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New Box for under $1000, good choices?

K

Krazi

Member
I'm building a new computer to replace my AMD 500. I only have $1000 to spend (including shipping) but I'll keep the same monitor I have. Here is what I've put together for my list of components. The computer is mostly used for online gaming, web design & surfing. LMK if you think there are better choices out there that fit within my budget. Thanks.

CPU: AMD 1.4 Ghz (266 FSB)
MB: ECS K7S5A
Memory: (2) Micron 256mb PC2100 SDRAM
Hard Drive: Seagate Baracuda III (40GB 7200rpm)
Video Card: Gainward CARDEXPERT GeForce3 Golden Sample
Sound Card: Live! X-Gamer
DVD-ROM : Aopen DVD-1240
CD-RW: Plextor Plexwriter 12x/8x/36x *ALREADY HAVE*
Case/PS: Antec SX635 w/ 350w PS
Heatsink/Fan: GlobalWin FOP 38 (w/Delta fan)

This all comes out to about $970 including S&H on pricewatch. Thanks.
 
Looks great, but I'd get an Audigy X-Gamer, if u can.And,Seagate's great, but I'd get Maxtor or Western Digital. Good luck! God bless!
 
OK, Audigy X-Gamer it is. I didn't realize they were only a few bucks more than the Live! X-Gamer. I also am going to switch my DVD to a Lite-on LTD-163 (16x) based on some of the stuff I've read here this morning. Thanks!
 
I would get the Pioneer 16X dvd. I would also loose the Seagate and get an IBM 60GXP. A nice place to shop is www.newegg.com. If you are looking to get everything from one place, I will bet you will not find a cheaper site. Plus they have a 6.2 Reseller Rating. 🙂 Good luck and Happy Building
 
If you wanna stick with the Seagate drive, get the Barracuda IV instead of the older Barracuda III. The new one has faster transfer speeds and is virtually silent like no other drive.
 
Hmm, what is the general consensus for best hard drive? I have about $130-$150 I can spend on the hard drive and I read a couple of good reviews on the Baracuda III. Are there others I should research/consider some more? Thanks.
 
I like the Seagate as well, but Maxtor/Quantum rocks IMO.

My Maxtor DMax60+ 30GB drive is COMPLETELY SILENT. - almost literally! and it's fairly quick too, there's a good choice for ya, but you also can't go wrong with a Barracuda IV.

happy building!


 
I have 2 40 gig IBM 60GXP's. I can honestly say I will probably never buy another non-IBM drive. I had WD's that failed, I had 3 Maxtors that failed but have never had an IBM that failed and I have a 75 GXP.
 
It's been 5 hrs since i plugged in my new Barracuda IV 40gigs and it is SILENT i put my ear next to it and not hear a D*MN THING!!oh yeah performane wise as far i know it has more cache than B'cuda III....and it way way faster than my old seagate u8..
 
This is what it would cost to build the following delivered (includes tax and shipping where applicable)

ECS K7S5A with Athlon 1.4G and HS fan from newegg $190
512MB PC2100 ram (1 Siemens stick so you can add more later) from memoryonly $87
300W P/S 4 5.25 3 3.5 Enlight case Model #EN-72370X3C from local shop $80
WDC Caviar 60GB HDD from http://store.yahoo.com/hoct12/ (house of computers) $155
Audigy Xgamer from local retailer $100
Ricoh 24x10x40x from jazztechnology $105
Toshiba 16X DVD from accessmicro.com (cannot be reigon unlocked) $58
or
Toshiba 12X DVD from http://www.adc-ast.com/ (can be unlocked ) $55

Total without video card $625

With Video card GF3 add 250+

Total minimum cost 875
 
i will probably get a lot of people to disagree with me but the latest 7200RPM Fujitsu drive is really good, it uses the dynamic fluid bearing for complete silence. it is also very fast. the newer very high density western digital drives are great too. the ones that contain 25GB per platter. i believe they come from the BB series.
 
I have that FOP32 Heatsink. I'm sure you've read multiple reviewers refer to it as a "hairdryer".. I did and, but said to myself .. "well, it can't be THAT bad.."

well it is! It literally sounds like I'm sitting next to a door behind which somone is using a hairdryer. Only its HIGHER PITCHED! hehe..

I would go with the Alpha PAL8045 with an Orix fan. Scored number 6 in performance and its the 5th quietest in this review. Considering the review covers 34 coolers, that seems pretty damn good to me..

or, just make sure you have plenty of MP3s and a good pair of headphones 🙂

of course it is more expensive...
 
Hmm, definitely don't want that much noise. Especially since I spend many hours on my computer. It's also in a very small room so I can imagine the "whine" being even worse. OK, next question, is there a heatsink/fan combo that is under $40, is relatively quiet, and can handle an Athlon 1.4? I don't plan on over-clocking the CPU so there should be something out there that works right?
 
thermalright sk6 from newegg w/ black label Delta fan = once put in a case and muffled, it is rather quiet. Anandtech did a review on it, check it out.

-dejacky🙂
 
If I just get the retail Athlon 1.4 will the heatsink/fan that comes with it be OK for non-overclocking use? I just priced everything at newegg.com and came out to $905 (including shipping) for:

Athlon 1.4Ghz (retail box)
ECS K7S5A
Cardexpert GeForce3 Golden Sample
Enlight EN 72370X3 case (w/300w PS)
(2) Crucial Micron 256MB PC2100 SDRAM
SB Audigy X-Gamer
Pioneer 116 16X DVD
Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB
Sony floppy drive

The mobo comes with an on-board LAN so I don't need a card, I'm taking my CD-RW, monitor, speakers, and peripherals from my old PC. Am I missing anything?

Thanks.
 


<< If I just get the retail Athlon 1.4 will the heatsink/fan that comes with it be OK for non-overclocking use? I just priced everything at newegg.com and came out to $905 (including shipping) for:

Athlon 1.4Ghz (retail box)
ECS K7S5A
Cardexpert GeForce3 Golden Sample
Enlight EN 72370X3 case (w/300w PS)
(2) Crucial Micron 256MB PC2100 SDRAM
SB Audigy X-Gamer
Pioneer 116 16X DVD
Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB
Sony floppy drive

The mobo comes with an on-board LAN so I don't need a card, I'm taking my CD-RW, monitor, speakers, and peripherals from my old PC. Am I missing anything? >>


The retail boxed HSF is fine as long as you are not overclocking.
The memory can probably be had cheaper if you get it directly from Crucial.com. It'll probably only save you about $10 though.
I would go with the Lite-On 16X DVD-ROM drive over the Pioneer because it is better about allowing you to back up more copy protected software. That is unless you can't live without the slot look.
 
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