help my upgrade path

[Stunt]

hi, i'm very knowledgable in the hardware department, but when it comes to making a decision i'm stuck!
i have narrowed it down considerably.
basically i am on a budget so i'd like to keep costs down.
after doing a lot of research on dc rigs, it seems as though i should be using the exact same memory, or even tested memory.
i have decided on generic memory, because it's so cheap lately.
anyways. i am doing 512 now, maybe 1gb later.
considering these options i have decided on a sc rig.

Now do i still go sc nf2 or kt400 with ddr333 memory?
i am buying this weekend so dont suggest the new nf2 400.
is the nf2 worth the extra money ($30 CAN).
i dont know the speed difference between sc nf2 and kt400.

nf2 options:
ASUS A7N8X ($158), MSI K7N2-L ($128)
kt400 options:
MSI KTV4L ($100), ASUS A7V8X-X ($97)
plz take cost into account and plz give reasoning, not like "i heard nf2 is good"
post if you know what you are talking about...thanks

also processor wise.
i want to keep it quiet as possible so i dont want to oc, unless it is unlocked so that i can compensate with the multiplier.
which t-breds are unlocked btw

 

[Bonesdad]

If you are looking for a great cost effective NF2 board, consider the EPoX 8RDA+ ($89 shipped at newegg). Good, stable board with great onboard sound and LAN.

THEN, put the $$ you save toward good quality DDR RAM. Don't do the generic thing...get some good quality RAM from Crucial or Kingston. ALL memory is cheap now, don't skimp on this insanely important component. ESP if you ever think you might OC someday.

 

[Stunt]

i will not be ocing, i've been there done that.
i am more interested in having a quiet system.
those fans are too annoying.
anyways.
please pick something from the list because a) i cant get anything else for a decent price.
b) i live in canada so the mobo you suggested is $120 here so tell me where this money is that i am saving?

also you mention nf2, please tell me why you chose this option for a SC (single channel) configuration

 

[Stunt]

also you say that all ram is cheap?

here:
corsair 512mb pc2700 - $150
mushkin 512mb pc2700 - $159
OCZ 512mb pc2700 - $195
kigmax 512mb pc2700 - $95

now tell me why i should invest more money into ram that I will not use in DC config, or OCing

 

[Hanzou]

check out APower as the have some good prices on all parts and have 512MB PC2700 Infineon ram for $79 a stick. Don't know how good that ram is, anybody know?

 

[Stunt]

ya, and ncix has samsung pc2700 for $97

it is name brand generic if you can say that...
heh
ummm
for my needs the brand of ram is not really important imo
since im not ocing.
too lazy to get it shipped too.
rather just buy in ontario.
ottawa, toronto, kingston to be more specific

but any suggestions on cpu/mobo

 

[PraetorianGuards]

Stunt, where are you getting those numbers? If you're not OC'ing, paying the premium for Corsair or OCZ isn't worth it. 512MB of Crucial PC2700 was under $70 last time I checked.

EDIT: Oh, saw that you're in Canada

 

[Stunt]

anybody have some suggestions on the mobo/cpu...
the memory thing has been established

 

[Stunt]

bump

 

[Stunt]

bump again, come on guys...
somebody has to know something

 

[Budmantom]

I think it all depends what you want out of your rig. The better board is the nf2 (w/200fsb) if you looking into future proofing.

In a reality its what you can get a better price on (as long as its a quality board). I have a Gigabyte kt400 board, and I'll tell you what I like about it. It has a bunch of integrated features, cheap, it will take just about any new cpu, stable, it will take 256mb stick and 512mb stick.

It is not as fast as a lot of the nf2 boards but I doubt I would notice the difference, I can't crank up the fsb to 200 and plug in the new 3200+ but it looks like it will be the last athlon anyways so....

As far as the cpu you can't go wrong with the xp2100 and if you have a couple extra bills go for the xp2400 both are under $100. I doubt that googlegear ships to Canada but if the do they have crosair for $52 for 512.

Get a nice board for $90, xp2400/$95, 1gb crosair for $105 and a Ti4200 for another $100 and you have one stout rig-on-a-budget. Well that US prices anyway.

Good luck,

Tom

 

[Budmantom]

Here is a stupid question for you, why don't you have someone in the US buy the stuff from Newegg and ship it to you?