Increasing performance of Desktop Computer ($400 budget)

Lifailbot on 20/04/2013 - 23:45

Current Specifications

Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4800+, 2500 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)
Motherboard: ASUSTeK Computer INC. M4A78L-M
Memory: G.Skill DDR2: 3GB
Graphics: AMD 760G (256MB)

Ideal Specifications (all parts are from MSY)

Processor Intel i5 3330 [Quad Core]-$189
Motherboard: AsRock H77M -$79
Memory: Patriot-S 8G kit 1600 -$62
Graphics: Asus 2G GT630 -$69

Total Cost=$399

As I am not in need of a new keyboard/Mouse/Speakers, or a new monitor, this was the best that I could come up with. Used primarily for Browsing/low-moderate gaming (think Starcraft II on mid graphics)and video/photo editing (final cut pro etc.). Does anyone have any better suggestions/Ideas on how to maximise my performance, taking into account the seriously low budget?

Computing

Comments

  • Kelvin H. on 21/04/2013 - 00:05
    +2

    This is probably what I would go for.

    CPU: AMD AM3+ x8 FX-8320 3.5Ghz/8Core/16M/125W Boxed CPU $179
    Mobo: ASRock 970DE3/U3S3 $59
    RAM: Patriot Signature 8GB Kit (4Gx2) DDR3-1600 - PSD38G1600KH $62
    GPU: MSI R7770-PMD1GD5 1G DDR5 7770 PCI-E VGA CARD $112

    Total: $412

    $12 out of your budget but you get a much more superior graphics card while the CPU still remains beefy.
    http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/610?vs=536
    Note: The GT 630 is actually a rebranded GT 440.

    How is your power supply though?

  • nebula98 on 21/04/2013 - 08:42
    +4

    Add a soild state hard drive ,if only for the operating system and only needs to be 64 gig.u will never look back,on special at mwave for $90 for 128 gig at times.

    • _Bruce_ on 21/04/2013 - 09:13
      +3

      This. In fact, do nothing else, just this and see if you still have a problem.

      Otherwise, what more specifically are you trying to improve?

    • Baa on 22/04/2013 - 12:43
      +1

      SSD are a great improvement to any system and always recommend them to those looking to upgrade. However considering how old the computer is and the budget of $400 I would probably choose to upgrade the essentials first.

      • _Bruce_ on 22/04/2013 - 13:14
        +3

        What is an essential then? For most tasks the current HD will be the bottle neck and a SSD in this system will make a huge difference.

  • ZRXS12 on 21/04/2013 - 09:26

    What are you using your PC for?
    Do you game, if so what games?

    • Windows7forever on 22/04/2013 - 18:15

      did you bother reading the OP?

      • ZRXS12 on 22/04/2013 - 18:22

        lol yeah I did, obviously not well enough :)
        Bit of foot in mouth.

        • _Bruce_ on 22/04/2013 - 18:34

          I thought that bit was added, I don't remember reading it.

        • ZRXS12 on 22/04/2013 - 19:22

          Ahh maybe it was :)

  • Willy Bargin on 21/04/2013 - 11:03

    Get the get the amd apu a-10 5800k with built in Radeon HD 7660D

    Google shopping has 7 Australian shop have it for $140

    You don't need to get a graphic card . But will be able to play every 2012 game ( it play battlefield 3 @ high 1080p)

    A10-5800K model gets two modules and, therefore, four AMD-style cores. Clock speeds are rated at 3.8GHz base and 4.2GHz Turbo and you get a grand total of 4MB cache. It's pretty similar, therefore, to an AMD FX 4000 chip, just with a bit less cache.

    Get any Fm2 motherboard you want . I would get some thing with at least 4 ram slots and 2 sata 6gb port so you can add another fast hard drive later . Hdmi is a bonus with extra USB 3.0

    Get the fastest ram you can afford as this impact the graphic 1866 MHz is ideal

    Your looking at
    $140 CPU
    $70 -$100for motherboard
    $50 for ram

    If you didn't do any gaming just Facebook , MS office , web surfing go with a uber cheap intel CPU for $50 and the cheapest 1155 motherboard $50

    • scrimshaw on 22/04/2013 - 01:53

      27 FPS BF3 is not playable. I know certain games can still be played at a low framerate, but action games like shooters aren't very enjoyable when you have a large number of framerate skipping.

      A budget Core i3 or Core i5 with discrete GPU like Radeon 7770 makes more sense.

      Core i3 $119 / Core i5 $189
      4G Kit RAM $42 / 8G kit $62
      B75m mobo $58
      HD7770 $112

      $331 (with 4G RAM)
      $351 (with 8G RAM)
      $401 (with quad core and 4G RAM) — I recommend this.

      The price of RAM has really gone up, so upping the RAM to 8G is going to hurt your wallet a bit. You could consider going with 1333mhz RAM 8GB single DIMMS to keep the costs down, although at the expense of RAM speed.

      • ZRXS12 on 22/04/2013 - 09:52

        I would recommend the core i3 8gb as above which comes to $351 and try and stretch your budget another $40 to $50 for a 120/128gb SSD bringing you to around $450.

        Although you still haven't said what you use the PC for.

      • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 10:30
        +1

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijRbNnSuqxc

        Sorry i should edit it "medium" i forgot that my screen is only 720P

        yes but your talking about $100 extra

  • ethereal88 on 22/04/2013 - 07:47
    -3

    Intel i5 3470 + Asrock B75 PRO 3 + 8GB DDR3 + 7770 or 7850

    Avoid AMD CPU's. They are rubbish, and especially in Oz, you dont want to pay more on your energy bill - 77w TDP vs 125w TDP is a substantial difference. The price difference Intel vs AMD is irrelevant over the course over a PC's lifespan - Intel will last longer. As for budget, spend more, that Athlon 64 is 7yrs old.

    • Kelvin H. on 22/04/2013 - 09:42
      +2

      Although AMD CPU's may not be up to par with their Intel equivalents, they still provide good performance and do come out in front in some circumstances - we're starting to notice that in applications (and also games) now are starting to take advantage of AMD's architecture and hence able to pull ahead. They are by no means rubbish as you say.

      Substantial difference in your power bill? Take a look at Tek Syndicate's videos between the FX and i-Series on YouTube.

    • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 11:58

      TDP 100W not 125w 23 w more

  • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 10:25
    +2

    i agree - every single person that whine about a 125w tdp are forgetting that it use less power the the i5+ GPU

    for $300 you get better "light gaming " with A-10 5800k then any I3/I5 + GPU

  • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 11:22
    +2

    the OP ask for "Used primarily for Browsing/low-moderate gaming (think Starcraft II on mid graphics)and video/photo editing (final cut pro etc."

    it look like the OP like to save money and just upgrade when needed

    the above build are all base on :Just: scraping under the $400
    every motherboard above are sub par and are rubbish.

    How is the OP going to upgrade Ram at a later date when their only 2 dim , only 1 x PCIe 3.0 x16 Slot

    Yes the build would be ok - but the OP will have to waste alot of the product later to upgrade

    and realistically you would never buy them yourself so why would you recommend them to other

    at a bear min you want to get

    a-10 5800k $140
    ASRock FM2A75-PRO4-M Motherboard $87
    G.Skill F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 $75

    $302

    Upgrade Option
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC6KirMGP1Q
    Sapphire Radeon HD6670 2GB $75

    Intel 330 Series 60GB SSD $85

    extra Ram
    G.Skill Ripjaws X F3-17000CL11Q-16GBXL 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 +$80

    personalty i wouldn't get the 6670 and just use the APU and get a cheap SSD or extra ram as OP want to video edit

    I will create a Intel + GPU later but it will be much more expensive

  • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 13:31
    +1

    1.As from suggested build above by Intel fan boys and not helpful ozbarginer

    AMD would be much better.

    AMD FX-6100 6 Core Processor is much better then i3-3220 by "scrimshaw" (both $119)
    AMD FX-8320 8 Core Processor is much better then i5 3470 by "ethereal88" ($189 - AMD $10 cheaper)

    The OP posted "Browsing/low-moderate gaming (think Starcraft II on mid graphics)and video/photo editing (final cut pro etc.)"

    2.If you dont like the $300 build above

    SRock 970DE3-U3S3 AM3 970/4xDDR3/SATA3/USB3/RAID/ATX Motherboard $59
    (i would not get any thing cheaper- $60 Motherboard have much less)
    Patriot Signature 8GB Kit (4Gx2) DDR3-1600 - PSD38G1600KH $62.00

    AMD FX-6300 build $240……(Give you $160 for GPU) + Gainward GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Golden Sample $129
    AMD FX-8320 Build $300……(Give you $100 for GPU) + MSI Radeon HD7750 2GB $89

    Or get the best graphic card you can afford

    3. Niviida card would be better if the OP use app with Nivida CUDA

    4. These build are able to overclock 10-15% straight out of the box with this motherboard and stock fan

    5. Ideally with the extra money save i would get a New Power supply - you dont want to buy all these new parts and find that your old PSU blow up your new parts

    ………………………………………………………………………………

    low Power supply

    MSI Radeon HD7750 2GB $89
    Powercolor Radeon HD7750 4GB $105

    ( HD 7750 he Radeon HD 7750 is the fastest graphics card you can get right now that doesn't require an auxiliary power input; it draws all that it needs from a 16-lane PCIe slot. If you're upgrading an older machine with limited power supply capacity, that's an attractive point to consider.)

    ………………………………………………………………………………………….

    *MSI Radeon HD7770 1GB $112
    *Gainward GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Golden Sample $129
    *PowerColor Radeon HD7870 2GB Myst Edition $229

    ( there is nothing great between $130 GTX650TI - $230 HD7870 …. 650 TI range from $130 to until $200 gtx660 and the only AMD card in that range are "HIS Radeon HD7850 1GB" around the $190 mark but Myst Edition are much better using the newer Tahiti LE ……… http://www.legitreviews.com/article/2156/5/

    i wouldn't get any thing better then PowerColor Radeon HD7870 2GB Myst Edition - it not worth wasting money on 80+ fps for any game on ultra setting)

    Mod: Edited comment to FX 6100 as requested by commentor.

    • _Bruce_ on 22/04/2013 - 14:22

      While I tend to agree that in the low end of the market AMD can be attractive, particularly if you are getting an A8/A10, I find these comments suspect:

      AMD FX-6300 6 Core Processor is much better then i3-3220
      AMD FX-8320 8 Core Processor is much better then i5 3470

      Please provide some information on how/why these are much better 'then' Intel. Toms hardware ranks both as roughly equivalent to the 3220, and where are you getting a 6300 for $119 anyway?

  • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 15:51
    +1

    Sorry it hard to find bench mark AMD FX-8320 vs i5 3470 …
    most are comparing the $239 FX-8350 with the more expenive $236.00 I7 3570k

    but when i said better - i didnt mean by 10000000% better - we are talking about overall just that little bit better that why they are around the same price

    gaming are pretty much the same. but alot of benchmark say that the I5 are better that was before the new AMD FX Hotfixes: which now make them neck for neck

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4et7kDGSRfc

    1.high core app are much better suited with the AMD
    2.can overclock the AMD as it unlock with stock fan
    (for beginer you can just click the alto button)

    (your very limited with the i5 3470 and is much difficult and you cant over clock the i3-3220 at all)

    3.AMD can run 1866 ram stock

    http://www.cpubenchmark.net/high_end_cpus.html

    FX-8320 = 8,205 VS i5 3470 = 6,621
    FX-6100 = 5,410 Vs i3-3220 = 4,239

    Looking at the overall system you will find that AMD offer better value for money

    you can see the huge different in the $60 AMD motherboard then the limited $60 intel boards

    • _Bruce_ on 22/04/2013 - 15:55
      +1

      Your initial argument was 'much better' now it is about system value.

      you can see the huge different in the $60 AMD motherboard then the limited $60 intel boards

      B75 Intel boards are amazing, and have all the performance (and almost all features) of the top end boards. What differences exactly are you talking about?

      • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 16:37
        +1

        Go eat a lemon and stop nip picking at every word i type

        how about you Google and have a look at the different ;)
        geees even the photo look different ,,,, who knew

        then come back here , and you type why your right and i am wrong

        it ppl like you that make it twice as hard to gather relevant information

        you have added no information other then your view and 3 line comment

        Block-quote B75 Intel boards are amazing, and have all the performance (and almost all features) of the top end boards. What differences exactly are you talking about?

        Really do tell us all some more information about it ? and why your correct

        simple thing like it has more ram slot , other extras you dont get

        you may have a well built PC - but your giving advice for item that you and myself would never buy

        Im not even going to go on about it - as i know you going to nip pick some thing else but not provide any help to the OP

    • Willy Bargin on 22/04/2013 - 16:22
      +1

      Updated Build

      http://www.msy.com.au/product.jsp?productId=9740

      SRock 970DE3-U3S3 AM3 970/4xDDR3/SATA3/USB3/RAID/ATX Motherboard $59
      Patriot Signature 8GB Kit (4Gx2) DDR3-1600 - PSD38G1600KH $62.00
      AMD AM3+ x6 FX-6300 3.5Ghz/6Core/14M/95W Boxed CPU $145

      AMD FX-6300 build $226……(Give you $134 for GPU) + Gainward GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Golden Sample $129

      $395

      VS

      from "ethereal8"
      Intel i5 3470 $193 + Asrock B75 PRO 3 $69.00 + 8GB DDR3 $62 + 7770 $112 $436

      OR

      from "scrimshaw"
      i3-3220 $119 + AsRock B75M $58 + 8GB DDR3 $62+ 7770 $112 = $351
      Intel i5 3330 $$189 + AsRock B75M $58 + 8GB DDR3 $62+ 7770 $112 = $421

      i am just saying :

      CPU - Fx-6300 would be about the same , if not better then
      MB - AMD motherboard it better then all boards - more ram , faster ram , more PCI , more sata 6gb, overclock ,
      Ram is all the same
      GPU - much better - any one that say that the 650 TI is the worst card should have there account remove

      better value for money but unforgettably use 23w TDP more power

      also the AM3 socket are suppose to be use for the next generation AMD CPU unlike Intel is changing to 1156
      so if you but the intel - you wont be able to upgrade the New Intel Haswell that come out in Jun 2013

  • ethereal88 on 23/04/2013 - 07:14

    3470 vs 6300:

    http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/699?vs=702

    AMD gets SMASHED. Only 3 benchmarks AMD wins out of 24. Stop embarrassing yourself. 436-395 = 41 for a vastly better system - and you twisted my mobo - I recommended the B75 PRO 3, full ATX, 4 RAM slots and PCI-E 3 for $20 more than the B75M. So $61 for a way better, more power efficient system.

  • Willy Bargin on 24/04/2013 - 02:14
    -2

    thank you for wasting another reader time with your post - they wouldnt find any relevant information with your post other then you Nip picking at another Poster

    You offer a great Intel build which was over buget
    i offer a AMD build which i think would be better value

    GET OVER IT

    the stats you copy and paste ( none of you own work , or a live test, or youtube ,they are only computer generated) are wrong as they don't use the new WINDOWS HOT FIX that now let windows use all the core and threads at max setting

    as i said before Yes they were worst - but now with the HOT FIX they are on par with gaming and "smashed" with multi core multi thread app like the OP request for use

    http://bit.ly/ZKgTvR

    ""YOU ARE JUST A BIASED INTEL FAN""

    <<<<<<I gave you full Credit for picking a better motherboard for the OP>>>>>>>
    and this is the thanks i get

    1St i didn't twist any thing you NUB HEAD

    from "ethereal8"
    Intel i5 3470 $193 + Asrock B75 PRO 3 $69.00 + 8GB DDR3 $62 + 7770 $112 $436

    Now what part did i twist from you own words . i said you use that B75 PRO 3 motherboard

    2nd

    Can you provide any information on the 2 CPU with over clock.??
    Can you even overclock that motherboard ? once again you gave no helpfull information
    i would like to see the Intel (limited) overclock "smash" the easy unlock AMD

    3rd

    WHY would you recommend to Any ozbarginer to go buy the last generation motherboard for 1155 Intel when you know they wont be able to install a newer CPU in 12 months (new Haswell come out in 2 months)
    so in 2 month you have just recommend a product that now obsolete
    that is just selfish

    AMD have said they are keeping the AM3 socket for the next 2 generation

    4th

    Now if i increased my Budget like you have done i am sure i could pick a better motherboard , CPU or item to make my build better ….. hell let just tell the OP to rob a bank and increase the budget by $10,000

    Your not even comparing APPLE WITH APPLE ( which is another reason why your wasting everyone time)

    • comparing a much more expensive i5 3470 with my CPU
      How about we level the field and compare your i5 3470 CPU with a similar price FX-8350

    are you trying to tell me i am still wrong >>>>?

    5th
    I see you shut up about me picking the much better GPU which would be much better suited for OP if they use app with CUDA

    Once again don't bother Nip picking at other poster unless your providing a Full build and reason why you like it

    • ZRXS12 on 24/04/2013 - 06:07

      Build a bridge and get over it.
      You've pretty well destroyed this thread, thank you :)

    • ethereal88 on 24/04/2013 - 16:06

      Take some English lessons you immigrant. Stock for stock AMD loses in 21 different benchmarks. As for obsolete it doesn't matter. Haswell is 10% faster if that.

      • Willy Bargin on 26/04/2013 - 14:43

        are you MAD bro ?

        • tonyjzx on 26/04/2013 - 20:57

          no he's AMD bro!

          you state that AM3 has been static thru these years… that's just wrong

          just because they have the same socket it doesnt mean every AMD AM3 cpu will fit every AM3 socket

          i also dont think 1155 is that bad a buy… intel have said they will continue supporting it thru to next year and besides, how many people will upgrade just a cpu?

          for me right now, it'd be x79 or wait for 1150… but hey its my money

  • Willy Bargin on 26/04/2013 - 14:52

    http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-3470-vs-AMD-FX-6300

    <MOD> Removed foul language. they are pretty much the same. Your making out in 21 different benchmarks that is "smash", we are talking about 1 FPS or 1 mill second longer to do a task ,

    now lets look at some thing that is apple for apple = the same price

    http://cpuboss.com/cpus/Intel-Core-i5-3470-vs-AMD-FX-8350-Bl…
    http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/697?vs=702

    WOW , once again your sooo wrong

  • altomic on 26/04/2013 - 23:28

    buy a better chair.

  • one4hope on 28/04/2013 - 09:09

    I would leave the video card out for now. That can always be updated later on, and most mother boards come with an integrated GPU anyway. If you try to fit the video card in to your budget, you will be getting less quality items over all and instead of later just upgrading your video card you will want to upgrade the whole system again. I also think that an additional solid state HDD just to run your OS is a good idea but this can also be added at a later date. Additional ram can also be added later… The things you want to concentrate on are the mother board, CPU and power supply. Get a mother board that supports up to 16GB of ram, even if you are only going to use 4-8GB and one that supports at least dual core processor. I'd also go for at least 750W power supply.

    Food for thought :)

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