Budget PC

[TheJoelster]

How is everyone!! Well I am new to the boards as you can see with the number of posts I have. Well here is the deal I want to build my brother a nice simple machine that can run some games but it doesn't have to be the latest and greatest. What I am getting at is that I want to spend less the $600 which I think should be possible as I don't need a screen, speakers, keyboard or mouse which I have already. I was thinking of going AMD as I have heard good things about them and was wondering for that price range what chip would be a good fit as well as any reccomendable mobo's and video cards, ram, ect... I picked out some cases that if you can tell me if any of them are worth using let me know!! Just remember the more money I can save (if possible) the better!! Thanks in advance!!




ASPIRE X-Dreamer II Silver ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply


Rosewill Silver ATX Mid Tower Case with 400W Power Supply & Side window, Model "R114A SILVER" –RETAIL


Rosewill Black ATX Mid Tower Case with 400W Power Supply


ASPIRE X-Dreamer Blue ATX Mid-Tower Case with Window and 350W Power Supply

ENERMAX Black ATX Mid Tower Case, Model

Any of these float your boat??

[WonderBread]

i would go with the X-Dreamer. they're nice and sturdy and have plenty of room. if you were to get the x-dreamer go with the regular one not the II b/c the only diff between them is 6 LEDs in the front, also you need to get a new power supply cause the one that comes with it is CRAP!

[TheJoelster]

There are so many good cases out there but I am so confused as so many people have been reccomending different brands. I want to spend 50-60 bucks on a case but I want it to look good.. I know i know I can't have my cake and eat it to.. but if you had 50-60 bucks what case would you get for a gamer bro.. he says he "has to have a side window"...

[surlyjoe]

if you shop around you can get that Enermax case with a sweet 350w ENERMAX PSU bundled in for under $70. for six bills, W/O needing KVM you can actually do pretty well.

sempron 2500/nf2 combo, about $120
case and CDRW/floppy $100
2x256 memory and HDD $150
cooling $25
9800 pro 128mb 256 bit $200
(or maybe a 6800 on super sale)


looks like for another $50 bucks or so, you can get a socket 754 entry level combo, or if your willing to give up some graphic quality and go with say a 9600 or 5700

[barneygumble742]

get a barebone pc online with a good all-in-one mobo, cpu, mem and case (optional). then you can do the rest on your budget.

[TheJoelster]

Ok so here is what I came up with for my system you guys tell me if I am missing anything and or if you would change anything!! Thanks in advance!!

CPU:AMD XP 2700+ Retail

Mobo:ASUS NF2 Mobo

RAM:Kingston 512mb PC3200 Value Ram

HD:Seagate 80gb 7200 RPM HD

Case:Antec SLK7700AMB Super Mid Tower Case w/ 350w Power Supply

Video:MSI ATI Radeon 9600Pro 128mb DDR

DVD:Lite-On Combo Drive CDRW/DVD

XP: XP Home

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated!!

[cadaveca]

switch the 2700+ for a 2500+ mobile 45w, or 2600+ 35w. Most will do 3200+ speeds with minmail effort, and most on default volts.
If you decide to stay with the 2700+, dropping down to 333mhz ram may save you a few bucks, and not hurt all that much in the performance department. Maybe then you could invest the saved cash in a better videocard...or you might want to look at the classifieds here for a deal or 2.

[TheJoelster]

Well now I am thinking of going with the AMD 64 2800+ and am trying to find a good motherboard for it that would be considered a budget.. And if there is any chance of onboard 5.1 Support that would be great! Thanks!!

[cadaveca]

http://www.aoaforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28352



got a few items for you...



ASUS k8v-x

CPU :754-pin socket supports one AMD Sempron CPU or Athlon 64 processor
System Bus: 800MHz
Chipset: VIA K8T800
VIA VT8237
Memory : 3 x 184-pin DIMM Sockets support max. 3GB un-buffered ECC and non-ECC PC3200/PC2700 / PC2100 DDR SDRAM memory
Expansion Slots: 1 x AGP 8X
5x PCI
Storage: South Bridge
2 x ATA133
2 x SATA, RAID0, RAID1
Audio ADI AD1980, 6-channel CODEC
S/PDIF out interface
LAN Marvell 88E 8001 GbLAN
USB2.0 8 USB2.0 ports
Special Features AMD Cool 'n' Quiet! Technology
AI NET
ASUS MyLogo2
ASUS C.P.R.
ASUS EZ Flash
Support S/PDIF out interface
ASUS CrashFree2 BIOS
ASUS Instant Music(Lite)
ASUS Multi-language BIOS
Overclock Features - ASUS JumperFree
- Memory, Vlink voltage adjustable
- Adjustable FSB/DDR ratio
- SFS(Stepless Frequency Selection) from 200 MHz up to 300MHz at 1MHz increment
Back Panel I/O Ports 1xSerial
4xUSB
1xParallel
1xRJ45
1 x PS/2 Keyboard
1 x PS/2 Mouse
1x Audio I/O
1x SPDIF OUT
Internal I/O connectors - 2x USB2.0 connector supports additional 4 USB 2.0 ports
- Intel Front Panel Audio connector
- 20-pin ATX power connector
- 4-pin ATX 12V power connector
- CPU /chassis fan connectors
- CD/ AUX audio in
- GAME port connector
- SPDIF_OUT connector
BIOS Feature - 4Mb Flash EEPROM
- AMI BIOS with enhanced ACPI,DMI,PnP
- ASUS EZ Flash, ASUS Mylogo2, SM BIOS 2.3, Crash-Free BIOS2
Industry Standard PCI 2.2, USB2.0
Manageability WOL by PME, WOR by PME
Support CD drivers
ASUS PC Probe
Trend Micro PC-cillin 2002 anti-virus software
Accessories User's manual
UltraDMA cables
FDD cable
IDE cable
SATA cables
I/O shield
Form Factor ATX
12" x 9.6" (30.5cm*24.5cm)






and a 3000+ A64.

[TheJoelster]

Also I stumbled upon this POWMAX Terminator Case and was wondering if this would be a good purchase and if so which fans and psu I should get??

[kellamne]

RE: POWMAX Terminator Case
[ personal opinion - it looks horrid - but then its not me having to live with it]

not to influence your choice but your going to be stuck with your case for a while

[TheJoelster]

Alright here is my updated computer setup that I am thinking about going with... Any comments or advice would be appreciated!!

AMD 64 2800+: $128

CHAINTECH nForce3 250 Chipset Motherboard: $76

Mushkin 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200: $66.55

Lite-On Black 52X32X52X16 Combo Drive: $39.00

Seagate 80GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive: $69.56

Video Card: Undecided (Need Help)
Case: Undecided (Need Help)

Total (So Far): $380

I want to spend anywhere from $500-600 dollars maximum on this PC. I still need a case and video card with the remaining $200.. I already have XP, and I have a monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse...Any suggestions on the products I have up there and the ones I still need to figure out? Thanks so much!

[Quickbeam177]

Perhaps looking at the mainstream Geforce FX line of video cards would work towards your interests and towards that budget. As far as a case is concerned one of the cheaper Antec solutions should be fine as Antec is known for their good PSU's as well as cases, that way you wouldn't have to spend more on a separate PSU.