Budget Build Help Plz

[ImprezaWRX48]

This is going to be my first ever complete PC build, (I've done a few others with friends) and I would like a system that is cheap (Max $ 500 american / 700 canadian ) stable + going to last. I would like to be able to play as many games as possible, and also am thinking about overclocking my processor. I've been researching lately and This is what I was thinking about: (prices in $ canadian, some after sales)

CPU : AMD Athlon 2500+ Barton --> $110
Mobo: ABit NF7-S --> $120
Graphics Card: Not sure, could use friend's Geforce 4 Mx 440 until i have more cash
Ram: 512mb Samsung PC 3200 --> $120
Hard Drive: Maxtor 40gb 7200 rpm --> $70
CD Writer: LiteOn 52x32x52 Retail --> $40
Case: Generic with 450 w power supply --> $50
Sound Card : Soundstorm included on Mobo
Speakers: Altec Lansing XA 2031 2.1 with sub --> $40
Keyboard: Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard --> $20
Mouse: Logitech Optical Mouse --> $20
Monitor: Could possibly use a Friend's 19 " Samsung Flat Screen until I have cash to buy
Operating System: Already Have

= $678.5 Tax Included (CAD)

How is this setup looking? Any compatability problems or anything you know of? Any better recommendations?

* Eventually Would like to buy a Thermaltake Silent Boost in order to get cpu up to 3200+ speeds, also possibly Antec SLK3700AMB, are either of these worth it?

--> Would the ram I have now be able to take the 3200+, if not plz recommend another type, as cheap as possible, with low timings.
--> If I ran the Athlon at 3200+ with stock fan, what would the temperature be? Compared to if I used a ThermalTake Silent Boost?
--> What would the VCore need to be to reach 11 x 200 with stability, would i need to up it very much?

Thanks so much for your help everyone, I know this post is a biggie. :beer:

 

[ImprezaWRX48]

Also is it worth it to run two sticks of 256 mb in dual channel mode?
What will the performance benefits be?

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: ImprezaWRX48
Also is it worth it to run two sticks of 256 mb in dual channel mode?
What will the performance benefits be?

Yes, its worth it if you're going to eek out as much perfornace out of this rig as possible. Keep in mind that upgrading dual-channel RAM requires matching sticks. So, if you're going to upgrade in the future, you will have to sell those 256MB sticks, and get two more (512MB+512MB). Its not just as simple as throwing more RAM in there next to your old ones. You can do it, but not if want utilize Dual-channel and its capabilites. I would, however, like to see more RAM in the system, but I know we're cutting corners here.

You're biggest concern here, is the Videocard situation. I would recommend getting at the very least a 9600XT. If you can, borrow that mx440 (really not that great of a card, but I guess it will do) and save up for even a ATI 9800 PRO/XT. Prices are coming down, but I dont know how much you can save up (pricewatch turns up a 9800 pro 128Mb edition for around $200-$210). Its really up to you. The videocard is one of the componants you dont want to skimp on, or as least as possible.

Other than that things look good.

 

[soulflyfan]

Jesus dont get an MX!!! radeon 9600's are pretty good value at the moment, and can overclock like a crazy horse on steroids (dont ask) also they *should* come down in price when the new PCI express GPU architectures are released in a few months time. also the ram wants dual channeling as mentiond. my only other concern is the Proc. if you want to overclock, make sure your Barton comes factory UNlocked. AMD have been locking the FSB on newer processors, which reduces overclocking potential. to garuntee it's unlocked go with a mobile 2500 if you can afford

 

[Cawchy87]

Originally posted by: soulflyfan
Jesus dont get an MX!!! radeon 9600's are pretty good value at the moment, and can overclock like a crazy horse on steroids (dont ask) also they *should* come down in price when the new PCI express GPU architectures are released in a few months time. also the ram wants dual channeling as mentiond. my only other concern is the Proc. if you want to overclock, make sure your Barton comes factory UNlocked. AMD have been locking the FSB on newer processors, which reduces overclocking potential. to garuntee it's unlocked go with a mobile 2500 if you can afford

I haven was only able to overclock my 9600XT from 500/300 to 536/344. With stock cooling.

Compusmart which has stores accross winnipeg is going to have 9800pro's coming in for 299 soon. I would stick with the mx440 until then. I have friends with mx440's and they can play all games (just not full details).

You said you want a reliable computer. don't get a generic power supply, not only can it die, but can ruin the other parts in your computer thus costing you more money in the long run. I don't know much about brands, so mabye someone else can help you with that.

Also, have you looked into your processor? AMD has locked the multiplyer on new barton's so you may want to look into that and see if yours is newer or not.

 

[warcrow]

Originally posted by: Cawchy87

Originally posted by: soulflyfan
Jesus dont get an MX!!! radeon 9600's are pretty good value at the moment, and can overclock like a crazy horse on steroids (dont ask) also they *should* come down in price when the new PCI express GPU architectures are released in a few months time. also the ram wants dual channeling as mentiond. my only other concern is the Proc. if you want to overclock, make sure your Barton comes factory UNlocked. AMD have been locking the FSB on newer processors, which reduces overclocking potential. to garuntee it's unlocked go with a mobile 2500 if you can afford

I haven was only able to overclock my 9600XT from 500/300 to 536/344. With stock cooling.

Compusmart which has stores accross winnipeg is going to have 9800pro's coming in for 299 soon. I would stick with the mx440 until then. I have friends with mx440's and they can play all games (just not full details).

You said you want a reliable computer. don't get a generic power supply, not only can it die, but can ruin the other parts in your computer thus costing you more money in the long run. I don't know much about brands, so mabye someone else can help you with that.

Also, have you looked into your processor? AMD has locked the multiplyer on new barton's so you may want to look into that and see if yours is newer or not.

Yes, good suggetion about the PS.

 

[MiNkIm]

Also look into Barton mobils, you said you wanted to overclock and this will let you get a much better overclock.

 

[Cawchy87]

Originally posted by: MiNkIm
Also look into Barton mobils, you said you wanted to overclock and this will let you get a much better overclock.

oh, i thought thats what he was talking about

 

[fireontheway]

you might wanna look at this before getting the 2500. you might wanna borrow your friends mx440 til u save enough for a decent card.

 

[Cawchy87]

Also, take a look at the CPU/Processors and overclocking fourm, they have a simalar thread going on over there.

 

[Channeledbymodem]

Originally posted by: warcrow

Originally posted by: ImprezaWRX48
Also is it worth it to run two sticks of 256 mb in dual channel mode?
What will the performance benefits be?

Yes, its worth it if you're going to eek out as much perfornace out of this rig as possible. Keep in mind that upgrading dual-channel RAM requires matching sticks. So, if you're going to upgrade in the future, you will have to sell those 256MB sticks, and get two more (512MB+512MB). Its not just as simple as throwing more RAM in there next to your old ones. You can do it, but not if want utilize Dual-channel and its capabilites. <snip>

If I understand you correctly, you cannot upgrade a 256x2 system to 256x4? Are you saying that you can't fill all four RAM slots with identical (or paired) chips, but only two, to enable dual channel (assuming MB has four RAM slots)?

 

[ImprezaWRX48]

Tnx for the help guys, what about the Thermaltake Silent Boost, anyone have any info about that?

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: ImprezaWRX48
Tnx for the help guys, what about the Thermaltake Silent Boost, anyone have any info about that?

I've got one, it cools fine it's not as quiet as I thought, but better than the generic cooler.

 

[Mik3y]

those parts are kinda expensive. go to www.newegg.com to buy ur items. u'll save about $100 if u shop from there. anyways, u can get a western digital 80GB 8mb cache harddrive for $73 at newegg too.

 

[Atlantean]

I know that ncix had teh mobile 2500+ processors on their site a while ago... if you are planning to oc you might want to take a look at those. The harddrive is a little small I would ditch the 40 gb and get an 80 gb for like $30 more. Stick with the 512 mbs of ram in a single dimm and upgrade to another 512 mbs later on. Also take a look at some other canadian sites like atic.ca, anitec.ca and ntcw.com they have pretty decent prices usually.

 

[Cawchy87]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
those parts are kinda expensive. go to www.newegg.com to buy ur items. u'll save about $100 if u shop from there. anyways, u can get a western digital 80GB 8mb cache harddrive for $73 at newegg too.

They don't ship to Canada

:wine:

 

[RaNDoMMAI]

I like the coolmax tarus Cx series. quieter and cheaper then fortons and it runs my OC barton fine.

If u get a moblie chip, does it come with a HSF?

I hate thermaltake products, i think they all suck, go thermalright 947U or zalman 7000ALCU.
and the antec 3700amb is a great case and if u like black cases, 3700BQE is even better

~RaNDoM

 

[ImprezaWRX48]

What is the performance of a stock Mobile 2500+ vs a stock 2500+ Barton?

 

[Atlantean]

Originally posted by: ImprezaWRX48
What is the performance of a stock Mobile 2500+ vs a stock 2500+ Barton?

The mobile runs at cooler temperatures and lower voltage. The overclocking potential is also much higher... performancewise if they are both stock I doubt there would be much difference.

 

[ImprezaWRX48]

Tnx for everything... so any other suggestions about the rig b4 i go buy it?

 

[RaNDoMMAI]

Originally posted by: ImprezaWRX48
Tnx for everything... so any other suggestions about the rig b4 i go buy it?

If u add 6-8 bucks u can get the 5.1 surrond speaker set from logitech at amazon.com


It was posted in hot deals and i believe it is still going on.

and u can get a 80 gig HDD for about 70 if u try hard enough.

and u can go really cheap and get a 7 dollar and 7 dollar mouse and keybaord at COMPUSA

~RaNDoM

 

[axemanxt40]

You should definitely get an Antec SLK3700AMB case. I literally just finished putting my uncle's machine together in one of those.

1) They have a ton of room to work in.
2) The 120 mm fan provided is very quiet, and I bought another one that runs at 17 DBA for him it looks really nice.
3) Looks wise...it has some nice paint on it .

Only downside is it is 65 american which is a bit more expensive than what you were going to spend.