the crisis will be offering their Sandy Bridge second-hand, although you can also look for some offers on socket 1366, thinking about a complete change of equipment in 1-2 years.

Salu2! and Welcome back :sisi:

You posted when I was replying. I would like to have a working computer in May, and really with the subsequent configuration (16Gb of RAM + i7) I think I have a PC for a very long time. Although if it really paid off to put together something basic with socket LGA1150 I could consider leaving 1000€ all at once in August rather than 500€ now and another 500€ from here 9/12 months.

I am assailed by doubts, a good sign

[Elfo]

Fassou, sorry, I think I had interpreted your message in a different way. If you meant to wait until June to get a second-hand configuration based on Sandy, ignore my previous response. Anyway, I want the whole tower to be new because I plan to set up an assembly course for family and friends and I want to include a section on RMA and those things.

[Fassou]

With your budget, I would forget about building a team by pieces, and I would look more at a team assembled with i5 + 16GB + decent monitor on sale VAT-free day style, with payment facilities and warranty extension.

If a "branded team" is not compatible with your beliefs :troll:, then a new adjusted team (ASRock Z77 Pro3) with a second-hand micro (Sandy ó Ivy), because buying something cheap to then improve it, I don't see it, unless you have a very active second-hand market where you can sell those parts in hand.

About the new Haswell (LGA1150), I tell you that the first boards will come out with problems, so it is better not to be a guinea pig.

Salu2!

[Elfo]

I'm looking at second-hand micro and RAM and I just found some Kingston HyperX Predator 2x4Gb @ 2400 Mhz modules. These: hxpredator2pkhr. Are they good for €60 to accompany a Sandy or Ivy and give it some juice? They have a lifetime warranty and Intel XMP profile (what is this, what is this? ;D).

[Fassou]

The memories that are 1.50V and at least PC12800 CL9, although if they exceed 1600Mhz, they could make OC a little easier for you.

Salu2!

PD: Intel XMP

[Sylver]

I have some G.Skill Ripjaws 2x4Gb PC12800 CL9, they cost me €40 second-hand last summer, now you should be able to find them for a little less.

Regards

[Obione]

Getting a good power supply is a good idea and as for the memory, it's not something you'll notice but they cost the same 1866 as 1333.

As for the case and cooler, I would settle for 300R + Silver Arrow SB-E, if you want to upgrade the motherboard you can go for a Z77-D3H for example.

I forgot about the power supply, I would almost go for a TX550M, for a little more it's a more serious power supply with 5 years of warranty.

[Elfo]

Well, as usually happens in this little world, and more now that I'm back to it, with what I've been able to get out of here I've already been weighing things up and looking for some second-hand parts.

For now I've picked up 2x8Gb Crucial Ballistix for 70€ and I have a Asrock Z77 Pro4-M lined up for 80€. I've saved 30€ compared to getting them new (the memos are at 99€ and the motherboard at 86€ not including shipping) and I'm looking for an i3 to do some OC for 70/80€ (I have some candidates already). For now I'll make use of the case, power supply and monitor. I have at home a Thermaltake Shark (of the old ones) and an LC Power of 480W modular with active PFC that I could mount temporarily until I get rid of the laptop and have cash to get myself the Corsair skeleton.

Do you see any drawbacks to this? As the distribution of components is classic ATX (power supply up) and now I doubt if it's the most appropriate and even if the power supply will be 100% compatible with the motherboard or if I might get a shock...

Best regards!

[Yorus]

I'm not an overclocker, but as far as I know, any current Intel micro that doesn't end in 'K' will be locked. So the minimum will be an i5 'K' or hold out for now with the locked micros.

[Elfo]

@Yorus:

I'm not an overclocker, but as far as I know, any current Intel micro that doesn't end in 'K' will be locked. So the minimum will be an i5 'K' or hold out while with the locked micros.

Yes, I've read something about the 'non K' micros. Anyway, a K I understand brings the unlocked multiplier, and I also understand that some Asrock (I swear the Z77 Pro4-M also) allow 'basic OC' by FSB even having the micro locked ('not K').

Some light on this would be great because if I have to forget about getting an affordable micro for 70/80€ (with that I can aspire to an i3) and get used to going for an i5 because OC by FSB is not recommended (rather efficient), I'm already forgetting

Thanks in advance!

[Obione]

You can scratch 4 points above the turbo with any non-K and a little base clock (104-105), the problem is that you don't have turbo with the 3220 so you can only scratch about 1GHz.

[Elfo]

@Obione:

You can scrape 4 points above turbo with any non-K and a little base clock (104-105), the problem is that you don't have turbo with the 3220 so you can only scrape about 1GHz.

I'm haggling to get an Intel Core i3-2120, they ask for 80€ with cooler but I would like it bare. With a Hydro H80/H100 and the Z77 Pro4-M could I get 4GHz or more? And more importantly, is it worth investing the Hydro money in an i5 and a more affordable fan? Thanks in advance.

[_Neptunno_]

I'm not sure if that i3 is second-hand, I guess so because of the "bargaining". Anyway, if you're considering second-hand options, there are some i7 1366 like 920/950 for about 100-130€.

I have both :troll: and both are second-hand, and I'm happier than a Christmas. Although this is always the case, the truth is that a 2500k from second-hand would be my ideal in your case... I love that micro for price/power/OC :ugly:

But well... it's just an idea!!

Perhaps the first option of the G860, improving the motherboard a little, could be the ideal. I think you could hold on with it until you get an i7.
Obviously, it will pull much less than the i3 you mention... that is, almost the thing depends more on when you decide to expand the PC, and the power you need currently and for a medium or near future.

Greetings!!

[Sylver]

Buy a second-hand 2500K if you find one, as the micros don't burn out like they used to and that's a beast that will last for many years performing and without failing at the expense of its OC capability :sisi:
And if you also put an H100 in it, it will be more than happy at 5Ghz forever :ugly:

Regards

[Obione]

@Elfo:

I'm haggling to get a Intel Core i3-2120, they ask for 80€ with cooler but I would like it bare. Could I get 4GHz or more with a Hydro H80/H100 and the Z77 Pro4-M? And more importantly, is it worth investing the money of the Hydro in an i5 and a more affordable fan? Thanks in advance.

Have you got the motherboard already? It doesn't convince me too much, nor the hydro performance/price, I would stick with the Silver Arrow SB-E but well, if you want more performance to OC a 3570K there's the H100i.

With the 2120 we are in the same situation, you don't have turbo.

[Elfo]

I already got the motherboard, yes. The Z77 Pro4-M. I sweated to get the micro I mentioned at the end because I'm starting to think that the optimal choice would be a 2500K. I was lucky to spot three things (case, motherboard and memos) and be able to get them second-hand with a warranty and almost new, I can wait to look around more sites for a top-notch one

Obione, the Silver Arrow is another very good option, yes. Let's see when I sort out the micro issue and what's left of my budget and I seriously consider it (in PC Componentes there are Hydro H100 -not i- refurbished at the price of H60, it seems to have quite good reviews).

For now, my next machine is starting to take shape: Corsair Carbide 300R + Asrock Z77 Pro4-M + 2x8Gb Crucial BS 1600MHz. It came out for 220€ this trio all with a warranty of at least 10 months

I'm going blind for the 2500K and for the power supply I'm almost decided on a Corsair modular one, I still doubt if 500 or 650W. I'm considering getting more power in case I get into gaming in the long term and get a kit like SLI (I've never touched one :rolleyes:) at a good price, because as I see it, graphics cards are something that flies in second-hand circles…

Many thanks to everyone for the answers, it's been a joy to get back into it ;D