Best Core i5 config for a budget price

[Hever]

I want to get the best budget i5 i can make. Since i dont intend to use my new build for gaming or video encoding, i dont intend to OC the cpu to a big extent, only what little or ok limit. So i think buying the non K version of the i5 will be a good choice for the budget.

While if i intended to OC, then the cost of the better PSU + extra cost of buying a cooler + REAL BIG COST EXTRA OF A PREMIUM MOBO, for good OC capability would not be worth it.



I already have the Nvidia GT430 gpu. Thats the only thing i would use in the new rig. And would prefer the ivy bridge, than the sandy but would like to know what you guys think as well, for the price and performance.

Also tell me upto what will i be able to OC that configuration, then upto what ? but that OC should not bear any more cost as extra. If can OC only a little too even, would be fine for me.

Also if there's a slightly low equivalent amd config too (atleast an acclaimed 4-core or 6-core), but at a more less price, would like to consider that too, but only if costs quite less, but gives only some less performance only.



So kindly tell me the best i5 build that a person can build for a minor gaming and minor video encoding system. The best i5 config at budget (not cheapest config but the best performance at a budget price).

 

[DrossUSA]

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($91.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Corsair Force Series 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1394.90

everything except for the case because that more personal preference and can get much cheaper by changing around the gpu config but it really helps if you define budget 😀 you should be able to OC this to 4.2+ ghz easy

 

[Nw333]

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($219.99 @ NCIX US)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 92.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock Z77 Extreme4 ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($142.86 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 16GB (4 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($91.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Corsair Force Series 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($114.98 @ NCIX US)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 660 Ti 2GB Video Card (2-Way SLI) ($307.55 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Silverstone 750W ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $1394.90

everything except for the case because that more personal preference and can get much cheaper by changing around the gpu config but it really helps if you define budget 😀 you should be able to OC this to 4.2+ ghz easy

Good build but the OP is only doing minor gaming and video encoding.

 

[Hever]

@DrossUSA

I am not into gaming / encoding and u have suggested 2 $300 gpus - and also the best only config - not a BUDGET config at all.

Not into OC as well, but u have completely misread what i want.

 

[ScrewySqrl]

here's my *budget* suggestion:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-2400 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($178.46 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock H61M/U3S3 Micro ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Pareema 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($21.89 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Corsair Force Series 3 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Thermaltake VL80001W2Z ATX Mid Tower Case ($24.46 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair 430W ATX12V Power Supply ($24.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $449.77
(Prices include shipping and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2012-08-18 06:38 EDT-0400)

no overclock with this at all.

for an extra $10, you can get an AS Rock H77 board and overclock very lightly (4 bins) to 3.5 GHz. neither needs additional cpu fans beyond the stock model

 

[Hever]

thanks screwysqrl.


and i am just taking my consideration more broad and thinking of an ivy bridge i3. Not inclined towards it, but just would like to get some facts clear.

I have come to know that sandy bridge doesnot support 1600Mhz ram DDR3 ? Is that true ?

Should i wait for the ivy bridge i3 ?

Will ivy bridge i3 accept my GPU nvidia GT430, or disable it like A8 amd apu will ?

thanks.

 

[azeem40]

I run my RAM at 1600 MHz.

 

[Hever]

Does running ddr3 ram at 1600Mhz in sandy bridge require some tweaking / trick. as its not possible normally or by default - i think, after getting to know the fact.

Any info on that ?

 

[Nw333]

If you get 1600MHz of RAM then it will be set to lower speeds because of the CPU, but you can always go into BIOS and get it back to normal speeds.

 

[FinneousPJ]

1600 MHz isn't officially supported but can be used depending on motherboard/processor.