$500, 1 upgrade, 1 person going crazy trying to decide

[wviperw]

I'm thinking about purchasing my parts here in a day or so. My goal is to spend UNDER 500 dollars on this upgrade:

M Barton (45w) 2600+.............................$99 (newegg)
Kingston ValueRam 2x512mb PC3200.......$157.98 (kingston)
Abit NF7-S..............................................$86 (newegg)
Antec PlusView 1000AMG.........................$91.65 (svc)
Fortron 350w..........................................$34.00 (newegg)
Thermalright SLK-947U............................$26.42 (svc)
Arctic Cooling Fan 2L...............................$5.99 (svc)
2 x 80MM CCFL BLUE FAN........................$17.05 (svc)

(prices after shipping)

TOTAL: $518.09

As you can see from the total, I'm not quite achieving that $500 goal right now. I'm thinking about switching to the Chenbro Xpider case, as it would be only $53.76. However, I'm kind of fond of that Antec one I've got posted above. If you don't mind, please critique my choices, and give me any ideas/alternatives on how to make this upgrade cheaper. Thanks!

 

[Corporate Thug]

dump the 2 x 80MM CCFL BLUE FAN.

 

[Mik3y]

i recommend u go for the sonata case wtih it's 380W psu. it will be cheaper and will give you more power for your overclock (which u will need). also, i recommend u get better ram. valueram isnt gonna cut it if you want a good overclock. u should cut down to 512mb of ram for now cuz u'll need the extra money for ram that'll give u a better oc.

 

[duragezic]

Maybe save a few and go with a mobile 2400+. Could save a few with a cheaper mobo like a Shuttle an35n-ultra, but that is just me since I wouldn't use any SATA, firewire, blah blah features, I don't know what your needs are. I don't see why you would need such an expensive case. Find a cheaper one that still uses a good power supply, that's what matters. Use a wattage calculator and the individual rail ratings calculator to see if the PS is any good and capable for your machine. I know Newegg had some Athenatech cases that used good PS and were cheap, but I think those models are gone.. Unless you run a ton of devices, most computers are way below what the ps can support. And yeah dump that blue fan shiat. That should get you under $500.

 

[Nebor]

Go with the new Antec 2650 BQE or 3700 BQE. You get a 350w power supply, and some of the quietest cases built today.. Both of them can be had for around $65. Plus you can take that power supply off the list. That should bring you in budget and get you a better case. Both cases come with a 120mm exhuast fan.

 

[Zebo]

Your getting 2 PSU's, that's your probelm. You only need one powersupply. The Antec PlusView 1000AMG comes with one of the best a trupower antec 430. Drop the fortron.

 

[Lonyo]

You could go for a 2500+ mobile, and if you don't need the extra features, a lower spec motherboard (like the ABit NF7).

 

[wviperw]

dump the 2 x 80MM CCFL BLUE FAN.

Well, I need case fans. And getting the "cheap" ones really would only save me maybe 4 bucks at most b/c of shipping.

i recommend u go for the sonata case wtih it's 380W psu

I don't see why you would need such an expensive case.

Go with the new Antec 2650 BQE or 3700 BQE.

A prereq of mine is that the case has a side window. Unless I modded the sonata... (don't have a dremel though) You guys are right, $125 is pretty expensive for the case+psu. Its just that I've always had boring beige cases, and this is the first time I get to try something new.

Maybe save a few and go with a mobile 2400+. Could save a few with a cheaper mobo like a Shuttle an35n-ultra,

Well, I was thinking about getting the 2400+ 35w, but it seems riskier than the 2600+ for oc'ing. I'm getting the Abit NF7 r2 b/c the overwhelming majority of people have said it is the best for oc'ing.

Your getting 2 PSU's, that's your probelm.

Nope, just one. The 1000AMG comes w/ no PS.

Thanks guys, keep the suggestions coming!

 

[Zebo]

Well at newegg it contains a PSU http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=1

Now what is svc? Have you double checked?

w/o PSU it's much cheaper at newegg too. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-124&depa=1

 

[wviperw]

Found a better price on that Antec case at ebuyer. Will end up saving like $20 on it, so I think I'm going with that.

Was thinking of switching the mobo to a Shuttle AN35N, as that would save me about $30 and probably wouldn't hurt my performance/oc'ing ability much either. I'm thinking at this point that the RAM will probably hinder my OC, if anything, but there doesn't seem like there is much I can do about that. I checked the price of a Kingston HyperX 512mb stick, and it was MORE than the gig of value ram I'm getting now, which is crazy.