I have to build a computer in 48 hours. What should it be?

[Cybordolphin]

Need to build a computer in 48 hours. Need to know if I should go with AMD or INTEL.

Want to keep around (or under ) $1,000.

Let me know your thoughts.

 

[Siddhartha]

Does that $1000 include a monitor?

What applications will you be using?

 

[John]

Originally posted by: Cybordolphin
Need to build a computer in 48 hours. Need to know if I should go with AMD or INTEL.

Want to keep around (or under ) $1,000.

Let me know your thoughts.

You should buy the parts locally then. Amd or Intel....flip a coin. Depending on the apps you might even be able to use the via c3 cpu.

 

[m1ke101]

what kind of tasks will you be doing? are you going to play games on the computer?

 

[chucky2]

Cybordolphin- Haven't done this in a while, so I'll take a go at it...

First, I echo both posts by Dr Smooth and John. I'm going to ASSume that you aren't including the monitor in that price, and that you'll be using it for gaming, and that you want it to be upgradable until Clawhammer comes out and is affordable. I don't know much about Intel's, I'll stick with AMD:

Case: A ton of options here, get something you like with a quality power supply - $130 (about)
Motherboard: A7N8X Deluxe at NewEgg - $150
CPU: AMD Athlon XP 1800+/266 FSB Processor CPU, Athlon XP 1800+/ 1.53GHz - Retail at NewEgg - $78
RAM: Samsung Original DDR333 PC-2700 256MB CAS2.5 - OEM Version at NewEgg - $83x2->$166
HD: WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 80GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD800JB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY at NewEgg - $116
CD-R/RW: YAMAHA CD-RW 44x24x44 MODEL # CRWF1 EB10C - OEM Bulk Pack at NewEgg - $128
DVD: PIONEER INTERNAL ATAPI 16X DVD-ROM MODEL DVD-117 - OEM, DRIVE ONLY at NewEgg
Video: Whatever floats your boat (probably either nVidia or ATI) - $200 (about)
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 1 - OEM Full Version at NewEgg - $143

Total: $1157

Granted, you can drive the cost down if you already have Windows or some of the other components. It amazes me what kind of computer can be put together now compared to Sept. of '97 when I built my Aunt's.

Chuck

EDIT: Man, I hate it when it find something in your post that it doesn't like and screwes the formatting all up.

 

[Markfw]

To add to Chucky2's post, I like everything he said, except, motherboard A7V8x, $134, and Video Radeon 8500 128 meg, about $100.

 

[tart666]

Why don't you go to the front page, click on "guides", and look up the parts you need.

Then go a local store and buy what they have

 

[optimistic]

My vale rig suggestion

Asus A7N266-VM $68 shipped.
- Nvidia Nforce GeFORCE2 Video
- AC97and Dolby Digital (AC-3) Encoder Audio
- Onboard LAN:10/100 Mbps
AMD Athlon XP 1700+ Thoroughbred $65 Shipped
Kingston ValueRAM 256MB PC2100 DDR x2 = $30
80gb Seagate Barracuda IV $89 @ Fry's
INWIN BLACK MICRO ATX TOWER CASEcase pic $38
SONY SPRESSA 40X/12X/48X BLACK $59 @ mwave
LITE ON 16X-DVD/48X-CDROM BLACK $45 @ mwave
Floppy Drive $8

end total: $402:Q

 

[Morph]

Not sure where you live, but if you have a Fryes nearby you can get everything there and not pay much more than buying online.

 

[chucky2]

I guess it really depends on what your going to be doing with your computer.

Also, just how far you want to be able to upgrade it in the future.

For example, we know for a fact that nForce2 will support Barton, so it is a sure upgrade route. With KT400A coming out sometime next year, I really can't see KT400 or KT333 boards being very attractive. I don't know if KT333 supports Barton, but I'm almost sure KT400 is supposed to. Somehow (Disclosure: I am biased against VIA), I don't get a warm fuzzy feeling when VIA goes KT333 then KT400 then KT400A, all with little performance increase. It just doesn't sit will with me.

As for picking an nForce2 motherboard over an nForce1, it was so you could have a sure upgrade path later on. The only reason to buy an nForce1 today is either you are really price constrained, or you need the integrated video the nForce1 boards offer (until IGP nForce2 hits the streets).

Another reason for picking the nForce2 board is that it has built as good as current add-in sound cards. We can all split hairs, but they are all close enough for what most of us do that they are equal except in terms of price, and that is built into the price of the mainboard. For $150 USD, the Asus nForce2 is a pretty good deal for a builder who doesn't have a good soundcard laying around. Find a soundcard as good as the one built into the nForce2 and add that price onto whatever KT333/KT400 board you're looking to get and I'll bet your at or over $150.

I'm really not up to par on video cards, so I didn't make a recomendation on one. As for Kingston RAM, I'll just say that I've less than stellar experiences with it. For me, Corsair, Crucial, or Mushkin are the only trusted options; with Corsair and Mushkin being the more high end stuff.

The front page is most likely out of date (as happens in our hobby), so it most likely isn't a good reference point.

Hope some of this helps!

Chuck

 

[Cybordolphin]

Thanks guys.....

And I was just about to go with a PENT 4 2.4 and Albatron PE motherboard.

I have been building AMD's now for just over a year... and was hoping the INTEL setup might be the best way to go now.

Are we sure that AMD is the best option? And yes this is without the monitor. Will be used for just about everything. Even some video editing. Games, net, office, you name it.

 

[RU482]

nm, thanks for not stating ANY details earlier