Asus P4T + P4 1.7 recycle OR build from scratch

[Bruck]

I had asked this before, but it was prior to Doom 3's release. I currently use my mac laptop for ALOT of my computing. The only thing I would use this pc for is gaming(but I don't really game alot, this primarily because I dont have a system that can play anything newer than Q3/HL) I would also burn dvds with this machine (12x or 16x burner for fast backups). Part of me wants to ditch having a pc all together and just use my mac, but I dont think I want to do that, however my current pc goes days without use.

I have 2 options



option 1) adopt my brother's recently abandoned asus P4T + P4 1.7ghz + 256 meg ram system.
a) add 1gig ram, put in case of my choice, psu, hard drives, dvd burner and high end video.
Specs for system 1

Mobo: asus P4T
CPU: Intel P4 1.7ghz
Ram: 1.2gb ram
Video card: $400.00 budget
HD: scsi 20gb 10k rpm fujitsu drive + 120gb ide for storage


or

option 2) ignore the abandoned system (ie: give to mom) and build from scratch
Specs for system 2

Mobo: A8V Deluxe
CPU: A64 3400+
RAM: GEIL 4x512mb = 1GB
Video Card: Same as above
HD: Same as above


The Cost difference between the 2 options is about 600.00

 

[CJP]

I'd say build from scratch because that 1.7ghz p4 with the 256k cache will limit you - the willamettes were notoriously slow. If you buy a $400 video card and pair it with that cpu it will be a huge bottleneck - it would be better to get a $300 card and a faster cpu and mobo. Don't get me wrong it will play Doom at low resolutions so if you're happy with that it's ok (I've got a 2.6ghz 400fsb Northwood P4 system and I play at 1024x768 with no eye candy with my Radeon 9800np).

Maybe the biggest negative though is the price of Rambus Rdram. Even though it's obsolete it is still pricey and buying a gig of it would be a rip-off. Put that money towards a new system.

 

[Markfw]

That 1.7 will be such a bottleneck to the high end video card in any game, that you have to go option 2 or you will not be able to play any games at a reasonable frame rate.