Computer I am going to build: I'd love some suggestions

Mike2002

Senior member
Jan 11, 2004
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I really want to build myself a new computer. Anything is going to be an upgrade from my current computer which runs at 500 megahertz. I want to get a pretty fast system but don't want to break the bank. Here is what I have priced up at Newegg:
Computer Purchase

ASPIRE (Turbo Case) Black/Silver ATX Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply $47.00
ASUS KT400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU $60.99
POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9600PRO Video Card $132.00
AMD Athlon XP 3000+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor $166.00
Buffalo Technology 184 Pin 512 MB DDR PC-3200 $88
Logitech Deluxe Plus Keyboard PS2 104keys $13.00
Lite-On Beige 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive $33.00
Labtec Spin 45 2.0 Speakers Beige $13.00
Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack SP1a $139.00

For a grand total of $681.99

I have the original copy of Windows XP Porfessional from my sister's Dell computer and I was hoping that I could use that copy in this computer. Is it possible?? The computer will be used mostly for surfing, school work, some gaming, and some Video Editing in the furture hopefully. I'd appreciate it if you guys could give me some tips on my purchase and tell me if you think anything that I have chosen will not work well. Thanks a bunch.
 

Futher

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2002
1,362
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I would change the ram to this and the case to this. The ram is of a better brand, and the case looks a lot nicer, comes with a bigger power supply, and is cheaper than the one you're looking at now. The rest looks pretty good, although you might want to invest in a hard drive =) They're not critical to have, but they can be useful sometimes. Same with mouse and floppy drive.
 

Futher

Golden Member
Jan 18, 2002
1,362
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And about Windows, you can't use someone else's CD key unless they're no longer using that copy of windows.
 

paperfist

Diamond Member
Nov 30, 2000
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www.the-teh.com
The AMD Barton 2800+ is a better deal at $113, you won't notice the 200MHz difference. I would go with a nForce2 chipset based motherboard, but they cost more. Abit NF7-S $100 or Shuttle AN35N Ultra $62.
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
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81
Looks fine, but I'd upgrade the motherboard to an nForce2 and maybe bump the video up to a 9800 Pro or GeForce FX5900 XT\SE
 

Cheetah8799

Diamond Member
Apr 12, 2001
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I suggest a Biostar M7NCG 400 microATX nForce2 motherboard. It's a good board, I've built 2 systems with it. Price is similar to the ASUS you listed.
 

Mike99Pgh

Member
Nov 14, 2003
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Originally posted by: paperfist
The AMD Barton 2800+ is a better deal at $113, you won't notice the 200MHz difference. I would go with a nForce2 chipset based motherboard, but they cost more. Abit NF7-S $100 or Shuttle AN35N Ultra $62.

True, but the XP 2500+ is an even better deal ($81 retail at newegg) and you can simply run the FSB at 200 and you'll be faster than an XP3200+ out of the box. I wouldn't waste money on anything above the 2500+.
 

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
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Originally posted by: SCSIfreek
I would change the Radeon9600 to a 9800Pro as well. You won't regret it.


--Scsi

Anand hinted last week that we should not buy performance cards until around May. Maybe get something even cheaper than the 9600 and hoard the pennies until then?
 

BullsOnParade

Golden Member
Apr 7, 2003
1,259
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i wouldnt buy a biostar mobo. The shuttle nForce2 is a solid board and
has recieved very good reviews. I agree with getting a 2500+ rather than
anything else as they scale very nicely.
 

SCSIfreek

Diamond Member
Mar 3, 2000
3,216
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if you're dropping close to $150 on a budget card whats that extra $50? On a more serious note, its your choice ;).


--Scsi
 

Bonesdad

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 2002
2,213
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Also suggest upgrading to an NForce2 board. If you are trying to keep cost low, the Shuttle AN35N is a good board, and if you want to save for a different video card later, might I suggest the Shuttle MN31N, has onboard graphics to get you by until then and MCP-T for awesome sound.