Noob needs assistance in choosing/ limited budget

[DanDrop]

I have an old spare computer p3/500mhz/
- 384 sdram pc 100
-mobo model Intel SE440BX-2/slot 1 type/atx/
-235 watt power supply.
-gainward GeForce3 Ti200
-15 gig HD
-Wireless Network Card

I want to upgrade this dinosaur and i have about $250 to spare. I will use this computer mainly for slight gaming (Ghost recon), Slight photoshoshop editing, downloading MP3, and some office work. I will consider this my backup computer hence the limited budget. Hopefully i can make this a decent platform.

At first, i thought the easiest upgrade would be to change the CPU, but it seems the slot 1 type CPU's are outdated and i could not seem to find one at around 1ghz speed.

I am now thinking of getting a cheap yet decent P4 mobo with a cpu.

I am hoping that the my 384 SDRAM could be used, as well as the HD, power supply, video card, wireless network card.

In essence, what is a decent mobo+cpu for the pricepoint? Will i need to upgrade my power supply if i go with a p4 mobo? Is P4 out of my league? I t might be helpful to point out that overclocking will not be an issue for me. Also, will my current ATX type case fit the newer p4 mobo?

Thanks for all your help

 

[DAPUNISHER]

Since you want to keep it at 250$ or below and it's a 2nd rig, here's my advice: get the K7S5A 54$ shipped, XP1600+63$ shipped, GC68 w/32.5cfm 80mm fan for 10$ shipped, Sparkle 300w PSU for 33$ shipped, for a total of 160$. My reasoning is this, you aren't going to be doing anything intense on it and since you won't be overclocking the price/performance edge decidedly goes to AMD and the 1600+ will be plenty for your needs and combined with the ti200 will handle the gaming no problem. The K7S5A supports DDR and SDRAM so you can keep your pc100 if you desire or with the 100$ extra go here and get 2100DDR Crucial for 15% off+ free shipping and if you are a first time buyer possibly a 10-20$ coupon depending on what size stick you choose, if you do that then spend the extra 27$ and get the Abit KR7A-raid to go with it as a 256mb 2100DDR Crucial delivered would be no more than 65$& the board 79$ shipped adjusting your total cash outlay to 250$. The K7S5A does need a good PSU and 235w PSU unless using a mATX mobo is really a flakey proposition at best IMO and the Sparkle I recommended is capable of 200w from the 3.3+&5+v rails combined output, higher than many 350w PSUs, BTW I've used that PSU with a K7S5A with great results. If you are hell bent for leather on the P4 then I suggest the Abit BL7-Raid for 83$ shipped, it's the Intel 845 that uses SDRAM, and the 1.8A for 166$ shipped for a total of 249$ bringing you in on budget and getting you what you need for a P4 upgrade minus the PSU as I wouldn't like the 235w PSU's chances of running that setup. Anyways, I would go with the KR7A-raid, 256mb Crucial DDR2100, Sparkle 300w PSU, GC68 w/32.5cfm 80mm fan 10$ shipped, and XP 1600+ and have a kick butt system upgrade that comes in on budget.

 

[DanDrop]

punisher you are the man!

whre can i get those components? I was also reading on this mobo "EP-8K5A2+ " , do you think it would be better to get than k7s5a? Thank you for your help. Any other mobo+cpu's would be greatly appreciated!

 

[o1die]

You'll need more money for a p4 rig. I just got an asus p4s533 (refurbished with 15 day warranty from newegg) for $66 shipped. Add to that a 1.8 cpu (about $140 after the sept 1st price cuts) and you've already spend $206. Ddram prices are decent again. Fry's electronics had 256 megs for only $49.95 yesterday where I live, or you can order generic online for a little more. Another friend said he got 256 megs at Best Buy for $59.95 with $20 rebate. The sparkle power supply is a decent unit for $33. Leave room in your budget for it. Newegg also had an abit sa7 sis 645 mobo for only $39 shipped. For the p4, stick with sis chipsets for overclocking and value.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

LOL, Thanx for the props DanDrop The 8K5A2+ has USB 2.0, the 1/5 divider, official DDR333 support, and good 6 channel sound so it's definitely much more board than the K7S5A, however the price is a 115$@Newegg.com (which is where all the components and prices I listed are from) so be prepared to exceed your stated budget by 36$ since you will have to get the DDR ram to use with it. I would say the extra money is very well spent going that route but given your stated useage of the system will be overkill and the KR7A-raid will be more than enough Anyways, let me know how you make out. EDIT The GC68 w/ 80mm fan is from SVC and it will come exactly as pictured for 5.99$+shipping so you don't need to add any options unless you want a faster fan, which I recommend getting and using the 80mm fan that comes with it as a case fan. Also don't forget to use the other link I provided to save on the Crucial memory

 

[DanDrop]

Oldie - Thanks for the P4 advice. I initially wanted a P4 unit but it seems that the AMD rout would be more economical for me.

Punisher - I am gearing towards the ECS K7S5A SiS® 735 . Not only is it cheaper, but i really dont think i'll be using the RAID feature of the KR7A.

How does the SHUTTLE AK32L KT266 266MHz FSB AMD Socket A ATX MOTHERBOARD compare?

Will i see more improvement by sticking with 384 MB SDRAM or buying new 256Mb DDR? Essentially do i go with more memory of SDRAM technology or will i gain more benefit by getting only 256mb DDR?

Thanks again. I will order by tonight so if y'all could help me out.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

The AK32 is actually a nice little board from what I've heard, has better on-board sound than the K7S5A and should be plenty for your needs since it'll take the SDRAM, and even though the SiS735 is a faster chipset it'd be a good pick. As to the necessity of 2100DDR, it would give an appreciable performance gain over pc100 but you already have 384mb of the stuff and with what your doing it'll be fine, plus you'll have the capability to move to DDR when you're ready.