0-20k Home PC for basic usage

[ALPHA17]

Wow.. that's quite a lot of difference... of around ~3000/- for a marginally better processor
You wouldn't recommend anything in between?

So, no alternative Intel board to recommend? Gigabyte board does seem much much better than the Intel one.

Yes, I had some bad experience with Seagate hard drives in past few years. HDDs are not reliable nowadays, and with huge amounts of capacity, which makes it really difficult to take backups of data, it's quite a shame.

I was going to avoid WD Green edition, and was asking about the WD Blue ones only. Maybe I will go for Seagate.. have had experience with their ASS, and it's good. Don't have experience with WD.

Thanks for that advice. I myself had chosen CM eLite 370 for my personal build, but it was not available.. the shopkeeper even told me that Cooler Master don't release such a model :O .. so I had then decided to go for CM eLite 310. Good thing I didn't.

There is nothing in between to recommend, so tough luck.

Actually the GIGABYTE motherboard puts more expensive alternatives to shame, it has front USB 3.0 header, supports the latest Intel processor lineup, in-fact in a pinch I will even recommend this board for a gaming setup if you do not want to over-clock the processor.

I have spoken to Cooler Master REP of the community if you want to contact him PM me, I will tag him here as well @Coolermaster. He can help you in sourcing the cabinet / components you need.

Hope this helps, Cheerio!
@sato1986 you got everything right, in the end it is your usage scenario that dictates your choice of components.

 

[CapriAnupam]

Awesome! Thanks for all the help.. including for CoolerMaster REP. I will just inquire the situation at the shops and then post back.

 

[sato1986]

Yeah these processors are equivalent to yesteryears budget Intel Pentium dual-cores (old stocks of Core2 Duos' rebadged) in performance and draw lesser power.

Here is a benchmark run, to clear up things -- AnandTech - Bench - CPU.

If you want a marginally better processor you can look at the Core i3 series, the Core i3 2120 ~6500/- (Sandy-Bridge) and Core i3 3220 ~7500/- (Ivy-Bridge).

Intel Pentium G850, Pentium G840 and Pentium G620 Review. Page 5 - X-bit labs

The Pentium G620 is quite better than Pentium dual core (E5200) and halfway between the Core 2 Duo E7500 and Core i3 2100.

 

[ALPHA17]

The Pentium G620 is quite better than Pentium dual core (E5200) and halfway between the Core 2 Duo E7500 and Core i3 2100.

I was just giving an example the E7200 (I have used this not an E5200 for comparison) had been down-graded to a budget Intel Pentium Dual-core processor in its twilight years so it became a perfect guinea pig.

The Intel Pentium G840 is not available in India as far as I am aware. Cheerio!

 

[CapriAnupam]

Thanks for that sato1986

And since you bought up comparisons, I would like to ask if there is any advantage in i3-3220 over i3-2120.
Comparing them, there is not much difference, except in a few areas.

i3-3220 supports DDR3-1333/1600 compared to i3-2120 which supports DDR3-1066/1333.
Max memory bandwidth for i3-3220 is 25.6 GB/s compared to 21 GB/s for i3-2120.

Don't know how much difference it makes.

In terms of graphics though, base frequency and max dynamic frequency for i3-2120 is 850 MHz and 1.1 GHz respectively, whereas for i3-3220 is 650 MHz and 1.05 GHz respectively.
Again, don't know if it's much of a difference.

In fact i3-3240 has Intel HD Graphics 4000 compared to both which have Intel HD Graphics 2000.

So, is it worth spending 1000 bucks extra for i3-3220?

 

[Jakob]

Go for i3 3220,You'll get 150mhz ram support,There is no point in comparing graphics within processors,You won't play gaming titles which are coming out on it anyway.You'll eventually add dedicated GPU.So it's better to go with the latest outing Ivy bridge.

Thanks for that sato1986

And since you bought up comparisons, I would like to ask if there is any advantage in i3-3220 over i3-2120.
Comparing them, there is not much difference, except in a few areas.

i3-3220 supports DDR3-1333/1600 compared to i3-2120 which supports DDR3-1066/1333.
Max memory bandwidth for i3-3220 is 25.6 GB/s compared to 21 GB/s for i3-2120.

Don't know how much difference it makes.

In terms of graphics though, base frequency and max dynamic frequency for i3-2120 is 850 MHz and 1.1 GHz respectively, whereas for i3-3220 is 650 MHz and 1.05 GHz respectively.
Again, don't know if it's much of a difference.

In fact i3-3240 has Intel HD Graphics 4000 compared to both which have Intel HD Graphics 2000.

So, is it worth spending 1000 bucks extra for i3-3220?

 

[ALPHA17]

In terms of graphics though, base frequency and max dynamic frequency for i3-2120 is 850 MHz and 1.1 GHz respectively, whereas for i3-3220 is 650 MHz and 1.05 GHz respectively.
Again, don't know if it's much of a difference.

In fact i3-3240 has Intel HD Graphics 4000 compared to both which have Intel HD Graphics 2000.

So, is it worth spending 1000 bucks extra for i3-3220?

The memory speeds are very dependent on what processor + motherboard (chipset) combination you opt for, if you go for a Intel Pentium G620 / Core i3 2100 + H67 based motherboard you can run the memory @1600MHz with the help of Intel XMP.

The same applies with an Ivy-Bridge processor (Core i3 3220) + Ivy-Bridge chipset based motherboard (H77 / B75), you can run the memory above the rated frequency, you can hit ~upto ~1866MHz using the XMP with Ivy-Bridge.

In most scenarios even RAM running @1333MHz should be enough for day-to-day usage so the advantage of more bandwidth OR the lack of it should not trouble you.

The Intel Core i3 2100 / 2120 use the Intel HD2000 iGP for the Core i3 3220 it is the HD2500 iGP and as you rightfully pointed out the Intel Core i3 3240 packs a HD4000 but for day-to-day tasks and light gaming / HD RIPz viewership even the Intel HD2000 is enough so again the advance is not a great.

If you want more graphical prowess I suggest that you go for an AMD Llano build over an Intel build, sure it might not have the CPU grunt but it holds its own iGP and allows you to play current generation titles at 1080p @low settings / details.

If I were you I would go for the following build --
Intel Core i3 3220 ~7500/- OR Intel Pentium G620 ~3500/-
GIGABYTE-B75M-D3H ~4500/-
Corsair ValueRAM 1333MHz ~4GB x1
[rest as per requirement]

For more graphical prowess (with the onslaught of Trinity this might change) --

AMD A6-3500 ~4000/-
MSi-A75M-GD55 ~5500/-
Corsair Vengeance 4GB x2 ~3600/- (the performance of the iGP scales superbly with the faster RAM modules and dual-channel bandwidth advantage)
[rest RIG as per circumstance]

Hope this helps, Cheerio!

 

[sato1986]

Thanks for that sato1986

And since you bought up comparisons, I would like to ask if there is any advantage in i3-3220 over i3-2120.
.........
.........
So, is it worth spending 1000 bucks extra for i3-3220?

This is the exact reason why I brought up the reasearch post in your thread, as the confusion of VFM (Value for money) is again arising between the i3 variants and Amd's IGP offering.
http://www.techenclave.com/showthread.php?p=1727711

Ps: I have taken the pricing from deltapage.com (i3 2100: 6800, i3 2120: 6975 i3 3220: 7500) in the mentioned calculation of VFM factor. Incase there is a difference of 1000rs. between 2120 & 3220 at ur place, the VFM factor of 2120 just amplifies and makes it the best choice.

My opinion:
Don't fall for the pathetic Amd processor just cause of the IGP offering.

Buy a good processor g620/i3 2120 as per ur budget for now, and save money (maybe by buying a h61 mobo IF Usb 3.0 isnt very useful to you) for adding a discrete gpu later just incase u feel like gaming more. Even a Rs. 2k discrete gpu (used piece like 8800GT from TE market) will massively outperform the Amd IGP.

 

[CapriAnupam]

Thanks @Jakob and @ALPHA17 ... that answers my query

If I were you I would go for the following build --
Intel Core i3 3220 ~7500/- OR Intel Pentium G620 ~3500/-
GIGABYTE-B75M-D3H ~4500/-
Corsair ValueRAM 1333MHz ~4GB x1
[rest as per requirement]

For the current thread topic, I am going for the above build, with Intel Pentium G620/G630.
But, both of them(G620/G630) only support RAM of type DDR3-1066, and not above that.

So, I should still go for Corsair Value RAM of 1333 MHz... or, is it available as that package only?

 

[ALPHA17]

So, I should still go for Corsair Value RAM of 1333 MHz... or, is it available as that package only?

It will work no worries.

 

[CapriAnupam]

Thanks @sato1986 .. the discussion is indeed helpful.

But, I asked about i3-2120 and i3-3220 for my own personal build, which is still pending, and I will write about that in a different thread soon. The discussion was already on in this thread, so I decided to take advantage.

I am not into gaming and all, and neither are the families, for whom I am asking the configuration for. So, the Intel CPU will work just fine for their needs. And the families are not heavy users nor into gaming, so Intel Pentium G620/G630 sounds the best for them, also being low budget.

I won't be going for a discrete GPU, so better invest that money into a good CPU-Mobo combo.

Intel DH61WW is OK, but the lack of a 6GB/s SATA port is not impressive, since the hard drive will be 6 GB/s. So, even if atleast 1 6GB/s SATA port was there, it would have been good, to take advantage of the hard drive speed. So, will just go for the Gigabyte board. Will be a good investment in terms of long run too.

 

[sato1986]

........
If I were you I would go for the following build --
Intel Core i3 3220 ~7500/- OR Intel Pentium G620 ~3500/-
GIGABYTE-B75M-D3H ~4500/-
Corsair ValueRAM 1333MHz ~4GB x1
[rest as per requirement]

For more graphical prowess (with the onslaught of Trinity this might change) --

AMD A6-3500 ~4000/-
MSi-A75M-GD55 ~5500/-
Corsair Vengeance 4GB x2 ~3600/- (the performance of the iGP scales superbly with the faster RAM modules and dual-channel bandwidth advantage)
[rest RIG as per circumstance]

Hope this helps, Cheerio!

Here the intel option with g630 (more than enough to hugely beat amd a6-3500's processing power) is costing:
3400+4500+1200= 9100

Whereas just to make the Amd IGP perform better the Ram needs to be dual channel n big n fast, exploding the total to:
4100+5500+3600=13200

In this 4100 difference, just add a HD 5770 (~Rs. 4k for a new piece) to thw above Intel option and then the Amd will be blown out of the water in General usage AND in 1080p gaming!!

Source of pricing of G630 n A6-3500: Deltapage.com

 

[CapriAnupam]

It will work no worries.

OK, that's great

 

[ALPHA17]

Here the intel option with g630 (more than enough to hugely beat amd a6-3500's processing power) is costing:
3400+4500+1200= 9100

Whereas just to make the Amd IGP perform better the Ram needs to be dual channel n big n fast, exploding the total to:
4100+5500+3600=13200

In this 4100 difference, just add a HD 5770 (~Rs. 4k for a new piece) and then the Amd will be blown out of the water in General usage AND in 1080p gaming!!

Source of pricing of G630 n A6-3500: Deltapage.com

You can settle for lesser RAM ~2 x2GB 1600MHz kit if the pricing is biting so much.

But you have a valid point. The pricing of the Llano units is not proper in India, so you cannot expect much to change. And I don't see new HD5770 being sold anywhere, everywhere it is the rebadged HD6770 ~6000/-.

 

[sato1986]

^ And in this expensive 2x2gb the Amd Igp 6530 will eat away 512mb into it's video memory, while the discrete gpu for intel combo will add its hi-speed video memory to the existing 4gb.
AMD has seriosly messed up their llano pricing badly. Llano in India is only good for laptop configurations where discrete gpu brings along many issues.

 

[CapriAnupam]

OK, I got quotations today for the configuration, and this is what I got. I consulted two shops, which are considered to be the best. Will quote for both shops.


CPU : Intel Pentium G630 - Shop1 : ~3450/- || Shop2 : ~3400/-

Should confirm whether it's boxed, yes?
Both shops did not have Intel Celeron G530.


Mobo : Intel DB75EN - Shop1 : ~5850/- || Shop2 : ~5100/-
Intel DH61WW - Shop1 : ~3150/- || Shop2 : ~3400/-
Gigabyte B75M-D3H - Shop1 : NA || Shop2 : ~5500/-

Shop1 did not have the Gigabyte motherboard, so he suggested Intel ones as an alternate.
Should go for boxed motherboard, right?


RAM : Corsair value select 4 GB - Shop1 : ~1250/- || Shop2 : ~1100/-

For RAM, it will be available in different frequencies, or only one? Do I need to look out for what he gives?


HDD : Seagate/WD 500 GB - Shop1 : ~3650/- || Shop2 : ~3400/-

Seagate drives are coming with 1 year warranty, and WD drives with 2 years, as told by Shop1.


PSU : Corsair CX 430 V2 - Shop1 : ~2800/- || Shop2 : NA
Cooler Master GX 450W - Shop1 : ~2850/- || Shop2 : ~2700/-
Seasonic S12 II 430W - Shop1 : NA || Shop2 : ~3200/- (said something about 80+ rating)
Seasonic 400W - Shop1 : NA || Shop2 : ~2600/- (suggested by him)

Both the shops did not have FSP Saga II PSU.
Do PSUs come boxed?


Cabinet : Cooler Master eLite 311 - Shop1 : ~2350/- || Shop2 : ~2200/-

Is eLite 311 Plus is same as eLite 311... or both are different models? Which one to go for?
Should ask for packed cabinet, to be opened in front while purchasing?


Keyboard/Mouse : Logitech MK100 - Shop1 : ~650/- || Shop2 : ~650/-
Logitech MK200 - Shop1 : ~750/- || Shop2 : NA
MK200 was suggested by Shop1 in case the mobo did not have a PS2 port.

============================

I am quite disappointed with Shop1 as he is quoting almost 150-200/- per item. The only item where the price matched was the keyboard/mouse combo.
In case of Intel DB75EN, the price he quoted is way more than what the other quoted.
Only in case of Intel DH61WW, Shop2 quoted more price.

The first shop did not have Gigabyte motherboards, but the second shop had. I have a feeling that Gigabyte motherboards are not that popular here in Indore, and so I doubt if their service will be good. I forgot to ask about its service from Shop2.
I asked about the service of Asus though, and he said it was excellent.

Can you please suggest a good Asus motherboard for Intel Pentium G630 ?

Is Intel DB75EN suggested by both shops a good alternate, as compared to Intel DH61WW?

I will most probably buy from Shop2 looking at the prices, but that shop does not have CX 430 V2. Maybe he will order it, but it's not confirmed. So, are the other choices suggested by Shop2 good?

In terms of CPU, RAM, HDD, Cabinet, and Keyboard/Mouse, things are looking good.

Only thing is about Motherboard, and PSU. I will need to sort that out. Please suggest appropriately.
I will also have to confirm the model number for the PSUs before I buy, because you never know.. they quote for something and they might hand over something.

- - - Updated - - -

Forgot to ask a question. About cabinets, if the motherboard is supporting 3.0 USB ports (like in this configuration), do we have to look if the cabinet supports that many USB 3.0 ports or not?

I mean, it also matters if the cabinet supports USB 3.0 ports? I never thought cabinet would require a configuration to support USB 3.0 ports.. but I read like that in some threads. Is it a valid question?

 

[ALPHA17]

@CapriAnupam yur answers --

Forgot to ask a question. About cabinets, if the motherboard is supporting 3.0 USB ports (like in this configuration), do we have to look if the cabinet supports that many USB 3.0 ports or not?

I mean, it also matters if the cabinet supports USB 3.0 ports? I never thought cabinet would require a configuration to support USB 3.0 ports.. but I read like that in some threads. Is it a valid question?[/QUOTE]

The eLite 311 and 311 Plus are different models if you want to compare those, the latter has a front USB 3.0 port (single) + fan port and all black painted interior, the standard 311 lacks all this.

For the rest of the components the pricing is pretty decent, for the motherboard best you source it from flipkart.com, it is cheaper and free delivery to boot -- Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Motherboard | Motherboard | Flipkart.com. The Intel motherboard cannot compare to this one.

For RAM stick to 1333MHz modules, should be fine for you.

For SMPS go for the Corsair CX v2430W, best bet for you and yes it comes in a brown cardboard box with poly-packing to safeguard it from bumps and falls. Check the box for the name of the SMPS whilst purchasing.

They are trying to con you with Seagate hard-drives, since July this year the Seagate Warranty policy has been revised to two years effective from data of purchase. Which Western Digital drives were they offering you Green edition OR Blues, see if they are Greens then give them a pass and go for the Seagate hard-drive. If they are Blues then go with them instead of Seagate.

Hope this helps, Cheerio!

 

[CapriAnupam]

Thanks as always for the reply @ALPHA17

The eLite 311 and 311 Plus are different models if you want to compare those, the latter has a front USB 3.0 port (single) + fan port and all black painted interior, the standard 311 lacks all this.

So, it does depend on the cabinet for USB 3.0 support? If the motherboard has more USB 3.0 ports, and the cabinet does not support that many, will the USB 3.0 go unused, or will it then work at USB 2.0?

For the rest of the components the pricing is pretty decent, for the motherboard best you source it from flipkart.com, it is cheaper and free delivery to boot -- Gigabyte GA-B75M-D3H Motherboard | Motherboard | Flipkart.com. The Intel motherboard cannot compare to this one.

Can you please suggest an alternate Asus motherboard @ALPHA17, in case the after sales service for Gigabyte motherboards is not good here?

For SMPS go for the Corsair CX v2430W, best bet for you and yes it comes in a brown cardboard box with poly-packing to safeguard it from bumps and falls. Check the box for the name of the SMPS whilst purchasing.

Since Shop2 did not have this model of Corsair, he suggested me Corsair 450 (don't know exact model name) ... will that be a good option?

What to do if he can't order Corsair CX 430 V2? Should I go for another choice, or should I order online?

If I order online, do they give any special discounts if I order two?

They are trying to con you with Seagate hard-drives, since July this year the Seagate Warranty policy has been revised to two years effective from data of purchase. Which Western Digital drives were they offering you Green edition OR Blues, see if they are Greens then give them a pass and go for the Seagate hard-drive. If they are Blues then go with them instead of Seagate.

Thanks for this... will confirm about this.

Yea, I forgot whether he was quoting for WD Blue, or WD Green. Will confirm that too.

 

[ALPHA17]

So, it does depend on the cabinet for USB 3.0 support? If the motherboard has more USB 3.0 ports, and the cabinet does not support that many, will the USB 3.0 go unused, or will it then work at USB 2.0?

Can you please suggest an alternate Asus motherboard @ALPHA17, in case the after sales service for Gigabyte motherboards is not good here?

Since Shop2 did not have this model of Corsair, he suggested me Corsair 450 (don't know exact model name) ... will that be a good option?

What to do if he can't order Corsair CX 430 V2? Should I go for another choice, or should I order online?

If I order online, do they give any special discounts if I order two?

Yes, the eLite 311 Plus has a single front USB 3.0 but still better than nothing on the eLite 311 (standard), yes the motherboard supports two forward USB3.0 ports (via internal header) and two rear USB 3.0 ports (on rear I / O) for a total of four but due to the cabinet you will be at best using three out of these.

GIGABYTE after sales is much stronger in my opinion in India than ASUSs'. Also there is no comparable board at the price point that can challenge that particular GIGABYTE board.

Go for the Cooler Master GX450W locally if the Corsair CX v2430W is unavailable, the VS450W is what the shop keeper might be pushing into your lap (which is dreadful crap).

No discounts as far as I know. Sorry.

Hope this clarifies all doubts, Cheerio!

 

[CapriAnupam]

Thanks a lot @ALPHA17