advise on a new rig

[stech4u]

i currently have the following:

abit be6 mobo
intel p3-500
392mb ram (kingston 3x128mb)
gf2mx400 32mb
ibm deskstar 60gb
wd caviar 12.4gb
tdk velocd 241040b
iomega 100mb atapi
In-Win Q500 full tower case (this model is old, about 4 years ago...i think it came w/ a 300-350w ps...for sure this needs replacing if i get a new amd chip setup)

everything was running (smooth or normal) till sometime w/in the past week (click here for more info on this dilemma)... so, just in case this old time fav breaks down, i'm keeping my options into getting a new rig

the rig doesn't have to be the top-of-the-line-ass-kicker... as you can see... anything over a Gig of speed would do for me =)

i was interested months ago in getting an amd xp1600-1800 w/ the 333 chipset mobos...however, knowiing the tech industry, prices change hella fast as well as the technology behind it. seeing my budget is limited, i'm thinking of sticking w/ a cpu between xp1600-2000. as far as mobo, i'm currently don't know what to get--i just want something that has a lil expandability as far as cpu and features if i do get more money later on. i'm thinking of putting either 2x256mb ram (pc2100 or pc2700) or a 512mb stick.

if possible i'd like to keep my old full-tower case, and just replace the ps w/ a 350w or 400w amd approved ps. however, i heard that case compatability might be hard when putting the new generation of mobos out there. so, i'll keep this one open for discussion as well (case-wise that is).

so to summarize, tips/suggestions on the following w/ a budget of $300-400:

-mobo
-chip
-ram
-ps
-case (if necessary)

go head and list some configs...i'd greatly appreciate them, so i can get a crash course on what people are running today haha =)

thanks in advance.

 

[mechBgon]

Asus A7N266-VM
AthlonXP 1700+ OEM
Taisol CGK760172 copper-base heatsink/fan unit
Tube of Arctic Silver 3 thermal compound
2 x 256Mb Crucial PC2100 DDR

$256 shipped (newegg)

That gets you GF2MX200-class onboard 3D, plus an AGP slot for upgrades, 5.1 nVidia SoundStorm audio just like the hot new nForce2 boards, onboard LAN, lots more CPU horsepower and more RAM. Board will take 266MHz-based AthlonXP's up to the 2600+ (so far, maybe Barton too...?)


Antec SLK3700AMB case with 120mm fan and SL350 power supply, $71 shipped Good PSU, this is only a dollar more than they charge for the PSU alone too. Photos of case

 

[jonmullen]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Asus A7N266-VM
AthlonXP 1700+ OEM
Taisol CGK760172 copper-base heatsink/fan unit
Tube of Arctic Silver 3 thermal compound
2 x 256Mb Crucial PC2100 DDR

$256 shipped (newegg)

That gets you GF2MX200-class onboard 3D, plus an AGP slot for upgrades, 5.1 nVidia SoundStorm audio just like the hot new nForce2 boards, onboard LAN, lots more CPU horsepower and more RAM. Board will take 266MHz-based AthlonXP's up to the 2600+ (so far, maybe Barton too...?)


Antec SLK3700AMB case with 120mm fan and SL350 power supply, $71 shipped Good PSU, this is only a dollar more than they charge for the PSU alone too. Photos of case

This is a good setup for you. An Antec or a ChifTech with a ps would bee a good case. Evercase also make some good cheep case with out a ps. THey can be had for about 22 bucks a newegg. Then just add a good ps for like $50 and you have a good setup that is expandable.

 

[majewski9]

sounds good!

 

[stech4u]

sounds good...i'll look into it... i mean, it's WAY better than a p3 500 lol so i should be amazed in any possible way with it =p

as for the case that i have... i just found out that it is an IN-WIN Q500. the model from four years ago, mostly everything is the same except for the case doors =p

do you guys think i can use this case with the cpu/mobo setup, and just add a new 350w or 400w PS?

thanks again for the replies...keep em coming =p

 

[MangoX]

I would go for the Abit NF7 .......

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, Q500 will work. Best if it's the later variant with an 80mm fan position below the PSU.

 

[stech4u]

true...but i can just put two 8m auxiliary fans ....i just need one more anyway...i have one there already

with that said... what's a good 350w &/or 400w PS (in terms of money/performance) ?

 

[HokieESM]

In terms of the case/PSU, save yourself a LOT of time and go buy something like the Antec SLK2600AMB. Antec (300W) PSU should easily drive those simple components... and is a quality power supply. In my experience, Antec cases always represent a good buy--because the retail prices of their power supplies are so high, you seemingly get the case for free!

But whatever you decide... best of luck. I think the other posters have it right on the money here.... and the 1700+ is going to seem incredibly fast for awhile (compared to your old computer)!

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: stech4u
true...but i can just put two 8m auxiliary fans ....i just need one more anyway...i have one there already

with that said... what's a good 350w &/or 400w PS (in terms of money/performance) ?

Antec TruePower330 is about as powerful as Antec's previous 400W units like the PP403X. I'd recommend that since it's close in price to the other favorite quality/value unit, the Sparkle Power FSP350.

A word of warning about the Antec SX630II, Antec SLK1600 and SLK2600: the PSU's are not the retail SL300, they are the OEM SL300S. The difference? Same power ratings, looks like, but only one fan, presumably sleeve-bearing, instead of two dual-ball-bearing fans. The Antec SLK3700AMB I mentioned above does have the full-blown SL350 with the dual fans, judging by the actual photos at Newegg and the specs given at Antec.

 

[HokieESM]

Originally posted by: mechBgon

A word of warning about the Antec SX630II, Antec SLK1600 and SLK2600: the PSU's are not the retail SL300, they are the OEM SL300S. The difference? Same power ratings, looks like, but only one fan, presumably sleeve-bearing, instead of two dual-ball-bearing fans. The Antec SLK3700AMB I mentioned above does have the full-blown SL350 with the dual fans, judging by the actual photos at Newegg and the specs given at Antec.

Wow... I learn something new every day. Thanks for the info, mechBgon. In that case, I would whole-heartedly recommend the SLK3700AMB or, if you've got the cash, something like the Antec 660. And isn't their new case (the quiet Sonata) coming out soon?

I personally use an Antec 1080B with the 430W TruPower. I tend to put TruPowers in all the systems I've built (which, at this point is only like ten, but still), becaues I've had such good success with them.

 

[mechBgon]

Right on, me too