$400 Budget

[Wicked_Bass]

need a new cpu/ mobo and some ram for around $400

no overclocking web surfing and book keeping on qucikbooks

any suggestions

upgrading from a cely D so anything should be a huge improvement!

 

[Ocellaris]

q6600 with a good motherboard (gigabyte, dfi, many others) and 4gb of ram will come in just under 400 shipped. its hard to beat the quad for overall system performance.

 

[chrisf6969]

mobo: Asus P5K-E $140
cpu: e7200 - $135
ram: 2 x 2Gb ddr2 800 - $100'ish
+ aftermarket heatsink +$40

little bit over $400, but the better heatsink will make sure you hit
9.5 x 400Mhz = 3.8Ghz

 

[UtopiA]

DS3L, E8400 (Or Q6600 for quad), the rest on memory.
Enjoy.

 

[Joe Average]

Fry's has a Q6600 + Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L for $299.99 through Monday close of business (B&M only, though), and they have 2x2GB Corsair XMS² DHX 5-5-5-18 DDR2 6400 *phew* RAM on sale for $79.99 with a $20 MIR (so $59.99 in the long run).

I got that stuff yesterday, built it today, booted it the first time to make sure the system worked and POSTed, then rebooted and set it for 9x333 = 3 GHz (1333 FSB up from 1066) and wham, been running all day without a damned issue to speak of.

Quad core, ftw!

 

[Ocellaris]

little bit over $400, but the better heatsink will make sure you hit
9.5 x 400Mhz = 3.8Ghz

Did you even bother to read that he was not going to be overclocking?

 

[Glow]

Newegg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$89.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$219.99

Subtotal: $394.97

Doesn't get better than that

 

[chrisf6969]

Did you even bother to read that he was not going to be overclocking?

NO, if he's in the HardForum, he's not allowed, to not overclock.

Thats the same thing my cousin said, until I showed him how easy it was. And that a properly tested OC'd machine is just as stable if not more stable than most stock machines. So he just built a PC with my advice & he's got his e8400 @ 4Ghz @ like 55C 100% load, and with only like 1.28v.

With a 45nm chip he could get an easy 400FSB OC, with so little effort. 3.8Ghz should be a no brainer.

OP please leave & go to the SoftForum if you're not going to overclock!

 

[ethos11]

Newegg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$89.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$219.99

Subtotal: $394.97

Doesn't get better than that

+1

 

[Ocellaris]

NO, if he's in the HardForum, he's not allowed, to not overclock.

Thats the same thing my cousin said, until I showed him how easy it was. And that a properly tested OC'd machine is just as stable if not more stable than most stock machines. So he just built a PC with my advice & he's got his e8400 @ 4Ghz @ like 55C 100% load, and with only like 1.28v.

With a 45nm chip he could get an easy 400FSB OC, with so little effort. 3.8Ghz should be a no brainer.

OP please leave & go to the SoftForum if you're not going to overclock!

I will agree that some of the OCs are just too easy, like running a Q6600 @ 3Ghz (9x333). I do not get why some people do not do it, then again I do not get why people still buy AMD CPUs or Nvidia motherboards either

And those items Glow posted would be my pick. Then again I may be biased considering I am already running a DS3L with a Q6600,

 

[darkmrn]

btw
q6600 could be had for $200 at frys

 

[crew10489]

go with an intel cor 2 duo 8 series for wat ever processor u get

 

[Buntz]

Newegg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$89.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$219.99

Subtotal: $394.97

Doesn't get better than that

+2

 

[troisanh]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059 $89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037 $199.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145 $79.99 , use promo code EMCAFACAB

Cheap OCing combo.

 

[Ocellaris]

I really don't see why people reccomend the E8400 to someone who did not list games...

 

[UtopiA]

I really don't see why people reccomend the E8400 to someone who did not list games...

Because he said $400.
Let's make him buy an E2140 for $50 and spend $350 on a mobo.

 

[Nightcast]

Newegg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$89.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$219.99

Subtotal: $394.97

Doesn't get better than that

+3 Will last you for years.

 

[tokey]

lol i am getting ready to purchase that same bundle... i already have a good hs that will fit it so i am golden there

 

[NASTY_LOS]

Those were some good suggestions. I just put together my first build, sig below. Just like someone mentioned above, if you're on [H], you're not allowed to not overclock. I wasn't planning on OC'ing but did it because it was my duty as a registered member of [H] to overclock.

 

[Valnar]

need a new cpu/ mobo and some ram for around $400

no overclocking web surfing and book keeping on qucikbooks

any suggestions

upgrading from a cely D so anything should be a huge improvement!

Based on your statements, you could randomly pick any motherboard and compatible CPU and it'll work fine. Any other requirements?

Robert

 

[chrisf6969]

Those were some good suggestions. I just put together my first build, sig below. Just like someone mentioned above, if you're on [H], you're not allowed to not overclock. I wasn't planning on OC'ing but did it because it was my duty as a registered member of [H] to overclock.

And aren't you glad you did!? Easy 25% overclock with out hardly any effort.

Some samples of EASY overclocks on "cheap" chips:

q6600 9x333 = 3Ghz - practically a no brainer
e7200 9.5x400=3.8Ghz, probably more
e8400 9x425 = 3.825Ghz, Probably hit 4Ghz (9x444)

 

[TheCur]

And aren't you glad you did!? Easy 25% overclock with out hardly any effort.

Some samples of EASY overclocks on "cheap" chips:

q6600 9x333 = 3Ghz - practically a no brainer
e7200 9.5x400=3.8Ghz, probably more
e8400 9x425 = 3.825Ghz, Probably hit 4Ghz (9x433)

First of all....
9x433 != 4GHz.

445MHz FSB x9 (E8400) == 4.005GHz.

Second...

4GHz on air for an E8400 is about two things... finding an early production chip (Q745-ish) for lower Vcore and longevity with a good HSF, or about cranking up the Vcore to 1.4+ V and not caring about longevity with a good HSF. And since he's not really interested in OC'ing, he's probably not going to spend the $50+ on an aftermarket HSF, so 4GHz is out of the question on the stock HSF.

Get your facts straight if you're gonna bemoan OC'ing to newbies/non enthusiasts.

 

[DuffMan72]

Newegg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$89.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$219.99

Subtotal: $394.97

Doesn't get better than that

+4. Quite possibly the best deal possible.

 

[chrisf6969]

First of all....
9x433 != 4GHz.

445MHz FSB x9 (E8400) == 4.005GHz.

Second...

4GHz on air for an E8400 is about two things... finding an early production chip (Q745-ish) for lower Vcore and longevity with a good HSF, or about cranking up the Vcore to 1.4+ V and not caring about longevity with a good HSF. And since he's not really interested in OC'ing, he's probably not going to spend the $50+ on an aftermarket HSF, so 4GHz is out of the question on the stock HSF.

Get your facts straight if you're gonna bemoan OC'ing to newbies/non enthusiasts.

1st one fixed. Thats what I run my chip at, so I mixed up the 4Ghz FSB. I said 3.825Ghz was EASY. I didn't say the 4Ghz was "easy", I said he could "probably hit 4Ghz" with one.

My cousin was a complete overclocking noob and got 4Ghz with an e8400 he picked up at Microcenter 2 weeks ago. It only needed 1.3v in BIOS, actual 1.28v in windows. I suggested an aftermarket cooler, he doesn't need a $50 one, though they are better than the cheaper $20-35 ones.

I agree 1.4v+ is bad for long term longevity, so thats why I figured he should shoot for 3.825Ghz, unless he got lucky.

And the stock HSF is a joke for the e8400, it MIGHT be good enough for 9x400 = 3.6Ghz at low voltage.

 

[eon]

Based on your statements, you could randomly pick any motherboard and compatible CPU and it'll work fine. Any other requirements?

Robert

ya thats what i was thinking
honestly, i cant feel any difference surfing the net on my 3ghz core 2 duo/2 gig ram vs my xp3200 1gig ram PC
but I dont know about quickbooks... is it that resource demanding?

 

[UtopiA]

Didn't you get the memo?
Faster clock speed = faster internet.

 

[Wicked_Bass]

Thanks for the input everyone gonna goth with the

Originally Posted by Glow View Post
Newegg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$89.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$219.99

Subtotal: $394.97

Doesn't get better than that

 

[chrisf6969]

Didn't you get the memo?
Faster clock speed = faster internet.

= faster porn

quickbooks is kind of slow on the older PC's in my office, but I think its more of a harddrive load & transfer over the network speed issue.

Its noticeably slower on the 2.6Ghz Celeron vs the P4 3.06Ghz HT.
And obviously fastest on my PC, but my PC is the host for the file and its got a Core2Duo in it.

Thanks for the input everyone gonna goth with the

Originally Posted by Glow View Post
Newegg
G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ - Retail
$84.99
GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX All Solid Capacitor Intel Motherboard
$89.99
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz LGA 775 Quad-Core Processor Model BX80562Q6600
$219.99

Subtotal: $394.97

Doesn't get better than that

Well, it could get better than that, but for the price thats the most overall power/performance per buck.

I think you'll be quite happy with that.

My suggestion, get a decent aftermarket cooler, and crank it up to 3Ghz for an easy cheezy OC.

 

[Wicked_Bass]

well when I do payroll for 150+ people and it takes over 30 min to calculate and process with a cely d and 1gig of ram I would say it uses some resources
but trying to build something that will last for at least 2+ years as an office pc

 

[vict0r]

ok...

so if all you do is what you stated... then my friend , $400 is way too much..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103257
$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
$84

Believe me.. there you have a wonderfull home/ home office setup ... that can handle your needs just like you want to .. @ $245 ....
with the rest, get like the 450 watt corasir psu and a good fast HDD... (this is if you want the extras,if not,save up and go out and party a lil)

 

[chrisf6969]

ok...

so if all you do is what you stated... then my friend , $400 is way too much..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103257
$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
$84

Believe me.. there you have a wonderfull home/ home office setup ... that can handle your needs just like you want to .. @ $245 ....
with the rest, get like the 450 watt corasir psu and a good fast HDD... (this is if you want the extras,if not,save up and go out and party a lil)

<cough> TROLL</cough>

You ever think he probably posted this in the Intel processor forum b/c he wants an Intel processor ?

I agree he has far more horsepower than he needs but that just goes towards making the system last longer as down the road he will need all that power one day.

 

[Ocellaris]

ok...

so if all you do is what you stated... then my friend , $400 is way too much..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128090
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103257
$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145184
$84

Believe me.. there you have a wonderfull home/ home office setup ... that can handle your needs just like you want to .. @ $245 ....
with the rest, get like the 450 watt corasir psu and a good fast HDD... (this is if you want the extras,if not,save up and go out and party a lil)

Think of it this way... Currently doing the payroll takes 30 minutes for the OP. If that gets cut down to say, 2 minutes, the $400 investment is going to pay for itself in time saved in a matter of weeks.

 

[vict0r]

Think of it this way... Currently doing the payroll takes 30 minutes for the OP. If that gets cut down to say, 2 minutes, the $400 investment is going to pay for itself in time saved in a matter of weeks.

ocellaris , you are right .. i didn't look at it that way ...

hey OP , definately go with the Q6600 setup they gave you then...


and btw chrisf6969, i know he posted in intel, but many people don't know better than intel.. so they don't even look after AMD cpu's, only when people tell them... so thats what I did...

 

[smileypaul]

Based on your statements, you could randomly pick any motherboard and compatible CPU and it'll work fine. Any other requirements?

Robert

This is the best reply in here.

Why everyone else is recommending quad core is beyond me. Come on.. he's just using some tax software and surfing the web..

Get something moderate.. e4500 or something, 2 gigs of 800 ram, a low end Asus board and call it a day.. spend the rest on something else for yourself, as I promise you'll never see the benefit of a quad core..

 

[smileypaul]

Think of it this way... Currently doing the payroll takes 30 minutes for the OP. If that gets cut down to say, 2 minutes, the $400 investment is going to pay for itself in time saved in a matter of weeks.

C'mon! Doing payroll has nothing to do with processor speed.. it is more human input speed.

Saying a Q6600 will do payroll faster than an E1200, or hell, even any variant of a P4 is absolutely ridiculous.

And to top it off, there is some bad math being done here..

Lets just assume, that he pays someone 15$ / hr to do clerical work, and also payroll. the 28 minutes he saves per week (or bi weekly!) = 7$ per pay period.

Assuming his pay period is once a week, it would take approximately 57 weeks to make the money back. So it wlil pay off in 57 weeks.. not a matter of a few weeks.

This is also ridiculous, because theres no way in hell anyone can reduce payroll time from 30 minutes to 2 minutes just by purchasing a Quad core processor.

Sorry for the flaming, no harm intended.. but come on!

 

[vict0r]

C'mon! Doing payroll has nothing to do with processor speed.. it is more human input speed.

Saying a Q6600 will do payroll faster than an E1200, or hell, even any variant of a P4 is absolutely ridiculous.

And to top it off, there is some bad math being done here..

Lets just assume, that he pays someone 15$ / hr to do clerical work, and also payroll. the 28 minutes he saves per week (or bi weekly!) = 7$ per pay period.

Assuming his pay period is once a week, it would take approximately 57 weeks to make the money back. So it wlil pay off in 57 weeks.. not a matter of a few weeks.

This is also ridiculous, because theres no way in hell anyone can reduce payroll time from 30 minutes to 2 minutes just by purchasing a Quad core processor.

Sorry for the flaming, no harm intended.. but come on!

hehe, let me paste what I suggested in the first place

ok...

so if all you do is what you stated... then my friend , $400 is way too much..

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128090
$89.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103257
$69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184
$84

Believe me.. there you have a wonderfull home/ home office setup ... that can handle your needs just like you want to .. @ $245 ....
with the rest, get like the 450 watt corasir psu and a good fast HDD... (this is if you want the extras,if not,save up and go out and party a lil)

 

[Ocellaris]

C'mon! Doing payroll has nothing to do with processor speed.. it is more human input speed.

Saying a Q6600 will do payroll faster than an E1200, or hell, even any variant of a P4 is absolutely ridiculous.

Would you guys take one of those remaining brain cells and trying paying attention and reading. The OP said:

well when I do payroll for 150+ people and it takes over 30 min to calculate and process with a cely d and 1gig of ram

Takes 30 minutes to calculate. No one was talking like it took 30 minutes for him to sit there and bang in numbers.

And now back to smileypaul...

Lets just assume, that he pays someone 15$ / hr to do clerical work, and also payroll. the 28 minutes he saves per week (or bi weekly!) = 7$ per pay period.

Assuming his pay period is once a week, it would take approximately 57 weeks to make the money back. So it wlil pay off in 57 weeks.. not a matter of a few weeks.

$15/hour is what the employee gets, the total costs and overhead of having that person there is a lot closer to $30/hour. Payroll can sometimes be a very time sensitive task, so cutting processing time from 30 minutes to 2 minutes would be huge.

 

[9mmx19]

Gigabyte DS3L, E8400 since he doesnt want to OC and Im assuming Quickbooks doesnt use 4 cores, and at least 3GB of RAM since its so cheap.

 

[smileypaul]

And now back to smileypaul...


$15/hour is what the employee gets, the total costs and overhead of having that person there is a lot closer to $30/hour. Payroll can sometimes be a very time sensitive task, so cutting processing time from 30 minutes to 2 minutes would be huge.

Actually, it would be 14$ / pay period as his Direct labour costs go up to 50 cents per minute from 25 cents... not really all that huge? So why spend all the extra money on a Q6600, when i promise you that his payroll software does not have the ability to use 4 cores, let alone 2...

Lets just for a minute, assume.. that you are right, and the Q6600, will cut the processing time down to 2 minutes.. and , that the E1200 does it in say 4 minutes... whats the difference?

He'll save 14$ / pay period with the Q6600, and 13$ / pay period with the E1200.

Price difference between the two processors?

You can see where i'm going with this...

 

[ethraax]

NO, if he's in the HardForum, he's not allowed, to not overclock.

Thats the same thing my cousin said, until I showed him how easy it was. And that a properly tested OC'd machine is just as stable if not more stable than most stock machines. So he just built a PC with my advice & he's got his e8400 @ 4Ghz @ like 55C 100% load, and with only like 1.28v.

With a 45nm chip he could get an easy 400FSB OC, with so little effort. 3.8Ghz should be a no brainer.

OP please leave & go to the SoftForum if you're not going to overclock!

Except the fact that whether or not to overclock is up to personal preferenece, no matter how easy it is. If he doesn't want to, he doesn't want to - this thread did not ask whether or not he should. He specifically said he wasn't overclocking and was asking for suggestions on things to buy under a $400 budget. This thread is not the place to preach about overclocking - from the sounds of it he isn't that computer saavy and probably just doesn't want to deal with it, and that's his choice.

Don't go forcing your opinions on others. Overclocking may be easy for you, or for other people, but some don't want to deal with it and it's not up to you to force it upon them.