What CPU/Mobo/RAM to buy? ($200-300)

[Pandamonium]

Budget is $200-300

Thinking about getting a JIUHB XP 1800+ and Soltek nF2 board reviewed on AT a couple of weeks ago and undervolting the XP for quieter operation

Or getting a P4B/C and a 865PE board with ICH5; integrated LAN/USB2/IEE1384 a plus - undervoltability a huge plus

I have a 512MB stick of PC2100 - and would probably get some PC3200 to w/ the P4 if I went the Intel route
I just use office apps, web browse, email and chat right now; but I want to be able to pick up a new video card when the time comes for HL2/D3 and be good to go.

Well, you know the drill.. =) TIA.

 

[Bonesdad]

With that much moolah, why not get the Barton 2500+? You could also get 512 MB of PC3200 Buffalo RAM for $88 at Newegg

 

[Pandamonium]

I just don't want an extremely hot running processor. The only reason I'm considering an Intel is the heat spreader, but the only intels I see as worth getting are the B/C procs. Besides, I kind of toasted my last AMD so I'm a little weary of heat issues.

 

[Ionizer86]

The Barton isn't really hot because you can get a lot of performance at relatively low clock speeds. IE 1800+ is 1.53GHz while 2500+ barton is 1.83GHz. You can always underclock if there's too much heat, but your AMD PR rating will be a few hundred points more.

Another example: the 2400+ (2.0GHz) is clocked higher than the Barton, yet performance is usually a bit less than the 1.83GHz Barton running a full 166MHz less.

If you're heat paranoid, work a huge heatsink like the SLK-800 into the budget

 

[Pandamonium]

Hmmm.... well, I have a Swiftech MCX462U, which is ranked slightly lower than the SLK-800...

The thing with the JIUHB 1800+ is that I could run it at 1.53Ghz at around 1.25V I think, which comes out to like 30W or so of a TDP....

But if I you were looking to go Intel with a $200-300 budget, what CPU/board/ram would you get?

 

[Pandamonium]

bump & subject edit for an actual recommendation...

 

[orion7144]

Originally posted by: xjedimasterx
bump & subject edit for an actual recommendation...

Go with the retail P4 2.4C for around $160 and the Abit IS7 for $99 and you will be a happy person.