[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. 🙂