How does this config look?

[nbarb99]

I'm building a computer for my friend.. boy seems like everyone here is doing that 🙂

Anyway, how does this configuration look:

Motherboard: Biostar M7VIT Pro
CPU: Athlon XP (Barton) 2500+
HSF: Coolermaster DP5-7JD1B (quiet fan)
Storage: Western Digital 80GB "Special Edition"
Memory: Crucial 256MB DDR PC2700
PS/Case: nice modded case from local store
Video: ATI Radeon 9200 128MB DDR (8X AGP)

Total Cost: $436.99

I think that's a great price for a moderatly good gaming machine.
From my weak estimations it should crank out 80-100 FPS on America's Army, we'll see..

Before some one says it, yes, I know 256MB is a little low nowadays! The plan is to get the computer up and running and then get another 256MB stick.

<thinking out loud>yikes, now that I think about it, it might be more cost-effective to get a 512MB stick now instead of 2x 256MB..</thinking out loud>

Anyway, tips? comments? suggestions? criticisms?

 

[boyRacer]

Yep... more ram. 😀 Other than that... looks fine to me if you have to work within a budget. Some people might have other mobo recommendations though.

 

[MournSanity]

Motherboard: Biostar M7VIT Pro <--- Crap, get an 8RDA+
CPU: Athlon XP (Barton) 2500+ <--- Good Choice
HSF: Coolermaster DP5-7JD1B (quiet fan) <--- Coolermaster sucks, get a Thermalright SK-7 with a panaflo fan
Storage: Western Digital 80GB "Special Edition" <--- Good choice
Memory: Crucial 256MB DDR PC2700 <---- Get a PC3200 stick
PS/Case: nice modded case from local store <------ Whatever
Video: ATI Radeon 9200 128MB DDR (8X AGP) <----Not going to run well with America's army or any future games, get a Radeon 9600 Pro


Also, buy your stuff at ONE PLACE, like www.newegg.com, to save on shipping and stuff. Good luck.

 

[MournSanity]

Here, I put together a system from newegg. A little bit higher in price, but will OWN the system you built in every way:

Thermalright SK-7 ( Heatsink ONLY ). All Copper heat spread. $19.99

Panasonic Panaflo Axial Fan 80x80x25.5mm, Ball Bearing, DC 12V, 3.24W, 3450 RPM, 46.9 CFM, 38.2 dB-A Model: FBA08A12U - OEM $8.00

GEIL 256MB PC-3200 (400MHz) DDR RAM, 6 Layer Ultra Low Noise Shielded PCB, 32x8 Low Density/Unbuffered, Model# GE2563200 $45.00

Epox Motherboard for AMD Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# EP-8RDA+ $83.00

AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL $96.00

ATI OEM SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800 128MB Non Pro DVI/TV 8X AGP BULK $259.00


TOTAL: $510.99


It should be VERY OVERCLOCKABLE system. Also, if you want to shave $100, get a Radeon 9600 Pro, or better, a Radeon 9500 Pro.

 

[nbarb99]

Wow, thanks hypersonic!

 

[neway317]

Changing the video card to 9800 was the key difference in my opinion on that system. The ATI cards didn't really start beating the NVIDIA cards until the 9700 came out, i think...

 

[Loobusk]

Also, buy your stuff at ONE PLACE, like www.newegg.com, to save on shipping and stuff. Good luck.

This is NOT always true... you should try to buy similar sized components ie. CPU, motherboard and, memory from one place that has it cheaper like newegg, and then if you also needed to buy a monitor, printer, or other software you still can save money shipping included by buying from other stores as well that sells THOSE items for less.
Your best bet is to shop around for the best deals instead of just relying on what other people say about a certain seller.

 

[MournSanity]

Originally posted by: Loobusk

Also, buy your stuff at ONE PLACE, like www.newegg.com, to save on shipping and stuff. Good luck.

This is NOT always true... you should try to buy similar sized components ie. CPU, motherboard and, memory from one place that has it cheaper like newegg, and then if you also needed to buy a monitor, printer, or other software you still can save money shipping included by buying from other stores as well that sells THOSE items for less.
Your best bet is to shop around for the best deals instead of just relying on what other people say about a certain seller.

I guess that's true for monitors and printers, but in my experience, I usually find the monitors or printers cheaper at a store and I never buy them online. I guess if you want to buy the "guts" of a computer, it is best to get it from one place. And what I mean by that was, don't buy every part from a different retailer as they all have different shipping/tax charges.

 

[nbarb99]

Well, actually, my friend already has all the peripherals (including a 19" monitor.. :Q) so I'll be buying all the parts online.

Basically, I will buy the parts from either newegg.com or googlegear.com, whichever has a cheaper price, since both of them usually include free shipping. I also make sure it's the RETAIL version if possible since OEM equipment usually has a lousy warranty... 🙁

 

[Holmecollie]

I think you should replace the 9800Pro and 256 RAM with a 9700pro and 512 RAM <- In reply to Hypersonic 5

9700Pro is still a very good graphics card that hangs on to the 9800Pro quite well, however 512ram makes a huge differance to 256ram

 

[MournSanity]

Originally posted by: Holmecollie
I think you should replace the 9800Pro and 256 RAM with a 9700pro and 512 RAM <- In reply to Hypersonic 5

9700Pro is still a very good graphics card that hangs on to the 9800Pro quite well, however 512ram makes a huge differance to 256ram

Hmmm, I added a Radeon 9800 NON PRO to the system. It was $259 at newegg. The cheapest 9700 NP at newegg was only $19 less so I chose this one. 512 ram would be good if you are running Windows XP. I guess you could always upgrade later.

 

[xenos500]

for $6 more you can have a much faster, more reliable, much larger drive.

Seagate 120GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive Barracuda 7200.7 ST3120022A - OEM
Specifications:
Size: 120 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100
Seek time: 9.4ms
RPM:7200
Data Transfer: 100MB/sec
Cache 2MB

$92 @ Newegg w/ free shipping
AND you get a free newegg pen 🙂

 

[BaboonGuy]

those pens are nice

 

[nbarb99]

What about a 9600 non-pro or a 9500 non-pro.

Also, I'm not really concerned about overclocking here, most likely, it won't be overclocked.