Say you had $580 to spend on PC upgrades

[Bonesdad]

DO NOT get that RAM...if you want 512, get the Corsair Value RAM. Then spend the $$ you save on a 6600GT. You will be MUCH happier.

 

[iamskew]

Thank you bonesdad...Thank you very much

 

[Ike0069]

Jigga I think going with S939 is ok. You pay a little more, get a little less, but maybe have better upgrade options.
I also am scratching my head about the RAM though. First, why are you going with DDR 400. I'm guessing it's because you plan to OC, right? If so, then why get a Foxconn MB. Get one that is made for OC'ing like the MSI or DFI. I'm betting that when you upgrade, you'll again be buying a new MB.
So back to the RAM. 2x256 for $124 is laughable for a budget rig. S said before, just get he 2X512 Corsair for less money. It will OC some, but running asynch is fine with the A64's. Or get 2x256 value RAM and upgrade the VC.
What you're deciding on here is not a budget PC. It's a cheaped out version of a mid-range PC (except for the RAM). Again, that is fine depending on your needs/wnats, but I just don't think you're accomplishing what you want out of a system with this setup.
IMO...If you really want the latest technology, you should be willing to pay a little more.

 

[Mykl]

Originally posted by: iamskew

$50 is a lot to save on a budget pc bro. switching your mobo and cpu after 2 years (which is probably the minimum for how old Jigga's pc is) is not all that often if you ask me...hopefully you change your undies more often than once every 2 years.

*shrug*

Well then... S754 may be the right choice. I built my PC on a budget and I really didn't consider $50 to be all that much. I guess different people have different sized wallets.


*edit* -> concerning RAM... these guys know more than I do about the subject, but I'd like to mirror their statements regarding your choice here. I think you'd be better served with two "cheap" sticks of 512. But I don't know any specifics, I'm just willing to put faith in the general concensus around here.

 

[Mykl]

I was poking around and found this thread...

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=27&threadid=1363653&enterthread=y


You may have read it already, but it's new to me as I'm relatively new to these forums.

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Mykl

Originally posted by: iamskew

$50 is a lot to save on a budget pc bro. switching your mobo and cpu after 2 years (which is probably the minimum for how old Jigga's pc is) is not all that often if you ask me...hopefully you change your undies more often than once every 2 years.

*shrug*

Well then... S754 may be the right choice. I built my PC on a budget and I really didn't consider $50 to be all that much. I guess different people have different sized wallets.


*edit* -> concerning RAM... these guys know more than I do about the subject, but I'd like to mirror their statements regarding your choice here. I think you'd be better served with two "cheap" sticks of 512. But I don't know any specifics, I'm just willing to put faith in the general concensus around here.

Don't get the wrong idea. S939 is an awesome setup, but without any doubt, the S754 gives the BEST price/performance ratio right now.
This is my OPINION: If you like to upgrade frequently (like myself), then you should go with the S939. If not, go with the S754.

 

[dhoytw]

Originally posted by: shoRunner
if you get pci-e (pci-X is actually different than pci express, its used generally in servers and whatnot) you'd have to get a new video card so your gonna be struggling for under $500 but, here's what i got:

mobo
3000+
1gb memory
new psu
video

assuming you can use your old case and that you don't do much gaming, its right at about 490


*edit* i saw $500 not $580, you may want to get a little beefier psu

Dude what is that video card....lol awful.

 

[iamskew]

Originally posted by: Ike0069

Originally posted by: Mykl

Originally posted by: iamskew

$50 is a lot to save on a budget pc bro. switching your mobo and cpu after 2 years (which is probably the minimum for how old Jigga's pc is) is not all that often if you ask me...hopefully you change your undies more often than once every 2 years.

*shrug*

Well then... S754 may be the right choice. I built my PC on a budget and I really didn't consider $50 to be all that much. I guess different people have different sized wallets.


*edit* -> concerning RAM... these guys know more than I do about the subject, but I'd like to mirror their statements regarding your choice here. I think you'd be better served with two "cheap" sticks of 512. But I don't know any specifics, I'm just willing to put faith in the general concensus around here.

Don't get the wrong idea. S939 is an awesome setup, but without any doubt, the S754 gives the BEST price/performance ratio right now.
This is my OPINION: If you like to upgrade frequently (like myself), then you should go with the S939. If not, go with the S754.

that's good advice...

 

[UNCjigga]

bump for updates, see OP for my new shopping list.

 

[jonnyGURU]

I'd buy a wall mount swing rack, a 4U case, migrate everything over to it, and then install an ITW/Link RacMax light and a rackmount keyboard/monitor/mouse and use this as my home PC just to be different.

Oh wait... I'm over budget... Go with the rackmount keyboard and mouse drawer, but use a rack shelf and put my exisiting monitor up on it instead of a folding rackmount LCD. 😉

 

[Ike0069]

I like the upgrade at MB and RAM (to 1 GB). Not real sure about that PSU though. The +12V amps (18) might bea limiting factor when you try to OC. The problem is that an upgrade throws you over budget. (This all goes back to the S754 argument for a "budget" system, but we won't rehash that 🙂). Anyways, other than the questonable PSU choice, it looks real good.
As for the VC, I also read that the 6200 can be soft modded to a 6600. I don't now of anyone that has actually done it though.

 

[Anonemous]

Originally posted by: Ike0069

Originally posted by: Anonemous

Originally posted by: Ike0069

Originally posted by: ribbon13
King of the bang for the buck right here ->
$85 Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR
$219.00 3400+

No personal experience with Soltek's, but I have to agree with Ribbon. The 3400+ is definitely the best price/performance CPU out.

How does the 3400+ oc compare to the 3000+ ?

Well, the newcastles don't OC as well as the Winchesters, but the 3400+ already starts out with a 0.6 GHz advantage over the 3000+ S939. A S9339 3000+'s can make 2.4, but not likely with that Chaintech MB. You would need to get the DFI or MSI NF4 Ultra's which are around $150.

How about a Winchester 3000+ vs. a winchester 3400+?

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: Anonemous
How about a Winchester 3000+ vs. a winchester 3400+?

No such thing.
S939 CPU's:
Winchester 3000+ - 1.8 GHz
Winchester 3200+ - 2.0 Ghz
Winchester/Newcastle 3500+ - 2.2 GHz