Reddit mentions of Intel Core i5-2400 Quad-Core Processor 3.1 GHz 6 MB Cache LGA 1155 - BX80623I52400

Amazon has it at $141. I bought oem HP desktop off ebay including i5 2300, mobo, ram, disc-drive, and psu a few months ago for $65 shipped

**i5 2300 is also $137.50 on amazon at 2.8ghz vs 2400s 3.1 ghz.
Found a listing for i5 2400 on ebay $55 obo
and 2500k, much more common, sitting in the low 70s.

How badly are we talking? Recommend a processor? Damnit wish it wasn't shipped.

Edit: It hasnt shipped yet, I can still cancel!

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-2400-Quad-Core-Processor-Cache/dp/B004EBUXIA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1344633244&sr=8-3&keywords=intel+i5

or

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-2500K-Quad-Core-Processor-Cache/dp/B004EBUXHQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344633244&sr=8-1&keywords=intel+i5


I'd rather spend less..

> I was looking at building a PC for the experience, but this sounds like a good way to start and then could maybe upgrade as I go.

Yeah I understand that desire. When I was doing the CompTIA A+ course, they had us strip a PC down to its parts, assemble the mobo, RAM and CPU out of the case, test it, and rebuild it, all in a few hours. It is good to learn, but OTOH if you just want a PC that works you might be better off to buy one ready-built. In time, you might accumulate enough old parts to put together a second, experimental machine, that you can play around with and not have to worry too much if beeps like a mofo and refuses to boot! :D

> If you could point me in the direction of anything then that would be great!

Perhaps you might like to take a look at 16gb RAM Windows 10 machines with SSD under £300. There is plenty there to consider. My advice would be to search like that repeatedly, looking at different listings, researching the specs and fine details, asking questions to the sellers, and reconsidering your budget if needed. You may have to look at (and research) dozens of machines until you are ready to make a purchase, but a good deal of window-shopping ('scuse the pun) will stand you in good stead. Personally I find Amazon reviews helpful, for instance the Amazon reviews for my CPU gave me good confidence that it would be a worthwhile purchase.

HMU if you have any further questions. Not an IT expert but I'm pretty good at computing on the cheap.

Edit: it's worth actually counting how many components you are going to get for the price. For instance, let's say you could get a case, board, PSU, CPU, fan, 2 sticks of RAM, SSD and a DVD-RW for £180, that would be £20 per component. That will help keep your purchase price in perspective w/r/t what hardware you are actually getting.

The next step up is the i5-2400, which will run you about $195 (the price has been creeping up). If you live near a Microcenter, you can pick one up in-store for $150 (before sales tax, and assuming they haven't sold out).

I can definitely live without overclocking. So if I downgrade to i5 2400, I don't need a cooler at all?


I found a cheaper 6950. Decent?


Would this motherboard be compatible? I was just looking for the best egg ratings.

Helpful links:


http://www.gamingbuilds.com/30/computer-build-ideas-and-examples

Hard Drive:
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digital-Caviar-Cache-Desktop/dp/B000Q82PIQ/

Graphics Card:
http://www.amazon.com/GeForce-Express-Displayport-Graphics-ZT-50302-10M/dp/B004LX3MQQ/

RAM:
http://www.amazon.com/G-SKILL-Ripjaws-1600MHz-PC3-12800-F3-12800CL9D-8GBXL/dp/B004HZG4ZO/

Motherboard:
http://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-Intel-DDR3-Motherboards-GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3/dp/B00518M74I/

Processor:
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-2400-Processor-3-10GHz-LGA1155/dp/B004EBUXIA/

Case:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-Elite-Tower-RC-310-BWN1-GP/dp/B0028ACYMC/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1319264402&sr=1-6

Monitor:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-B2230-22-Inch-Widescreen-Monitor/dp/B003CLBVAW/

Gaming Keyboard:
http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-6Gv2-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B0038X3ZVM/

Gaming Mouse:
http://www.amazon.com/Steel-Performance-Laser-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B004H1Y1UI/

Guide to putting it all together:
http://www.gamingbuilds.com/how-to-assemble-a-computer/

So I've never put together a computer, and know next to diddly; but this piqued my interest, so I went to actually buy the parts.

Right off the bat, the first thing on the list is $130.84 at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Intel-i5-2400-Quad-Core-Processor-Cache/dp/B004EBUXIA

So where do I need to be buying this stuff?

Edit: Did some more reading, and I guess you're bragging because you found all of this stuff cheap somewhere; yard sales, Ebay, or Goodwills.

So this post isn't meant to actually help anybody save money. It's just one guy showing off the bargain basement deals he got; which is considerably less impressive.