$500-600 MoBo, CPU, Memory - Best Options

[skyeclad]

I'd like to get a new MoBo, CPU and Memory updgrade and my budget is between $500-$600.

Currently I have an AMD Athlon XP 2400+, 512MB Ram and an ATI 9600Pro card.

Since I'm on a limited budget, I'd like to maximize the bang for my buck.

Here's what I thought might be good blend:

MSI K8N Neo2 - $139
AMD A64 3000+ (939) - $170 Retail Box
Corsair DDR400 PC3200 1GB (TwinX1024-3200C2PT) - $205
Thermal Grease - $14

Ttl - $528

I'm not an overclocker by any means. I wouldn't know where to begin so I don't need anything like that. I wouldn't mind having a wireless network though and I thought some boards had this built in.

Any thoughts?

 

[Tube]

exactly what I bought except for the memory.
the Neo2 is available with wireless lan as well, I think the bundle is called K8N Neo2 Platinum-54G... just $10-$20 more for 54mbit.

 

[skyeclad]

What kind of ram did you go with and why?

I couldn't find the wireless version, even on MSI's website. Is it a overseas product only?

 

[Timmyotule]

I purchased the A64 3000+ bundled with the Asus A8V from MWave for $273 from Mwave. Looks like the processor price has gone up a bit since a couple weeks ago, now it's $281. That bundle with the gig of Kingston ram for $160.50 should be a great combo if you aren't planning on overclocking for a total of $441.50 + shipping (shipping was about $30 2nd day to Alaska, you should be able to get cheaper shipping in the lower 48).

Actually what I would probably get now would be the at ZZF. They have the A8V with Asus WiFi G PCI card for $140, the retail 3000+ for $149.50 and 1gig of Corsair PC3200 value select for $151.90.

Total of $441.39 w/ free 2nd day shipping.

If you do think you may want to overclock, you could look to get some better memory.

Edit: And I have a 9500Pro, and the setup loves HL2. Been working great! Only issue with the A8V was that only memory bank B worked until I updated the 1006 bios to 1008. But it's an easy fix.

 

[skyeclad]

Thanks for the advice. Glad to here about the 9500 Pro and HL2. I just ordered my copy from Gogamer.com when it was $34.90.