Does this qualify for "bang for the buck" status?

[Insane3D]

I decided to give Shuttle's new el-cheapo nForce2 board a try in one of my systems to replace a first batch, non-Ultra400 8RDA+ 1.0 that topped out @ 185mhz FSB. The board is the AN35 Ultra. You can check out the review @ Tbreak for more info. Basically, it's a stripped down SPP + MCP nForce2 board with overclock features, a blue PCB, and onboard lan. The system I was putting it in had a Philips AE and no need for Firewire, so it was perfect for this application. Mwave had the board for a measly $53, so I snagged it, and used the money I saved to get one of those 1700+ 1.5v XPMW chips @ Excaliber PC for $60.

I set the board up with the following components...

128mb Retail Radeon 8500
Philips AE Soundcard
Leadtek TV200XP Deluxe TV/FM card
2 x 256mb Corsair TwinX LL DDR400
80GB WD SE
16X Slot Load Pioneer DVD
Antec 350W PSU
1700+ XP DLT3C 0310XPMW (1.5v)

I have the board running the 1700+ @ 2.3Ghz, 1.75v, 220mhz FSB and the memory @ 440mhz DC (CL2 6-3-3). I had the chip up to 2.4Ghz, but I had to raise the voltage to 1.8v to get Prime to run and 1.75v was my limit. So, for about $110, I have a pretty quick alternate system...😉

I might have to put this 1700+ in my NF7-S in the main system upstairs. :Q 😉

Anyways..anyone looking for a budget, stripped down o/c board might want to check out the Shuttle AN35-Ultra. 🙂

 

[BaboonGuy]

sounds like the perfect ultra budget board. you got a pretty dang nice 1700+ there.

 

[LukFilm]

How about this - I got ATi Radeon 9800 non-Pro from Dell and running it at 438.75MHz core/364.50MHz memory stable with no extra cooling. All for $200. Does this qualify for a great bang for the buck? 🙂

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: LukFilm
How about this - I got ATi Radeon 9800 non-Pro from Dell and running it at 438.75MHz core/364.50MHz memory stable with no extra cooling. All for $200. Does this qualify for a great bang for the buck? 🙂

Yep..sounds like it to me! 🙂

 

[megamanS]

How about this, I bought 512MB of DDR266 from officemax for 18 bucks.

 

[LukFilm]

Originally posted by: megamanS
How about this, I bought 512MB of DDR266 from officemax for 18 bucks.

Nah, you can get if for FREE every other week 🙂 (2x 256MB)