• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Downgrade Build... whats the best $/performance setup?

Fitseries3

Eleet Hardware Junkie
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
15,508 (2.58/day)
Location
Republic of Texas
hey guys,

im downgrading my desktop and want something simple, small yet still decent in power.

i run 2 23" LCDs so this machine must be able to power them for 2D tasks.

machine is used to browse net, DL torrents, printer and file server, dvd cloning and office tasks.

i'd consider intel or amd but i favor intel as most of you may know.

i would like it to be matx or itx.

what i have:

cpu cooler
hard drives (2x 3.5")
dvd drive
psu

what i need:
cpu (2+cores)
ram (low end is fine, minimal OCing will be done)
mobo
case (lian li or similar)

budget:
low:laugh:


what do you recommend?
 
Joined
Oct 7, 2008
Messages
177 (0.03/day)
Location
San Antonio, Texas, USA
System Name Vengeance-C
Processor AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
Motherboard Asrock B450M Pro4 mATX
Cooling BeQuiet Shadow Rock TF2
Memory 48GB (2x16GB / 2x8GB) DDR4-3600 Ballistix
Video Card(s) XFX Radeon RX 6600 (Swift 210)
Storage Samsun 970 Evo Plus 1TB Nvme / Crucial MX500 1TB M.2 SSD
Display(s) Acer Nitro XZ342CK 34" 1500R Curved WQHD (3440 x 1440)
Case Fractal Design Define Mini-C
Audio Device(s) Creative AE-5 Plus PCIe
Power Supply SeaSonic FOCUS Plus Gold 550w
Mouse steelseries Rival 100
Keyboard Saitek Eclipse III
Software Windows 11 Pro & Fedora via Hyper-V
intel mobo & proc = $229 usd

amd mobo & proc = $203 usd

Both are quite potent, with the amd one being cheaper and having Wireless-N & usb3 + way better onboard video

i'm assuiming atom & "bobcats" are a no go. Also, u'll need to add either an nvidia gt240 or amd 5670 as well to power both monitors, and these are "the best" cards to get that are single slot cooled and no not require any external power (no pcie-6pin)
 
Last edited:
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Messages
2,313 (0.38/day)
Location
If I told u.. I'd have to kill u
System Name Hogan's Crap
Processor Intel i3-2120 Crap!
Motherboard Dell POS Crap!
Cooling Stock Crap!
Memory 4 GB Kingston DDR3 10600 Crap!
Video Card(s) Stock Crap!
Storage 500 GB 5400 rpm Crap!
Software Windows 10 64bit
Maybe a budget i3 or i5 with a 6870. Not sure what a "low budget" price range would be for you.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
6,862 (1.17/day)
Location
S.E. Virginia
System Name Barb's Domain
Processor i9 10850k 5.1GHz all cores
Motherboard MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI
Cooling Deep Cool Assassin III
Memory 2*16gig Corsair LPX DDR4 3200
Video Card(s) RTX 4080 FE
Storage 500gb Samsung 980 Pro M2 SSD, 500GB WD Blue SATA SSD, 2TB Seagate Hybrid SSHD
Display(s) Dell - S3222DGM 32" 2k Curved/ASUS VP28UQG 28" 4K (ran at 2k), Sanyo 75" 4k TV
Case SilverStone Fortress FT04
Audio Device(s) Bose Companion II speakers, Corsair - HS70 PRO headphones
Power Supply Corsair RM850x (2021)
Mouse Logitech G502
Keyboard Logitech Orion Spectrum G910
VR HMD Oculus Quest 2
Software Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
Benchmark Scores https://www.3dmark.com/spy/34962882

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
20,073 (3.23/day)
Location
Youngstown, OH
System Name Dual Build Streamer
Processor Ryzen 7900x3d : Ryzen 4600G
Motherboard AsRock B650E Steel Legend : Giga B450i Aorus
Cooling Custom Water 1x420 : Stock
Memory 32GB T-Force Deltas : 16GB Dominator Platinums
Video Card(s) PowerColor 7900 XTX Liquid Devil: iGPU
Storage 20+ TB
Display(s) Sammy 49" 5k Ultrawide
Case Custom White Painted Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Audio Device(s) Onboard : Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1200W P2
Mouse Corsair M65 RGB Elite White
Keyboard Hyperx Origins 65
Software Windows 10
What happenned to that i5 660 you had?
 

cdawall

where the hell are my stars
Joined
Jul 23, 2006
Messages
27,680 (4.29/day)
Location
Houston
System Name All the cores
Processor 2990WX
Motherboard Asrock X399M
Cooling CPU-XSPC RayStorm Neo, 2x240mm+360mm, D5PWM+140mL, GPU-2x360mm, 2xbyski, D4+D5+100mL
Memory 4x16GB G.Skill 3600
Video Card(s) (2) EVGA SC BLACK 1080Ti's
Storage 2x Samsung SM951 512GB, Samsung PM961 512GB
Display(s) Dell UP2414Q 3840X2160@60hz
Case Caselabs Mercury S5+pedestal
Audio Device(s) Fischer HA-02->Fischer FA-002W High edition/FA-003/Jubilate/FA-011 depending on my mood
Power Supply Seasonic Prime 1200w
Mouse Thermaltake Theron, Steam controller
Keyboard Keychron K8
Software W10P
When you putting it together? I should have a 560es shortly does 5ghz
 

Fitseries3

Eleet Hardware Junkie
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
15,508 (2.58/day)
Location
Republic of Texas
i have moved to a laptop already but my main machine still runs 24/7 and i still use it a good bit. its also used as a server.

minimal cost on all parts. i would even go amd if i knew the speed would be comparable to intel i5

i sold my 661 chip.

i dont need something that OCs a long way.... i run my main machine near stock most of the time.

i really dont need more than generic ram. i will most likely get ram from mushkin since i have a connection there.

so i guess i just need cpu, mobo, and a nice case.

i like black so that should make it easy ;)

how good are AMDs onboard GFX?

can h55 or amd chipped boards use more than monitor with the onboard video or do i need dedicated gpu?

thank you everyone who has made suggestions so far. much appreciated.
 

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop
Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
18,914 (2.86/day)
Location
PiteĂĄ
System Name Black MC in Tokyo
Processor Ryzen 5 5600
Motherboard Asrock B450M-HDV
Cooling Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
Memory 2 x 16GB Kingston Fury 3400mhz
Video Card(s) XFX 6950XT Speedster MERC 319
Storage Kingston A400 240GB | WD Black SN750 2TB |WD Blue 1TB x 2 | Toshiba P300 2TB | Seagate Expansion 8TB
Display(s) Samsung U32J590U 4K + BenQ GL2450HT 1080p
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Audio Device(s) Line6 UX1 + some headphones, Nektar SE61 keyboard
Power Supply Corsair RM850x v3
Mouse Logitech G602
Keyboard Cherry MX Board 1.0 TKL Brown
VR HMD Acer Mixed Reality Headset
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores Rimworld 4K ready!
AMD's onboard GPU's are way better than Intel's counterparts. For desktop use it doesn't matter though, everything on the market today can power two monitors no problem.

EDIT: Ok, maybe not WAY better, but better.
 

Fourstaff

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
10,020 (1.91/day)
Location
Home
System Name Orange! // ItchyHands
Processor 3570K // 10400F
Motherboard ASRock z77 Extreme4 // TUF Gaming B460M-Plus
Cooling Stock // Stock
Memory 2x4Gb 1600Mhz CL9 Corsair XMS3 // 2x8Gb 3200 Mhz XPG D41
Video Card(s) Sapphire Nitro+ RX 570 // Asus TUF RTX 2070
Storage Samsung 840 250Gb // SX8200 480GB
Display(s) LG 22EA53VQ // Philips 275M QHD
Case NZXT Phantom 410 Black/Orange // Tecware Forge M
Power Supply Corsair CXM500w // CM MWE 600w
You should probably look at the low powered "2011 i3" (2100T?), performance wise they are quite good, and the beauty is that they run with 35w, something which will come extremely handy if you run your computer 24/7. AMD's onboard graphics now is only a shade better than Intel's but either way I would still get a low end graphics card (5450 or similar). Power consumption will increase though, so why not try onboard first? if its enough then skip the graphics card. You can always add it later on if you think its not powerful enough.
 

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop
Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
18,914 (2.86/day)
Location
PiteĂĄ
System Name Black MC in Tokyo
Processor Ryzen 5 5600
Motherboard Asrock B450M-HDV
Cooling Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2
Memory 2 x 16GB Kingston Fury 3400mhz
Video Card(s) XFX 6950XT Speedster MERC 319
Storage Kingston A400 240GB | WD Black SN750 2TB |WD Blue 1TB x 2 | Toshiba P300 2TB | Seagate Expansion 8TB
Display(s) Samsung U32J590U 4K + BenQ GL2450HT 1080p
Case Fractal Design Define R4
Audio Device(s) Line6 UX1 + some headphones, Nektar SE61 keyboard
Power Supply Corsair RM850x v3
Mouse Logitech G602
Keyboard Cherry MX Board 1.0 TKL Brown
VR HMD Acer Mixed Reality Headset
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores Rimworld 4K ready!
You should probably look at the low powered "2011 i3" (2100T?), performance wise they are quite good, and the beauty is that they run with 35w, something which will come extremely handy if you run your computer 24/7.

Ohh, interesting. I didn't know that. Sweet. :)

EDIT again: BTW, the ASUS P8H67-I DELUXE is a ITX h67 board. It's about €120 here, looks pretty darn good.
 

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
20,073 (3.23/day)
Location
Youngstown, OH
System Name Dual Build Streamer
Processor Ryzen 7900x3d : Ryzen 4600G
Motherboard AsRock B650E Steel Legend : Giga B450i Aorus
Cooling Custom Water 1x420 : Stock
Memory 32GB T-Force Deltas : 16GB Dominator Platinums
Video Card(s) PowerColor 7900 XTX Liquid Devil: iGPU
Storage 20+ TB
Display(s) Sammy 49" 5k Ultrawide
Case Custom White Painted Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Audio Device(s) Onboard : Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1200W P2
Mouse Corsair M65 RGB Elite White
Keyboard Hyperx Origins 65
Software Windows 10

@Fits

Those 2 if not planning on doing any overclocking would work out perfect!
 
Joined
Dec 2, 2009
Messages
3,351 (0.64/day)
System Name Dark Stealth
Processor Ryzen 5 5600x
Motherboard Gigabyte B450M Gaming rev 1.0
Cooling Snowman, arctic p12 x2 fans
Memory 16x2 DDR4 Corsair Dominator Pro
Video Card(s) 3080 10gb
Storage 2TB NVME PCIE 4.0 Crucial P3 Plus, 1TB Crucial MX500 SSD, 4TB WD RED HDD
Display(s) HP Omen 34c (34" monitor 3440x1440 165Hz VA panel)
Case Zalman S2
Power Supply Corsair 750TX
Mouse Logitech pro superlight, mx mouse s3, Razer Basiliskx with battery
Keyboard Custom mechanical keyboard tm680
Software Windows 11
Benchmark Scores 70-80 fps 3440x1440 on cyberpunk 2077 max settings

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
20,073 (3.23/day)
Location
Youngstown, OH
System Name Dual Build Streamer
Processor Ryzen 7900x3d : Ryzen 4600G
Motherboard AsRock B650E Steel Legend : Giga B450i Aorus
Cooling Custom Water 1x420 : Stock
Memory 32GB T-Force Deltas : 16GB Dominator Platinums
Video Card(s) PowerColor 7900 XTX Liquid Devil: iGPU
Storage 20+ TB
Display(s) Sammy 49" 5k Ultrawide
Case Custom White Painted Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Audio Device(s) Onboard : Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1200W P2
Mouse Corsair M65 RGB Elite White
Keyboard Hyperx Origins 65
Software Windows 10

BlackMagic

New Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2010
Messages
70 (0.01/day)
Location
Upstate N.Y. - Lake Ontario
System Name Old Black Magic'
Processor Intel E-8500
Motherboard Asus P5Q Deluxe
Cooling Xigmatech Dark Knight S128 W
Memory Corsair Dominator 8GB (4x2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM 1066
Video Card(s) EVGA GeForce GTX 460 SC EE - 01G-P3-1373-AR
Storage 3 Western Digitals - VelociRaptor 300GB and 2 Blacks
Display(s) Acer X223W
Case CoolerMaster HAF 932
Audio Device(s) Sound? Nothing much...just onboard. Works ok for me.
Power Supply Corsair HX-850W Modular
Software Windows 7 64 bit Home Premium
Benchmark Scores WD/VR 3000HLFS 300GB 10k / WD1002FAEX 1TB 64MBCache / WD1001FALS 1TB 32MBCache
hey guys,

im downgrading my desktop and want something simple, small yet still decent in power.

i run 2 23" LCDs so this machine must be able to power them for 2D tasks.

machine is used to browse net, DL torrents, printer and file server, dvd cloning and office tasks.

i'd consider intel or amd but i favor intel as most of you may know.

i would like it to be matx or itx.

what i have:

cpu cooler
hard drives (2x 3.5")
dvd drive
psu

what i need:
cpu (2+cores)
ram (low end is fine, minimal OCing will be done)
mobo
case (lian li or similar)

budget:
low:laugh:


what do you recommend?
Here's a couple deals you might find interesting.
Price is low.

DIY Upgrades and Combos! $74.99 Samsung 2TB HDD, $...
 

Fitseries3

Eleet Hardware Junkie
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
15,508 (2.58/day)
Location
Republic of Texas
where is this 2100t? i found the 2100 but no t.
 
Joined
Feb 21, 2008
Messages
6,862 (1.17/day)
Location
S.E. Virginia
System Name Barb's Domain
Processor i9 10850k 5.1GHz all cores
Motherboard MSI MPG Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI
Cooling Deep Cool Assassin III
Memory 2*16gig Corsair LPX DDR4 3200
Video Card(s) RTX 4080 FE
Storage 500gb Samsung 980 Pro M2 SSD, 500GB WD Blue SATA SSD, 2TB Seagate Hybrid SSHD
Display(s) Dell - S3222DGM 32" 2k Curved/ASUS VP28UQG 28" 4K (ran at 2k), Sanyo 75" 4k TV
Case SilverStone Fortress FT04
Audio Device(s) Bose Companion II speakers, Corsair - HS70 PRO headphones
Power Supply Corsair RM850x (2021)
Mouse Logitech G502
Keyboard Logitech Orion Spectrum G910
VR HMD Oculus Quest 2
Software Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
Benchmark Scores https://www.3dmark.com/spy/34962882

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
15,436 (2.43/day)
Location
Mid-Atlantic
System Name Desktop
Processor i5 13600KF
Motherboard AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling Noctua NH-U9S
Memory 4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s) Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s) Gigabye M32U
Case Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse MX Master 3s
Keyboard Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software The Matrix
you could probably find a used desktop on craiglist for around $200. that is your best bet.
 

Fitseries3

Eleet Hardware Junkie
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
15,508 (2.58/day)
Location
Republic of Texas
what 2100t?

intel core i3-2100t

its a low power 35w i3 chip



although im actually leaning towards an i3-5X0 chip, gigabyte h55n and lian li pc-q11b but the price is still kinda up there.
 

Fitseries3

Eleet Hardware Junkie
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
15,508 (2.58/day)
Location
Republic of Texas
you could probably find a used desktop on craiglist for around $200. that is your best bet.

i mean, i already have a cheapo dell machine here but its crap.

i guess im just picky, but i want something decent in power and manageable in size.
 

JrRacinFan

Served 5k and counting ...
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
20,073 (3.23/day)
Location
Youngstown, OH
System Name Dual Build Streamer
Processor Ryzen 7900x3d : Ryzen 4600G
Motherboard AsRock B650E Steel Legend : Giga B450i Aorus
Cooling Custom Water 1x420 : Stock
Memory 32GB T-Force Deltas : 16GB Dominator Platinums
Video Card(s) PowerColor 7900 XTX Liquid Devil: iGPU
Storage 20+ TB
Display(s) Sammy 49" 5k Ultrawide
Case Custom White Painted Phanteks Enthoo Pro 2
Audio Device(s) Onboard : Onboard
Power Supply EVGA 1200W P2
Mouse Corsair M65 RGB Elite White
Keyboard Hyperx Origins 65
Software Windows 10
although im actually leaning towards an i3-5X0 chip, gigabyte h55n and lian li pc-q11b but the price is still kinda up there.

Actually, I like that ALOT!. Hey, hit me up over the next few days, we can talk bout everything if you wanna.
 

AsRock

TPU addict
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
18,851 (3.08/day)
Location
UK\USA
Processor AMD 3900X \ AMD 7700X
Motherboard ASRock AM4 X570 Pro 4 \ ASUS X670Xe TUF
Cooling D15
Memory Patriot 2x16GB PVS432G320C6K \ G.Skill Flare X5 F5-6000J3238F 2x16GB
Video Card(s) eVga GTX1060 SSC \ XFX RX 6950XT RX-695XATBD9
Storage Sammy 860, MX500, Sabrent Rocket 4 Sammy Evo 980 \ 1xSabrent Rocket 4+, Sammy 2x990 Pro
Display(s) Samsung 1080P \ LG 43UN700
Case Fractal Design Pop Air 2x140mm fans from Torrent \ Fractal Design Torrent 2 SilverStone FHP141x2
Audio Device(s) Yamaha RX-V677 \ Yamaha CX-830+Yamaha MX-630 Infinity RS4000\Paradigm P Studio 20, Blue Yeti
Power Supply Seasonic Prime TX-750 \ Corsair RM1000X Shift
Mouse Steelseries Sensei wireless \ Steelseries Sensei wireless
Keyboard Logitech K120 \ Wooting Two HE
Benchmark Scores Meh benchmarks.
i have moved to a laptop already but my main machine still runs 24/7 and i still use it a good bit. its also used as a server.

minimal cost on all parts. i would even go amd if i knew the speed would be comparable to intel i5

i sold my 661 chip.

i dont need something that OCs a long way.... i run my main machine near stock most of the time.

i really dont need more than generic ram. i will most likely get ram from mushkin since i have a connection there.

so i guess i just need cpu, mobo, and a nice case.

i like black so that should make it easy ;)

how good are AMDs onboard GFX?

can h55 or amd chipped boards use more than monitor with the onboard video or do i need dedicated gpu?

thank you everyone who has made suggestions so far. much appreciated.

Check my system specs for my AMD setup. There's even a cheaper bobo than the one i got and from what you listed what ya want it for it will do it.

If there is some tests ya want let me know.
 

Easy Rhino

Linux Advocate
Staff member
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
15,436 (2.43/day)
Location
Mid-Atlantic
System Name Desktop
Processor i5 13600KF
Motherboard AsRock B760M Steel Legend Wifi
Cooling Noctua NH-U9S
Memory 4x 16 Gb Gskill S5 DDR5 @6000
Video Card(s) Gigabyte Gaming OC 6750 XT 12GB
Storage WD_BLACK 4TB SN850x
Display(s) Gigabye M32U
Case Corsair Carbide 400C
Audio Device(s) On Board
Power Supply EVGA Supernova 650 P2
Mouse MX Master 3s
Keyboard Logitech G915 Wireless Clicky
Software The Matrix
in that lian-li you may be better off with a samuel 17 as your cpu cooler. after all the psu is directly over the cpu socket.
 
Top