How's this for a "Budget Barebones"?

[MercenaryForHire]

I've been requested to requisition a cheap, quiet, AMD-based barebones. Overclockability is not a must, but a bonus. After a bit of searching, I cobbled together this.

- Sempron 2800+ (Palermo, 64-bit) - CDN$100
- MSI nF4-4x based board (PCIe on S754) - CDN$100
- 2x512MB Corsair VS PC3200 - CDN$130
- Passive-cooled PCIe gF6600 - CDN$150

Will be used as a family PC, running the gamut from heavy-duty Office to some gaming. The vanilla 6600 should be able to keep up at slightly reduced res/detail levels, and the Palermo-core Sempron with the nF4 board should be able to OC nicely for that added kick, while remaining cool enough to not need a Screaming Loud HSF Unit (TM).

All prices are new, in Canadian dollars. Keep in mind the market is a smidgen pricier up here, and buying used is trying to be avoided.

Opinions?

- M4H

 

[n7]

Seems like a good budget system to me.

 

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: n7
Seems like a good budget system to me.

Ya, but Maybe I would try going with a more overclockable board instead of the PCI-E slot?

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: Hacp

Originally posted by: n7
Seems like a good budget system to me.

Ya, but Maybe I would try going with a more overclockable board instead of the PCI-E slot?

It's not meant to set any OC records. And correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't the nF4 chipset be at worst a "decent" overclocking base?

My other alternative is an nF3-based board and AGP video card.

- M4H

 

[valkator]

yea i ordered something similar for a cheapo fileserver that supported the AMD64 version of VLOS 1.2. Except i got this really cheap ECS motherboard for like 50 bucks

 

[SickBeast]

For the extra $50-75 I would definately go with a 6600GT, an A64 2800+, and a decent motherboard made by Asus/Abit.

I've heard too many stories about MSI boards melting down due to cheap capacitors. I even had a board go myself so I stay away from them.

Good luck. Sounds like good bang for the buck. It's a shame AMD raised their prices so high.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
For the extra $50-75 I would definately go with a 6600GT, an A64 2800+, and a decent motherboard made by Asus/Abit.

I've heard too many stories about MSI boards melting down due to cheap capacitors. I even had a board go myself so I stay away from them.

Good luck. Sounds like good bang for the buck. It's a shame AMD raised their prices so high.

I can switch it to a K8N for no change in price, and another CDN$120 gets a 6600GT and a S754 A64 2800+.

But that's going from $480 to $600; and it's not my money.

- M4H

 

[n7]

Bah, MSI is fine.

I personally would recommend against any Asus mobo, since they seem to to have just as many if not more issues than other brands these days.
Plus, they are way overpriced.
BTW, i have owned two Asus mobos, & they were my last two also, unless every other mobo manufacturer dies out there.

Also, long time no see SickBeast
Did you leave us for THG forums or sumthin' ?

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire

Originally posted by: SickBeast
For the extra $50-75 I would definately go with a 6600GT, an A64 2800+, and a decent motherboard made by Asus/Abit.

I've heard too many stories about MSI boards melting down due to cheap capacitors. I even had a board go myself so I stay away from them.

Good luck. Sounds like good bang for the buck. It's a shame AMD raised their prices so high.

I can switch it to a K8N for no change in price, and another CDN$120 gets a 6600GT and a S754 A64 2800+.

But that's going from $480 to $600; and it's not my money.

- M4H

That much difference in price? :Q

At least I tried...

Actually, I would still do it for that much more, my money or not.

 

[Hacp]

Ya but on one of the newegg reviews, it said Vcore was limited to 1.49 for 2800+ semprons...

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

On Wednesday I'll be getting a new Sempron 64 2800+ setup. I'll be overclocking with an nForce3 250 GB board and the bundled retail cooler. We'll see how far I can get: I'm hoping 2.2 GHz, but I'll be satisfied with 2.0 GHz.

I'm not sure how nF4 boards are for overclocking, though.