Wonderful Budget System

[endlesszeal]

Hey guys Im helping my girlfriend's family build a computer. They dont game a whole lot, maybe the Sims or something. However, the son is getting into some Doom3 and Halo. But mostly, they use it for browsing, burning, and word processing. I want a system that would last for them. They have a Compaq with a P3 that is like 5 years old. I want this system to last them another 5 years. Im trying real hard to keep it under $600. Here is my setup. Tell me what you think:

AMD 64 3000+ 939 : $151
DFI 939 Ultra : $157
Seagate Baraccuda 120GB IDE = $70
E Power Tagan 450 Watta PSU = $55
Leadtek 6200 Turbo Cache 256mb Version = $77
Corsair 512 MB Value RAM = $75
Codhegen Case: $40

Comes out to be around $620, shipped. The optical drives, monitor, and speaker will come from there old system. Do you guys think this is overclockable to at least 2.2-2.3ghz with the value ram and psu? Ive seen people get up to 2.6ghz with the same motherboard and processor.
I ruled out socket 754 because it wont be upgradable later on. No dual channel, not that it matters, expensive AGP cards unless used, and i havent seen overclocked 3000+ Newcastles.
Please tell me what you think and suggest. THANKS A WHOLE LOT!.

 

[ts3433]

Skip the 939 system, go with 754 (AGP cards are usually cheaper than PCIe right now, except for 6600GTs; upgradeability = meh; and overclocking's good on 754 too... though if they want to OC that should be their business), and get a better video card.

You could also swap out that case and PSU for an Antec Sonata for around the same price.

 

[endlesszeal]

Thanks for the suggestions. Any links to the 754 being as overclockable as the 939s? The price is a mere $15 difference. Also I want to give them a modest overlock. I mean if it'll go a little faster without a huge potenital damage, why not? I mean its not it'll die within that 3-5 year span, right? Will the Sonata be good enough to overlock?
I want to stick to the 6200 because its around 60-70 bucks and I cant find a nice graphic card around that price, especially agp unless its used. And actually, the AGPs are seemingly to be more expensive than PCI-E. Maybe its me.

 

[ts3433]

I think it's just you.

$15 difference? Your CPU and board cost $308. I could get a 2800+ or 3000+ 754/NF3 mobo setup for around $200-250, a difference of $60-110. That money would be better spent on a better videocard (though I'm not sure exactly how the 6200 performs relative to last year's cards). Though Newcastle cores aren't quite as overclockable as the Winchesters, they'll still give you good overclocks; however, I'd still suggest you leave any overclocking business to whoever's using this.

The Sonata should be plenty fine to overclock, and it will probably be quieter.

 

[endlesszeal]

I meant as for the processors. If I do switch to 754, ill probably go with an MSi neo or DFI 754. That would save them an extra 50 bucks.

And no its not for me. I have my rig setup for this summer :-D. I just got the overlock fever. I mean why buy a porsche turbo and drive around town to get grocery? if you have it, use it.

Anyway, if going to a socket 754, can i get the 3000+ to at least 2.0ghz for them? If not, im pretty planted on the 939. either way, if its not overclocked, at least they itll be more future friendly for an extra 50 bucks.

 

[ts3433]

The 754 3000+ IS 2GHz (dual channel memory on 939 is supposed to make up the loss of 200MHz versus the 754 to keep the PR rating the same). You could probably get 2.2-2.3 bare minimum with a good NF3 board (likely even one of the $60-80 ones).

 

[Philippine Mango]

Screw the 6200, get them a Radeon 9800 pro OR you could get an ATI Radeon 9800 SE, change the bios and then you have a 9800 Pro. If your Really lucky your 9800SE will be an XT!

 

[overst33r]

the 256MB on the video card is useless, that card will never use that amount of memory.

 

[endlesszeal]

how about the 754 2800?? mmm, maybe i will go to the 754 since its cheaper for the mobo. but the processor is actually 2 dollars more.. mm weird..

 

[justly]

I'd have to agree with ts3433, let them choose if they want to overclock or not. Even if you plan to overclock what part of "But mostly, they use it for browsing, burning, and word processing" do you think it will help? Yes, I know you said that they might play "Sims" or "Doom3 and Halo" but if you are realy concerned with game performance you shouldn't even be considering a Turbo Cashe 6200.

I just want point out something before I go on. This is a "family" computer not a gamming box, so expect it to be upgraded as often as their old one (you know the one that they have had for 5 years). Now look at that old computer, I will almost guarantee that if anything has been upgraded it is memory or somthing that just wore out.

Using the mindset that little to no routine/performance upgrades will be done the next thing to look at is the memory. If that 512MB of ram is one stick then you wasted money on a 939 setup since you just eliminated one of the main reasons for giong socket 939 (the other being an upgrade path that they are not likely to use anyway). If it is two 256MB sticks then I would be even more confused as to how you think this is giong to help performance opposed to a faster 754 setup with single chanel memory for the same price.

At this point I dont think it will matter to them what socket they get (939 or 754). I also don't think it will matter to them what brand motherboard or even what chipset you use. For that matter I wouldn't expect them to upgrade their video card either (unless you get them a Turbo Cashe 6200).

If I where doing this for someone I would get them a good power supply for stability sake, and then go with an economy motherboard and use the money saved to beef up the processor, memory or video depending on their needs (in your case video would be my guess).

Just as a note, that 256MB TurboCashe IS main memory (half of the 512MB you plan to use could go twards video), I wonder just how good Doom3 will run on 256MB...

 

[cyberknight]

hmm... you're only buying 512MB of memory, yet you are saying you are going to go S939 for dual channeling purposes? Buying a second stick later severely lowers your changes of being able to run in dual channel.

 

[footbal07]

you would be much better off getting
antec sonata w/ 380w ps $100
754 2800+ retail $120
epox EP-8KDA3J $70
corsair 512mb pc3200 value ram $70
seagate 160gig sata $108
leadtech 6600 $150
that comes out to be about 620. the antec is a much nicer case, and the ps is of higher quality. it also has a 160gig instead of the 120, and a 6600. if you want you can get the retail 3000+ for about 25 more. ps: i wouldnt even consider ocing a computer that i am selling to someone and that i am responsible for; unless they specifically request me to.

 

[cyberknight]

You could even cut your cost a bit more by getting a Antec 3700BQE. it comes with a 350W SmartPower, which is sufficient. the 3700BQE also has better airflow.

 

[dheffer]

Originally posted by: ts3433
Skip the 939 system, go with 754 (AGP cards are usually cheaper than PCIe right now, except for 6600GTs; upgradeability = meh; and overclocking's good on 754 too... though if they want to OC that should be their business), and get a better video card.

You could also swap out that case and PSU for an Antec Sonata for around the same price.

Skip the 939
150 for a mobo on a budget system?
Whaaaaa?
Get a nice nForce3 250gb socket 754 mobo for ~90 (The DFI Lanparty for $110 is great if you want to overclock a lot) and pick up a 3400+ for 219, all from newegg
Faster and cheaper... you don't even have to overclock and you're already at 2.4ghz
Oh, by the way, dont skimp on the case / power supply
3700bqe... it's whats up

 

[endlesszeal]

Thanks a whole lot of the inputs. I think im going to the 754. Is it worth the extra 50 bucks to go from 2800 to 3000? And whats a good stable mobo that is cheap? I saw the neo platnium had a 15 rebate for 85 at zipzoomfly. also, after much debate, ill probably skimp on the oc for them. however i do want to leave a wide window for them incase their son gets into computers and stuff. because from experience, my brother left me with a 1700+ palomino and a broken asus mobo and half ass nvidia mx400. thats why i wanted a good "possible overclocking" system for them.
as graphic cards go, whats a good cheap agp card? something that will run todays games at medium settings?
with the left over money, if there is any, i might stick in another 512mb of ram. i never said i was going to go dual channel, i said if i go s939, it would leave that window open for them. not that dc matters for an amd 64. what 5-7% performance gain?

 

[cyberknight]

The Soltek SL-K8AN2E-GR is a great budget board and fast at stock. Limited overclocking potential though, cuz the max CPU Voltage is 1.55 and it also has questionable CPU Temp sensors (which probably won't be too much of an issue since you can't raise your voltage that high anyways).

The DFI Lanparty nForce3 250 is hands down the best overclocking motherboard.

The Chaintech VNF-250 is priced nicely and supposedly has given many ppl very good overclocks.