Building a performance-gaming-budget system.

[protegechris]

I'm new here.. hi Found Anandtech on google, read the AM2 or 939 thread..

I'm pretty much set on AM2, as I'd like to go with an AMD64 processor, only found a few mobos on newegg that were 939 and accepted the processor -- and the prices were on par with AM2.

Anyhow, I'm looking to build a system I can game on and manage my day to day things. I run a radio station and do coding for other stations, but I'm also into gaming. I play The Matrix Online (or used to), Battlefield 2, Hitman 2, and a few others.. Here's my current system:

AthlonXP 2200+ 1.8ghz, 768mb DDR PC2100, Radeon 9250se... meh. It's a craptastic setup. I own five computers, and other than my laptop (1.73ghz pentium m, 1.25gb ddr2 ram), it's my best. and yes, I do have to put those games on minimal graphic settings to play

My goal is to build a budget system capable of taking care of my tasks, without the instability I experience periodically. My budget is $650, +-$50.

My current system will take over running my radio station.. which is currently run on a P3 700mhz/256mb ram, getting an amazing 7 months uptime

Here are the parts I've picked out so far.. my first time going through and picking possibilities.
Gigabyte GA-M51GM-S2G Mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128009

AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Orleans 2000MHz HT Socket AM2 http://www.newegg.com/product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103639

eVGA 256-P2-N356-LX Geforce 6500 256MB GDDR2 PCI Express x16: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814130266
-- note: Not a great card, though undoubtedly much better than my Radeon 9250se. Might be willing to spend a bit more on a better card, suggestions welcome on that.

Seagate Barracuda 7200 - 320GB - 7200rpm - 16mb cache
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148140

XION Ultimate Engineering Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811208004

Pioneer 16X DVD±R DVD Burner With 5X DVD-RAM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827129001

The PSU included with the case is probably junk, there's a $99 Antec I have my eye on.

Open to all suggestions on what I should get.. need to get it somewhere that accepts PayPal, keep that in mind.

I'd like to stay single core, simply because I don't feel the support is out there for most applications.. if I'm thinking right, I should be able to go dual-core with the AM2 socket down the road if I need to.

 

[acegazda]

welcome to the AT forums.
First of all, go for the asus a8n-e MoBo
then go for the 7600gt
then get an fortron 450w psu
the rest should be fine and these will run you an extra $120 or so.

 

[bamacre]

I didn't see any memory listed up there.

Too bad the DDR2-800 memory is so damn expensive. I just don't see any benefit in AM2.

 

[protegechris]

Sadly, the cheapest reputable RAM I could find was $220-$240 (Corsair). There was generic RAM, barely under $200. That might make me go with a Socket 939 setup. From what I'm reading, there is barely a different between 939 and AM2. My question is... how long will it be before a majority of programs support dual-cores? ..Should I just go with a 939 setup to save a little on the CPU/Mobo, and a lot on RAM?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: protegechris
Sadly, the cheapest reputable RAM I could find was $220-$240 (Corsair). There was generic RAM, barely under $200. That might make me go with a Socket 939 setup. From what I'm reading, there is barely a different between 939 and AM2. My question is... how long will it be before a majority of programs support dual-cores? ..Should I just go with a 939 setup to save a little on the CPU/Mobo, and a lot on RAM?

I would, you'd need to upgrade quite a bit when it comes time to do so, but it looks like you hold on to systems longer than the average e-Joe.

That way, you can squeeze a 7600 GT (or 7600 GS at minimal) video card into your budget.

The performance increase with AM2 over 939 is very little, and IMO, not worth the cost of the expensive memory. I didn't realize AM2 needed DDR2-800 to sustain it's performance, and even then, it's not significantly more than 939. Even Pentium D's are fine with 533mhz DDR2.

This was the cheapest DDR2-800 I could find...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85207

Not sure of it's compatibility with that motherboard, but probably fine.

 

[protegechris]

Thanks man I just got this computer in.. 2004, behind the times then even -- then again, I'm not pulling in a lot of cash in the first place. Serves its purpose. I'll go scope out 939 combos now


Any 939 motherboard recommendations? I'm split between the cheapest AsUs boards. (<$100, PCI-e compat.)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...8+1072307533&Submit=ENE&SubCategory=22

I'm assuming the A64 3000+, even at 1.8ghz, will outperform a P4 ~3ghz? I can get both at comparable prices.

 

[alimoalem]

for 939 motherboards <$100, the epox 9npa+ Ultra is a good one.

as for the 3000+ outperforming a 3GHz intel, it depends on what apps you're testing. if you can wait a bit, intel is getting huge price cuts in july. if you must get something now, either get an intel 805D and overclock it or go with the 3000+. if there's a fry's around you, wait for cpu/mobo combo deals. many times the mobo/cpu combo is cheaper than the cpu alone.

 

[protegechris]

I might go with a cheaper board (see: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813135009, I could use the extra cash to get an AMD64 3200+ instead of the 3000.

edit: Here is what I think is a final configuration. Got a 7600gs squeezed in there, sadly its rebate expires on the first.. ugh. Anyhow, after shipping it all comes to $625, and one rebate will be good until the 7th.. for $15. I have enough to squeeze in some cables, thermal grease, and maybe a TV tuner card if I feel the need
<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wishlist/PublicWishDetail.asp?WishListNumber=3517263&WishListTitle=Theoretical+cheap+system">https://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion......ListTitle=Theoretical+cheap+system</a>

 

[joanknn]

you might want to consider X-Fi xtreme music for your rig too It is great for gaming.