Budget component recommendations

Crimson · Post by **Crimson** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 7:21 pm

Hi,

I'm building a computer for someone that will serve for real basic stuff like email, word processing, excel, internet browsing, winamp, and light gaming, if any. Also has to be fast and current for years to come. So here is what I was thinking, keeping budget in mind.

Proc - xp2400-xp2600. Whichever is around $70 at the time of order. If i go with the xp2600, I noticed there are 2 versions of this, a 266 bus and 333. Is there a motherboard/chipset that supports the 333 bus or is that for overclocking purposes only?

Motherboard - I really don't know about this. Probably kt333/kt400 chipset or nforce2. I really dont know about the onboard stuff. I suppose I could cut a lot of corners with onboard sound/video
(on nforce board)/lan right? Would that be something to consider for what this computer is handling?

Video card - Was thinking something in the $50 price range. Maybe the gf4 mx series or the onboard route. Computer will have an LCD monitor so needs to have that 15pin (i think) adapter. Unless there is a normal to lcd converter out there.

Sound card - SB live (maybe audigy. Is there that much of a difference between the audigy and sb live?) or onboard. Something cheap. Will be running 2 basic speakers innitially, might upgrade to a klipsh or logitech sub/satellite deal in the future.

Ram - Can I use pc2100 or pc2400 in this or do i have to use pc 2700-pc3200? Was thinking crucial unless there is something similar and cheaper out there than crucial.

Case - I was thinking about using the antec sx1040. I really dont want to skimp on the power supply and have it blow out in a year or 2. So, I definitely want a good 400watt powersupply and that is around $50-70 and this case is $90. Most of that is the power supply. I have this case with my current system with 4 80mm whisper sunons (2 intake/2exhaust) and another on the heatsink (alpha pal 8045) and it's ultra quiet and cool. 23C case temp, 48C load, 42C idle and doesnt sound like a mini jet engine.

LCD monitor - First time i'll be buying one of these and I have no clue what to look for and what is a good budget/performance monitor out there. I'm on a viewsonic PF790 CRT monitor atm and love it. I'd go with another in heartbeat but space is the issue here. I'm looking to buy something in the 15 to 17" size range.

Suggestions welcome on all components.

Regards,
Crimson

aagiants · Post by **aagiants** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 8:27 pm

crucial is fine, or u can buy some of mine, which i have for sale,a nd can test for stabbility

256mb ram pc2100

Jstyr · Post by **Jstyr** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 8:41 pm

On the proc I'd go with the 333 FSB. It's faster and more current, which means better availability of parts for future upgrades or replacements. The 266 FSB procs are the athlons..the 333 FSB ones are the Bartons. Barton's also have more L2 Cache (which is a good thing). Unless they are alot more expensive get the Barton.

I cringe at onboard video..but that is because I'm a gamer. If the rig won't be used for gaming it could be an option..I don't know much about onboard video though.

Get some PC2700 DDR...you can use PC2100 for the 266 FSB but the price difference will be negligible between the two and the PC2700 will run fine on the slower system if you choose that route.

and LCD monitors...see this thread here-

https://www.speedguide.net/forums/ ... did=117400

Many people say Samsung...also NEC and Hitachi are mentioned. I personally use an NEC and like it alot.

Seems like you have case logistics down...

I'd look for something with onboard sound and LAN if possible. Creative Live series products suck..their drivers are horrible. Onboard sound may save you headaches...also onboard LAN can be a nice feature..just one less component to deal with. ABit motherboards use 3com LAN now on their boards.

Crucial is the RAM to buy if you aren;t overclocking. Good quality..stable..and compatable with most all systems.

nepenthe · Post by **nepenthe** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 9:05 pm

Fun on a budget.

Motherboard: Asus A7N8X deluxe with 400MHz FSB capability. Has onboard audio (5.1), lan, various HD connects and is very stabile.

about 129

CPU: AMD 2500XP+. Overclocks to a 3200+xp without breaking a sweat (It is essentially a detune 3200+xp). Mine is running with the stock heat sink and fan at 39 degrees C.

about 94

RAM: Corsair or Kingston Hyper X {EDIT} 2X256M PC3200 DDR. The extra money spent yield remarkable results

about 110 (I must double check)

Graphic board: Either the Ti4200 128MB or the FX5200 128MB. They are decent for low end, both with DVI capability (LCD monitor plug). The 5200 is DX9 capable.

about 70

LCD monitor: BenQ 17" with 16ms pixels. If you are to play any action games, it is a good idea to eliminate the ghosting effect of the slower monitors. I have tested MANY of these first hand. Although I like the Hitachi best, the BenQ is almost 100 dollar less expensive and plays well enough.

about 400

Case and Power Supply. This is a personal taste issue. You can easily get by on a 350Watt supply.

price is your option.

Consider what you will for hard drive and CD/DVD rom/writer.

shant,
david

ub3r_n00b · Post by **ub3r_n00b** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 12:51 am

Mobo : Abit NF7-S V 2.0

It has dobly digital onboard sound (the ASUS board did not pass the dolby digital test... )
It has onboard SATA, and Firewire and Ethernet

Processor : AMD Athlon XP 2500+

Ram : Corsair or Hyper X ( Kingston) (PC 3200 preferably if you really wanna o/c)

Graphics : Geforce 4 ti 4200 64 Meg

Case - Whatever, something nice

PSU - 420+ watt

and the rest is up to you

-Preet

Sid · Post by **Sid** » Wed Jun 25, 2003 1:16 am

Have them buy a Dell or your favorite big company.... Trust me, Then 24/7 support you have to give them aint worth it.

TinyTim · Post by **TinyTim** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 9:07 am

I think I am with SID on this one...I don't know how many neighbors I have that wait for me to come home to ask me about the slightest problems. If they would just spend a little time researching it, they would figure it out....or in this case they can just call Dell's (or whoever's) tech support.

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Fri Jun 27, 2003 8:16 pm

Originally posted by nepenthe
Fun on a budget.

Motherboard: Asus A7N8X deluxe with 400MHz FSB capability. Has onboard audio (5.1), lan, various HD connects and is very stabile.

about 129

CPU: AMD 2500XP+. Overclocks to a 3200+xp without breaking a sweat (It is essentially a detune 3200+xp). Mine is running with the stock heat sink and fan at 39 degrees C.

about 94

RAM: Corsair or Kingston Hyper X {EDIT} 2X256M PC3200 DDR. The extra money spent yield remarkable results

about 110 (I must double check)

Graphic board: Either the Ti4200 128MB or the FX5200 128MB. They are decent for low end, both with DVI capability (LCD monitor plug). The 5200 is DX9 capable.

about 70

LCD monitor: BenQ 17" with 16ms pixels. If you are to play any action games, it is a good idea to eliminate the ghosting effect of the slower monitors. I have tested MANY of these first hand. Although I like the Hitachi best, the BenQ is almost 100 dollar less expensive and plays well enough.

about 400

Case and Power Supply. This is a personal taste issue. You can easily get by on a 350Watt supply.

price is your option.

Consider what you will for hard drive and CD/DVD rom/writer.

shant,
david

a very good selection there!