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[j8choi]

Hi everyone,
Im looking for a system for someone who wants high end stuff but wants to pay around 800 total for everything excluding a monitor and printer. I just want to get some people's opinions on what to get with like motherboard, CPU, Video card, sound, ram, and HD. THANKS!!

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: j8choi
Hi everyone,
Im looking for a system for someone who wants high end stuff but wants to pay around 800 total for everything excluding a monitor and printer. I just want to get some people's opinions on what to get with like motherboard, CPU, Video card, sound, ram, and HD. THANKS!!

High end but on a budget? Haha....

I'll try...

CPU = Retrail AthlonXP Barton 2500 = $90
Mobo = NF7-S v2.0 = $113
Nic = Onboard Mobo = $0
Sound = Soundstorm onboard Mobo = $0
HD = Maxtor 120 gig = $105
RAM = 512mb Buffalo PC3200 = $83
Case = Antec Case = $112
PSU = Antec True430 Included in case= $0
VideoCard = Radeon9800 Non Pro = $250
CDRW/DVD = Lite On 48x24x48x16 CDROM/CDRW/DVD = $56

Subtotal = $695...

If you want a better HSF than the retail, then go OEM CPU and just buy a Thermalright SLK900/947 (or if you want to be cheap, get an SK7). - $35

Total = $730

All you need is speakers, mouse, keyboard and OS. Figure how what you want, wireless, optical, or whatever with the remaining cash. You might just have a spare OS licenses lying around. If you don't, just get WindowsXP Pro OEM for $130.

Thats pretty high performance for a budget. Overclock the CPU to 2.2-2.4ghz, and later on, get an extra 512mb of PC3200, and your rig will be awesome.

If you want to cut down the price a little, you can try and find these used on the FS/T forum. If you perfer brand spanking new, go for a cheaper case, but it won't have as a high quality PSU. You could get a smaller HD. You can also buy a 1700+ instead of a 2500+ and OC that. You could also ditch the CD-RW/DVD Drive and use an old spare one, or get just a regular CD Rom drive. You could also replace the NF7-S, and get something cheaper, but you will lose the Soundstorm, SATA, and a few other things, try the regular NF7.

Don't think I'm missing anything else....

EDIT: Most of the stuff can be found at Newegg.com or ExcaliberPC.com. Both are great companies, and I highly recommend both.

Newegg doesn't carry the 9800non-pro anymore, so go to BestBuy can get it for $250. Not sure about ExcaliberPC's price.

 

[j8choi]

Thanks for the reply very helpful

 

[j8choi]

does the processor come with a heatsink??

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: j8choi
does the processor come with a heatsink??

yes it does, but you will want an after market HSF if u plan to OC

 

[j8choi]

yea thanks...sorry but can you suggest a cheaper motherboard thats good? preferrably in the 85-90 dollar range

 

[Corporate Thug]

i would stick to that mobo. it is a great mobo and it doubles as the sound card

 

[Actaeon]

Originally posted by: j8choi
yea thanks...sorry but can you suggest a cheaper motherboard thats good? preferrably in the 85-90 dollar range

Heatsinks only come with the retail CPUs.

Barton2500 OEM (no heatsink) = $84
Barton2500 Retail (with heatsink) = $90

Its not the same quality as the Thermalright's I mentioned earlier, but they get the job done. If you have no intentions of overclocking, then the retail package is good for you.

As far as a cheaper motherboard, I stated the NF7 could be a cheaper alternative. It is priced at $93.

The NF7 has the onboard NIC and sound. But it loses the quality Sandstorm, SATA, the bracket for Firewire/USB2.0. IMO, the NF7-S is well worth the extra $20. Espically if you have plans for a SATA drive setup.

 

[j8choi]

yea i got the mobo you suggested thanks. what do you think about this case?? http://www.koolcases.com/platinumxp.html

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: j8choi
yea i got the mobo you suggested thanks. what do you think about this case?? http://www.koolcases.com/platinumxp.html

not bad, too bad it only has 1 intake and 1 exhaust for the fans

 

[Budmantom]

Dell