If you had $500, what's the best mobo/cpu/memory combo for performance?

[neutralizer]

I just killed my EP-8KHA+ with AXP 1600+ so I'm thinking of getting a new system. So anyone want to help me build a new system. I only need a new mobo, CPU, and new memory for the mobo. (I have 2 sticks of 256 mb Crucial DDR). Help please, I can't decide between AMD or Intel.

 

[Corporate Thug]

8rda+= $85
2500+ = $93
2 sticks of 512 pc3200 XMS = $200

 

[neutralizer]

Someone had told me to get 2.4c, asusp4pe, and 2 sticks of 256mb pc3200c2 xms. How's that compared to above?

 

[Megatomic]

Well, the 2.4c costs as much as the Barton 2500+ and the 8RDA+ put together. Then you have to buy the memory. At this stage of the game I don't see why any new system built for an enthusiast would contain less than 1GB of RAM. New games are going to perform better with more RAM available. Some already do...

And what I really don't get is why someone told you to get a 800MHz FSB chip and to put it in a 533MHz FSB motherboard. If you go 800MHz FSB, you really should get a Springdale-based motherboard. Some of them are not that expensive at all. The Abit IS7-E is going for $99 shipped at NewEgg. Yeah, if you were to get a P4C chip you really should go Springdale.

 

[neutralizer]

Oh yeah, I meant the Abit IS7 or the EPoX 4PDA2+. I think I'm okay with 512 mb of DDR though, I needed some more later I'd add them. At this point, I'm looking for maximum performance around the price range of $500 hopefully as fast as possible (I live in SoCal).

 

[LED]

8rda+= $85
1700+ OC'd to 2GHz = under $50
2 sticks of 512 pc3200 XMS = $200
Then use the extra cash for 9700 Vid card or similar

 

[neutralizer]

Originally posted by: LED
8rda+= $85
1700+ OC'd to 2GHz = under $50
2 sticks of 512 pc3200 XMS = $200
Then use the extra cash for 9700 Vid card or similar

That's not going to be a lot of performance...

 

[LED]

Maybe not to start but the 1700's are hitting over 2GHz (2400XP-2800XP's) and the Vid card will do you justice in future speed increases.
Edit=My bad I thought you had the Geforce2 Ti200, which would give a bottleneck to the set-up, still yet a bargain price for the Combo with cash to spare for later upgrades

 

[Murr]

2.4C
Abit IS7
2 x 512 MB Corsair XMS

Total = $498

I wouldn't get 2 x 256 because you'd just have to replace both sooner. I'd buy 1 x 512 MB and buy another when I could. Yes you'd have to live without dual-channel untill you get the cash, big deal.

 

[neutralizer]

Okay at this point, I have:

2 x 512 MB XMS3200C2 = $224
1 x 8RDA+ = $85
1 x Barton 2500+ = $92
Total = $401

OR

2 (1 might suffice for a while) x 512 MB XMS3200C2 = $224
1 x Abit IS7-E = $99
1 x P4 2.4C = 173
Total = $497

So which will it be? Unless someone else has a better performance design. Remember budget is around $500 (more or less) and if I get P4 though, I also need a new heatsink (I have an AX-7 on my AXP).

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: neutralizer
Okay at this point, I have:

2 x 512 MB XMS3200C2 = $224
1 x 8RDA+ = $85
1 x Barton 2500+ = $92
Total = $401

OR

2 (1 might suffice for a while) x 512 MB XMS3200C2 = $224
1 x Abit IS7-E = $99
1 x P4 2.4C = 173
Total = $497

So which will it be? Unless someone else has a better performance design. Remember budget is around $500 (more or less) and if I get P4 though, I also need a new heatsink (I have an AX-7 on my AXP).

The P4 2.4C is $178 Retail shipped at newegg.com which will come with a decent HSF combo. Unless you're overclocking, that should be fine. Even if you are going to OC, that will be fine people have hit 3ghz and even 3.2ghz with stock cooling. The Intel route will last longer for you. What about getting some non Corsair RAM? The difference between Cas 2.5 and Cas 2 is not a whole lot.

 

[ViRGE]

AgaBooga is right, the retail HSF will do fine. I just had a friend hit 3.25ghz with a 2.6C and retail HSF, on stock voltage none the less.:Q

 

[neutralizer]

06/15/2003 11:07 AM (NEW!)


Okay at this point, I have:

2 x 512 MB XMS3200C2 = $224
1 x 8RDA+ = $85
1 x Barton 2500+ = $92
Total = $401

OR

1 x 512 MB XMS3200C2 = $112
1 x Abit IS7-E = $99
1 x P4 2.4C Retail = 178
Total = $389

How's this? Does the stock cooling really allow OCs that high?

 

[Murr]

I would definitly go with the P4 setup. As for heat sinks, I think you got it backwards, most people buy a new one for AMDs. I heard that the 2.4C can be OCed to 3.0 on stock cooling.

 

[neutralizer]

Nice! Thanks guys, P4 it is.

 

[magomago]

HOLD UP!!!


You are going to starve that P4c by using only 1 stick of ram!!!

 

[mac35]

I agree with magomago, getting a springdale board without utilizing the dual channel memory feature is pointless. I would stick with the intel system but instead of getting 1 stick of 512MB RAM, get 2 sticks of 256 MB RAM. You'll still come in under $500 and the performance increase between single and dual channel is substantial.

Mac

 

[neutralizer]

Well then I might as well pay for 2 sticks of 512 MB that still puts me under $500, but according to Murr, he said that I should be able to live with single channel for a while until I get dual channel.

 

[jose]

I'd sell everything for what you could get.

And spend an addl. $97 for the following

Asus P4P800 $124
Intel P4 2.6C $231
2 - 512mb of Kingston HyperX ($121) $242


sys total $597 excl. shipping

Regards,
Jose

 

[neutralizer]

Well first of all I can't sell them because they're dead. So... is dual channel worth the extra $112 or should I wait till later when my monetary budget is significantly higher so I can afford another stick of 512 mb.

 

[Murr]

Originally posted by: neutralizer
Well first of all I can't sell them because they're dead. So... is dual channel worth the extra $112 or should I wait till later when my monetary budget is significantly higher so I can afford another stick of 512 mb.

I guess it depends on how long you'd have to wait. If you're talking like a year or something, then you might wanna go with 2 x 256. Since you said you could spend around $500 I assumed you could get an extra stick in the not-so-distant future. I'm just saying that if I were you, I'd get one stick of 512 and buy another one when I could, dual channel isn't a huge performance increaser, but you should utilize it when you can.

 

[neutralizer]

Well, since I'm without a computer now, I'll need it by next week and hopefully Monday.

 

[Murr]

I mean if you bought the computer now with 1 x 512, how long would you have to wait to get another 512 piece?

 

[neutralizer]

Well, depends on how much a difference it would make. I'm really not that impatient for double channel DDR, I just need a computer and I might as well get a good one while I can.

 

[Murr]

From what I've read, Dual Channel increases performance by about 5-10%. Seems a bit overrated to me, but this is just what I've read, I haven't gotten to experience it yet.

You could get by with 512 easily for most things. How you spread it is really just up to you. Personally, I would get 1 stick of 512 for now so that I would only have to buy one more 512 piece to have a gig running in dual channel. But if you're not going to upgrade for a long while, it would probably be better to get 2 x 256.