[Updated] Recommendation for a budget machine

[Kinca]

After reading some of the comments and looking around a bit at Fry's, I've decided to update the specification of this machine and downgraded the requirement to a budget system. And thanks for all who replied in this thread, as well.

First of all, I've pretty much ruled out any upgrade potential for this machine. With things like 64 bit CPU, DDR2, PCI-E, and of all things, BTX, I'm not sure how much I can salvage from a machine I build this year. I would upgrade my main computer (AMD Athlon XP 1800, 512M, Ti4400) next year so I'd like to save up for that as well.

This second computer would be used to play WorldOfWarcraft, and for a MMORPG, it has low system requirement, unlike EQ2. No need for FPS like Doom3 & HL2, etc., either.

Two options for the base system:

1. Shuttle XPC Barebone System for Socket 478
$190.50
Support DDR400, AGP 8X, SATA, Wireless LAN(802.11b), 220W PS
- A small box which my sister, the owner of this system, would like to have.
- Pentium 1.5 GHz (free)

2. Asus mid tower with 250W PS (from an older computer)
- AMD Sempron 2400 with ABIT motherboard combo from Fry?s $115
- need to add an Wireless card later on.

Memory:
Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 ? Retail $73 x 2 = $146
- Fry's has some PNY 512M PC-3200 memory on sale for $55 each. Are they any good?

Harddisk:
Seagate 160GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST3160023A, OEM
- $55 at Fry's after Rebate

Video:

Originally I looked at this,
XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6600GT Video Card, 128MB, AGP $240.00
But $50 more for AGP version over PCI-E is just not right. Is there anywhere that sells them at least close to their PCI-E cousin's pricing?

For corner cutting, think a 9600Pro would do? How does it compare to the Ti4400?
POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9600PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "R96A-C3N" -RETAIL $120


KB&Mouse:
Logitech Cordless MX Duo USB/ PS/2 104keys -RETAIL
$69.50
- Thanks for correcting me. It was indeed the MX Duo I want.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kinca]

BTW, the main concern here is whether the Video card can be supported by the barebone system.

Thanks.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Be careful, all of the 6600GT cards under $200 are PCI-E not AGP. The one you linked to for $240 is AGP.

You might look at thread #1 here (or click the "guides" tab at top of page).

For $300 you could get an A64 2800+ (faster than P4 3.0E in many games), motherboard, and Antec Sonata case. It's $100 more than your shuttle + free P4, but double the performance.

Seagate and Samsung are good drives that run cooler and quieter than WD. SATA is almost exactly the same speed as PATA / regular IDE. Also, you can save $30 by dropping down to an 80 GB.

 

[ts3433]

If you must have a smallish box, you can try the upgradeable Antec Aria, though it is best just to get a normal ATX case, like the Sonata or one of Antec's SLK3700___ cases--more upgradeable and easier to work in.

Also, for gaming you will want a faster proc. Probably at least a gig of PC3200 value RAM (Corsair, Crucial, Mushkin, etc), especially since this is an MMORPG.

 

[Mrvile]

What is your budget? It looks like you expect around what, 500 bucks, which is extreme low-end. 1000 is considered mid-range, and anything above about 1600 is high-end. In my opinion .

Anyway, are you sure you want small-form-factor? They actually tend to be a bit more expensive, less compatible with a lot of hardware, worse cooling, and are pretty old-school. If you could bump your budget up to maybe 800 or so you can build a much better regular ATX sized computer. If you aren't looking for portability, you really shouldn't consider SFF.

But first tell us your set budget.

 

[dc5]

consider the mx duo instead of the lx700 that you're going to get. the mx duo is cheaper and it comes with a better mouse (mx700 instead of cordless click)

 

[Kinca]

I updated the post for the new configuration under consideration.

Thanks everyone for your comments.