Budget 1155 build?

[Otis11]

As if that wasn't an oxymoron... I'm trying to spec out two VERY cheap 1155 rigs that will be able to cope with 24/7 crunching duty. Doesn't need anything special - they will crunch until retired and then be basic home computers that browse the internet.

With that said, here's what I've got. Looking at $250 or less for each build (minus the CPU)

Mobo: Foxconn Z68A-S LGA 1155 Intel Z68 $98 (Edit - forgot shipping)
HDD: Used - free as soon as I clear the data off of it
PSU: CORSAIR Builder Series CX430 V2 $45 - 8 (promo) - 20 (MIR) = $17 (Thoughts on this???)
RAM: CORSAIR 4GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 $20
HSF: Suggestions?
OS: Linux

So that totals 90 + 17 + 20 = $127 + HSF. If necessary I would be willing to go up to $250 if I can justify the extra cost, but that's a hard limit cuz if I go over that I can't afford both systems. Even as is I'd like to keep it as low as possible to minimize the time I'm eating Ramen/jello/etc.

If it's relevant - These will be running 2600k's if all goes according to plan. I'd like to clock them @ 4.6-4.8

Power draw at these levels is of little concern, but if there's something that will help and not too much more expensive I'd entertain the notion.

Suggestions?

[Otis11]

RAM: Patriot Gamer 2 Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 $35 / 2 = $17.50

Not a big change, but why not...

[shoota]

Corsair PSUs are fine.
Any ram is fine.
I have two TX3 coolers you can have if you don't find anything better.
I'd be leary of any super duper OCs with that board since "it has a simple 5-phase power VRM design, without any passive heat sinks found around the cpu area as we typically see in other motherboards" (taken from: http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Revi...rticleId=31509)

[masterg]

there was a link to directron for a 32gb ssd for 28.99 2 days ago. i bought 2 and seems to be sold out now

[shoota]

Maybe this board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157252 (4+2 phase)

or this looks good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130596 (10-phase)

[slaveondope]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138317

Solid board much better pwm and hs design

[masterg]

i would also paruse sale papers on like frys etc. can check daily deals or sales on TD or mwave

[masterg]

RAM on sale at frys: http://www.frys.com/product/6473282?...%20page:Monp17

[Otis11]

Corsair PSUs are fine.
Any ram is fine.
I have two TX3 coolers you can have if you don't find anything better.
I'd be leary of any super duper OCs with that board since "it has a simple 5-phase power VRM design, without any passive heat sinks found around the cpu area as we typically see in other motherboards" (taken from: http://www.cdrinfo.com/Sections/Revi...rticleId=31509)

If you have 1155 mountings for those I'll take'em!

And if 4.6 is considered "super duper OC" then I'm gonna want a better board... Thanks for the link.

there was a link to directron for a 32gb ssd for 28.99 2 days ago. i bought 2 and seems to be sold out now

Yeah, but since I already have some old HDDs that will work, that's money I can save (poor college student - just trying to up my crunching)

Maybe this board: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157252 (4+2 phase)

or this looks good: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130596 (10-phase)

See, I really like that second one, but if I go for it I'm gonna be tempted to add 2 GPUs... which the PSU I've selected won't handle...

Any chance there's a bigger PSU for cheap as well??? =-P
(really, after MIR that only raises the price $10 once I consider shipping...)
Don't count on getting the MIR but I'll still submit it and hope...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138317

Solid board much better pwm and hs design

Unfortunately I need Z68 atm b/c I don't have any GPUs to populate this with... gave them all away in the HWG.

i would also paruse sale papers on like frys etc. can check daily deals or sales on TD or mwave

RAM on sale at frys: http://www.frys.com/product/6473282?...%20page:Monp17

The Ram I have selected is slightly cheaper and it will be delivered to my front door.

[shoota]

If you have 1155 mountings for those I'll take'em!
And if 4.6 is considered "super duper OC" then I'm gonna want a better board... Thanks for the link.

I would call 4.6 a pretty solid 24/7 crunching overclock. I'm not even sure my TX3's can handle that I do know for a fact that my TX3 can handle at least 4.1 with a slight voltage bump. I didn't tweak it at all because it was temporary until I got my H100.

Basically it boils down to this. If you want 4.6 you need better equipment and you spend more money. If you take free stuff and buy cheaper stuff then you settle for whatever OC you get. Sound about right?

[Sparky]

Which chipset is better? Z68 or P67?

[Bobsama]

Z68 is technically better, of course, though P67 is typically less expensive. Many manufacturers, in my opinion, severely mess up the I/O panel to add DVI, VGA, HDMI, & DisplayPort in lieu of more useful ports. I'd think that a pair of mini-DisplayPorts or DVI ports & passive adapters would be more effective. Otherwise, they're the same silicon except the P67 is somewhat disabled.

[shoota]

Z68 is better for dedicated crunchers because it allows oc'ing and using integrated graphics at the same time.

[Conquistador SW]

Just one thing about the Corsair 430cx. I have one and it uses a sleeve bearing fan (I believe the new V2 also uses this fan). If I had known this before buying I would never have bought it, because the fan is making some noises already after a month of use and therefore I don't trust it for crunchers anymore. I have since used multiple Antec earthwatt 380 (same wattage as corsair 430) and 430 (little bit better) PSU's and they seem much better. Also the Antecs are 80 bronze plus instead of just bronze, so possibly better efficiency.

However, it seems you got a really good price on the Corsair and I don't recall hearing about it having much problems.

[shoota]

Well switching out a fan is easy enough.

[Otis11]

I would call 4.6 a pretty solid 24/7 crunching overclock. I'm not even sure my TX3's can handle that I do know for a fact that my TX3 can handle at least 4.1 with a slight voltage bump. I didn't tweak it at all because it was temporary until I got my H100.

Basically it boils down to this. If you want 4.6 you need better equipment and you spend more money. If you take free stuff and buy cheaper stuff then you settle for whatever OC you get. Sound about right?

Yeah, I know the cheaper stuff you go with the more it's going to limit the OC... just trying to find the sweet spot in terms of speed/price.

@Conquistador SW - if you have a better suggestion it doesn't have to be that insanely low... but my feeling is even if it does go out I can either RMA it under warranty or just replace the fan myself. For that price I could throw a delta in there... (if I find somewhere noise doesn't matter)

[Conquistador SW]

Lol, yeah, for that price it is hard to find anything better and a Delta will maybe keep it cool enough (or blow out the internals....). The quality of the PSU is ok, I just don't like the fan and if you would not have those nice rebates etc I would pick the Antec.

[OldChap]

personally I would spend a bit on the board ..... maybe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271 that has dvi/vga out

HSF not so cheap http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103103 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...he%20Mugen%203

cheaper = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099 (my preferred price/performance hsf)

They are performing in the order of price. Depends on just how hot it gets in summer how high you can push with these and whether you can stand the fan noise

EDIT surely someone here has a dead psu with good fan? I have but it is cheaper to buy than ship

[Johnmark]

Otis, of course I would suggest an Asus Mobo Specifically the SABERTOOTH P67, I'm running one now and it's great! and has a 5 year warranty to boot!

Also don't forget that you can probably get a real good OC with this board (CPU dependent) ~5gHz, but your going to pay more in power costs! I'm running mine at 4.6gHz and pulling 160watts from the wall. I found that to be the sweet spot for power usage vs speed.
Also tested various brands and speeds of RAM, as well as amounts above 4Gigs and did not notice ANY difference on crunching or OCing. If I wanted to run 5gHz 23/7 the RAM may make a difference, but again why pay more $$ for little if any gain.

[Otis11]

personally I would spend a bit on the board ..... maybe http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157271 that has dvi/vga out

HSF not so cheap http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103103 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...he%20Mugen%203

cheaper = http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103065 or http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835103099 (my preferred price/performance hsf)

They are performing in the order of price. Depends on just how hot it gets in summer how high you can push with these and whether you can stand the fan noise

EDIT surely someone here has a dead psu with good fan? I have but it is cheaper to buy than ship

So why is that board better than the other ones shoota suggested?

And are those HSF's significantly better than the TX3? (I know nothing when it comes to HSFs...) But I'd think for the price of the first two I'd just go for this?

[bluestang]

Otis, don't forget that there were 2 nice coolers in the giveaway that will handle a 4.5 OC with ease.

[shoota]

So why is that board better than the other ones shoota suggested?

And are those HSF's significantly better than the TX3? (I know nothing when it comes to HSFs...) But I'd think for the price of the first two I'd just go for this?

It's just that that board has a good track record and is popular, in reality most brand name boards will probably be ok.
Those hsf he listed are very good too and will probably cool just as good as the Antec 620.

[OldChap]

The MB seems to be well made, has better power and from what I have read fits the bill for both overclocking and probably longevity.

[shoota]

Holy crap the TX3 sucks lol.

[D_A]

I've been happy with my Vendetta II for some time but everyone else wanted to talk up their TRUEs.