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Buying NEW desktop - Your Thoughts Wanted

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diacetylMorphine

Junior Member
Hi, I am new to this board and I need some advice on buying a new desktop. No, I will *not* be making one myself. I know you guys know a lot about computers and would really like to hear what you think about this desktop that I am thinking about buying.

Here are the specs: AMD XP 2400+80G+512MB+DVD+CDRW CARD READER SYS

AMD XP 2400 1.93GHz Socket A Processor
Ball Bearing Heatsink CPU Cooling Fan
Syntax AMD SV266A DDR/SDRAM Socket A Motherboard w/ AC 97 Audio Codec & On-Board Lan
512MB PC-2100 DDR 266MHz Memory
80GB (7200RPM) ATA 133 IDE Hard Drive
A-Open 16X (48X CD) DVD Drive
A-Open 52X24X52 Internal IDE CDRW Drive
4X/8X AGP - GeForce FX 5200 64MB DDR w/ TV out
Integrated AC'97 Audio Codec

It has a modem and a 10.100 LAN. I am just worried about the Integrated audio. When I hear integrated I tend to cringe. It also has a 1.44 floppy drive, of course. The grand total is $469.00 without S&H. So add around $40-50 on that price tag. I read about the Athlon XP 2400+ and read that it is on par if not better than the P4 2.4ghz. Now is this true? What do you guys think about this system? Thanks all! 😉
 
I agree, different board. That board looks like some old KT266A board or something. Hopefully, a computer with an nForce 2 chipset board.

Yes, XP2400+ is pretty much on par with a 2.4GHz P4. It should run at 2.0Ghz and not 1.93 though. My buddy got a P4 2.4c system and started bragging about it (He spent quite a bit on it too). Then his dad got a cheap 2400+ from Fry's, and my buddy said that the 2400+ system felt a tad faster, funny enough.
 
What is the comp going to be used for? Gaming, homework??

Gotta say, I wouldn't go for that motherboard. Specs here, scroll down

Looks like the best that mobo can do is PC2100 DDR. You are very limited to where you can go from here to upgrade. I'd look elsewhere.

All of this, of course, is dependent on how you will use the computer. If it is just for word processing, surfing, then it's fine....if you are gaming or doing heavy duty graphics or video work, then no. That video card will not be good for gaming much longer either....it is already on the low end of the spectrum.


Why not build your own?

edit: and welcome to AT
 
^^ I thought about building my own system, but I don't have the time and IMO, I think that it is about the same price in buying a computer than building one on your own. 4 years ago I would have always made my own computer and not spent the big bucks on them. But now when I look at the prices and add them up and do all the math, I'm really not saving a whole lot of money.. I don't mind paying 50-100 dollars more, because I don't have to order everything and assemble it myself.

About the video card, I could always change that? I am not a "hard-core" gamer, but I do play games on it like counter strike and such, which aren't that intense. So in the end is this cheap for a computer like this? Or could you find a better deal? I know you can't get a price close to this from big computer makers like dell. I am also looking at this one, with the Barton core.

SPECS:

AMD XP 2500 1.83GHz (Barton 333MHz FSB) Socket A Processor
Biostar nForce2 400MHz FSB Socket A Motherboard w/ 8X AGP, Dual CH. DDR 400, 6-CH. Audio & Onboard Lan Memory: 3 x 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMM; Maximum 3.0 GB; Dual Channel DDR 200/266/333/400
512MB PC-2700 DDR 333MHz Memory
80GB (7200RPM) ATA 133 IDE Hard Drive
4X/8X AGP - GeForce FX 5200 128MB DDR w/ TV out & DVI
Sound Blaster Audigy w/ SB 1394 Firewire

Everything else is the same. But this one cost $709!!! A bit pricey, but do you guys think this is a cheap and good buy? Or can something be built for far less cheaper?

Thanks All! 😉
 
Cut down on the audigy. If you REALLY want good sound, upgrade the mobo to an Asus A7N8X Deluxe and take advantage of all the other features it has over the Biostar.

Do not get the FX5200. It's utterly useless. For $60 I reccomend an ATI card, from 8500-9200. I don't know the exact differences between them, but I believe the 8500 and 9100 are similar (with 9100 being 8x AGP), and the 9000 and 9200 similar (with 9200 8x AGP). Whatever you get, take a 64 MB version.

Also, I like liteon drives rather than Aopen. They are only a couple dollars more, and more reliable IMO. But that's up to you.
 
Originally posted by: diacetylMorphine
^^ I thought about building my own system, but I don't have the time and IMO, I think that it is about the same price in buying a computer than building one on your own. 4 years ago I would have always made my own computer and not spent the big bucks on them. But now when I look at the prices and add them up and do all the math, I'm really not saving a whole lot of money.. I don't mind paying 50-100 dollars more, because I don't have to order everything and assemble it myself.

About the video card, I could always change that? I am not a "hard-core" gamer, but I do play games on it like counter strike and such, which aren't that intense. So in the end is this cheap for a computer like this? Or could you find a better deal? I know you can't get a price close to this from big computer makers like dell. I am also looking at this one, with the Barton core.

SPECS:

AMD XP 2500 1.83GHz (Barton 333MHz FSB) Socket A Processor
Biostar nForce2 400MHz FSB Socket A Motherboard w/ 8X AGP, Dual CH. DDR 400, 6-CH. Audio & Onboard Lan Memory: 3 x 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMM; Maximum 3.0 GB; Dual Channel DDR 200/266/333/400
512MB PC-2700 DDR 333MHz Memory
80GB (7200RPM) ATA 133 IDE Hard Drive
4X/8X AGP - GeForce FX 5200 128MB DDR w/ TV out & DVI
Sound Blaster Audigy w/ SB 1394 Firewire

Everything else is the same. But this one cost $709!!! A bit pricey, but do you guys think this is a cheap and good buy? Or can something be built for far less cheaper?

Thanks All! 😉
Click to expand...


MUCH better than the first...if you want a better (but still cheap) video card...look at the GeForce4 4200. Should be able to get one for less than $100 and it will outperform the 5200. You still have to add monitor, peripherals and OS to this???
 
Originally posted by: lordtyranus2
Cut down on the audigy. If you REALLY want good sound, upgrade the mobo to an Asus A7N8X Deluxe and take advantage of all the other features it has over the Biostar.

Do not get the FX5200. It's utterly useless. For $60 I reccomend an ATI card, from 8500-9200. I don't know the exact differences between them, but I believe the 8500 and 9100 are similar (with 9100 being 8x AGP), and the 9000 and 9200 similar (with 9200 8x AGP). Whatever you get, take a 64 MB version.

Also, I like liteon drives rather than Aopen. They are only a couple dollars more, and more reliable IMO. But that's up to you.
Click to expand...

I totally agree with you on this. I would also say that if you want to keep it cheap, get an Abit NF7-S or an A7N8X Deluxe and use that fantastic onboard sound. I use the NF7-S and would recommend it to you. If you didn't want onboard, the Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1 or the Santa Cruz sound cards are great $40-$50 sound cards you could use instead. If you aren't an intense gamer and primarily play Counter-Strike, then the FX5200 will be alright, actually. I had a player come up to me (I run a very popular CS server with 3 others @ www.minnesotacs.com) that didn't have much money, but his video card bit the dust. He decided to get the FX5200-128Mb and it worked great for CS. I would say to try and get a GF4 4200 like someone else said, though. However, if you enjoy multimedia and might watch DVDs as well, you should go for the ATI cards...maybe the 9100 or 9200. nVidia is good, but ATI is the king of video 😉 (see note: I am not an ATI fanatic).

Other than that, it looks okay to me. I would swap out the Motherboard for an Abit NF7-S instead, and thats almost about it. I don't know about that price...see, I bought an Antec SLK3700AMB case w/ 350W Antec TruePower PSU, NF7-S, XP 2500+, ThermalRight SLK-800(A) + 80mm ThermalTake Smart Case Fan II in June and it totaled about $500. However, we were buying parts for the other lightning-damaged PC too so I'd estimate the cost at the time to my stuff was probably $420-$430. You would think that here, in October, your system would be much cheaper than that.
 
I highly suggest going with a different video card. I suggest an ATi card at an equal price point (9000 Pro, 9600). Also, if you go with nForce2 onboard audio you may not be dissapointed. It is higher quality than any other onboard audio solution available on the market. If you reall want to go with soe addin audio, then get yourself a Philips Rhythmic Edge (The newer version) on eBay for $20 if the onboard audio does't do it for you. Looks pretty good all in all.
 
Don't get the second rig for $709. It's total rip.

If you're buying prebuilt system, I recommend a Dell. It comes with legit OS and software and decent hardware at prices most can't touch even if they built it on their own. Just wait around until good deal along with coupons and discount appear. Dell usually runs couple good stackable coupons and discounts a month.
 
Originally posted by: GreatDaleness
Get the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra. Nforce 2 ultra 400, and $60 at newegg. Add an Audigy 2 for $50 or so. That is both cheap and quality.
Click to expand...

Where are you finding an Audigy 2 for $50? I know you said 'or so' but I would say it would be around $70. If I still remember correctly, the Audigy 2 OEM on Newegg is $78...of course, maybe you can somehow find a refurbished Audigy 2.

Doesn't matter to me I guess really, since I already have one 😛
 
If you can still find the Epox 8rda+ somewhere that'd be a much better motherboard, otherwise just find another decent nforce 2 motherboard.
 
Originally posted by: GreatDaleness
Best Buy has them for $50 or 55 or something.
Click to expand...

You must be referring to it after an instant rebate or a special on them. A friend of mine bought one from Best Buy a few weeks ago and it cost him $112
 
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