Barabone system reccommendation

[dazraf25]

Hi all and thansk for anyone who has taken the time to view this. I have been lurking this forum for a very long time and lost my old account ( back when yahoo was aloud). This forum is IMO the best source for info so here go's:

I want to upgrade my current build (its old!). I am not a hardcore gamer but tend to have multiple programs running that are killing my desktop now:
AMD Duron 1000ghz, 256 mb RAM, 32x Cd rom, 128 Rage video, newer 40gb HD

I have been searching this forum and the more I look the more confused I get. But what I have come up with is that my best route is a babrbone system from NewEgg with the following:

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice :99.00

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 :71.99

NEC Black 16X DVD+R: 35.99

How does that look? What I need help with is choosing a barbone system that has a PSU and mother board, and either onboard video or "off-board" video card that is reasonably priced. This is what I have found but any suggestions will be appreciated:

ASUS Vintage-AH1 AMD Socket 939 AMD Barebone with 300W PSU

Ok and last I have a 19' LCD and hopefully the onboard video card will be sufficient. I am going to use the HD from my old build and will upgrade later. Sorry this was so long.

 

[bamacre]

First off, for skt939, you need DDR, not DDR2 memory,...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21

Secondly, if you multitask quite a bit as you say, you may want to look into a Pentium D 805.

Something like this maybe...

Antec Solution Series SLK2650BQE
$79.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140034

Asus P5RD2-VM Radeon Xpress 200
$78.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=247066

Intel Pentium D Processor 805
$108.80
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80849

Corsair VS1GBKIT533D2 1GB Kit DDR2-533
$76.80
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-33

A dual core cpu is going to allow you to multitask much more smoothly than a single core cpu.

 

[Howard]

Budget?

 

[dazraf25]

Secondly, if you multitask quite a bit as you say, you may want to look into a Pentium D 805.

That's interesting. I was under the impression the AMD was a far better processor than what Intel makes. I have a Celeron 1.5 ghz in my laptop and run similiar programs and it seems to be fine. What are the pro's and con's when it comes to comparing the Intel and the AMD?

Is there a difference between 2 sticks of ram = 1GB or 1 GB stick?

Budget?

I would like to keep this at around $400.

 

[dazraf25]

Found a different RAM, I am pretty sure this is compatible.

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM

Is there a difference between getting one stick and 2 sticks that equal 1 GB when it comes to performance?

 

[bamacre]

The AMD 3200+ will be faster when running one, single-threaded program. The Pentium D will be faster when running multiple programs, or one multi-threaded program. So, if you do heavy multitasking, the Pentium D will offer you overall better performance.

As for running 1x1GB or 2X512MB, it will depend on which cpu you choose. If you go AMD, the 1GB stick should be ok, but running 2x512MB in dual channel should give you a little better performance.

But if you go Intel, definitely get the 2x512MB sticks, because Intel cpu's are bandwidth hungry and will make full use of the memory running in dual channel.


If you can sqeeze a few more bucks into that budget...

Antec Solution SLK1650B w/350W
$63.98
http://tinyurl.com/jj5ak

Intel BOXD945GNTL 945G
$104.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=240954

Intel Pentium D 930
$172.20
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80851

Corsair VS1GBKIT533D2 1GB Kit
$76.80
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-33

Thats about $417 shipped. Compared to what I posted above, that's a much better motherboard and cpu.

Also, if you can hold off about a month, you can pick up an Intel 946GZ motherboard, which will not only support the Pentium 930 above (which will be cheaper by then - price cuts), but will also support Intel Core 2 Duo which will give you a better upgrade path.

 

[dazraf25]

I am going to try to stick with AMD. But thanks for the input you seem like you kno what you are talking about. I am going to wait till the end of the month to see what kind of price cuts happen. I dont think that the multiple programs I will be rnning witll have a problem with the AMD ( a friend has the same processor and has the same programs running).

bamacre or anyone else, what are your thoughts on the withlist in my original post? My main concern is the bareboe system from newegg that I have chosen.

Is this a good purchase or do you have a better choice?

Until I have the money to upgrade to a better video card, will the integrated video card suffice for a 19' LCD?

Thanks again for all comments.

 

[bX510]

Originally posted by: bamacre
The AMD 3200+ will be faster when running one, single-threaded program. The Pentium D will be faster when running multiple programs, or one multi-threaded program. So, if you do heavy multitasking, the Pentium D will offer you overall better performance.

I didn't know that, now that might turn me into a Intel man. Are intel's good for gaming though? I usually have a lot of things open, but i also game too.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: dazraf25
I am going to try to stick with AMD. But thanks for the input you seem like you kno what you are talking about. I am going to wait till the end of the month to see what kind of price cuts happen. I dont think that the multiple programs I will be rnning witll have a problem with the AMD ( a friend has the same processor and has the same programs running).

bamacre or anyone else, what are your thoughts on the withlist in my original post? My main concern is the bareboe system from newegg that I have chosen.

Is this a good purchase or do you have a better choice?

Well, I already offered my "better choice."

But it looks ok to me, just remember to get that DDR memory, not DDR2, for a skt939 system.

Until I have the money to upgrade to a better video card, will the integrated video card suffice for a 19' LCD?

Thanks again for all comments.

Yeah, it should be fine as long as you're not gaming.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: bX510

Originally posted by: bamacre
The AMD 3200+ will be faster when running one, single-threaded program. The Pentium D will be faster when running multiple programs, or one multi-threaded program. So, if you do heavy multitasking, the Pentium D will offer you overall better performance.

I didn't know that, now that might turn me into a Intel man. Are intel's good for gaming though? I usually have a lot of things open, but i also game too.

Well, just remember that what I said is true only when comparing a single core AMD vs. a dual core Pentium (800 or 900 series).

As far as gaming performance, any new higher-end cpu is fine for gaming, what really gives you gaming performance is the video card, much more so than cpu.

If you want a cheaper dual core cpu, and you don't want to OC it, the Pentium 930 and 940 are excellent buys, that is, at least until the end of this month.

Otherwise, if you can wait, Intel's Core 2 Duo will be released, and both Intel and AMD are planning price cuts. So waiting until the end of this month is definitely a good idea to see what is available and at what price.

 

[dazraf25]

bamacre,

Do you think I am better off getting a barbone system with a motherboard already installed or getting the PSU, MB and case seperate? I read in a different post that the barebone systems were a better deal. Do you have any suggestions for a barbone system or perhaps MB, PSU and Case combo that is comparible in price?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: dazraf25
bamacre,

Do you think I am better off getting a barbone system with a motherboard already installed or getting the PSU, MB and case seperate? I read in a different post that the barebone systems were a better deal. Do you have any suggestions for a barbone system or perhaps MB, PSU and Case combo that is comparible in price?

Usually, barebone systems use a lower-quality motherboard and power supply to get the price down.

With a $400 budget, I would think you're better off staying away from the barebone, and just buying the parts individually.

If you want to stick with AMD, I'd go AM2 instead of skt939, ....

Antec TX640B w/400W
$107.13
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=CA-TX640B&c=pw

Gigabyte M51GM-S2G
$87.49
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=242678

AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+ Socket AM2 (62W) Retail
$109.00
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80717-8

Corsair VS1GBKIT667D2 1GB Kit DDR2-667
$78.90
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-44

 

[dazraf25]

bamacre,

Thanks a lot that looks perfect! Any advice for future upgrades as far as video cards go?

 

[Henny]

Go with an Intel 805 or 930 but get a MB that'll support Conroe.

You want to go DDR2 because DDR is a dead end road. DDR2 can at least span several upgrades so you'll protect your investment.

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: dazraf25
bamacre,

Thanks a lot that looks perfect! Any advice for future upgrades as far as video cards go?

Depending on your budget, the 7900 GT and 7600 GT look good for their price. But if you are holding out, might as well look at that the time you're ready to buy. The video card market tends to change often.