$500-$700 for motherboard, CPU and memory

[MichaelD]

Just as the title says. Just the "essential 3"; mobo/CPU/memory. System used for gaming/encoding/possibly game server duties. Assume disk subsystem and videocard are "super duper."

Fire away.

 

[Mik3y]

celeron 2.8...

512mb pc2100...

ECS mobo...

now you got urself a super computer!

 

[Tostada]

Well, there's a big difference between $500 and $700.

For $546.99
$87: Mobile Athlon XP 2400+ Barton 35W
$85: ABIT NF7-S
$335: 2 x 512MB Mushkin 2-2-2 PC3200 (from mushkin.com)
$35.99 + $4.00: Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu

$713.99 Socket 754
$282: Athlon 64 3200+ Newcastle Retail Socket 754
$127: MSI K8N Neo Platinum nForce 3 250Gb
$275: 2 x 512MB Mushkin Level One PC3500
$29.99: Thermaltake Silent Boost K8

$707.00 Socket 939
$485: Athlon 64 3500+ Newcastle Retail Socket 939
$145: ASUS A8V
$77: 512MB Mushkin Basic

The Socket 754 setup would probably be the best. You could get it for almost exactly $700 if you get the regular OEM version (since you're getting a heatsink anyway.

The sad part is that the $546.99 overclocked Athlon Mobile would be faster in most things unless you overclocked your A64 3200+.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Tostada
Well, there's a big difference between $500 and $700.

For $546.99
$87: Mobile Athlon XP 2400+ Barton 35W
$85: ABIT NF7-S
$335: 2 x 512MB Mushkin 2-2-2 PC3200 (from mushkin.com)
$35.99 + $4.00: Zalman CNPS7000A-AlCu

$713.99 Socket 754
$282: Athlon 64 3200+ Newcastle Retail Socket 754
$127: MSI K8N Neo Platinum nForce 3 250Gb
$275: 2 x 512MB Mushkin Level One PC3500
$29.99: Thermaltake Silent Boost K8

$707.00 Socket 939
$485: Athlon 64 3500+ Newcastle Retail Socket 939
$145: ASUS A8V
$77: 512MB Mushkin Basic

The Socket 754 setup would probably be the best. You could get it for almost exactly $700 if you get the regular OEM version (since you're getting a heatsink anyway.

The sad part is that the $546.99 overclocked Athlon Mobile would be faster in most things unless you overclocked your A64 3200+.

Hey, thanks for all the input! I've essentially got the $546 rig right now. OC'd Barton2500 @ 2.2GHz, 1GB PC3200, NF7-S. I have a hard time believing that my rig could compete with a Socket 754 A64, let alone a Socket 939.

Side Note; It's too bad that I'll be losing my SLK900 when I upgrade to A64...best HS ever.

 

[dbdynsty25]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Hey, thanks for all the input! I've essentially got the $546 rig right now. OC'd Barton2500 @ 2.2GHz, 1GB PC3200, NF7-S. I have a hard time believing that my rig could compete with a Socket 754 A64, let alone a Socket 939.

If you've already got that, don't bother. Wait another 3 to 6 months and use the money then. You'll be able to get a lot more for your dollar. I was in that mode too, to buy everything as fast as you can, but in reality, us computer guys/gals will never be satisfied. Just stick with what you got and wait it out. It'll make the new computer that much sweeter. That's what I'm 'trying' to do anyway.

 

[Insane3D]

Side Note; It's too bad that I'll be losing my SLK900 when I upgrade to A64...best HS ever.

You will only feel that way Mike until you try the SLK-948U.

 

[Tostada]

Seriously, like dbdynsty25 said, there's really no reason to upgrade now if you've already got a Barton at 2200. Maybe you could get a 35W Mobile just to play around. I haven't seen one that doesn't hit 2500.

Look at these benchmarks

An Athlon XP overclocked to 2475 MHz beats an A64 3200+ in the majority of benchmarks.

I would upgrade when you can get a decent deal on a Socket 939 nForce 3 250Gb.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Side Note; It's too bad that I'll be losing my SLK900 when I upgrade to A64...best HS ever.

You will only feel that way Mike until you try the SLK-948U.

Mmm-hmm, so I hear. When the heck are the S939 boards gonna hit, anyway? :roll:

 

[Illissius]

Athlon 64 2800+ 35W Mobile - $234 or 3000+ standard OEM - $211

MSI K8N Neo Platinum - $127 or Abit KV8 Pro - $105

2x 512MB Kingmax PC-4000 - $202 (raised the price on the Adatas by $40, damn them) or generic PC3200

Thermalright SLK-948U - $40 + fan or Zalman CNPS7000A-(Al)Cu - $36/$41
(get the Thermalright for the mobile)

 

[dmw16]

Head over to newegg. They have an A64 2800+ and mobo for $223. Get 2x 512MB sticks for another $160. $383 gets you the essential 3. Look here.
-doug

 

[Markfw]

My vote is for
$713.99 Socket 754
$282: Athlon 64 3200+ Newcastle Retail Socket 754
$127: MSI K8N Neo Platinum nForce 3 250Gb
$275: 2 x 512MB Mushkin Level One PC3500
$29.99: Thermaltake Silent Boost K8