I have $500 to build a new system; please suggest components.

[bupkus]

I have $500 to build a new system; please suggest components.

I already have some parts, so what I need is a fast pc for some gaming, burning DVDs and miscellaneous stuff.
I'm thinking of going with AMD but it's not a lock.

Parts needed are:

motherboard/cpu combo
hsf
video card - thinking of spending about $150 - $200 here.
keyboard


we already have:

dvd burner, dvd drive
(2) modules of 256MB of HyperX PC3500
CoolerMaster case (black and silver) colors for entire system
explorer mouse

 

[Corsairpro]

need hard drive, monitor, speakers?

 

[Markfw]

OK, these are from newegg.com XP2500 Barton $92 retail (including HSF), motherboard ASUS A7N8X-X retail $82.99, better HSF Vantec C7040 $28, Sapphire Radeon 9700 pro refurb $237, keyboard generic $10, total $450 not including shiiping, which should be mostly free.

 

[dexvx]

Check AT Hot Deals forum now and then.

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.cfm?catid=40&threadid=1104045

 

[Slammy1]

ABIT IS7 $108
P4 2.4C $172 (Retail, w/ HSF)
9700NP $219
Keyboard $1

All the numbers are from NewEgg, except the keyboard which I just made up to match your budget.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: Slammy1
ABIT IS7 $108
P4 2.4C $172 (Retail, w/ HSF)
9700NP $219
Keyboard $1

All the numbers are from NewEgg, except the keyboard which I just made up to match your budget.

Why do you even suggest this ? That Barton and 9700 pro suggested will blow this thing out of the water EVEN if you OC it ? This is a MONEY thing, not an Intel AMD thing BTW...

 

[Ionizer86]

I'd get the AMD and save tons of $. BTW, A7N8X boards can be had for so cheap now?

 

[bupkus]

The person I'm building it for does some very mild gaming so the vid isn't that high on the priority list, although that could change once he dumps that Matrox G450 w/ 16MB DDR.
Also, although I have been reading the comments of owners of the 2.4CGHz P4 and about how Intel chipsets are basically more stable, I'll first consider a mainboard with the nForce 2 chipset. I've build two epox 8RDA+ machines and both are unreasonably stable and consistant. I just can't decide which nForce 2 board to use this time around.

My big quandary is the mainboard.
He doesn't need RAID, or SATA cause he's got a Maxtor 80GB drive already.
Forget built in video.
Sound? Yah, that's the ticket.
LAN? yah, but just one.
Overclocked? Check out that memory, baby! fsb at 200 me thinks.
Ok now, what fits that bill?

 

[Playmaker]

Why not go Abit IS7-E instead of IS7? Save $10 more and only difference is RAID and Firewire I believe...Upgrade the 9700np at $219 to a 9800np at $244. Many many people seem to have the 2.4C at 3.0ghz on stock cooling. Don't know if it will blow the AMD set up out of the water, but it's definitely an alternative to look into.

I'm in the process of building a new comp and the AMD mobo + Barton 2500+ + aftermarket HSF seemed to save $50 compared to the Abit IS7-E + P4 2.4C with retail HSF.

Wouldn't he be better off spending the additional $50 since he already has GREAT RAM (2x256MB HyperX PC3500) with which to run in an OCed P4 board?

To simplify the above...

Abit IS7-E - $98
P4 2.4C Retail - $172
Sapphire 9800 OEM - $244
Keyboard - $1

That's $515. I believe all those parts have free shipping atm from the stores I'm quoting prices besides the Keyboard. $15 over budget, but hey, you get what you pay for in regards to longevity...

 

[Ionizer86]

Mild gaming? Radeon 9100, $50 to $70ish range. Fits the bill very well! Around a Geforce 3 Ti500 in performance. If you can get a GF4 Ti 4200 for $80 to $90, then it may be worth spending extra, otherwise, this Radeon does quite well for that $.

 

[mechBgon]

Is your power supply a respectable 300W+ unit? If not, consider that $39-shipped Enlight 360W unit at Newegg. Don't want to have your new hotrod crashing & burning at random for lack of well-regulated power, now...

Newegg's also got a Logitech keyboard/mouse bundle for under $20 IIRC.

You might also consider the Asus A7N8X-X, which is a single-channel nForce2 board. I had one here to test for a day and it performed great. Even though the board uses the less-fancy southbridge without the nVidia APU, it sounded good to me in UT2003 with EAX enabled... and my usual gaming board does have the fancy nVidia APU. Same sound, maybe just more of a CPU hit.

The A7N8X-X is priced lower than its dual-channel bretheren, and you don't take too drastic of a hit by losing dual-channel DDR in most apps/games (something like 1%-5%).

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: Playmaker
Why not go Abit IS7-E instead of IS7? Save $10 more and only difference is RAID and Firewire I believe...Upgrade the 9700np at $219 to a 9800np at $244. Many many people seem to have the 2.4C at 3.0ghz on stock cooling. Don't know if it will blow the AMD set up out of the water, but it's definitely an alternative to look into.

I'm in the process of building a new comp and the AMD mobo + Barton 2500+ + aftermarket HSF seemed to save $50 compared to the Abit IS7-E + P4 2.4C with retail HSF.

Wouldn't he be better off spending the additional $50 since he already has GREAT RAM (2x256MB HyperX PC3500) with which to run in an OCed P4 board?

To simplify the above...

Abit IS7-E - $98
P4 2.4C Retail - $172
Sapphire 9800 OEM - $244
Keyboard - $1

That's $515. I believe all those parts have free shipping atm from the stores I'm quoting prices besides the Keyboard. $15 over budget, but hey, you get what you pay for in regards to longevity...

About the Intel slice, I've been interested because of the enthusiasm by the Intel 2.4C crowd.
I already have a 1700+ 'B' I was going to use, unless he decides afterwards that a Barton is needed.
Another question... which AMD cpu (or better said, what AMD cpu at 200 fsb speed) would I need youthinks to match the overclocked P4 2.4C??? I figure either config is my cost/performance ceiling.

I wish this were easier. (Emotion icon for getting tired of this already)

 

[mechBgon]

Heck, get one of each

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Is your power supply a respectable 300W+ unit? If not, consider that $39-shipped Enlight 360W unit at Newegg. Don't want to have your new hotrod crashing & burning at random for lack of well-regulated power, now...

Newegg's also got a Logitech keyboard/mouse bundle for under $20 IIRC.

You might also consider the Asus A7N8X-X, which is a single-channel nForce2 board. I had one here to test for a day and it performed great. Even though the board uses the less-fancy southbridge without the nVidia APU, it sounded good to me in UT2003 with EAX enabled... and my usual gaming board does have the fancy nVidia APU. Same sound, maybe just more of a CPU hit.

The A7N8X-X is priced lower than its dual-channel bretheren, and you don't take too drastic of a hit by losing dual-channel DDR in most apps/games (something like 1%-5%).

Darn, I forgot about the PS. Well, I have an extra Antec 330W True Power PS sittin' around I suppose can be put to work.

About other components, these folks are very color coordination aware. The keyboard must match the black and silver case as will the MS explorer mouse.

As for the single/dual question... I already have the 2 mem modules.

What do you folks think of the epox 8rda+ or 8rda3+. I think the sound on the older model is better/cheaper. What of the MSI K7N2 Delta-L for about $87 or the popular Soltek SL-75FRN2-L for around $89. Why is Gigabyte so expensive? I never used that or Abit before. The only ASUS I've used was the A7N266.

Probably the most important question to ask first is which platform will provide the highest overall satisfaction index?

 

[bupkus]

Sorry, I've been rambling. Lets keep it simple.

If I use the P4 2.4C OC'd to over 3.0GHz which mobo would you recommend?

I I use the XP OC'd to over 2.0GHz which mobo would you recommend?

 

[mechBgon]

You can use your two modules on the A7N8X-X just like any other nForce2 board, if that wasn't quite apparent.

 

[Markfw]

Originally posted by: bupkus
Sorry, I've been rambling. Lets keep it simple.

If I use the P4 2.4C OC'd to over 3.0GHz which mobo would you recommend?

I I use the XP OC'd to over 2.0GHz which mobo would you recommend?

2.0 ghz ? Try 2.2-2.4 ghz(up to 3200+ speeds). With my latest experience with Nvidia, I would almost recommend an ASUS A7V333. My best motherboard ever. Running a 2400 at 2700 speeds and not breaking a sweat. I haven't even tried hard to OC to the max, and rock solid. My A7N8X deluxe aborts more times than I care to tell (5 a night depending on the game) As I said before in this price range EVEN AT OC SPEEDS you can't beat AMD.

Edit: I am pretty sure the nforce2 problems with the A7N8X are soundstorm issues, not the actual chipset, so my earlier recommendation of an A7N8X-X might still work OK

 

[Playmaker]

The last thing this thread needs is an Intel vs. AMD debate. I've owned 2 Intel machines in the past, my current machine is an AMD, the machine I am ordering parts for this weekend will 99% likely be Intel. I personally think the fanbois are fools with their Intel vs. AMD crap. Same goes for ATI vs. nVidia and same went for 3dfx vs. nVidia and Creative vs. Everyone in the past. When you build/upgrade computers based on brand loyalty you lose because of the fact that the quality of a company's products can and does change overnight. I choose what parts are the standouts regardless of brands.

Here is a link to the latest review on Anandtech that contains benchmarks of your two choices (AMD Barton 2500+ at 3200+ speed and P4 2.4C at 3.0C speed). The AMD board they use for the tests is the popular Asus A7N8X and the Intel board is an 875P made by Intel. Check motherboard reviews to see speed increases from the branded boards as they are faster then the base Intel board. The conclusion in that review pretty much sums up what I found out from the last week and a half of research on what my new comp would be...

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: Markfw900

Originally posted by: Slammy1
ABIT IS7 $108
P4 2.4C $172 (Retail, w/ HSF)
9700NP $219
Keyboard $1

All the numbers are from NewEgg, except the keyboard which I just made up to match your budget.

Why do you even suggest this ? That Barton and 9700 pro suggested will blow this thing out of the water EVEN if you OC it ? This is a MONEY thing, not an Intel AMD thing BTW...

Because once you factor in all the crap that comes along with the AMD junk (Getting a new HSF, conflics ETC) and not the mention you say it will blow it away. Lets see some proof? All the benchamrks on the web and my personal benchmarks kill the Barton (overrated POS). And the price is almost the same +- a few bucks.

 

[Playmaker]

All the benchamrks on the web and my personal benchmarks kill the Barton (overrated POS).

Heh, that is pretty much what I was trying to say, only in a nicer way ;D

 

[carpenter]

Don't try and build a $250,00.00 house for $50,000.00. I'm not an AMD vs Intel person, but the AMD's are cheap right now. Even a $50 xp2000 will do what your asking. And I've seen some 9000 Pro 128's for about $100. On board sound to get buy. I bought a mouse keyboard combo from Office Max the other day for $9 and they work great. Some very good AMD boards are going for around $80 with no frills. If budget is the thing, color coordinating better take a back seat. I bought a decent set of Logitech speakers a while back for $30. And found a guy who had 4 NEC 21" monitors for $150 a piece. Course they don't match my case.

 

[bupkus]

Originally posted by: Playmaker
The last thing this thread needs is an Intel vs. AMD debate. I've owned 2 Intel machines in the past, my current machine is an AMD, the machine I am ordering parts for this weekend will 99% likely be Intel. I personally think the fanbois are fools with their Intel vs. AMD crap. Same goes for ATI vs. nVidia and same went for 3dfx vs. nVidia and Creative vs. Everyone in the past. When you build/upgrade computers based on brand loyalty you lose because of the fact that the quality of a company's products can and does change overnight. I choose what parts are the standouts regardless of brands.

Here is a link to the latest review on Anandtech that contains benchmarks of your two choices (AMD Barton 2500+ at 3200+ speed and P4 2.4C at 3.0C speed). The AMD board they use for the tests is the popular Asus A7N8X and the Intel board is an 875P made by Intel. Check motherboard reviews to see speed increases from the branded boards as they are faster then the base Intel board. The conclusion in that review pretty much sums up what I found out from the last week and a half of research on what my new comp would be...

I've followed your link and the argument is pretty convincing. For me personally, I would still stick with AMD. Why? Uhhh.., don't know other than I've got alot of AMD parts, but they're for low end systems for kids. My nForce2 pc is nice enough for whatever I do, but this new system is for a relative who has, as said in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, "...the chinks".

So now that I'm gonna recommend he buys Intel, which mobo? I suppose I should ask if he needs Firewire although that should probably be considered a given, "just in case".
I have a big ass Zalman CNPS7000-Cu I bought for my next pc whether a P4 or Opteron I suppose I can sell him in case his retail hsf doesn't cool an OC'd P4 enough.

 

[OnetimeXP]

Originally posted by: bupkus
I have $500 to build a new system; please suggest components.

I already have some parts, so what I need is a fast pc for some gaming, burning DVDs and miscellaneous stuff.
I'm thinking of going with AMD but it's not a lock.

Parts needed are:

motherboard/cpu combo
hsf
video card - thinking of spending about $150 - $200 here.
keyboard


we already have:

dvd burner, dvd drive
(2) modules of 256MB of HyperX PC3500
CoolerMaster case (black and silver) colors for entire system
explorer mouse

My suggestions:
MSI K7N2 Delta-L nForce2 (400MHz) $99.00
up to XP 3000+
Chipset/FSB: NVIDIA nForce2, 266/333/400 MHz
Memory: 3 x DDR400 up to 3GB (2 x Dual Ch.)
Slots: AGP 8X Pro, 5 x PCI, 1 x ACR
Ports: 6 x USB 2.0, 1 x Serial, 1 x Parallel
IDE: 2 x UATA/133
Audio/LAN: 5.1, 10/100
http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4854851

Athlon XP 2500+ (price varies, $88.00 on pricewatch, $102.00 in most stores)

Gainward Ultra/780 FX5600 256M Video Card w/ TV Out, DVI- $189.99
http://www.pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A9602993

CPU fan Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $30.00

Any Logitech keyboard will do, $10-15

I always use MSI if it's up to me (sometimes customers want something else) because in my experience the quality, stability and price has been outstanding with MSI boards.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Markfw900

Originally posted by: Slammy1
ABIT IS7 $108
P4 2.4C $172 (Retail, w/ HSF)
9700NP $219
Keyboard $1

All the numbers are from NewEgg, except the keyboard which I just made up to match your budget.

Why do you even suggest this ? That Barton and 9700 pro suggested will blow this thing out of the water EVEN if you OC it ? This is a MONEY thing, not an Intel AMD thing BTW...

That rig will have no trouble reaching 3.0ghz with good ram, probably more like 3.2-3.3.

 

[Slammy1]

LOL. I have the 2.4C w/ HyperX 3500 and I run 3.3GHz, but I do run a Zalman 7000CU for HSF. An NForce2 board is fast, and I would not discourage that option, but an XP3200 < Intel 3.2GHz. Of course, everybody thinks their solution is the best. No offense taken.