user1234:
Thanks, very much - your info was extremely helpful and I do appreciate the response. I think I'll look at a 754/3100+ solution (due to $$$ considerations.) Venice would be great but it would put a bit of a strain on my budget.
Mdetz:
You are one funny mo-fo; was thinking that myself (although your response was more eloquent than what I had in mind.)
Thanks, very much - your info was extremely helpful and I do appreciate the response. I think I'll look at a 754/3100+ solution (due to $$$ considerations.) Venice would be great but it would put a bit of a strain on my budget.
Mdetz:
You are one funny mo-fo; was thinking that myself (although your response was more eloquent than what I had in mind.)
yes, it most likely is a mATX, so this would be a nice "upgrade" just don't expect your performance to improve together with the looks. You can start by adding memory and getting a decent video card, and later I recommend to replace the cpu+mobo.
But it's for those that want non-flashy, and think the youngithing power supply needs replaced anyhow.:thumbsup:
Not for me. I'll take Flashy and my chances with PS quality!
Don't sweat too much over CPU needs.
As long as you have a PC that can do at least 4000 in 3dmarks 2003, you can run any of todays games at max settings, or near max settings.
Laptop with P-M 1.8Ghz runs HL2 1440x900x32 max settings at 45fps.
FarCry is even better.
It scores about 4100 with ATi mr9700 in 3dm2k3.
In comparison, Desktop with AMD mobile XP2400 and 9700 Pro scores 5400 in 3dm2k3.
Needless to say, it smokes all of todays games just fine.
Next years games?
NF2 motherboard for about $60, combined with $70 CPU is all it takes.
And if you really want something unbeatable for gaming, pick up an NF2 board with Soundstorm (MCP-T or MCP-D), and you will have one of the only motherboards that can fully game using SPDIF DD 5.1!!! Can't do that with any other platform yet.
As long as you have a PC that can do at least 4000 in 3dmarks 2003, you can run any of todays games at max settings, or near max settings.
Laptop with P-M 1.8Ghz runs HL2 1440x900x32 max settings at 45fps.
FarCry is even better.
It scores about 4100 with ATi mr9700 in 3dm2k3.
In comparison, Desktop with AMD mobile XP2400 and 9700 Pro scores 5400 in 3dm2k3.
Needless to say, it smokes all of todays games just fine.
Next years games?
NF2 motherboard for about $60, combined with $70 CPU is all it takes.
And if you really want something unbeatable for gaming, pick up an NF2 board with Soundstorm (MCP-T or MCP-D), and you will have one of the only motherboards that can fully game using SPDIF DD 5.1!!! Can't do that with any other platform yet.
You think my gf will like this? 
Or the Shuttle XPC SB75S? http://www.svc.com/shtl-sb75s-99.html
She has this laptop...so something to fit her personality.
http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=P7D
Or the Shuttle XPC SB75S? http://www.svc.com/shtl-sb75s-99.htmlShe has this laptop...so something to fit her personality.
http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=P7D
Oh No !!!!! just recieved word that it's gonna take a whole week for this case to arrive ......damn !!!!!! screw UPS
in related news....the deal is DEAD (at least the free shipping part), but it's still a good price for this case, I've seen other sites sell it for over $100. Anyway, congrats to all the people that got in.
in related news....the deal is DEAD (at least the free shipping part), but it's still a good price for this case, I've seen other sites sell it for over $100. Anyway, congrats to all the people that got in.
RobsTV:
Thanks for the info - good stuff.
User1234:
If possible, please post your thoughts on this when you do get it. Thanks.
I unfortunately had to pop out to take care of some business. When I got back, free shipping was gone. Yes, I am an incredible idiot, but may still get this anyway. I do so like it.
Thanks for the info - good stuff.
User1234:
If possible, please post your thoughts on this when you do get it. Thanks.
I unfortunately had to pop out to take care of some business. When I got back, free shipping was gone. Yes, I am an incredible idiot, but may still get this anyway. I do so like it.
although this is hot deals, not a hardware discussion forum, let me point you to a couple of articles that show the impact of CPUs on gaming. As you'll be able to see, the Athlon 64 CPUs easily dominate P4 and Sempron 3100+ is relatively close in performance to A64 2800+
http://anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2149&p=7
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/29cpu-hl2_3.html
Also let me clarify that you will not get good gaming performance in modern games with the hardware that RobsTV is talking about. A slow CPU will become the bottleneck which will impede performance even if you get a really fast video card. Bear in mind the soon enough everyone is going to be using LCD display with a resolution of 1280x1024 or above, which means you will have to run your games at these resolutions, which would be quite slow with the older hardware (I admit you could still play modern games on old hardware if you turn down all the graphics details, but that's just like watching a DVD on a black and white 9" TV).
All in all, the conclusion is what I said before - get a 939/pci-e or 754/agp setup. I still think you should go for a A64 (939) 3000+/FoxConn NF4K4MC-ERS/6600GT (that's what I have!) for $400 rather than a Sempron 3100+/socket 754 board/R9800pro for $300, because the performance and upgradability is significantly better and easily justifies the extra $100. This will be a kickass portable gaming rig for years to come.
WorldTraveller
Senior member
- Apr 3, 2003
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RobsTV or anyone else with an opinion, I am interested in getting an NF2 board with socketA MB (gasp!) - actually I may steal an XP 2400+ from my current setup. But, I can't seem to find any reviews on such MBs! I want to stay with well known manufacturers like MSI, Asus, Shuttle, etc. Any specific recommendations? Links to reviews would be even more appreciated. mATX roundup review would be awesome - too greedy?
While OC'ing options would always be nice, this board WILL NOT be used for games. It will be probably be used as music storage & as a second machine. So built in sound & video would be nice so as to keep costs down.
I've used these for low budget LAN gaming, and they work fine.
Even onboard GF4 MX440 and 1800 Duron is enough for Nascar Racing 2003.
Since gaming will not be it's purpose, it will do fine.
SATA, Raid, SPDIF (although no Soundstorm for gamers)
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Fee...tRatingReview.asp?Item=N82E16813130488
For soundstorm, try to find Shuttle MN31/N.
Anand just did a CPU comparison yesterday, and although he did not recommend using Socket A for new systems, he did show these facts:
Barton Athlon XP/Sempron 512K 130nm (same as Mobile XP, but mobile runs lower voltage so much cooler, and much better overclocker).
Newcastle Athlon 64 512K 130nm
Paris Sempron 256K 130nm
Also from the article was this in part
"Performance of a 2.4 GHz Barton core is roughly equal to that of the Athlon 64 3000+ "
My opinion on gaming is from experience using these. Others have a right to "think" differently. It's all good.
Don't take the word of a socket A user. Take a look yourself at madonion.
Go to 3dm2003, and select 9800 Pro, then compare all A64's to the XP's.
This is not a battle about which is better.
It is simply a point that as long as you score 4000+ in 3dm2k3, your system will play modern games fine.
Both will score 6000+ when used with 9800 Pro. (5400 here using 9700 Pro)
Ordered yesterday, due to arrive tomorrow. Thanks for the heads-up qbackin.
It can fit a standard ATX PSU (if you have a short optical drive) so PSU issues are less of a concern than with other small cases that use mATX PSU's or even TFX / SFX PSUs.
I'll be moving my current mATX rig into this box but if you're looking for components, I'd go with the MSI-RS480M2-IL right now. If you can wait a month, you can get the Gigabyte board that uses the same chipset. It's what I'm waiting for. . .
It can fit a standard ATX PSU (if you have a short optical drive) so PSU issues are less of a concern than with other small cases that use mATX PSU's or even TFX / SFX PSUs.
I'll be moving my current mATX rig into this box but if you're looking for components, I'd go with the MSI-RS480M2-IL right now. If you can wait a month, you can get the Gigabyte board that uses the same chipset. It's what I'm waiting for. . .
WorldTraveller
Senior member
- Apr 3, 2003
- 576
- 1
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Thanks RobsTV for sharing your thoughts. In fact, I was looking at the exact MB (K7N2GM-V) at New Egg yesterday & was wondering if I should not consider, what seems to be its big brother, K7N2GM2-LSR.
Loopy, if you are talking to me about MSI-RS480M2-IL, that is for Athlon 64, isn't it? I would like to stay with Socket A. Thanks.
I actually have experience with socket A, and a positive one at that. Last year I built a socket A system for my brother, it was a Shuttle AN35N-Ultra board with a Athlon XP Mobile 2500+ (overclocked to 2.5 GHz) a 9700 pro (got it used from ebay for $125). That was a great budget gaming rig (housed in Antec Super Lanboy case) but I still think that a modern 939 or 754 system is a better bet for a gaming rig, and is worth the small additional cost. Especially the video card, a 6600GT will be much faster than a 9700p/9800p. But for non-gaming machine, you could indeed go with a socket A system, and first rule of thumb is to ONLY CONSIDER NFORCE2 based motherboard, as this chipset is DA BOMB for socket A and has much better performance than the competing VIA/SIS chipsets. One of best mATX boards is the Biostar M7NCG 400, which I also used in another HTPC/server machine I built, and can recommend it. It has decent integrated graphics (geforce) and nice overclocking capabilities.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138234
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138234
WorldTraveller
Senior member
- Apr 3, 2003
- 576
- 1
- 81
Thanks a lot user1234. This type info is exactly what I needed. I also wanted an nForce2 & combine it with Socket A. But, how trustworthy is Biostar? I am familiar with the name. Wouldn't you rather recommend me one of the MSI or Gigabyte that I saw on newegg?
There aren't that many microATX nForce2 boards to choose from, and I think that the ASUS and MSI are OK, but this biostar board is BY FAR the most popular on newegg - it has 176 reviews and average 4 star rating. The next one is the ASUS A7N8X-VM/400 which only has 37 reviews and 3 star ratings. I remember that when I made the decision to buy the biostar I looked up some other reviews and it was clearly the best value choice for microATX socket A board. It also allows you to run a 2500+ (mobile or not) at 3200+ speed (but you will need to leave the memory at DDR333 to be able to use the integrated graphics).
Here's one instock for under $100 shipped.
I know it is a little more...but it is instock.
http://www.directron.com/xqpack.html
I know it is a little more...but it is instock.
http://www.directron.com/xqpack.html
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