Building on Budget ~$800, what do you think?

[JMann2380]

<edit>
OK, I have been reading, reading, and reading some more and am SO confused. There are just so many choices. Here is what I have bought so far:

Dell 2001FP
Antec Sonata Case

-----------------------------

I have ~$800 budgeted for the rest of my computer (Proc, MB, Gfx Card, Ram, HD's). I sold my old computer so that gave me the extra money to play with.

I am open to xp, a64, p4 variations. My uses for this computer are graphic design, website development, minimal gaming, office, email, web, everyday computer. I will be using photoshop, dreamweaver the most and multitasking.

So let's spend my money, what would you buy?

Thanks,
Josh

</edit>


<START OLD POST>

First post, hello everyone....

I am trying to build a good budget system to replace my old dell. Here is what I have so far.

AMD 2500+ = ~$90
Abit NF7-S = ~$100
KHX3000/2x256 = ~$100


I am also getting a Antec Sonata case, cheapy hard drive for now and a budget ati video card.

How does this sound as a system?

It will be used for web/office/photoshop/dreamweaver/multitasking/few games.

I will also try my hand at overclocking. The only thing I am not sure about is the ram. It is suppose to be bh-5, but I guess that is hit or miss. If it is not, what do you think I could still overclock to?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[sniperruff]

never skim on the ram... and for the case get one you really really like! sonata is a nice case.

and for the amount of RAM 512mb is ok. i noticed a much larger speed increase going from 512mb to 768mb than going from 256mb to 512mb

 

[n7]

Cheapy hard drive?
Get a SATA drive if it's about the same price as the others. Well worth the little extra, imho anyway.

 

[JMann2380]

So what do you suggest on the ram?

Also I think I am going to get a 36GB raptor harddrive to load xp on, then keep an eye on hot deals to pick up a larger drive for storage.

-Josh

 

[meanpc]

I have an article on my site called 'Build the MeanPC' which covers building a PC on a budget. It lists all the components/prices/vendor. You might like to check it out.

 

[crip11]

Go for the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra Mobo

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: crip11
Go for the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra Mobo

ditto.


and when you say "budget ATI card" i truley hope you dont mean anything less than a 9600pro or you are wasting your money.

 

[Ionizer86]

Unless the KHX3000 hits 3200 easily, I'd just start off with by buying 3200. It may even cost less to get one piece of 512 PC3200. That way you'll be sure to hit 200 bus.

 

[Bonesdad]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Unless the KHX3000 hits 3200 easily, I'd just start off with by buying 3200. It may even cost less to get one piece of 512 PC3200. That way you'll be sure to hit 200 bus.

Yes, I'd do the AN35N Ultra (bout $63) then use the extra cash to get better RAM. Also, just get one stick of 512 MB PC3200. Then you can upgrade to more RAM later and get the (pretty small) benefit of Dual DDR.

Edit: the Sonata is a REALLY nice case. But if this is budget, you might consider the SLK3700BQE. Black case, but comes with SmartPower 350 and no shiny finish. It's $77 bucks at Newegg.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: Ionizer86
Unless the KHX3000 hits 3200 easily, I'd just start off with by buying 3200. It may even cost less to get one piece of 512 PC3200. That way you'll be sure to hit 200 bus.

KHX3000 will easily hit pc3200 and then some

 

[Tullphan]

If you don't like the idea of a door on your case (I don't like mine), you may want to consider this case.
It, too, is set up for dual 120mm fans & if your buying the rest of your stuff at Newegg, pick up this power supply. It'll save you about $10 over Directron.
I'm having Jim at CoolCases.com build me a case to my specs. He's a heckuva nice guy & will help you build a case if you want to spend a little extra (or alot, in my case...hehehe).

 

[BUTCH1]

Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Go for the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra Mobo "
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I totally agree, I got one a week ago and love it! good price good OC options and
stable. With the extra $30 you'd save over the abit board could go to better
memory or VC.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: BUTCH1
Quote
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Go for the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra Mobo "
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I totally agree, I got one a week ago and love it! good price good OC options and
stable. With the extra $30 you'd save over the abit board could go to better
memory or VC.

My AN35N Ultra is doing DDR420 @ 2.7 volts with a 512MB Corsair XMS 3200C2 module... haven't tried to find its actual limits yet. I should kick up the multiplier on the Thoroughbred though, it's an 1800+ and I've been letting it off easy at only 1680MHz so far

 

[BUTCH1]

I've got my t-bred 2100@166 FSB but a little warm@ 53 under load. Looking to
replace my Igloo 2310 cooler next..

 

[JMann2380]

OK, I have been reading, reading, and reading some more and am SO confused. There are just so many choices. Here is what I have bought so far:

Dell 2001FP
Antec Sonata Case

-----------------------------

I have ~$800 budgeted for the rest of my computer (Proc, MB, Gfx Card, Ram, HD's). I sold my old computer so that gave me the extra money to play with.

I am open to xp, a64, p4 variations. My uses for this computer are graphic design, website development, minimal gaming, office, email, web, everyday computer. I will be using photoshop, dreamweaver the most and multitasking.

So let's spend my money, what would you buy?

Thanks,
Josh

 

[GoodRevrnd]

If you wanna try your hand @ overclocking, I think a 2.4C & an Abit IC7 are a good (and cost effective) way to go.

 

[Atlantean]

with $800 you could get a pretty good budget system. Stick with the mobo and processor you had before, but change the ram to 2 sticks of ddr 3200 (If you plan to overclock the processor, if not then get ddr 2700). Get whatever brand of harddrive you prefer, at least 160 gb. And get yourself an ati 9800 pro, or an nvidia 5900.

 

[JMann2380]

What are the suspected price drops on A64's next week?

Also is hyperthreading that effective on P4's? Would you notice a difference multitasking with a 2.8C vs. a 3000+?

 

[JBT]

With 800 bucks today I would hardly call that a budget system you should be able to get a nice A64 system for that much I thought we had someone have a thread where they had a nice system for under 700?