Looking for a new CPU for a buddy..

[Wonderclam]

My buddy is asking me to build him a gaming computer for his son. What CPU do you guys suggest? Something decent, but it's also gotta be an intel and affordable. I'll just go match the motherboard at Fry's Electronics. He's already got the videocard, PSU and he'll reuse the case.

 

[ThatVietGuy]

What's the GPU?

But for a kid a Pentium G3258 is probably good enough - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117374

 

[BadActor]

If he already has DDR3 RAM, I would lust pick up something like an i5 4460 aand an H110 motherboard. Fairly inexpensive and will run just about any video card.

 

[rhysiam]

What video card and PSU does he have already? Is it an ATX or mATX case? Does he already have storage and RAM, or is he looking to upgrade those to? If he already has storage and RAM what is it?

A sweet-spot for gaming is either the i5 4460 for $175, or i5-6500 for $200, if he's prepared to spend a little more for marginally better performance and the newer Skylake platform. You can absolutely go cheaper though, and in fact it may well make sense to do so if he's video card is on the lower end.

 

[Wonderclam]

He's got an ATX case, and a Rosewill 550 watt PSU. I don't remember what the videocard is, but it's pretty decent from what I remember. I gotta go find out.

 

[Luchr1s]

Well it all depends on what he is going to do with the pc. If he is going to play main stream games like counter strike or team fortress 2, an amd fx-6300 or higher is the way to go. If he is going to run very intensive programs he will need to get an i5 or i7. Ask him what he wants to do on his computer maybe?

 

[Wonderclam]

Ok, now he wants to salvage the current CPU which is an i7 3770, which I think, is a socket LGA 1155. sigh...

 

[BadActor]

That's still a decent CPU and will run any video card.

 

[Luchr1s]

Ok, now he wants to salvage the current CPU which is an i7 3770, which I think, is a socket LGA 1155. sigh...

Well make sure he gets the right cpu for what he is doing. Its a waste of money to get an i7 if you are just going to play games like Minecraft or Counter Strike

 

[Tradesman1]

Mobos are scarce in the 1155 area. Might find a ASRock z77 Extreme 4