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.