Need Advice on Upgrading From My Duo E5200 2.5GHz, Max Budget $300

[malachiv]

I need some advice on upgrading my CPU. If I could get a recommendation of CPU and mobo that would be fantastic. Here's the pertinent information:

Current CPU/Mobo/Mem: Duo E5200 2.50 GHz, 3GB of DDR3 1333 RAM, Intel DG41WV mATX mobo

PSU: 550W        OS: XP (will upgrade to Win 7)

Gfx: Nvidia 8800GT (am planning to upgrade to at least a Radeon 5770/6770 or higher soon

Drives: 2 optical, 2 SATA HD      Internal Cards: 1 sound card

Case: Can fit full size mobos, plenty ventilation

Usage: Mostly gaming, web browsing and music playing

Budget: $300 Max (for CPU/Mobo, will buy gfx later) prefer less than $200 if possible

I was recommended the 2120 with a H61 mobo, which does fit my needs. If the board could include Wifi that would be awesome but it's not a must have. Any recommendations or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MysticMiner]

Are you planning to reuse your case then? Is it a Micro ATX one itself?

For 300 dollars, you can probably get an i5 and a new motherboard, along with RAM, but I'm not sure about fitting it in your case.

 

[wintermint]

Intel core i3-2100 $125
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115078

If you want usb 3.0 and sata 6gb/s
ASRock H61M/U3S3 $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157236

If you don't care then
ASRock H61M-VS $60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157241

Alternative
MSI H61M-P23 (B3) $65 [more PCIe slots]
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130593

CPU and Mobo will be $200 already leaving $100 to graphic card. At this price range it's either a 6770 [rebadged 5770] or a GTX 460 with MIR.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=40000048&IsNodeId=1&Description=HD%205770&name=Desktop%20Graphics%20%2f%20Video%20Cards&Order=PRICE&Pagesize=20

The GTX 460 are like $130-135 after MIR so I'm not including them in the list. That is the list of 6770. If you want the HD 5770 I think it's around $120 before MIR and $100 afterward. There's probably a few dollar shipping too. Hope this gets you on the right track.

 

[geekapproved]

With a $300 budget you can get a i5-2400/2500 and a H61/H67.

If your memory is ddr3-1333 then you can re-use that on the new board.

I recommend the Asrock boards mentioned above. I have the cheaper one myself.

 

[MysticMiner]

I'm assuming that the video card is on a separate budget, and not part of this 300 dollars, so I wouldn't skimp on the mobo/cpu to cover it.

 

[malachiv]

Sorry, a few clarifications: case can fit full-sized mobos, and budget is for CPUE and mobo only, other parts will come later.

Great advice BTW! please keep it coming!

 

[Uther39]

Really need to know if you already have DDR3 memory or not? Also would you not consider AMD ?

 

[malachiv]

My memory is 1333 DDR3, and I'll do AMD, I'm not biased.

 

[geekapproved]

Really need to know if you already have DDR3 memory or not? Also would you not consider AMD ?

Did you even read his post, it clearly says he already had DDR3.

Why consider AMD if his budget is $300, he can get i5-2500 and a mobo and still have money left over. He could save some money by going AMD, but it would not even be close performance wise.

 

[Uther39]

Ok if you needed DDR3 then id say buy AMD,

Also if your interested in the upcoming BullDozer then id of said buy an AM3+ board with a Phenom X4 965 and a Coolermaster Hyper212+ and OC it to 4ghz.

Otherwise listen to the above chaps and buy
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130598
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115073
MSI H67MS-E23 (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H67 SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Item #: N82E16813130598
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$10.00 Mail-in Rebate Card
$89.99

Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500
Item #: N82E16819115073
Return Policy: CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
Protect Your Investment (expand for options)
$209.99
Subtotal: $299.98

 

[geekapproved]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157233

 

[malachiv]

Best answer selected by malachiv.

 

[malachiv]

Thanks for the advice. I went ahead with the i3 2100. Thanks again!