Maximum PC

I could use some help in buying something to play some games mainly CSS on and some web casino type games. Last machine I built was mainly Intel based but it was around 4 or 5 years ago. I see your budget build is AMD/ATI parts both of which I wasn't very happy with in the past, but I'll really need to keep the price down. I'd prefer Intel and nVidia, but as I'm asking for your advice, I appreciate any help I can get. I like brick and mortar stores but as online is usually the best pricing I have no issues there, best price is my goal. I plan on reusing some parts but will need a...

Parts I need for sure

PSU - mine is old and I think about to fail.
Mobo/CPU/Cooler
Memory
Windows

Parts I should buy

Case
HDD
DVD +/-r

Part I just want to replace only if justified

Video card

In other words I wish I could replace the entire thing but can not afford it. The parts needed are listed more or less in order of urgency. For instance my psu has already shut down once and refused to light off again, Cpu is still and E6750. I wish I'd have kept up with parts but I didn't so please help!!!

If you're not going to do any 3D gaming, like Call of Duty or Left 4 Dead (I'm just throwing things out), it'll be much easier to keep your budget down. And in fact, if you get say a Core i3 with HD2000 graphics, you could be sailing along with web-based games just fine. But if you don't trust Intel's integrated graphics, AMD's A-series APUs aren't bad either.

My recommendations would be:

• CPU: Core i3 with HD2000 or AMD A-3800. Stock cooling is fine too. I'm not privy to the reviews, but you might even be able to get away with a Sandy-Bridge based Pentium.
• Mobo: I suppose anything decent works here
• Memory: Nothing more than 2GBx2 @ DDR3-1333. Higher speeds/capacity won't matter for your usage.
• PSU: 250W-400W, but no more or less than those.
• OS: If you're doing web based games, you should consider Ubuntu if you don't have a spare Windows install disk and key.

I'll let one of the residents here build you a list.

What is your budget?

here is a typical minimal-budget game rig (have built a few similar rigs in the past year or so)

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Pentium G630 2.7GHz Dual-Core Processor ($72.01 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-H61M-S2H Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($54.99 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($24.98 @ Amazon)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Scorpio Black 500GB 2.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: HIS Radeon HD 5670 1GB Video Card ($69.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 370 ATX Mid Tower Case ($33.26 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Antec 400W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH22NS90B DVD/CD Writer ($15.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $466.19
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-04-18 16:54 EDT-0400)

If nothing else get the Antec Neo Eco 400W $30 from newegg it's a killer "shell shocker" deal will expire soon. Tough to get a decent PSU for under $40, grab one while you can (I probably will just to have on hand for a future build)

cheers

The graphics card can be dropped if OP isn't doing anything more than web-based content.

I'm looking for an i5 or equivalent cpu and a good board for it...

currently have a p5nd mobo e6750 and crucial ram 4GB some amd/ati vid card...the rest can be swapped. Raptor boot and 300 GB WD storage no raid in use. I just need advice on a good mobo and chip combo...well and a good psu.

In that case, I would get something like this for a drop-in upgrade:

Part list permalink / Part price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K 3.3GHz Quad-Core Processor ($179.99 @ Microcenter)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus 76.8 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($22.99 @ NCIX US)
Motherboard: Biostar TZ77B ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($97.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($41.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 520W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($65.98 @ Newegg)
Total: $408.50
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated 2012-04-19 10:57 EDT-0400)

I am starting to like the Biostar T-series good price/performance, cpu voltage regulation just can't be beat at that price range. Used 2 of them recently in 1156 builds, very decent. Can't go wrong with the Seasonic 520 it's solid and can handle a GPU if you see fit in the future (the 7850 would make it a really nice game rig ). Oh, and your ddr2 in teh p5nd won't go so I added some ddr3 for you.

Speaking of the P5ND, perhaps just grab the PSU for now, and OC that sucka you should be able to hit 3.4 ~ 3.6Ghz just by futzing with your clocks (depending on your memory speed and multi selections, of course) probably what I would try just to get some more life out of it. I currently have an E3400 @ 3.4Ghz on a P43 board the stock is 2.6G same as yours I have ddr2-1066 running @ 1:1, probably could go higher messing with it but it's super-stable (my linux workstation yay)

cheers

I appreciate the tips...


The motherboard I have now is new (just a few months old) and is perfectly serviceable but I think my cpu is on it's last leg. I've been getting a lot of lockups and it won't hold the overclock anymore. This thing runs in a hot dusty environment and has been oc'd since it was new. I'm not sure if this is because of my power supply issues but figure if I'm replacing the chip it is better to just upgrade the entire board/cpu/ram set for modern parts. I wish I could afford a total rebuild the hdd's are getting a bit dated as well and my dvd drives are a crapshoot at best, but I really don't use them much anymore anyway.

Is a lower wattage psu normal for the newer parts? I'm used to running at least 850w.

Well so much for my budget. I want to thank you guys for the advice. I looked at everything suggested but being an instant gratification kinda guy I just went to Microcenter and picked up some parts, Here is the list. Total out the door was just under $750 and the prices were for the most part on par with online prices.

Fractal's Arc Midi case (wife doesn't know I spent this hundred dollars, but I couldn't stand the thought of using the one I have or any of my old ones)
Asus P8z68-v LX mobo
Intel i5 2500k cpu
coolermaster Hyper n520 cpu cooler
corsair HX 650w psu
corsair XMS3 8GB ram
win 7 home premium sp1

Using old hdd's, I had to buy a new dvd drive as mine were parallel and the mobo I bought didn't have the header, also it doesn't have a header for usb3 front panel.I used the ati vid card I have in the old one because it is only a few months old.