looking to build pc

[raudel]

hi
im looking to build a new pc, basically just for gaming purposes
i have a good video card already
i need help choosing a decent motherboard and cpu to go with it and a compatable case
im shooting for around 1ghz cpu but that can be subject to change
i need to keep this all under $500, preforably under $400 tho and if even less if possible.
you guys are the pros, can ya help me out?

 

[p0tempkin]

For under $400, you can pick up a $130 Epox 8K7A, $56 for 256MB Crucial PC2100 DDR RAM, a $130 OEM 1.2GHz 266MHz Athlon, and a $25 Alpha PAL6035 heatsink.

 

[tornado666]

your choices are limitless... This is a GREAT time to build a pc!!... if you have up to 400 to spend i would just get a good Athlon cpu/mobo combo like a 1.2ghz or higher an slap in 256megs of RAM (SDR or DDR) depending on what mobo you get... i would get a mobo that uses the AMD 760 chipset.. these are more expensive than VIA chipsets but their performance is better and supposedly more stable..

I would not recommend overclocking unless you just want to do it for fun becuase cpu prices are so low you might as well just get a basic mobo with the mhz you want cuz overclocking wont save you much and stability is not guaranteed plus a good o/c mobo costs more

getya a decent 50x cd rom and writer (or dvd if you need one) and a 30gig hard drive on sale and you shouldnt be out more than 400 or less depending on what parts you already have

 

[raudel]

p0temkin:
where can i find these prices?
what site?
thanks for your quick replies.

 

[nateholtrop]

ibuyer.net and pricewatch.com

nate

 

[p0tempkin]

And for the Crucial RAM, check here.

 

[raudel]

thanks
i already knew about crucial ram and was going to get some anyways
i found a local store in my hometown (austin) that has some really cheap prices
laboratorycomputers
thanks for your speedy advice guys
your really helpin me out alot

 

[loosbrew]

try newegg
i just purchased a new case w/ 300w PS, iwill kk266-r mobo, duron 750(you could always do better), ibm 20 gig 60 gxp, hercules 4500 kyrooII vid card, 52x aopen cdrom, and floppy for 480. if you already have a vid card, take out 110 from that price and use it towards a faster cpu. dont forget the cooling which adds another 30ish. and oh, also the ram from crucial for 60 shipped.

good luck
loosbrew

 

[p0tempkin]

Those prices are a little high, but for a local B&M, I guess it's pretty good.

 

[raudel]

what type of case should i get?
i need something that i can have space if i need to add into it.
im gonna go with the EPOX 8KTA3( is it the same as the 8KTA? ) and the 1 ghz athlon

 

[p0tempkin]

The Epox 8KTA3 is a good overall SDRAM based Athlon motherboard.

The Antec SX line is highly regarded around here; the SX830, SX1030 with 300W PSUs, and the newer SX840 and SX1040 w/ 400W PSUs.

 

[TruculentTucan]

for a good deal check out the enermax cs-a1qx-02. I have it, its an awsome case. It comes with an Enermax powersupply (300 watt) and you can get it from ctgdirect.com for 73 bucks shipped. By far the best deal I have ever seen on a case! Go for it man!

Good Luck,
Beau

 

[raudel]

okay
i have a question on this mother board :EPOX EP-8KA Motherboard
okay so goto that link, and my question is for that motherboard, does it have a sound card built-in already? i dont want to have to buy a whole new sound card if it has one in it already, but if i have to...thats okay too, it just saves me about 50 bucks.

okay heres my other question im looking at cd-roms
i dont need a dvd/cd-writer, just a regular cdrom
i found this one :Creative Lab 52X max Internal IDE CD-ROM Drive.
is this any good, i dont want to spend a crap load of money, because im kinda budgeted..i just need one that will work decently.
thanks in advance.

 

[raudel]

oh yeah also
will i need to buy fans/cooling?
if so what do you guys suggest?
will this case, Enermax CS-A1 QX-02 ATX Mid Tower Case w/ 300W PS come with cooling/fans/etc?

 

[yellowperil]

AC97 integrated audio is decent, but nothing special. If you want positional audio you'll have to buy a separate sound card.

Remember the 8K7A takes DDR while the 8KTA takes SDR

 

[crzyc]

this is what im getting right now, so this would be my advice.

mb: Epox 8k7a
cpu: thunderbird 1GHz 266mhz(Arctic Silver II / Globalwin FOP32-I)
ram: 256mb crucial pc2100 ddr
video: ATI Radeon 32MB DDR 4x AGP
case: enlight 7237
sound: Creative Lab Live Valuen w/ Digital Out
net: EtherFast 10/100 LAN ethernet card

my total right now is $515

i am using a hard drive and cd-rw i already have

 

[raudel]

wow thats almost exactly what im geting
cool.
1.2 tho
same ram (crucial 256 ddr)
i dont need a video card(already have a gladiac gf2 ultra 64ddr)
and my dad says i dont need an ethernet card, because our cable plugs into the usb port or something.
using previous harddrive and floppy aswell, and possibly cd/cdrw
right now im at 400 or less

[edit] still wondering about the fan/cooling questions...

 

[crzyc]

sweet =)