Another Building Computer Topic
OttoDestruct
Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7790Members
Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7790Members
in Off-Topic
Yea yea.. anyway I have about a $1200 budget to work with in building it. Mainly what I want to know the following:
AMD or Intel.
Front speed bus, is it really worth it to get 800 mhz FSB.
Graphics card, I don't want the $300 bleeding edge card, I was more looking around $100-150 for a card, recommended card?
Er.. yea thats basically all.. the only componets I need help deciding is mobo, processor, soundcard based on mobo (is integrated enough?), graphics card, and possibly what company makes a good / cool looking / fairly cheap case.
AMD or Intel.
Front speed bus, is it really worth it to get 800 mhz FSB.
Graphics card, I don't want the $300 bleeding edge card, I was more looking around $100-150 for a card, recommended card?
Er.. yea thats basically all.. the only componets I need help deciding is mobo, processor, soundcard based on mobo (is integrated enough?), graphics card, and possibly what company makes a good / cool looking / fairly cheap case.
Comments
::activates flame shielding::
And I'd say go ahead and shell out the extra 150 for the vid card cause you'll end up upgrading for HL2, DX2, Quake 4 (<!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo--> coil) etc.
edit0rz yah get a good graphis card, but never get the top of the line stuff
Probably not really. I'm not going to be gaming much more once I get it, mainly the card is only going to be for HL2....
*Edit*
I was thinking around the lines of a Radeon 9500
Buuut, if It's not going to be a strictly gaming computer, worry about BUS speed first.
I recently built my computer for about $1100 - I went with an Athlon that only ran $256, compared to a $500 Pentium that performs maybe 5% better on most gaming benchmarks. 50% of the price + 95% of the performance = win. Plus if you want to use an nForce2 mobo, AMD is your only choice.
What I got:
Biostar nForce2 mobo ($80)
Antec case ($60 inc. 300W power supply and big honkin' fan)
Athlon 3000+ XP ($256)
Geforce 4 Ti4200 ($105)
One of the advantages of the nForce2 is that it has integrated sound that's pretty respectable, so I didn't even bother with a sound card.
Also, the FSB thing is kinda silly.. the new AMD and Intel chips run at 200MHz FSB, but AMD uses "double speed" while Intel uses "quad speed"
I'd almost wait for an Opteron board (great for games) or perhaps AMDs new Athlon64 which appears to be quite good.
No question about it; Geforce fx 5200. I know several people who have baught this, and many testify it is very good for the money it costs - UK PCgamer rates it the best budget card saying it has mid-range geforce 4 performance at a fraction of the cost they used to be.
Actually I would actually say it goes, trained mouse, ball of string, bubble gum wrapper, AMD, Mac.
CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)
MSI CDRW 52X24-52 CD Recorder MS-8352A Model CR52-A2 Retail
Specifications:
Buffer Size 2M bytes ExacLink: Prevent Buffer Under Run Error
Interface E-IDE/ATAPI
Acces speeds: Data Transfer Rate/Read 7800 KB/sec (52x) Data Transfer Rate/Write 7800 KB/sec (52x) Data Transfer Rate/Rewrite 3600 KB/sec (24x)
Access Time 85 ms typical@1/3 stroke
Disk Size 8cm/12cm
AWSS: Auto Balancing and Anti-Vibration System
Retail Box (see pics for included items) more info>
N82E16827100014 $39.99
$39.99
Hard Drives
MAXTOR 80GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # L01P080 - Retail Box
Specifications:
Size: 80 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA133
Seek time: 9 msec
RPM:7200
Cache 8MB
Retail Box 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty more info>
N82E16822144314 $107.00
$107.00
Memory (System Memory)
2x KINGSTON KVR400X64C3AK2/256 256MB Kit (2x 128MB) DDR400 PC3200 CL3
Specifications:
Type: 184-pin DDR
Capacity: 256MB (2x 128MB)
Speed: DDR400 (PC3200)
Latency: CAS Latency 3 more info>
N82E16820141421 $52.00
$104.00
Motherboards - Intel
MSI Motherboard for Intel Process model 865PE Neo2-LS Retail
Specifications:
Supported CPU:Pentium 4 Socket 478 Up to 3.6GHz or higher speed
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
Chipset: Intel 865PE + ICH5
FSB: 800/533
RAM:4x Dual DDR 400/333/266 Max 4GB (800Fsb CPU Required or DDR400 Opperation)
IDE:Dual Channel Ultra DMA 100/66 up to 4 Devices
SATA: Dual Serial ATA ports 150 MBS Max
Slots:1x AGP 8X and 5x PCI 32-bit
Ports:2xPS2, 1xCOM,1xLPT,6xUSB,1xLAN and Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: AC97 v2.2 Spec 6 Channel
Onboard LAN:Integrated Fast Ethernet 10/100Mbs more info>
N82E16813130416 $96.00
$96.00
Processors
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.6CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL
Specifications:
CPU: 2.6GHz
Type: Pentium 4 Northwood
Cache: 512K
BUS: 800 Mhz
Socket: 478
Retail box (with Heatsink and Fan)
3-year MFG. Warranty- more info>
N82E16819116159 $217.00
$217.00
Video Cards
MSI Model FX5600-TD128 Geforce FX 5600 AGP8X VGA Card - Retail
Specifications:
Chipset:Nvidia Geforce FX 5600
Memory: 128MB DDR SDRAM
Bus: AGP 8X
Support for DX 9.0 Pixel/Vertex Shader 2.0+
4 pixels per clock rendering engine
128-bit, studio-quality floating point precision through the entire graphics pipeline
Native support for 128-bit floating point, 64-bit floating point and 32-bit integer rendering modes
Ports:VGA + DVI + S-Video
Retail Box (see picture for details) more info>
N82E16814127996 $154.00
$154.00
Subtotal » $717.99
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I just pulled that from a quick search on <a href='http://www.newegg.com' target='_blank'>NewEgg</a>.
Plenty left over from $1200 for a case and any other details.
EDIT: corrected qty for RAM. Should be 2x.
<a href='http://www.tomshardware.com/motherboard/20030707/i875p-46.html' target='_blank'>Clicky</a>
Hopefully that will convince you.
Edit - Dr. D, took the words out of my mouth.
Actually I would actually say it goes, trained mouse, ball of string, bubble gum wrapper, AMD, Mac. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
Mac is at a unique intersection of having too much money to spend but not wanting to get anything too high-quality.
Same here, ASUS and Intel seem to like each other, very few problems.....except for that meltdown....dear god....the horror.....
Thanks for opening old wounds!
uh no actually ASUS makes great borads, haven't had any problems.
"ASUS it's Awesomerific!"
/me recieves his royalty check
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Shuttle Motherboard for AMD processors Model AN35N-Ultra Retail
Specifications:
Supported CPU:AMD Socket A, Athlon XP, Athlon, Duron CPU
Chipset:nForce2 Ultra 400 + MCP
FSB:200/266/333/400MHz
RAM:On Board 3 x 184-pin DDR Socket, Up to 3 GB
IDE:4x Ultra DMA 33/66/100/133 IDE up to 4 Devices
Slots:1X 8X AGP slot, 5x PCI slots
Ports:2xPS2,1xLPT,2xCOM,1xLAN,2xUSB, Audio & Gameport
Onboard Audio:Realtek ALC650, 5.1 channel audio
Onboard LAN: Realtek 8201BL 10/100 MBS Ethernet
N82E16813150045 $63.00
$63.00
AMD ATHLON XP 2800 "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- OEM
Specifications:
CPU: 2.08 GHz
Type: XP 2800 Barton Core
Cache: 512K L2, 128K L1, Total 640KB
BUS: 333MHz
Socket A
OEM (Processor Only)
N82E16819103376 $169.00
$169.00
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Using the AMD and Shuttle MOBO would save you around $60.
EDIT: I just noticed that the Shuttle MOBO only has 3 RAM slots. The RAM I posted earlier is 2x a set of 2x128. In other words, you'd have to find a couple sticks of 256 or whatever.
Why not? In my experience they've been better than Intel... never had a prob with an AMD chip.
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CHIEFTEC Server Chasis (Aluminum Workstation Tower with Plastic Front Cover) SILVER COLOR w/ Side acrylic window and a Case Fan on Side Window **Now with 2 x Front USB2.0 and 1 x Firewire IEEE1394 ports** Model AX-01SLD Retail Weights Only 18LBs!
Specifications:
Material:Aluminum
Form Factor:ATX
Side See Through Window w/ Fan
Bays:4 x 5.25", 2 x 3.5", Internal: 4 x 3.5".
Expansion Slots:7
Fans:2 rear Mounted Fans and 1 side panel Fan
Power Supply:NO POWER SUPPLY
Dimensions:473 x 205 x 522 mm (D x W x H)
$63
SONY Black CD-RW Model CRX225E/B2 52X24X52 - OEM
Specifications:
Speed: 52x Write, 24x Re-write, 52x Read
Interface: ATAPI EIDE
Access time: 80ms
Buffer: 2MB with Under-Run Protection
$41
SONY 1.44MB 3.5 INCH INTERNAL FDD DRIVE - OEM-BLACK
Specifications:
Compatible with 720 KB and 1.44 MB 3.5-inch Floppy Disks
Media Maximum: 1.44 MB (Formatted)
Standard 34-pin floppy drive interface for easy installation
Rortational Speed: 300 rpm
MTBF: 30,000 Power On Hours
$10
MAXTOR 60GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # 6Y060P0 - OEM, DRIVE ONLY DiamondMax Plus 9
Specifications:
Size: 60 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA133
Seek time: 9 msec
RPM:7200
Cache 8MB
OEM(Drive alone) 1 Year Manufacturer Warranty
$78
DynaPoint Black 107-Key Standard Keyboard, Model KB-NK118B/PS2 - Retail
Specifications:
104 keys, 3 Windows multimedia hot key
Plug and play
Supporting multiple languages
Compatible with Windows 95/98/2000/ME/NT/XP
$12
KINGSTON HyperX 184-pin 512MB Kit (2x 256MB) DDR400 (PC3200) DDR RAM modules, Model# KHX3200AK2/512
Specifications:
Type: Kingston HyperX
Capacity: 512MB (2x 256MB
Speed: DDR 400 (PC 3200)
Latency: CAS Latency 2 (2-3-2-6-1T)
$124
NEC/MITSUBISHI 17" CRT Black MONITOR MODEL FE771SB Retail
Specifications: Make a bright investment in performance with the 17 (16 viewable) NEC MultiSync FE771SB, a flat-screen CRT monitor boasting superior image quality and unprecedented brightness. SuperBright Diamondtron Totally-Flat Aperture Grille
Size: 17" (16.0" viewable image size), Black
90° deflection
0.25mm aperture grille pitch,
Resolutions:640 x 480 @ 60 to 120 Hz to 1280 x 1024 @ 60 to 66 Hz
Recommended Resolution: 1024 x 768 @ 85 Hz
Input Connector: DB15 VGA Dimensions: 15.6 in. (W) x 16.2 in. (H) x 16.4 in. (D)
General Manufacturer Limited Warranty: 3 Years CRT, Parts and Labor
$160
MSI Motherboard for Intel Process model 865PE Neo2-LS Retail
Specifications:
Supported CPU:Pentium 4 Socket 478 Up to 3.6GHz or higher speed
Intel Hyper-Threading Technology
Chipset: Intel 865PE + ICH5
FSB: 800/533
RAM:4x Dual DDR 400/333/266 Max 4GB (800Fsb CPU Required or DDR400 Opperation)
IDE:Dual Channel Ultra DMA 100/66 up to 4 Devices
SATA: Dual Serial ATA ports 150 MBS Max
Slots:1x AGP 8X and 5x PCI 32-bit
Ports:2xPS2, 1xCOM,1xLPT,6xUSB,1xLAN and Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: AC97 v2.2 Spec 6 Channel
Onboard LAN:Integrated Fast Ethernet 10/100Mbs
$96
Logitech MX300 Optical Mouse (PS/2 & USB) - RETAIL Features the new Logitech MX Optical Engine, a new tracking technology captures more data with each move you make.
MX Optical Engine delivers more accuracy and control on more surfaces than ever before
MX Optical Engine delivers more accuracy and control on more surfaces than ever before
Comfortable rounded shape fits nicely in both left and right hands
Improve your searching speed by using the scroll wheel to quickly move
$25
Antec P4 ATX12V 400 Watt Power Supply With 2 Fans - Retail ATX12V Form Factor, 2.03 compliant for Pentium 4 (backward compatible with previous Pentium versions) and AMD systems L5.9" x W5.5" x H3.4" +5V Stand-By & Logic On/Off Additonal Fan for cooling, built in. Smart Fan Feature (Thermal Controlled Variable Speed Fan) SL400 is a 400 Watt 6-output, fan-cooled ATX (Baby AT or PS/2 Size) power supply designed for personal computer or industrial applications. Its ATX12V and ATX 2.03 compliance allows its use with the latest Pentium 4 processors while its backward compatibility ensures its usability with any system
$57
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.6CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - OEM
Specifications:
CPU: 2.6GHz
Type: Pentium 4 Northwood
Cache: 512K
BUS: 800 Mhz
Socket: 478
OEM version
$210
MSI Model FX5600-TD128 Geforce FX 5600 AGP8X VGA Card - Retail
Specifications:
Chipset:Nvidia Geforce FX 5600
Memory: 128MB DDR SDRAM
Bus: AGP 8X
Support for DX 9.0 Pixel/Vertex Shader 2.0+
4 pixels per clock rendering engine
128-bit, studio-quality floating point precision through the entire graphics pipeline
Native support for 128-bit floating point, 64-bit floating point and 32-bit integer rendering modes
Ports:VGA + DVI + S-Video
Retail Box (see picture for details
$154
Subtotal > $1,030.99
Shipping and Handling > $ 52.00 (OMG)
Grand Total: $ 1,082.99
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I decided to go for higher quality RAM, change a few of the things to the cheaper OEM product (I've yet to have a problem with OEM stuff, and NewEgg has a great return/replace service), went for a bit cheaper monitor but the one I selected has pretty good reviews, went for a smaller/cheaper HDD since I'm never even going to use 60 gig let alone 80, burner three dollars more but the MSI burner either didn't have reviews or was reviewed badly I forget which. Probably what surprised me most though was the Chieftec case I found. I've been looking at Dell computers for the past few days, and while yes maybe they do use all retail products blah blah tech support blah blah blah, this is a much nicer system than any $1000 system I can find on their site.
Second of all, don't listen to these Intel fanboys.
There's no doubt about it, Intel make a great processor/motherboard combo.
However, you can't go wrong getting the same IF NOT BETTER perfomance from a CPU/motherboard combo that costs HALF THE PRICE.
My advice? Stick with AMD. Intel is for people who wallow in cash. There is absolutely nothing wrong with AMD, don't let brainwashed fanboys tell you anything different.
The Radeon 9500 is definately a good value card for its price and performance.
The Geforce 5200 gets beaten by Ti4200 in most instances, except when AA, AF etc is turned on.
Stick with the 9500 in this case.
Note - That board has SATA on it...I'd suggest looking into utilizing it.
Those western digital Raptor drives work quite nicely.