My new budget PC

bocamojo

Senior member
Aug 24, 2001
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Just built this Rig about a week ago. What do you think?

Case: POWMAX Black/Silver Mid Tower ATX w/ 400W PSU (Model CP0327PL-4): 40 shipped from newegg

Mobo/CPU combo: ECS 755-A2 (built in 10/100 LAN and 6.1 ch audio) w/ Athlon 64 3000+ and retail heatsink/fan: 179 shipped from SMK SuperStore

HD: Western Digital 80GB Serial ATA 7200 RPM (Model WD800JD, OEM): 58 shipped from newegg

Video Card: ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB DDR 8X AGP (OEM): 190 shipped from newegg

RAM: Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 (retail): 49 shipped from newegg

DVD Burner: NEC 16X Double Layer DVD+/-RW Model ND-3520A BK, OEM: 59 shipped from newegg

Floppy/Card Reader: Mitsumi FA-404 1.44 Floppy + 7 in 1 card reader (black OEM): 26 shipped from MWave

Monitor: Dell UltraSharp 2001FP 20.1 inch LCD @ 1600x1200 / 60Hz: 619 shipped from Dell

Total system cost: $1,220

Comments concerning performance:

System is stable, fast and relatively quiet (about as loud as my last P4 rig, which is pretty quiet). Not very overclockable, due to the motherboard, but very fast nonetheless (FSB/DDR running at 200MHz with 2.5 CAS latency, and processor running at exactly 2.0GHz). With AS3 and the retail heatsink, processor temps are about 39-40C during normal operations, and about 55-57C during Prime95.

Video card OC's ok, for an all in wonder card. I have the Core running at 402MHz and the Mem running at 359MHz, tested with ATI Tray Tools for maximum effectiveness. Get about 6,400 in 3dmark2003.

Please post your comments. Thanks.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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My main concern would be overclocking on a powmax powersupply that came with a case for $40 shipped.

Other than that, looks nifty.
 

bocamojo

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Aug 24, 2001
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The cool thing about the All In Wonder versus the regular 9800 is that it uses the smaller floppy power connector versus the regular 4 pin molex connector. I take this to mean it uses/requires less power, thus even OC'ing it a bit will not overly tax the PSU. Also, the user reviews on NewEgg were hit and miss on the PSU that comes with the POWMAX case. Some were happy with it, while others had to replace with a better PSU. So far, I have had no problems or issues with the PSU, and am quite happy with it.
 

YOyoYOhowsDAjello

Moderator<br>A/V & Home Theater<br>Elite member
Aug 6, 2001
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Just be aware that if it goes, it could end up taking more than just itself with it.

The smaller power connector is the same rails as the larger molex connector. I don't think the size of the plug has anything to do with power draw, but I could be wrong.
 

bocamojo

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Aug 24, 2001
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I have been building PC's for about 5 years, and have used many a generic PSU, and never once had anything blow up or destroy components. Not something I'm terribly worried about at this point. Thanks for the heads up though. I do appreciate your feedback.
 

Spike

Diamond Member
Aug 27, 2001
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Sounds like a good build to me. Not sure I would call it a budget rig as the total price was over $1000 (I tend to think of 'budget' as $600ish). All I would have changed was the case/psu, that would have been worth a little more money to get a better psu.

-spike

EDIT** I guess if you take out the monitor then you are in my budget range but as the monitor is a central part of a computer, you can't really take it away.
 

montag451

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Dec 17, 2004
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mobo £70
ram £50
hdd £60
vga £40
case £60
psu £60
cpu £100
kb/mouse £10
spkr £20
dvdrw £40

= £510 ~ $800
not including monitor - not exactly a high spec, but a good spec. APPROX prices but valid
would get a good range of components - 512MB, 64bit 3200+, good mobo/hdd/psu/case
The only thing really that could be skimped on would be the case imo.
 

bocamojo

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Aug 24, 2001
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Originally posted by: Spike
Sounds like a good build to me. Not sure I would call it a budget rig as the total price was over $1000 (I tend to think of 'budget' as $600ish). All I would have changed was the case/psu, that would have been worth a little more money to get a better psu.

-spike

EDIT** I guess if you take out the monitor then you are in my budget range but as the monitor is a central part of a computer, you can't really take it away.


Yeah, originally I planned to build it for 500, but then I decided to go with a better video card, so that upped the price to 600 for the system. I had a 17 inch LCD that I could have used, but I decided to upgrade to the Dell 20.1 inch, so that pushed the total cost over 1,200. However, for most folks out there, they can either go with a 17 inch CRT for under 150, or just use whatever they have, and still build a good PC for about 600 dollars.

As for getting a better case/PSU, I didn't really see the need. On my last system build, a P4 system, I went all out and spent 250 on the case and psu (plus another 50 dollars for a top of the line heatsink from Alpha) and really didn't get anything special from that investment. Sure, I could say the case/psu was top of the line, and sure, it was better for overclocking and pushing all my components to their limits, but overall, I didn't get much out of that investment over what I'm getting with a 40 dollar case/cpu. Of course, as always, individual mileage may vary.
 

bocamojo

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Aug 24, 2001
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Just in case anyone is interested, here are some pics of the system I built. It's been running good for a few weeks now.

P.S. It was running a bit hot during video editing / dvd authoring, so I ordered a new heatsink/fan. I just got it in the mail today, so I plan on installing later. It's a Thermaltake Silent Boost K8 w/ 21 dBA fan putting out about 27.5 CFM. Should be fine, since I'm not overclocking my Athlon 64 3000+.

http://photobucket.com/albums/y147/bocam0j0/

 

bocamojo

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Aug 24, 2001
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Ok, installed the Thermaltake. Updated the Pics... Check it out, and let me know what you think. Thanks.