Buget gamer needing advice

[justin_2]

Hi im a buget gamer looking into getting the AMD Phenom II X2 550 black edition
(i want to unlock the 3rd and 4th core cause i can't afford the 940)

Can someone recomend a motherboard (I don't care if its a refurb or out of the box i need it cheap)
im on a 150$ buget
i have all the parts exept a mobo/cpu
ive been looking at this

AMD Phenom II X2 550 black edition : http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103846

And a Elitegroup open box mobo : http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813135233R

also can u reccomend a good graphics card
OVER ALL I WANT TO UNLOCK THE 3RD AND 4TH CORES
CAN U RECCOMEND A MOBO GOOD FOR THIS PURPOSE
AND MAYBE SOMEONE WHO HAS SUCCESS DOIN IT

 

[batuchka]

First off elaborate what type of RAMs u have on hand i.e DDR2 or DDR3 as this shall determing if u ought to be looking at an AM2+ or AM3 board. For the former Asrocks and Biostars were pioneer AM2+ unlockers but i suggest u go for the 'fail-safe' entry level budget gaming chip the AthlonII X3 425? Failed unlock still 3 cores and reasonable OC headroom...

 

[justin_2]

well i have 2x512mb DDR2 but will be upgrading it to probly 2x2gb sticks DDR2
Over all im gonna go wit DDR2(cheaper)

[i relly want the Phenom x2 550 black]

 

[dndhatcher]

You do realize the odds are less than 50/50 that you will be able to unlock the other cores on that Phenom?

How about getting an Athlon II x3 435 for $75 so you dont have to pull your motherboard out of someone's trash? Its possible to unlock the extra cores on Athlon IIs also. The Athlon II fits your budget much better, and is even available in an x2 model for $50.

DDR2 is about the same price as DDR3. Its disappearing as all new motherboards use DDR3.

 

[justin_2]

You do realize the odds are less than 50/50 that you will be able to unlock the other cores on that Phenom?

How about getting an Athlon II x3 435 for $75 so you dont have to pull your motherboard out of someone's trash? Its possible to unlock the extra cores on Athlon IIs also. The Athlon II fits your budget much better, and is even available in an x2 model for $50.

DDR2 is about the same price as DDR3. Its disappearing as all new motherboards use DDR3.

Now that i think of it
Athlon would fit my buget much better
you said that there is extra cores on an athlon x3?
how many cores and how big of a chance do you think i have of unlocking them?

now i think my question is DDR3 or DDR2?

 

[batuchka]

Yes the X3 refers to 3 x cores and as stated before unlocking depends on many variables like if chip batch is unlockable, BIOS of board supporting unlocking yada yada For fresh builds DDR3 platforms is the way to go as the sun is going down on DDR2 platforms

 

[justin_2]

Athlon x3 with DDR3 it is!
now my next question is high end air cooling or enrty level liquid

I was thinking the asteck LCLC as it is whats in the dell aleinware area 51 desktop

 

[batuchka]

Stick to air for budget builds ^^

 

[justin_2]

could you recomend a good air cooler?

 

[obsidian86]

http/www.frostytech.com/top5heatsinks.cfm have a look round here for best of the best

Cooler master hyper 212+ is the best bang for buck

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103065&cm_re=hyper_212-_-35-103-065-_-Product

 

[batuchka]

The Cooler Master Hyper 212+ ?

 

[justin_2]

If overclocked would this motherboard/cpu combo be any good

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813138178

 

[justin_2]

or maybe this witha resonable mobo

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688

 

[batuchka]

 

[justin_2]

I love the mobo and cpu but could you find some cheaper RAM I might have to start wit 2gb and when i get the $$$ i can upgrade

 

[justin_2]

and maybe a good graphics card

 

[justin_2]

I'll start with this and as i get the money i can get 3 more

http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820211449

 

[whitefang]

Don't get an open box / refurb motherboard. The motherboard batuchka selected is the best mobo for the price.

*EDIT* and elitegroup is the WORST mobo period.

That mobo/cpu combo you selected is complete trash, sempron 2200+ is an ancient cpu that will not be able to play any games. The mobo is also very old and can't support anything new.

 

[justin_2]

thanks for the reply

ill be goin wit wat batuchka recomended as for the mobo/cpu