Good mobo/processor combo for under $150?

[drjayphd]

Okay, I've finally gotten sick of trying to get my computer to work. The hard drive finally died, and this current frustration stems from trying to flash the BIOS on my Asus P5A (with an AMD K6-2/450). In a bit of an unrelated question (that might save a ton of money), the issue here is that one day a few months ago, the floppy drive suddenly stopped working. I got a replacement last week (haven't had to use that comp in a while), but it doesn't work either. I am quite sure that all the connectors are plugged in properly, but I don't see a light coming on. Did I just get a bad floppy drive? And if it's still good, what could be the problem? Is there a chance that the problem's on the motherboard?

If I do need to replace the motherboard, though, I want to get a new mobo and processor. Now that I can start fresh and all. So here's the question. What motherboard/processor package would you recommend to someone on a bit of a budget? I have no intentions of overclocking... I just want something stable. I am not much of a gamer. Most of my games are either RTS (mostly Age of Empires) and emulators. I will be watching DVD's on it, without the benefit of a decoder card. I'll also be using it primarily as an MP3 jukebox... ripping, downloading, burning... you name it, I'm gonna do it. As far as the processor goes, I'd be happy with something around 1 GHz... I'm not that interested in the fastest and best. Between the mobo, processor, RAM, and whatever other stuff I'll need (fan, heatsink, whatever), I'd like to spend under $150. Any suggestions?

 

[Adul]

for that little of a budget? it will be very difficult to find something good and stable...

200 yes i can say that for sure.

ASUS A7S333 Motherboard Specs BUNDLE W/ COOLING FAN & (AMD DURON 1300(200MHZ); MWAVE 256MB NON-ECC PC2100; ASSEMBLE/TEST BUNDLE) $185.98 $185.9


256 MB ddr

ASUS MB with sis chipset(defintely better to take this over the ECS mb)

duron 1.3 ghz chip

heatsink and pretesting included

this was at mwave.com under motherboard bundle.


go to 128 MB of PC2100 DDR and it hover closer to 150 bucks. this does not include shiping

another option with PC133 Sdram

MSI K7T TURBO2 Motherboard Specs BUNDLE W/ COOLING FAN & (AMD DURON 1300(200MHZ); KINGSTON 32X64 256MB PC133; ASSEMBLE/TEST BUNDLE) $145.38

MSI K7T TURBO2
Duroin `1.3 Ghz
heatsink
256 MB PC133


also at mwave.

 

[Cerb]

All from Newegg.com

Athlon 1600+ $52.99 no shipping
Glacialtech Igloo 2320 $8 + $4s&h (slightly quieter than the retail coolermaster and is better--as much as a $8 cooler can be, anyway)
Shuttle AK35GT2 $72 + 6s&h
Enhance ENP-0730 300w PSU $28 + $5s&h (If you don't get a good new PSU, you _will_ regret it when you fry your mobo)
Kingston PC133 256MB $30 and free shipping

That comes to about $200 (you won't get the full shipping)
You could shave off about $20 going w/ the ECS K7S5A, but if you're playing DVDs, you'll have a bit of an audio problem (it'll sound like crap)

If you have an outboard soundcard you have and like, get the ECS K7S5A ($53.99). In addition, if you're not all about speed, Kingston PC133 256MB is $30.

You could also lower the price by getting a lesser CPU...Duron 1.3GHz $41 and free shipping
Absolute lowest would be a Duron 900 for $30 and no shipping.

So let's see, for the lowest (ECS K7S5A, Duron 900), assuming you have a soundcard you like, would be...
about $159.

It might be possible to lower it a bit more, but chances are you'll reget it later if you do. I tried the cheap route before...2 mobos fried, a nonfunctioning stick of PC133, and a screwed up TBird ended up being the results (luckily, my Duron lasted until I burned it alone up and got a 1.53GHz Athlon).

On Age of Empires...you will LOVE a Duron 900 or higher. I never got much into it, but seeing the before and after of playing...from a PII 400 or so to a Duron (at least a 750) is a ncie jump.

On emulation... up to SNES (ZSNES, of course), the Duron will do fine (I had a Duron 800 for a good while), though a good CPU is needed for N64 or PSX emulation, though not as much for N64 (albeit finding a good emu is almost impossible). A friend of mine is doing fine now with a Athlon XP 2000+, 256MB PC133, and a GF2 GTS for PSX emulation...his Duron 800 couldn't cut it, though. My comp is a bit faster at it with a slightly slower CPU, better RAM and a far better video card.

On MP3s...an Athlon 1600+ rocks...the Durons do OK. For playing and burning, a P200 will do fine (and even less for just playing them!), so don't worry much there.

I'm not sure how the Duron will do with DVDs, not using a decoder card (I know a 1600+/1.4GHz does fine), but worst case, it shouldn't be that much for a hollywood plus decoder.

Lastly, since given your current CPU's stats, you're likely not familiar w/ Athlons...be prepared to push hard on the clip installing it. As long as you only push down on the clip, you won't chip the core (the only time I ever chipped one was after 3 days of trying to get a certain f***ed Tbird to work and was really pissed at it).

That's about all I can think of. Hope you get a nice computer up and running.

Edit: Posting, I just saw Adul's post. As you can see, while Adul there found some nice combos, $200 is about where its at.

 

[halkebul]

Four days ago I upraded from this:
Intel Pentium2 233MHz
PCCHips Motherboard
64MB PC133 Memory
64MB PC100 Memory
Integrated video
14GB Western Digital Hard Drive

To This:
Athlon XP 1700+ (new)
Biostar M7VIG Motherboard with integrated audio/video/LAN (new)
64MB PC133 Memory (old)
64MB PC100 Memory (old)
ATI 9000 Graphics Card (new)
14GB Western Digital Hard Drive (old)

Unbelievable performance boost even with SDR memory!!! I don't think you'll need a AGP graphics card, just use onboard video, as the games you mentioned do not require it. The total upgrade should cost ya about $100-$120 if ya use your old memory. Your hard drive died, so you'll have to get a new one. That adds $65+ to the upgrade. Now you're up to about $180. I was able to use my old case and ancient Deer power supply with my new biostar mobo as it had the appropriate connector.

the issue here is that one day a few months ago, the floppy drive suddenly stopped working

This happened to me too. The floppy drive controller on the motherboard just stopped working. Still don't know why?

 

[JamesM3M5]

Originally posted by: Cerb
All from Newegg.com

Athlon 1600+ $52.99 no shipping
Glacialtech Igloo 2320 $8 + $4s&h (slightly quieter than the retail coolermaster and is better--as much as a $8 cooler can be, anyway)
Shuttle AK35GT2 $72 + 6s&h
Enhance ENP-0730 300w PSU $28 + $5s&h (If you don't get a good new PSU, you _will_ regret it when you fry your mobo)
Kingston PC133 256MB $30 and free shipping

The AK35GT2 doesn't take 168-pin PC133 RAM. You would have to fork out about $77-80 for 256MB PC2100. Newegg's price on Crucial PC2100 256MB Sticks had ben going up a few bucks a week. Actually, it went up from the time I saved it to my shopping cart to the time I checked out a few minutes later last week!!

I have a Shuttle AK31A (no longer available) that runs great with an 1800+ up to 149MHz FSB / 1.7GHz. Try the AK32L, $55 + $6 shipping. It will take either 168-pin SDR or 182 pin DDR. The on-board sound blows, but hey, it's on there! Couple that with the PC133 RAM for $30, 1600+ XP on sale for $53 (at this second), and you have a nice combo for $144.

 

[Cerb]

Oops--yes, you're right. I use the AK35GT right now, and just wasn't thinking about that. Due to the ECS K7S5A working so well and consistently, I haven't had the chance to mess w/ any other Athlon boards using SDR since the thing came out

 

[DougK62]

Here is what I suggest:

BIOSTAR M7VKG $65
Crucial 256MB PC133 $32
Retail Duron 1.3 $59
TOTAL: $156

All of these prices are from Newegg, and all of the pieces have free shipping, so the $156 price includes shipping.

I understand what you need, and if you've been happy with your K6-2 for so long then this will knock your socks off and last you for years. I've been using my Duron 900 rig since the processor first came out and I still have no reason to upgrade - it's very speedy.

 

[kjacobs]

drjayphd,
I have a Asus P5A-B and a K6 3+ 450 CPU. The kids are saying, "Dad, its too slow!". (I also built a new PC last year-see sig)

Anyway I plan to keep my old memory SDRAM and am looking at:

K7S5a from newegg $54 and free ship
AMD processor 1.3 retail CPU from new egg $59 and free ship
Antec SX835II case with 350 PS from Provantage.com for $87.39 shipped (beats newegg price by $13)

Now if I can just slide it under the Christmas tree when no one is looking.....

Ken

 

[kjacobs]

drjayphd,
I have a Asus P5A-B and a K6 3+ 450 CPU. The kids are saying, "Dad, its too slow!". (I also built a new PC last year-see sig)

Anyway I plan to keep my old memory SDRAM and am looking at:

K7S5a from newegg $54 and free ship
AMD processor 1.3 retail CPU from new egg $59 and free ship
Antec SX835II case with 350 PS from Provantage.com for $87.39 shipped (beats newegg price by $13)

Now if I can just slide it under the Christmas tree when no one is looking.....

Ken

 

[techietam]

Now if I can just slide it under the Christmas tree when no one is looking.....

5AM should be a good time to do it

 

[Cerb]

KJacobs -- for $59 for the retail duron, why not get the OEM 1.4 Athlon (1600+) and a cooling fan? Only like $5 more and the difference is noticeable.

 

[kjacobs]

I guess I just want to be sure I get the right heatsink
That's why I bought an XP 1600+ retail last fall.

Ken

 

[piasabird]

www.newegg.com
check out Asus A7N266 VM

 

[Widedaimon]

There's a lot of good advice above. I'd put in a plug for the A-Open AK75, an SiS 745 board that's $63 at Newegg. DDR only, but IMO it's the best SiS board out there now (except maybe the AK75 Pro, which nobody seems to have). Solid, better quality control than most, and decent onboard sound. With Newegg's price so cheap ($54) on the Athlon XP 1600, there's no point in messing with the Durons. I just saw a closeout on Thermalright SLK 600 heatsinks for $10, a helluva deal. Unfortunately, I can't remember where, but maybe a search will find it for you.

 

[optimistic]

AMD Athlon XP 2000+ with Soyo Dragon Lite KT333 for $149

I don't know if there's one in Connecticut, but it's on sale right now at Fry's Electronics (LA Circular).

They also sometimes have on sale.

AMD Athlon XP 1800+ with MSI K7T266 Pro2a for $109
AMD Athlon XP 1800+? w/ FIC (ATI integrated) FT31? for $149

 

[optimistic]

Ok, assuming there's no Fry's in CT and I was in your situation with $150 to spend I'd be looking for:

1. Integrated motherboard
2. Processor w/ Heatsink
3. Ram

After a thorough search I ended up with this

1. A7N266-VM $69 newegg.com *free shipping.
2. XP1600+ $54 newegg.com *free shipping. Heatsink $5
3. 2x128mb PC2100 $40 or 256mb PC2100 $35 (After Rebate).


TOTAL: $163 + CT tax for RAM & SVC s/h.

This is the best setup you can get for your money. (Save that extra $13!)

So start backing up your data! Hope you enjoy your new computer! Good luck!

 

[Cerb]

I might have to save this thread just for links to combo deals! On getting the right heatsink...the 1600+ is great (not Alpha great, but better than coolermaster great) with the igloo 2310 or 2320 (the 2320 has a better clip, and both of them have veyr easy to install clips). My 1800+ is using a 2310 right now and I'm getting readings of 38ºC, which is entirely innacurrate :Q, but the HSF is far hotter (a good thing in this case) and moving much more air than the retail coolermaster or dynatrons will (I went from the retail coolermaster to the igloo due to the fan whine), and the fan noise is lower frequency.

 

[StudebakerHawk]

Whole lotta great info here. I've already saved the recommendations to a doc file. Cool thing is that I was just planning on upgrading my Athlon 800 with onboard sound and video + a Vextrec 300w PSU to a a better performing setup with about $400 to spend. This is the system I was thinking about:

Gigabyte GA7VA
AMD XP2000
Corsair 256mb PC3200 cas2
GF3 Ti200 - 64mb or ATI 9000 - 64mb

I play the occasional game and would like to leave the door open for more high tech games in the future but this computer is mainly used for internet browsing, basic desktop publishing, office type stuff. I would like whatever I get to be very stable. I also wouldn't mind upgrading in a few years using as much of the original system as possible. My question is this, is this overkill? -and- Do I need a new PSU? Heatsink/Fan?

Any recommendations for the best bang for the buck?

 

[Cerb]

Slower RAM is about it (look at any review...except for OCing the FSB, DDR 333 is useless, and DDR400 is basically useless anyway, since it offers no better performance and it usually has the interleave lowered, hurting performance severely). Otherwise stick with that...the thing about leaving it open for future games is that you know you'll have to get a new video card then, so a GF3 or GF4 Ti 4200 for now.

New PSU...can't be sure. If you have a good 300w-400w one now (good brand and weight and at least 170w on the combined 3.3v and 5v), you should be fine...I've been using the Enlight 300w for about 2 years now...no troubles.

New HSF...if you're using the retail Duron PoS, yes (not that it's THAT bad, I guess...I got my Duron 800 to 1GHz no sweat using that thing). However, unless you're overlcocking (I'm not...yet...one day I'll feel like getting that unlocking kit), the retail one should be fine.

Overkill? There is no overkill! Since when did Word, Excel, and Outlook not need 1.7Ghz?

In any case, as long as you have room to upgrade the memory, it should be fine for a good while...maybe.

 

[StudebakerHawk]

So PC2100? Any brand? The CPU I found was not retail (no HSF), so any cheap HSF recommendations? The PSU I got is somewhat questionable so I think I'll get a 350-400W Antec or Enermax. Heard good things about them (in addition to your post).

Thanks.

 

[Cerb]

If you're not OCing, Kingston ValueRAM (most of the time it won't OC much at all, but it's rock solid at spec). If you are or may end up overclocking, Crucial. On the HSF...the igloos are nice for cheapo coolers, and have a very easy to use clip, which for a first-time Athlon user, will be good for you (the clip pressure required is very high, and with some crappy clips, you can hurt your fingers and maybe even the CPU).

 

[fictionalcharacter]

Hi, I am a fellow AOE player (socrilles), anyway I just built a system around the MSI Nforce flex atx board, unfortunately these are unavailable now but if you look at newegg they have the asus nforce board VM for around $70 this comes with onboard sound video network etc.... couple it with a xp 1600 or even a duron 1.3 ghz and a stick of 256 mb ddr and you will have IMO a great system for the price. Here is the breakdown of the one i just built

MSI board: $45
AMD 1.2 ghz low voltage processor $55
120 gig drive from staples $65 after MIR
256 mb ddr PNY from OD for $30
Netvista case $18
small cpu fan $8.50 from newegg refurbs
cdrw drive 24x $30 from compusa
Total $250ish (the msi board has a tv-out as will which makes this a perfect home entertainment)
the case only had a 95 W PS but it is enough to power everything