Recommend value mobo/cpu/RAM from newegg Thx.

[randypj]

Hi guys,

Y'all don't even have to give me links......just the facts is enough. Course, links appreciated.

My Dad and I are gonna build new pcs together in a couple weeks as my "vacation". We've both got numerous 1.3Ghz Tualatin systems and know how to build. With my "regular" job, I just don't have the time to research mobo/cpu/RAM.....and, I know many of you have been there already.

The only things I can think of that we will need, that we know nothing about will be mobo/cpu/RAM. My ti 4200 vid cards will suffice for awhile. We've got numerous power supplies that will support P4's also. I checked with Anandtechies before I bought a half dozen a year or so ago from newegg. The one sitting by me is an ATX-350GU Hi-Q Power, OEM'd by Fortron? We've got plenty of large, non-SATA hard drives, controller cards, etc.

My slot one mobo preferences in the past have always been Asus and Abit. And, I don't mind getting combos that will overclock nicely. We'll start with 1 or 1.5Ghz of RAM. We'll do most everything with them. Gaming, DVD encoding/burning, mp3 encoding/decoding. Will run W2K Pro, or maybe XP non-home. W2K Pro has always been fine for me.

My "requirements":

1. Value. Best bang for the buck. No way I'm gonna spend $500 on a cpu. Also gotta factor in that we gotta buy new RAM. I don't think PC133 SDRAM will cut it.

2. We might go with dual cpu if it isn't that much more expensive, and if there is any real world value to it (which I sort of doubt....but am definitely not knowledgeable on dual).

3. I sort of prefer P4, but am not adverse to AMD. I gave up AMD way back after the Super Socket 7 days when I got tired of the crappy 4-in-1's w/W95. I've had Intel ever since.

4. Definitely prefer "tried and true" mobo/cpu/RAM combo. Don't want to be a beta tester.

5. Overclockability is a plus.

6. I need to be able to order easily from some place like newegg (my preferred source). I am also not adverse to newegg's refurb stuff. 3 refurb vid cards, a dozen or so refurb cpus, and never a bad one. However, I do know that you guys may know of certain refurb items to stay away from.

7. Gotta fit a standard ATX case. We've got plenty of ATX cases.

Guys, I really appreciate your advice. Seriously.......I know nothing about RAM newer than PC133 SDRAM, don't know anything about cpu core name, and have no clue about mobo models newer than Asus P3V4X.

So....we're putting ourselves in your hands.

Thanks so much,
--Randy

 

[MDE]

Shuttle AN35N Ultra - $55
Mobile Athlon XP 2200+ (35W) -$77
2x 512MB Mushkin PC3200 -$75 each
- Total: $282 plus shipping

The motherboard is very often recommended around here for budget builds and has the fastest Athlon XP chipset (nForce2), and overclocks well to boot. The CPU will work in a desktop board, and will either run at a lower voltage (thus cooler) or you can bump the voltage up and overclock it to about 2.2-2.4GHz (of course overclocking is a crap shoot, your results will vary). Mushkin RAM is good stuff, and there's no need for fancy low latency RAM on a budget build. I picked up a similar Mushkin set at Fry's and it overclocked well and is stable. Just add a CPU heatsink and you're good to go.

Generally, Intel doesn't belong in the same sentence as value bang for the buck, so you're going to see almost all AMD configurations. If you can swing the extra cash you can go for an Athlon 64 2800+.

 

[randypj]

MDE,

Thanks for your quick reply. I had hardly posted it before your reply. Thanks so much for the links, also.

Yes. Good point about AMD. I was very pro-AMD until the chipset mfgs. (VIA) couldn't get the 4-in-1's together. I've also leaned toward Intel in the past, because of the decent value of the Tualatins. My assumption is that there are no problems like the 4-in-1's of the past, for AMD now.

The price on the RAM doesn't seem bad either for Mushkin. I thought I might have to go with generic RAM. Heck, PC133 costs as much now.

I can also go with Fry's, as they have a good store in the North Dallas area. Until that store, I didn't know they had good stores.

Actually, I can go a bit higher $$$'s on the overall price, if the value is there.

The Athlon 64 though.....is it really going to be worth it, or will it only be worthwhile for the next iteration of Windows?
--Randy

 

[randypj]

MDE,

It certainly looks like you've found us an excellent value of mobo/cpu/RAM. Looks like I'll have plenty to play with for overclocking, also. I don't know much about all the terms, as I've been locked into Slot One Intel Tualatins for......um.....since they came out I guess. But, my Dad and I will be able to do plenty of internet research as we build next week.

Excellent point about the low voltage low heat on the Mobile 2200+. Of course, I've got a few questions and comments:

1. Yes, for $141.00 at newegg, I think we can go with the Athlon 64 2800+.
Retail Athlon 64 2800+, unless you know of some reason not to go with the retail boxed. I figure I can research the heck out of oc'ing fans/heatsinks later. I'll ask my Dad and we'll settle on one or the other cpu.

2. I was gonna ask you about going with 2 sticks of 1GB RAM, until I saw the price. I'll stay with the 512MB RAM. I know the mobo has 3 slots and supports up to 3 GB of RAM. BUT....I'm thinking it's best to do these in pairs because of enabling dual channel or such? If not, or if the board can't do dual channel, we can pop for a 3rd stick of 512MB. So, your opinion.....stay with (2) sticks of 512MB or go to a 3rd stick?

3. I had no idea that such a versatile mobo could be found for that price. Great call. We sure don't need anything more.

MDE, thanks much,
--Randy

 

[MDE]

Well, what's your total budget? It's a lot easier to find a configuration with a set price.

1) Retail boxed is fine, plus you get a decent heatsink and a three year warranty (as long as you use the heatsink)
2) Dual channel RAM does at most a ~5% boost for Athlons, so I wouldn't sweat pairing up the RAM, and 1GB is plenty for now, and unless you're gaming or doing video editing, it may even be excessive.
3) If you want something that'll overclock a bit better, try the Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 (NOT the NF7-S2, they're two different boards) or the DFI NFII Infinity. Most boards with the nForce2 chipset overclock relatively well, but those are the two favorites, but the DFI is the one you want if you're going to squeeze every last MHz out of the CPU and RAM.

My pleasure

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Please PM me the list of components that will be "obsolete" with this upgrade. :Q

I :heart: Tualatins.

- M4H

 

[randypj]

MDE,

Thanks so much for all the info. You've given us plenty to go with, and now a selection of mobos to boot.

I don't know that we had a set budget.....well, I know we didn't. I just know neither my Dad nor I are the type to spend $500 on a cpu or $300 on a video card. Heck, I think my first ti4200 was $105, then followed up by a couple newegg refurbs @ $75. And, you know if we've stuck with slot one/Intel Tualatins this long, we gotta be cheap......er, value oriented.

I honestly had no idea that decent mobos were so inexpensive, and really had no clue about RAM or cpus out since Intel Tualatins.

Hey, it's just a project my Dad and I can do together, learn some new stuff, and not have to spend a whole lot of $$$'s on, since we have plenty of everything else. And, he's finished restoring his 1939 Stinson, so he's got some time, and I've got a vacation.

We'll start the builds in about a week, and I'll let you know......

Thanks again,
--Randy