Super Budget Gamer

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DanDaMan315

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2004
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My friend wants to be able to play computer games, and Micro Center is having a 20% off sale so he figures this is a good time. I'm gonna build it for him but I need to know if this can run HL2.

Celeron 2.5
Soyo SY-P4VTE
512mb pc3200 value ram
Xtasy 9600 256mb

other option would be:

Sempron 2500
Soyo K7VME

As I am EXTREMELY limited on with this kid's budget this is all I can get him. Which of the processor/mobo combos is better? The K7VME has integrated video which I wont need, so I was leaning toward the Celeron combo.
 
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ComatoseDelirium

Senior member
Dec 18, 2004
653
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Sempron, but.. see if you can get a different mobo, and HL2 will be uber choppy on integrated graphics (if its 32 or 64MB)

and.. 256 MB ram isn't a big deal, pipelines is where its at, I'd go for a used Ati 9700 or 9800 if you can find one at any local places would be around the same price.
 
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DanDaMan315

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2004
1,366
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u dont seem to understand the extreme budget im under. $450 tops total. dont need a monitor tho.
 
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DanDaMan315

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2004
1,366
0
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ahhh some proof that it can be done, thank you. Yea I think the regular 9600 is more powerful.
 
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Vee

Senior member
Jun 18, 2004
689
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0
Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
u dont seem to understand the extreme budget im under. $450 tops total. dont need a monitor tho.
Click to expand...

Budget is fine I think. Should be doable. I greatly distrust 'KM' or other chipsets with integrated video, and it's useless for your purpose anyway.
Me I'd look for some leftover A-XP if they're still available somewhere (Newegg seem to still sell Barton 2500+ at around $80), second choice would be some Sempron.
And a KT400A or KT600 MB for about $40.
Single 512 stick PC2700 CL 2.5 $65
Case $20 (hard to find, but they exist sometimes)
Fortron 300W 120mm $30
HD $60
DVD-ROM $25

Sofar $320

Both R9600pro and full FX5700 should be possible to squeeze in on $110. Just make sure you don't get any castrated version ("LE", "SE", or 64-bit).
Edit: R9600pro (or any ATI 9600, 9800) should be MUCH better at HL2 than any nV GF card in the '5' series.

Leaves $20 for bits and pieces or transports.

Scavenge keyboard and mouse. If you can't, shave off $ on CPU.
(Also, I've never used ATI with KT400A or KT600, haven't noticed any wailing choir of complaints though.)
 
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JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
u dont seem to understand the extreme budget im under. $450 tops total. dont need a monitor tho.
Click to expand...
Umm, I'm sure you added the cost for Windows XP right? About $100? Or are you going to set him up with Linux?

If your friend wants a PC that will play HL2 the way it was meant to be played, I suggest he get a better job or save more money. PC gaming isn't cheap. If he wants cheap, point him to the XBox.
 
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Dravic

Senior member
May 18, 2000
892
0
76
And a KT400A or KT600 MB for about $40.
Click to expand...

I would even look at the asrock kt880 mb

its actually upgradable to a 754 or 939 64 cpu with a daugther card that replaces the northbridge.

k7Upgrade-880

dual channel memory, SATA raid.. bios lacks some features, i guess to save money many options are jumpered.

$44

just put one in a linux server.. so far so good.. still tweaking

might even buy one for my rig as an interm jump before going to a64 939.. my xp@2.3ghz if fine, but my kt333 board is lacking in memory bandwidth..

$44 might be a worthwile stall while i wait for sse3 90mm 939 chips to appear. that should cause the existing sse2 90mm inventory to drop in price a bit.


now if only my alpha PAL8045 fit... an extra $30 for a decent socket a/462 HSF makes me iffy

 
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w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
5,545
0
0
i would go with the barton 2500 and oc to 3200, ram just like value 512mb one stick, video card 6600gt, mobo just get a good one not crazy like dfi or anything but good.

edit case- get the cheapest thing you can find with 450 dollars we have no time for loooks. get a psu that can do it but not overdue it.
 
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DanDaMan315

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2004
1,366
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Well the budget got a little bigger because his mom is gonna chip in a bit. And as far as the OS goes Im using a builders copy of 2000 pro.
 
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JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
Well the budget got a little bigger because his mom is gonna chip in a bit. And as far as the OS goes Im using a builders copy of 2000 pro.
Click to expand...
Yeah dude, don't give me this builders copy junk. Either you charge for a physical copy of 2000 Pro, or you charge for the license. Their is no legal FREE copy of Windows. So I suggest you add that into your little price list.
 
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drpootums

Golden Member
Oct 22, 2004
1,315
0
0
If you want to get windows for cheaper, just buy a licence ONLY off of pricewatch for $45 or so. Then, borrow someones XP cd and there u go, windows XP for half price!

And what is the budget now? If it's around $500-550, try to save money on the case and get a 6600GT or a used ATI 9800pro if it can be had for around $150-170 or so.
 
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Wetzelman1

Member
Jan 4, 2005
125
0
0
I know my brother runs hl2 with high-mid graphics with his amd 2500 and 9700pro card. I just bought a 2500 and have a 9600np and i'm expecting it to run fairly decently with mid graphics on.

Budget means not to get something really good. The problem is, he will upgrade later, essentially wasitng money. I am porbably going to upgrade my 9600np even though i just bought it 6 months ago. the 9600np can be bought for $75 on newegg while a much better card, 6600 or 9800se(can be softmodded to pro) will go for around $150. $150 still is pretty cheap for a vid card but it really all depends on whatevers available.

ALso, go to schools and business' and ask them if they have old cpu's their not using. Chances are you can get a case, psu, and fans for free.
 
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DanDaMan315

Golden Member
Oct 25, 2004
1,366
0
0
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
Well the budget got a little bigger because his mom is gonna chip in a bit. And as far as the OS goes Im using a builders copy of 2000 pro.
Click to expand...
Yeah dude, don't give me this builders copy junk. Either you charge for a physical copy of 2000 Pro, or you charge for the license. Their is no legal FREE copy of Windows. So I suggest you add that into your little price list.
Click to expand...

Well my friends dad owns a computer building company and he has a builders copy of 2000 pro. So eat me, I'm not gonna pay for a copy when I my friend has a builders copy, especially with the budget im on.
 
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JackBurton

Lifer
Jul 18, 2000
15,993
14
81
Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
Originally posted by: JackBurton
Originally posted by: DanDaMan315
Well the budget got a little bigger because his mom is gonna chip in a bit. And as far as the OS goes Im using a builders copy of 2000 pro.
Click to expand...
Yeah dude, don't give me this builders copy junk. Either you charge for a physical copy of 2000 Pro, or you charge for the license. Their is no legal FREE copy of Windows. So I suggest you add that into your little price list.
Click to expand...

Well my friends dad owns a computer building company and he has a builders copy of 2000 pro. So eat me, I'm not gonna pay for a copy when I my friend has a builders copy, especially with the budget im on.
Click to expand...
You're friend's dad has an OEM copy and has licenses that he PAID for genius. Areyou going to make his dad aware that you used one of his licenses for this build. You are aware that builders PAY for each license of Windows they put on EACH box right? Or do you think licenses just fall out of the sky? Someone is going to HAVE to pay for the MS OS, I don't care WTF budget you are on. You HAVE to pay for the OS just like any other piece of hardware you had to buy to build the machine. You're b!tching about the budget? Install Linux.
 
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