My cheap, hopefully effective comp options

[B.Calhoun]

Well ive been trying to customize the cheapest-best computer i could come up with on www.ibuypower.com
Heres example 1: (BTW dont worry about any of the colors-i can change them for free)

Intel-Pentium4 DDR400

Case ( Raidmax 268 ATX Mid-Tower Case w/350W Power Supply Silver )
Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )
Processor ( Intel® Pentium-4 Processor 2.8 Ghz CPU [512K Cache, 800MHz FSB, Hyper Threading Ready] )
Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink )
Motherboard ( MSI 848P Neo-V i848P Chip 800FSB w/LAN, Audio, USB 2.0 8x AGP Motherboard )
Memory ( 512 MB Dual Channel [256MB X2] DDR-400 PC3200 Memory Module Major Brand )
Video Card ( Nvidia Geforce-FX 5500 256MB w/DVI + TV Out 8x AGP Video )
Hard Drive ( 80 GB HARD DRIVE 80 GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA-100 Hard Drive )
CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive Beige )
Sound Card ( 3D Wave Stereo Sound Onboard )
Speaker System ( Cintre 120W PMPO (RMS: 6W) 2 Pcs Stereo Speaker System Beige )
Network Card ( 10/100 Network Onboard )
Floppy Drive ( Mitsumi 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Drive Beige )
Monitor ( CRT Monitor ViewSonic 17" E70F Perfect Flat .21H DPI Color Monitor [Beige] )
Keyboard ( PS/2 104 Key Windows 98 Keyboard Beige )
Mouse ( Microsoft IntelliMouse 1.1A USB Internet Mouse Beige )
USB Port ( Build-in USB 2.0 Ports )
Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )

Example 2:

AMD Athlon-64 DDR400

Case ( Raidmax 268 ATX Mid-Tower Case w/350W Power Supply Silver )
Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )
Processor ( AMD® Athlon-64 2800+ CPU w/ Hyper Transport Technology )
Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink )
Motherboard ( Albatron K8X800 Pro Via-K8T800+8237 Chipsets w/5.1 Sound, LAN, USB 2.0 8x AGP Motherboard )
Memory ( 512MB DDR-400 PC3200 Memory Module Major Brand )
Video Card ( Nvidia Geforce-FX 5500 256MB w/DVI + TV Out 8x AGP Video )
Hard Drive ( 80 GB HARD DRIVE 80 GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA-100 Hard Drive )
CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( 16x DVD-ROM + 52x32x52 CD-RW Combo Drive Beige )
Sound Card ( 3D Wave Stereo Sound Onboard )
Speaker System ( 600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System )
Network Card ( 10/100 Network Onboard )
Floppy Drive ( Mitsumi 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Drive Beige )
Monitor ( CRT Monitor ViewSonic 17" E70F Perfect Flat .21H DPI Color Monitor [Beige] )
Keyboard ( PS/2 104 Key Windows 98 Keyboard Beige )
Mouse ( Microsoft IntelliMouse 1.1A USB Internet Mouse Beige )
Meter Display ( Thermal Temperature LCD Display Beige )
Flash Media Reader/Writer ( 6-In-1 Internal Flash Media Card Reader/Writer Beige )
USB Port ( Build-in USB 2.0 Ports )
Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )


So whats you input? the second computer is a little bit more $ than the first.

 

[B.Calhoun]

No feedback at all?

 

[blackeye]

If your using it for gaming you should probably get a faster videocard. Oh and get the A64 system over the intel.

 

[[Matt]]

If your going for the AMD option i would advise you go with an Nforce 2 motherboard instead such as the Asus A7N8X-E. I have one and its the best motherboard ive ever had

 

[Fletch]

Try and get a better vid card. If you could stretch to a 9800pro, as their prices have come down now considreably with the new generation of cards, you wouldn't regret it.

 

[blackeye]

If your going for the AMD option i would advise you go with an Nforce 2 motherboard instead such as the Asus A7N8X-E. I have one and its the best motherboard ive ever had

Athlon 64's dont have nforce 2 mobos.

 

[Asus]

The Albatron board should be good but if you would like a Nvidia then I believe Chaintech has a very affordable nForce 3 250 board.

Is that a 848P chipset for the Intel system? I would at least select a board with the 865PE chipset. I know the 865PE was a jump in performance from the previous chipsets.

I would recommend not getting the FX 5500 Nvidia card. A 9600 will perform much better, especially in DX9 games.

That A64 2800+ will run very well. I'd recommend that system. At least you didn't select a Prescott 'E' (1024MB L2 Cache) for the Intel system.

 

[B.Calhoun]

ok ok, thanks for the input guys. So ill probally be trying to upgrade the video card then.

--if you wanna reply still be my guest i wont buy a new computer probally till the end of august, just making sure i got some options--

 

[B.Calhoun]

Ok if i go with the AMD and i switch the video card to a ATI 9800 PRO the price with shipping included turns out to be 1,150. Aint to bad right? Plus ima need to use my moms credit card...hehe....maybe she wont notice the difference that i pay her back!

 

[B.Calhoun]

Sorry for the triple post but i cant edit after 15 mins....

I was looking at the 9600-XT instead of the 9800 PRO which is much less expensive. The total comes to 1,035 with shipping included with the 9600-XT. so this looks like a better buy for my needs.

Sounds good right?

 

[Asus]

A 9600XT should be able to play HL2 at a good resolution and frame rate. It will meet what you need today.
A 9800Pro should be able to play HL2 at high resolution with AA/AF and good frame rate. It will play a lot better than the 9600XT in other games that are not DX9, like Doom 3. It will also perform real well in future games too.

It's up to you buy I would recommend the 9800Pro. Originally it was a 400$ card while the 9600XT was only a 200$ card. Obviously prices have dropped quite a bit and both are a great value now.

 

[B.Calhoun]

well now over reveiwing the facts (lol) the 9800PRO would be a more expensive but eventually ill have to upgrade and id rather just get it over with and spend the big bucks now....i just hope i can make a good amount of cash by the end of the month so that my mom will agree to loan me some money that i will pay her back.

 

[B.Calhoun]

I know this computer is probally not as high end as the others because its much cheaper but how does is stack up?

AMD Athlon XP DDR-400

Case ( Raidmax 268 ATX Mid-Tower Case w/350W Power Supply Silver )
Power Supply ( Standard Case Power Supply )
Processor ( AMD® Athlon XP 2700+ QuantiSpeed CPU )
Processor Cooling ( Certified CPU Fan and Heatsink )
Motherboard ( Asus A7N8X-X w/Audio, LAN, USB 2.0 8x AGP Motherboard )
Memory ( 512 MB Dual Channel [256MB X2] DDR-400 PC3200 Memory Module Major Brand )
Video Card ( ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB W/DVI + TV OUT 8x AGP Video )
Hard Drive ( 80 GB HARD DRIVE 80 GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA-100 Hard Drive )
CD-RW/DVD-RW Drive ( 52x32x52 CD-RW Drive Beige )
Sound Card ( 3D Wave Stereo Sound Onboard )
Speaker System ( 600W PMPO 3 PCS Super Bass Subwoofer Speaker System )
Network Card ( 10/100 Network Onboard )
Floppy Drive ( Mitsumi 1.44 MB Internal Floppy Drive Beige )
Monitor ( CRT Monitor ViewSonic 17" E70F Perfect Flat .21H DPI Color Monitor [Beige] )
Keyboard ( PS/2 104 Key Windows 98 Keyboard Beige )
Mouse ( Microsoft IntelliMouse 1.1A USB Internet Mouse Beige )
USB Port ( Build-in USB 2.0 Ports )
Operation System ( MS Windows XP Home Edition )

 

[[Matt]]

You might want to get a better cooling solution than a stock AMD cooler if your planning to overclock at all. Barton cores are brilliant overclockers and my 2600+ is running at 3400+ speeds at45c idle 50c load without issue but thats on a thermalright sp97 and 92mm fan.

 

[B.Calhoun]

What is overclocking anyway? is it that important to gaming preformance?

 

[B.Calhoun]

At www.viciouspc.com i customized the SHADOW system for a nice $1002.40 as my grand total with shipping included.

SHADOW

AMD Athlon XP Processor 2200+ operates at 1.80GHz, 266MHz FSB, 256K Cache
Jet Black
MSI KT6V-LSR VIA KT600 DDR400 8X AGP SATA RAID & 5.1 Sound
512MB PC-2700 DDR 333MHz Memory
80GB Ultra DMA 100 7200RPM Hard Drive
ATI Radeon 9600 XT 128MB 8X AGP w/Tomb Raider 8 Games Pack
16X DVD-ROM Drive
None or Bundled CDRW Software w/CDRW Purchase Only
Onboard 3D Digital 5.1 Channel Sound
Onboard 10/100 PCI Network Card (MSI MB Only)
1.44MB 3 1/2 Floppy Disk Drive
Medium Tower AMD/Intel Certified 400W ATX Case w/Lockable Door
MediumTower Cooling system w/Dual (front and back) 80MM Case Fan
Internet Multimedia Keyboard
Optical Mouse with Hardware Scrolling Button PS/2
Creative Labs SBS 330 2.1 Stereo Speakers w/Subwoofer (Black)
Viewsonic E70B 17QuoteMark 0.24 dp 1280X1024 Monitor
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

 

[SAJ]

You might want to put prices next your components.
That way people can see where youre spending your money and give you better feedback.

 

[B.Calhoun]

SHADOW-with the prices included(if theres no $ next to it thats the part the system comes with without customizing it)

AMD Athlon XP Processor 2200+ operates at 1.80GHz, 266MHz FSB, 256K Cache-$829
Jet Black
MSI KT6V-LSR VIA KT600 DDR400 8X AGP SATA RAID & 5.1 Sound
512MB PC-2700 DDR 333MHz Memory- +$36(upgraded from 256)
80GB Ultra DMA 100 7200RPM Hard Drive
ATI Radeon 9600 XT 128MB 8X AGP- +$114
16X DVD-ROM Drive
Onboard 3D Digital 5.1 Channel Sound
Onboard 10/100 PCI Network Card (MSI MB Only)
1.44MB 3 1/2 Floppy Disk Drive
Medium Tower AMD/Intel Certified 400W ATX Case w/Lockable Door
MediumTower Cooling system w/Dual (front and back) 80MM Case Fan
Internet Multimedia Keyboard
Optical Mouse with Hardware Scrolling Button PS/2
Creative Labs SBS 330 2.1 Stereo Speakers w/Subwoofer (Black)
Viewsonic E70B 17QuoteMark 0.24 dp 1280X1024 Monitor
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Comes to $996.10 (its got this awsome automatic rebate where i save like 90 bucks!)

heres the link if u can come up with something better http://viciouspc.com/product/config_shadow.html

 

[[Matt]]

SHADOW-with the prices included(if theres no $ next to it thats the part the system comes with without customizing it)

AMD Athlon XP Processor 2200+ operates at 1.80GHz, 266MHz FSB, 256K Cache-$829
Jet Black
MSI KT6V-LSR VIA KT600 DDR400 8X AGP SATA RAID & 5.1 Sound
512MB PC-2700 DDR 333MHz Memory- +$36(upgraded from 256)
80GB Ultra DMA 100 7200RPM Hard Drive
ATI Radeon 9600 XT 128MB 8X AGP- +$114
16X DVD-ROM Drive
Onboard 3D Digital 5.1 Channel Sound
Onboard 10/100 PCI Network Card (MSI MB Only)
1.44MB 3 1/2 Floppy Disk Drive
Medium Tower AMD/Intel Certified 400W ATX Case w/Lockable Door
MediumTower Cooling system w/Dual (front and back) 80MM Case Fan
Internet Multimedia Keyboard
Optical Mouse with Hardware Scrolling Button PS/2
Creative Labs SBS 330 2.1 Stereo Speakers w/Subwoofer (Black)
Viewsonic E70B 17QuoteMark 0.24 dp 1280X1024 Monitor
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition

Comes to $996.10 (its got this awsome automatic rebate where i save like 90 bucks!)

heres the link if u can come up with something better http://viciouspc.com/product/config_shadow.html

Stay away from 266FSB amd systems as those are yesterdays news. Your CPU will be running at 266 on a 266 capable motherboard with 400MHz capable ram. What a waste...

 

[SidewinderX]

ok, don't get that shadow one. Don't get the 2700+ one that you customized, a) because the A64 will be much better now and in the long run, and b) the mobo you chose doesn't support dual channel.

 

[B.Calhoun]

Stay away from 266FSB amd systems as those are yesterdays news. Your CPU will be running at 266 on a 266 capable motherboard with 400MHz capable ram. What a waste...

Ok what if i upgraded to the 333FSB thats better right?

 

[B.Calhoun]

ok, don't get that shadow one. Don't get the 2700+ one that you customized, a) because the A64 will be much better now and in the long run, and b) the mobo you chose doesn't support dual channel.

What does duel channel do? and how do i know if a mobo supports it?

 

[iroctaipei]

you don't get cheap computers in the states man.

 

[B.Calhoun]

you don't get cheap computers in the states man.

a good gaming computer for 1k is not that bad, but on the other hand you are very ture, thats why im having so much trouble deciding. and 1k for a 15 year old is a lot of money...

 

[Maui]

Wow, that's pretty tough...I made some hard choices, and still only got it down to $1,162.

Typically, you can save a LOT of money by ordering components individually and assembling them yourself. Make sure you know what you're doing though.


Here's the system I built, just in case:

PROCESSOR AMD Athlon XP Processor 3200+ operates at 2.20GHz, 400MHz FSB, 512K Cache
SYSTEM COLOR Jet Black
MAIN BOARD MSI K7N2 Delta-L nForce2 Dual DDR400 8X AGP UDMA-133
MEMORY 512MB PC-2700 DDR 333MHz Memory
HARD DRIVE 1 40GB Ultra DMA 100 7200RPM Hard Drive
HARD DRIVE 2 None.
RAID SETTING None.
VIDEO ATI Radeon 9800 SE 128MB 8X AGP Video Card
CD/DVD/RW 1 16X DVD-ROM Drive
CD/DVD/RW 2 None.
RECORDING SOFTWARE None or Bundled CDRW Software w/CDRW Purchase Only
SOUND Onboard 3D Digital 5.1 Channel Sound
MODEM None.
NETWORK CARD Onboard 10/100 PCI Network Card (MSI MB Only)
FLOPPY DRIVE 1.44MB 3 1/2 Floppy Disk Drive
CASE Medium Tower AMD/Intel Certified 400W ATX Case w/Lockable Door
CASE MOD None.
CASE COOLING MediumTower Cooling system w/Dual (front and back) 80MM Case Fan
KEYBOARD Internet Multimedia Keyboard
MOUSE Optical Mouse with Hardware Scrolling Button PS/2
SPEAKERS Creative Labs SBS 330 2.1 Stereo Speakers w/Subwoofer (Black)
MONITOR Viewsonic E70B 17" 0.24 dp 1280X1024 Monitor
OS Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
SERVICE Standard 3 Year Limited Parts and Labor Warranty
ZIP DRIVE None.
STORAGE MEDIA None.
SOFTWARE BUNDLE None.
ADDITIONAL SOFTWARE None.
Price: $1162.00


I'm kinda disappointed they didn't have a 800MHz FSB, as those are getting closer and closer to the price range of 400MHz options, and it's a good bet you'll be able to use them fully soon.