Need Help To Finalize This Setup

[GeminiZi]

Hi there, I need some suggestions to finalize new rig. So far are the new Epox nforce2 mobo (8RDA+) and 80mb maxtor diamondmax plus ultra ata133.

Will it be wise to go with the XP 2100 processor because there is a huge price gap to the next cpu?

I am trying to spend as less money as possible and yet have a great stable system. I don't plan on overclocking because I have never done it before. This computer will mainly be using to go online, microsoft office applications, maybe encoding, and some other softwares, and maybe a little bit of gaming.

What kind of ram do u guys suggest?
Am I all set with the onboard sound and video?
Any suggestions on what case/psu? I really like those window cases, are those cases good or you guys suggest something different?
Will a 300w psu handle this kind of setup?

Thank you all in advance for your help.
I appreciate it.

 

[buckchoi]

Yes the XP2100 will be plenty for what u seem to plan to use the system for.
Also the 8RDA+ is the one without the built in video. I think the version with video is called the 8RGA+?
But yeah if you are not going to play many games then the onboard video and sound will be plenty.
With memory if you plan on using the onboard video then make sure you get two sticks of identical ram to maximise the performance of the system.
2 sticks of good quality PC2700 RAM should do you fine. Theres no need to get PC3200 or something like that if you are not going to overclock i guess.

 

[GeminiZi]

Thanks for the info.

Anymore info will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[GeminiZi]

Is 8RGA+ the board with onboard sound and video, if so does anyone have a link to where I can purchase it and a review of it?

I am not a big gamer, should I go with the onboard video or should I just get a video card?
If not, what video card woud u guys recommend for the Epox nforce2 mobo that will be using it on a 15inch lcd monitor with 1024x768 maximum resolution?

Thank you for your help.

 

[GeminiZi]

Any Suggestions?

 

[o1die]

I use the radeon 8500LE, with 64 megs of ddram. More than adequate for most gaming. I found one closeout at Fry's for $80 in a white box. Made by Soyo, with onboard heatspreaders on both sides, an added bonus. Newegg also sells them ocassionally for $70 refurbished. If you see them in stock, order them immediately if interested. They sell out fast (sometimes within minutes). Nforce boards with onboard video will be available, but I haven't heard when. I suggest you get pc2700 memory. I found some nanya at Fry's for only $65 (256 megs), and it runs fine at case 2 setting. The 8RGA looks like a fine board for what you'll be doing. But I would do some more research. If the video uses 8 megs of memory max, it will be barely adequate. I would just type in "8rga" under yahoo or any search engine, and see if you can come up with a review.

 

[GeminiZi]

I'm from the east coast, it sucks not to have a Fry's over here cause I keep hearing from you guys how great they are.

Are you saying that when the 8RGA+ comes out, the onboard video will suck and will not even be enough for ppl who don't game?

 

[CaptnKirk]

Per your request More Video Card than you will ever need
First choice would be the RADEON 9000 @ $ 115
2nd choice the RADEON 7500 64MB @ $ 120
Avoid the PCI slot Video applications - obsolete technology

OPTIONAL VIDEO
Gainward/Card Experts either the $ 77 or $ 90 card will be fine. GeForce 3 or GeForce 4

 

[GeminiZi]

Damn that's a lot of money!
Are you sure those video cards are not too much since I'm not a big gamer?

 

[ScottyB]

If you are not that big of a gamer then go with a geforce 4 mx or a geforce 2 gts or geforce 3.


----I would beam you up CaptnKirk, but I am too tired.

 

[GeminiZi]

I've found a Radeon 8500LE 128MB for $80 bucks?

How about a Radeon 7500 64MB for $80 bucks before a $20 rebate?

Are they a good card and a good deal?

If so, will that fit in to the 8RDA+ fine since it says AGP universal bus for AGP 2X/4X systems?

 

[CaptnKirk]

The RADEON 8500 LE for $ 80 is an excellent card and it's better than the RADEON 7500 one -
thats what I was trying to spot when I went looking to post the link, but they are getting scarce -
if you can get one jump on it. It is a 4X AGP card, and that EPoX EP-8RDA+ will support it wonderfully,
and still accomodate an update in the future when the Radeon 9000's and 9700's become reasonable in price.
(They are 8X AGP compliant)

 

[GeminiZi]

Thanks for the info CaptnKirk.