Need some info on complete, cheap gaming systems.

[Reaktor4]

Lets not forget here, that I know nothing about overclocking. Argh. I'm never going to be able to decide!

heres all you need to know:
use 2500+ and pc3200 ram
go into bios and change cpu speed to 3200+, or fsb to 200/400
restart

 

[[w0f]Oblivion]

Dont worry about the Clock speeds or the fsb speeds of the Athlons.

this shows you how athlons work in gaming
amd > intel for gaming
http://www.amdmb.com/article-display.php?ArticleID=208&PageID=4

accordingto that, that 2700+ amd processor beats an Intel 2.8ghz processor in 3dmark. see what we mean?
oh and if you didnt know, 3dmark is a 3d Benchmarking utility, basically tells how well your computer can run games.

 

[sinkoman]

heres all you need to know:
use 2500+ and pc3200 ram
go into bios and change cpu speed to 3200+, or fsb to 200/400
restart

I'm no expert overclocker, but I alwayse thought overclocking involved changing voltages, multiplyer speeds, and drastic cooling to get a major improvement (like yours. 2500+ to 3200+. Can you say, sizzling thermal paste?)

 

[drfreeman]

ok im in the uk and i don't know if they ship to the u.s but whatever i got this as a pc for my grans house quite simple but will be able to run games

amd sempron 2300 1.7ghz = 30 pounds
amd ebuyer cooling fan an paste = 5.00


300w psu= 5.00 pounds
radeon 9550 128it=34 pounds
pcchips mobo built in lan sound usb2 etc =22 pounds
casecom black gaming case = 10 pounds
mouse and keyboard = 7.00 pounds
speakers 10 pounds
maxtor 40gb hard drive 34 pounds
pc2700 stick of 512mb ram 30 pounds
these arn't the proper prices just very near estimates i remember the total though it came to 189.35 pounds so if i did need a monitor which i dont it would have been an extra 50 would make it 230includes shipping
230 pounds in us dollars would be about 460 dollars right on your budget with another 40 dolalrs each to spend on a 256mb bit of ram ...phew hope that made sense :|

the website is www.ebuyer.com

 

[Reaktor4]

I'm no expert overclocker, but I alwayse thought overclocking involved changing voltages, multiplyer speeds, and drastic cooling to get a major improvement (like yours. 2500+ to 3200+. Can you say, sizzling thermal paste?)

Its not always that complicated. The 3200+ is just a 2500+ with a different default fsb.. so you only have to change one setting in this case. Heat shouldnt be any problem.