Good idea?

[SneakyStuff]

I've been dinking around for months now deciding on how i'm going to go about getting a new PC. The scenario here is as such. My mom needs a new computer, she wants "it all" meaning that she wants everything to match. So I said I would give her my entire system (A Dell) and she could pay me $500-600 to build my own PC. I was thinking, could I go cheap and get a nice case, drives, HD and that kind of stuff, and just go cheap on the CPU and get an Athlon XP system? Then I would have the case and all, and that way I could just swap mobo/cpu/ram later on. Seeing as how DDRII, Socket 939, and PCI-E will be comming out in staggered formation, does it sound like a good diea to get a cheap system to "tide me over" until I can fill the case up with the high end parts i'll eventually be wanting? Thanks

 

[Cerb]

Yes, that sounds like a good idea.
Get PC3200 RAM, a desktop or mobile barton, a HSF (a nice one--and not too expensive), etc.. If you have a soundcard, a ECS L7S7A2 would be a good cheapie, otherwise a NF2 (like the Abit NF7 or NF7-S).
Get whatever video you feel OK with. New stuff is pretty much shipping right now, and will be better priced in late summer, but for decent gaming, a 9600 Pro is about minimum, and a 9800 or 9800 Pro looking nice, too. Or keep the 5700 and get a cheaper ATi for your mom.
DDR-II is getting resistance, and it looks to be getting more on the AMD side, so chances are the Socket939 A64s will still use DDR just fine.
Get a nice PSU now. The Enlight 420w is a good deal at Newegg right now. Something like that ashould hold you over right into the newer boards and all.
Same w/ case. The Evercase e4252 can't be beat for cooling (but can be beat in other ways, like looks ), but also look out for a sale on Antec cases at Staples. I haven't personally used one, but the Ahanix Black Knight seems to be getting nothing but love. A nice case now can hold you over until you must switch to BTX.

Good luck!

 

[SneakyStuff]

Well, i kinda wanted a quiet case with 120mm fans, but i will certainly take you up on that PSU idea. That makes sense. If I don't OC is pc3200 RAM bad for the 333 MHz FSB of the Athlon 2800+?

 

[Mik3y]

its not bad, its just that your computer wont use up the full potential speed of the ram. if anything, its better

the video card in your dell is not bad, so i say get a really cheap vid card and give it to your mom and put the 5700 ultra in your new comp for now, unless you already plan on buying a new vid card already.

 

[SneakyStuff]

well i'm going to be keeping my 5700u because I haven't had nearly enough time to play with it My mom will be getting an old Radeon 7500 i've got laying around because all she will be using this PC for is office work and spreadsheets. I just want to be sure that getting pc3200, and running it async. with a 333 MHz FSB won't cripple performance.

EDIT: here's a list of links to cheap parts i'm thinking about, my only goal here is to build a CHEAP system that will outperform my current one, and be a better home for my video card.

CPU- Barton 2600+
MOBO- Shuttle
Memory- Corsair 512MB 3200
HD (picked this for quiet)- Samsung
Case- Antec

 

[bluewall21]

You could save a little by getting a 2500+ and o/cing slightly to match your RAM. Just a suggestion.

 

[Tango57]

hmm...a mobile barton 2500+ is in the same price range and you could get more performance for now if you overclock it. i'd agree with Cerb and get a good quality PSU now too. you may need one with 480 watts IF you decide in the future to get a card such as the 6800 U which requires the higher wattage unlike the new ATI's1. just something to think about but otherwise i think you got a nice system there for about $500. goodluck!

 

[SneakyStuff]

I got it all down to like $379 for the cash my mom needs to pay, so that looks pretty darn good! Thoughts on the mobo?

 

[bluewall21]

Mobo looks good, great value.