Computer Build Resource Thread - Page 81

1. You could drop an 8400 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037&cm_re=e8400-_-19-115-037-_-Product) into the socket and that will work. It's the pretty much top of the line Core 2 Duo (Dual Core), and that's going to give you the most bang for your buck for SC II in replacing your CPU. The problem here is that you're spending $170 on a dead-end upgrade, which might be alright if you're going to build a better computer in the future. It will certainly make it an acceptable gaming machine for the forseeable future, and a backup to what you hope to build (where that 2.1 GHz Core 2 Duo is really going to hold you back alot.)

2. Alternatively you could spend the full $400 and pick up an i5-750, and a Mobo, and RAM, which will give you a suitable performance boost, and will be worth spending money to upgrade graphics at some point in the future. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115215&cm_re=i5_750-_-19-115-215-_-Product and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128437 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231275 for example). On the other hand, if you wait until you're building a full computer, $400 will likely go a lot farther as new CPUs will have been released.

3. Wait.

In short:

1. Spend $200 to max out your current upgrade path, and save the rest for later on down. You'll be able to use the whole current computer as a capable backup when the time comes.
2. Spend the full $400 and give your PC a whole new lease on life, but at cost of foregoing putting more awesome guts at the center of computer later down the line.
3. Wait and make do with the current clunker until you get all new and shiny

i7 isn't doable on a $400 budget for cpu/mobo/RAM