Buying system...sanity check?

[marcplante]

I'm getting ready to buy what I'd classify as a value gamign system starting with Sharkey extremes value gaming system and stepping *down* a notch chasing a $600 price point for something reasonable, though I really don't get to do much gaming at all.

I was going to get everything except the HD at Newegg to simplify the purchase

components are:

AMD Athalon 64 3000+ S754 ($119)
MSI K8N NEO3-F MB ($79)
MSI 6600GT ($162)
Seagate 80MB SATAHD ($69)
PQI 512 MB RAM ($42)
NEC IDE DVD Burner 3540A ($37)
still contemplating cases...

Any major gatchas?
Windows XP Pro (from old PC)

Any major issues here

 

[ShadowBlade]

Learn to spell Athlon and gaming.

You really should get S939 stuff. Its not a whole lot more expensive and will potentially save you from the hassle of a new motherboard and reinstallation of windows later on.

Also where are you finding an 80MB hard drive?
And just so you know, you can get a 200GB WD drive for $20 more.

 

[Stretchman]

Looks good!

One of the most enjoyable parts of building a system is choosing all the components that fit your needs. Those parts look like they'll suit your needs well.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Go S939. MSI Neo4-F is like $10 more. 3000+ S939 is like $30 more. You can save like $20 on the HD by going Western Digital hard drive instead. It's not as quiet, but since you need to save money... Definitely try to go for 1GB of RAM. That should be like the minimum for a gaming rig today. So that's like $60 more, and you have a much better system.

 

[mrkun]

You definitely should get 1GB of RAM. Also, you can get a 939 board and CPU for the same price.

 

[entropy1982]

Originally posted by: marcplante
I'm getting ready to buy what I'd classify as a value gamign system starting with Sharkey extremes value gaming system and stepping *down* a notch chasing a $600 price point for something reasonable, though I really don't get to do much gaming at all.

I was going to get everything except the HD at Newegg to simplify the purchase

components are:

AMD Athalon 64 3000+ S754 ($119)
MSI K8N NEO3-F MB ($79)
MSI 6600GT ($162)
Seagate 80MB SATAHD ($69)
PQI 512 MB RAM ($42)
NEC IDE DVD Burner 3540A ($37)
still contemplating cases...

Any major gatchas?
Windows XP Pro (from old PC)

Any major issues here

Might want to go for their 80GB version ... probably around the same price

 

[marcplante]

Thanks people. Sorry about the sloppy post. Yes, I'm looking into an 80GB HD, not 80MB and I slipped on the "Athlon"

I'll upgrade to 939 components and a gig of RAM. May slip the HD to a PATA since Outpost has a 160GB unit for $29 AR

Marc

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: marcplante
I'm getting ready to buy what I'd classify as a value gamign system starting with Sharkey extremes value gaming system and stepping *down* a notch chasing a $600 price point for something reasonable, though I really don't get to do much gaming at all.

I was going to get everything except the HD at Newegg to simplify the purchase

components are:

AMD Athalon 64 3000+ S754 ($119)
MSI K8N NEO3-F MB ($79)
MSI 6600GT ($162)
Seagate 80MB SATAHD ($69)
PQI 512 MB RAM ($42)
NEC IDE DVD Burner 3540A ($37)
still contemplating cases...

Any major gatchas?
Windows XP Pro (from old PC)

Any major issues here

Looks pretty good, but MSI Has some quality issues in my opinion and I would get a Socket 939 Motherboard and CPU instead A $40-60 differance. Keep the single stick of RAM because socket 939 CPU's can run in single channel mode. Also Look for a Venice Core 3000+ CPU.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: marcplante
Thanks people. Sorry about the sloppy post. Yes, I'm looking into an 80GB HD, not 80MB and I slipped on the "Athlon"

I'll upgrade to 939 components and a gig of RAM. May slip the HD to a PATA since Outpost has a 160GB unit for $29 AR

Marc

I saw a GB kit on Newegg.com the other week for $69. But 512 MB should be plenty and buying one stick now then another when you need it and prices drop would not be a bad idea.

 

[Bona Fide]

Originally posted by: marcplante
Thanks people. Sorry about the sloppy post. Yes, I'm looking into an 80GB HD, not 80MB and I slipped on the "Athlon"

I'll upgrade to 939 components and a gig of RAM. May slip the HD to a PATA since Outpost has a 160GB unit for $29 AR

Marc

Good idea, I hear the difference between PATA and SATA isn't all that big, relative to the price difference.

 

[Anubis]

i woudl upgrade to at least a gig of ram

 

[ones3k]

Originally posted by: ShadowBlade
Learn to spell Athlon and gaming.

You really should get S939 stuff. Its not a whole lot more expensive and will potentially save you from the hassle of a new motherboard and reinstallation of windows later on.

Also where are you finding an 80MB hard drive?
And just so you know, you can get a 200GB WD drive for $20 more.

Chill out, he spelled gaming correctly in the subject. He simply was typing too fast and reversed the "ng".

 

[marcplante]

Thanks: Done Deal...

Athlon 3000+venice with an MSI motherboard (Didn't get the comments on MSI quality in time...as you see from the video card selection as well)
160gb Seagate PATA HD
2 512MB sticks of corsair 3200 memory for $89
MSI 6600 GT video card
NEC CD-RW
CoolerMaster Centurion case (Need to get a power supply locally. Didn't see the point of shipping that much weight).

Whole mess was $600 delivered. Works for me.

Thanks a lot for the input. This and other Anandtech forums have been a great source of education for a newbie. If any of you ever need help repairing or modifying a BMW car (no bikes) drop me a line.

Marcplante
marc@plante.com

 

[suicidalpigeon]

although the msi vid card isnt bad at all, try to get an evga/bfg, both have lifetime warranty. and get a benq dw1640 burner. and if you didnt get a psu yet, fortron 450w.