Need help putting together a new computer

iLoveDivX

Banned
Apr 2, 2001
656
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Trying to figure out what components will give me the best bang for the buck (or whatever that expression is).

These are the things I can't decide what to get:

CPU----Anything above 1.5ghz is good for me.
Mobo----I have no clue at all what to get.
Sound card----All i do is listen to mp3 and play games.
Graphic card----Play games and watch divx. I used to have a gf2mx, i wanna get something better.
Case----is 350W good enough?

These are the things I'm planning to get:
Memory---generic 512 megs
HD---cheapest 80 gig
Keyboard---generic
Mouse---logitech corded optical
CD Writer---generic 12x
CD-rom---generic
monitor---generic 19"
floppy---generic

For my whole computer including the stuff you guys recommend i get, how much would it cost? My budget is about $700-800. I don't wanna mess around with mail in rebates or anything.


*edit: changed monitor to 19" generic
 

Viper GTS

Lifer
Oct 13, 1999
38,107
433
136
CPU: AMD XP 1700 or 1800+
Mobo: No clue, I don't follow single CPU boards. Gotta have my dualies. :)
Sound card: Audigy OEM
GFx card: GF3 Ti 200

Those would be my recommendations.

Viper GTS
 

Anubis

No Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
78,712
427
126
tbqhwy.com
ok heres what i think

CPU----athlon XP 1800+
Mobo----EpoX 8KHA+ or the new DDR 333 one cant remember name
Sound card----soundblaster live value.
Graphic card----GF3 TI 200 or TI 500
Case----350 is fine

These are the things I'm planning to get:
Memory---crucial 512 DDR
HD---maxtor 80gig
Keyboard---generic
Mouse---logitech corded optical
CD Writer---plextor 12x or lite on tech
CD-rom---generic
monitor--- a samsung or a hitachi. you dan get a 19 in from these 2 for less then 300$
floppy---generic
 

illusion88

Lifer
Oct 2, 2001
13,164
3
81
All right, with 800$ your gonna have to cut that ram down, or go without a monitor. Putting that monitor in there is gonna really set you back, being that a decent one is $400.

I would raise that budjet to 1200, $1000 at least for all the hardware you are planning to get.

Go for an Epox8KHA+ for the mobo with an Althlon XP processor. Make sure to go OEM on those, dont want to buy boxed anything. As for soundcard, get a Soundblaster Live! value. They soound all right and if my memory serves me they are pretty cheep. Your graphics card will set you back as well, if you want to go above a GF2mx.... cant really help ya there i dont know many low end graphics card. When i bought mine i just bit the bullet and bought a GF3 when they came out. As for your HD, go with a 60gig, you dont need 80, you dont even need 60 but you seem to be a person who likes lots of space. But yeah there you go.

EDIT: you may wanna shop at HSC, if you have one near by.
 

iLoveDivX

Banned
Apr 2, 2001
656
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<< As for your HD, go with a 60gig, you dont need 80 >>



yeah, i'll just get a 60 gig one.



<< you may wanna shop at HSC, if you have one near by >>



what's HSC?



<< CPU: AMD XP 1700 or 1800+ >>



i'm thinking of going for the 1700 since my budget is limited.



<< As for soundcard, get a Soundblaster Live! value >>



What's the difference between audigy and live? is it worth the upgrade?
 

iLoveDivX

Banned
Apr 2, 2001
656
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<< you get a firewire port and not much more >>



then why did firingsquad give it high ratings then?
 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81
Well, here's what I got from you straight from newegg.

ENLIGHT MEDIUM ATX TOWER CASE MODEL # EN-72370X3C4 - OEM with 300Watts Power Supply
LITE-ON LTR-12101B 12x10x32 CD-RW
Lite On 52x Cd Rom
MAXTOR 60GB 7200RPM Model # 6L060J3 - OEM
KINGSTON KVR266X64C25/256 256MB 32x64 PC2100 DDR RAM
SAMSUNG 955DF 19"
ECS VIA KT266A Chipset ATX Motherboard Model K7VTA3 Version 2.0
AMD 1600+/266 FSB Athlon XP PROCESSOR CPU - OEM
GAINWARD/CARDEXPERT GEFORCE2 Ti450, 64MB (NO TV-OUT) DDR 4.5ns - RETAIL
PANASONIC 1.44 MB
AOC 80X80X25mm FAN
KBTEK 104 Keys Windows 95/98/me/2000/xp PS2 Keyboard
Microsoft Optical Wheel Mouse PS/2 & USB

The Total came to 836 before shipping. Tax would be if you're in California or not.

I'd say that up there is a pretty good computer. You might have to spend another say 5 bucks on other things like another IDE cable or something. Hang around the Hot Deals forums for a few days and you'll probably be able to catch a few things cheaper. Maybe a cpu/motherboard combo.

The Hard drive, I'm not sure if COMP USA still has the 60 gig for 99 and $30 rebate or something.
 

iLoveDivX

Banned
Apr 2, 2001
656
0
0
Hey Kelvrick, can you do me a huge favor and add in the prices per item in your post...pleasssssse. I wanna use your post as a reference mark cause i'm doing a lot of research and price comparison. Thanks a lot.

I'm gonna stick with the Geforce 3 TI 200. I'm planning to buy it from Comp-U-Plus. It's $140 after shipping.

And since everyone suggests the Epox 8KHA+ I'm thinking of buying it from Mwave for 105.67 after shipping.

Maxtor 60gig 7200 at Mstar for $112.00 after shipping.

If any of the places i'm planning to buy from are expensive or crappy, please let me know. thanks again.
 

ThaGrandCow

Diamond Member
Dec 27, 2001
7,956
2
0


<<

<< you get a firewire port and not much more >>



then why did firingsquad give it high ratings then?
>>


SB Live "leaks" sound. So stuff could sound a bit raspy. I've never noticed it, but if you're an audiophile you might notice it. The Audigy doesn't have this problem
 

JonnyDuke

Senior member
Jul 24, 2001
369
0
0
Okay I'll try to stick with what you are wanting:

Barebones kit w/ ECS K7S5A + Athlon XP1800 and 300W PS ... $185
SB Live 5.1 w/remote ... $92
Geforce 4 MX440 w/TV-out ... $92
PC2100 DDR RAM 256MB ... $52
Plextor 12X10X32 w/software ... $89

Now that's what I found looking on Pricewatch but you can go there yourself and find therest of your stuff, I have ordered from companies
who are members quite frequently.
 

Kelvrick

Lifer
Feb 14, 2001
18,422
5
81


<< Hey Kelvrick, can you do me a huge favor and add in the prices per item in your post...pleasssssse. I wanna use your post as a reference mark cause i'm doing a lot of research and price comparison. Thanks a lot.

I'm gonna stick with the Geforce 3 TI 200. I'm planning to buy it from Comp-U-Plus. It's $140 after shipping.

And since everyone suggests the Epox 8KHA+ I'm thinking of buying it from Mwave for 105.67 after shipping.

IBM Deskstar 60 gig 7200 rpm at Esystor for $112.00 after shipping.

If any of the places i'm planning to buy from are expensive or crappy, please let me know. thanks again.
>>



Ehh. I don't wanna go do all that stuff again, but ok. I can't think of anything to write on my essay right now. But for the things you said you're going to buy, I think you might as well get the epox from newegg. Its cheaper there.

EDIT: The burner was out of stock so I just added another burner of comparable price. 2 bucks cheaper if my memory serves me right.

I wouldn't recommend getting that IBM either. Get a seagate or maxtor 60gig from newegg.com. I'm currently running on the Epox 8kha+ and its a great board, but I have to warn you. It is not compatible with Geforce 4's. These video cards just won't fit on it. I would think you should get the Epox 8KHAL instead. It still uses the via 266a chipset, but has no overclocking options and 1 less PCI slot. You save like 20 bucks though.


Accessories - Cable
24-Inch, Teflon Coated, IDE True ATA133/100, Flat Cable for IDE Hard Drives, CD ROM, DVD ROM or CDRW, 3-Connector, 66/100/133, 24 Inches Long. Please see image. N82E16812104113 $6.00

Cases PC - ATX - Mini/Mid Tower
ENLIGHT MEDIUM ATX TOWER CASE MODEL # EN-72370X3C4 - OEM with 300Watts Power Supply - Pentium 4 Ready & AMD Approved. 4 5.25" Bays, 2 3.5" Bays & 1 3.5"(Hidden). One Internal Case Fan Totally backward compatible with earlier Intel and AMD CPUs Interchangeable motherboard stakes for dynamic motherboard installation options. Snap-On drive brackets for hassle-free Floppy &/ Hard drive installation. EMI & Thermal-Ready supporting high-speed Intel Pentium 4 & AMD CPUs. Strategic fan placements for efficient cooling. Perfect for case modifications. Rolled edges for reduce installation injuries. N82E16811116119 $46.00 $46.00

CD ROM
Lite On 52x Cd Rom - Model LTN-526 -RETAILE-IDE Interface, support all PIO, DMA, Ultra DMA modes. Innovated SMART-X® to get the fastest CD-DAE/VCD data extraction speed by request. RETAIL Package with manu, driver, cable and screws. N82E16827101201 $30.00

CD ROM-Rewritable Drive
CYBERDRIVE CW038D 16x12x40 CDRW - RETAIL EIDE CDRW, 2MB Internal Cache Buffer. 16X CD-R/12X CD-RW/40x CD-ROM Drive. Power Saving feature. ISO 9660 Compliant. PC World Product of the Year! Retail Box Version (same as OEM, except user manual, box) - N82E16827106400 $65.00

Fan - Case
80mm case SLEEVE fan for most mid / full tower case CFN0333(IW) N82E16811999105 $4.00

Floppy Drives
PANASONIC 1.44 MB 3.5 INCH HIGH DENSITY FLOPPY DISK DRIVE, MODEL # JU-257A-827P - OEM, DRIVE ONLY WHITE Bezel - One Year Warranty N82E16821103115 $8.00

Hard Drives - IDE
MAXTOR 60GB 7200RPM Model # 6L060J3 - OEM, DRIVE ONLY 3.5 inch DIAMONDMAX PLUS D740X Series Ultra ATA/133 2mb Cache Buffer 8.5ms Average Seek Time - 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty - 60.0 gb 7200 rpm. N82E16822143107 $99.00

Keyboards - English
Keytronic KT800 PS/2 keyboard with 104 keys; PS/2 connector, large "L" shape "ENTER" key. (Brown Box) N82E16823131003 $6.00

Memory - PC (DDR)
KINGSTON KVR266X64C25/256 256MB 32x64 PC2100 DDR RAM - OEM 184-Pin Unbuffered. Requires DDR supported Motherboard - Lifetime Warranty. N82E16820141003 $72.00

Monitors
SAMSUNG 955DF 19" (WHITE) CRT MONITOR - RETAIL 0.20mm dot pitch (horizontal). 1600 x 1200 @ 68Hz Maximum Resolution. DynaFlat - Infinitely Flat Tube. Smart III surface treatment (anti-static & anti-glare). On Screen Digital Display. Plug & Play Compatibility. TCO'99/NUTEK certified. Color Solution ( Colorific s/w ). Display Doctor On-screen Control. N82E16824001005 $229.00

Motherboards - AMD
EPOX EP-8KHAL VIA Apollo KT266A (VT8366A) 200/266 MHz Motherboard. Retail Box. For AMD XP, Athlon and Duron Socket A. No Over-Clocking. Accepts DDRAM, 3 DDR Slot,1X / 2X / 4X AGP FSB,1 AGP Slot, 5 PCI Slot. Support ATA 33/66/100, 2 USB, Sound. Retail Box. Model: EP-8KHAL.
Tech Support Contact: support@epox.com
N82E16813123152 $76.00

Processors - AMD Athlon Thunderbird, XP, MP
AMD 1600+/266 FSB Athlon XP PROCESSOR CPU - OEM Athlon XP 1600+/ 1.40GHz, AX1600DMT3C. The AMD Athlon XP processor with QuantiSpeed architecture powers the next generation in computing platforms, delivering extra performance for cutting-edge applications and an extraordinary computing experience. N82E16819103303 $103.00

Video Cards
GAINWARD/CARDEXPERT GeForce 3 Ti200 64MB (NVIDIA GeForce3 Ti 200 GPU), Power Pack Golden Sample, 4ns 64MB DDR. TV-Out. Retail Box. Overclocking enhanced performance mode. N82E16814128111 $145.00


There is pretty much everything that you'll need. When comparison shopping, make sure you get the after shipping prices, and possibly tax. Also, JonnyDuke might have some nice prices, but you have to be willing to take the risk from the cheap cheap sellers. I would check out www.resellerratings.com and then the anantech resellerratings too. You don't wanna be screwed out of your money.

EDIT: The burner was out of stock, so I added another one of comparable value. 2 bucks cheaper if my memory serves me right.
 

iLoveDivX

Banned
Apr 2, 2001
656
0
0


<< I'm currently running on the Epox 8kha+ and its a great board, but I have to warn you. It is not compatible with Geforce 4's. These video cards just won't fit on it. >>



I thought it was only on the Visiontek cards that it won't fit.
 

Electric Amish

Elite Member
Oct 11, 1999
23,578
1
0


<<

<< I'm currently running on the Epox 8kha+ and its a great board, but I have to warn you. It is not compatible with Geforce 4's. These video cards just won't fit on it. >>



I thought it was only on the Visiontek cards that it won't fit.
>>



It's all dependent upon the Geforce4 and the particular Epox board. It's not a sure deal. Measure the caps next to the AGP slot and see if they are under 15mm (I think).

amish