Help with cheap Gaming build (£300)

SavellM · 3 Apr 2013 at 13:11

Hey Guys,

So I have a mate that wants a new PC as his is literally from about 8+y ago.

I thought of this:
YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i3-3240 3.40GHz (Ivybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor (77W) - Retail £115.99
1 x Asus P8Z77-V LX2 Intel Z77 (Socket 1155) DDR3 Motherboard £79.99
1 x Corsair XMS3 4GB (2x2GB) DDR3 PC3-10666C8 1333MHz Dual-Channel (CMX4GX3M2A1333C8) £35.99
Total : £243.37 (includes shipping : £9.50).

He doesnt need a PSU/HDD/GPU/Case.
He will be using an older 8800 GTS for now, but will upgrade that in the next few months.

Is there a better AMD solution or better Intel?

Thanks

honosuseri · 3 Apr 2013 at 14:49

YOUR BASKET
1 x Intel Core i5-2500K 3.30GHz (Sandybridge) Socket LGA1155 Processor - Retail £179.99
1 x **B Grade** Gigabyte Z68A-D3H-GEN3 Intel Z68 (Socket 1155) DDR3 (MB-380-GI) £52.00
1 x Avexir Core Blue Series 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C9 1600MHz Dual Channel Memory Kit (AVD3U16000904G-2CW) - Blue Light £40.00
1 x Thermalright True Spirit 120 REV A (BW) Performance CPU Cooler (Socket 775 / 1155 / 1156 / AM2 / AM2+ / AM3 / FM1 / FM2) £24.98
Total : £296.96 (includes shipping : FREE).

SavellM · 3 Apr 2013 at 16:41

Much better looking.

honosuseri · 3 Apr 2013 at 16:46

SavellM said:
Much better looking.

The mobo is B grade but offers proper Xfire/Sli support, sataIII and USB3 as well as overclocking options for the i5K. It might need some sata cables though.

Please keep in mind that you haven't told us what he has. I really hope his HDDs and optical drives are sata, IDE has been pretty much dropped from all modern mobos now.

SavellM · 3 Apr 2013 at 17:01

He has SATA HDD and Optical.

He has an old AMD platform.
nForce 4 Mobo and some other stuff.

Cant recall as I dont have it with me.

Thanks so much for your help.

Fire_fly · 3 Apr 2013 at 17:05

What make, model, wattage, and age is the PSU?

honosuseri · 3 Apr 2013 at 17:11

I appreciate the mobo is a Z68. It could take the Ivybridge CPUs but as it was designed for the sandybridge CPUs I think he'll get better results sticking with the 2500K. The mobo can have it's BIOS updated to UEFI to modernise it which is nice

SavellM · 4 Apr 2013 at 10:25

The PSU is a Blue Storm II 500w.

Its about 3/4 years old. Not brilliant but should do for now.