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Help! Out of the hardware loop, under $300 puter specs review

R

rky60

Golden Member
I'm throwin together a system, it needs to be under $300 shipped. I already have these parts:

Monitor
Keyboard
Mouse
Hard drive
Floppy
OS

The system will be used for internet browsin, burnin music and playin' cheesy casino type games, nothin heavy. Onboard video and sound will do just fine. I put together a list at the Egg, check it out here. The case is a bit cheesy 🙂 Can I do better?

Edit: With shipping it all comes to $298

List of parts: Updated

AMD Athlon XP 2400+ "Thoroughbred" 266 FSB, 256K Cache Processor - Retail $72
BIOSTAR nForce2 IGP Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "M7NCG 400" -Retail $65
Crucial 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-2100 4T - OEM $52
Lite-On Beige 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive, Model LTR-52327S BEIGE, Retail $35.00
ANTEC Solution Series Beige Mini Tower Case with 300W Power Supply, Model "SLK1600" -Retail $48
 
Originally posted by: vshah
motherboard?? unless i'm goin blind you don't have one in your wishlist on the egg.

-Vivan
Click to expand...

BIOSTAR nForce2 IGP Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "M7NCG 400" -Retail $65

Y do u need a regular cd-rom drive if u have a CD-RW drive? the liton CD-RW is alrdy 52x, if u want a cd-rom drive dont get a liteon, it is way to loud for my taste, like u can notice it over high volume music


~RaNDoM
 
If you dont use a cd drive to much, aside from installs & such, you should go with just the burner. If your going to be ripping a decent amount of cds, & playing games from cds, you should get a seperate drive. I do agree that the lite-ons are irritating. A cheap a-open might sound better.

If your current hd isn't at least a 7200, I'd recommend getting an upgrade in that region. Probably the most ignored, yet most signifigant increases come for upgrading your hd.

Case looks a little funny. Hundreds of cases on newegg; somethings bound to be better. Get one you can appreciate, along with a cheap, yet sturdy sparkle or enlight psu. The stock power supplies are usually real shoddy worksmanship.
 
Thanks for the tips everyone 🙂

I got rid of the cd-rom as suggested, since I have a beige one that i'm pullin from the partin' out system that'll do just fine. I spent the extra on the case. Total is still $298 even 🙂

Yeah the HDD is 7200RPM but only 20G, I think i'm ok there..

Not orderin until Monday probably, so I got some time to change things around

Thanks again Anandtech
 
Instead of the 350 w Antec get this 350w Fortan Source Powersupply (a very repuatable maker as well)

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=17-104-986&depa=1

Total Cost 27$ vs 47$


Then get this mobile barton 2400 chip instead of the one you selected. This one runs cooler, and is not multiplier locked (easily overclockable).
It has 512 of cache rather than 256 as well, a nice boost 🙂.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-400&depa=0

Total Cost 78$ vs 72$

Also for cases I've been tickled with this one I got from Newegg. It is a Raidmax case. No powersupply by default. It is highly reviewed and much liked at newegg. It is only 22$, but has no sharp edges, easy to install, and looks great. Has front USB 2.0 ports and includes a nice side casefan 🙂. It has tons of room for expansion, and is very easy to work inside of. I've used this case for 4 builds for friends family and myself with nary a complaint.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-011&depa=0

Total Cost 22$ vs 40+$

With the extra money you saved with the lower cost powersupply and case, try to boost your ram to 512 megs. Don't be afraid to buy Kingston Value Ram if pc2100 is your desired speed. I've got two sticks and they never miss a beat. I would not stray from Kingston, Crucial, or Mushkin. There are some nice other brands, but many of those are dedicated to O'clockers.


Just my suggestion 🙂

 
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