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I have been in Brazil for 2 years so I don't really know what is going on in the computer world here in the US.

I would like to build a computer for about 500 bucks and I need some advice.

I will be using this computer to do some gaming and digital video editing. I already have a monitor, mouse and keyboard, but I will need to buy Windows XP Pro.

But first of all, I need help on choosing between Intel or AMD. I know that the AMD has some new 64 bit stuff, but I dont know much about it. What CPU would you recommend, and what speed? I probably wont upgrade for a long time, so I'd like to get the high FSB and ram speeds if possible. And if you could recommend a good mobo for it too I'd appreciate it. Is it good to get cpu/mobo combos?

Thanks for your help.

rclayton17 wrote:I have been in Brazil for 2 years so I don't really know what is going on in the computer world here in the US.

I would like to build a computer for about 500 bucks and I need some advice.

I will be using this computer to do some gaming and digital video editing. I already have a monitor, mouse and keyboard, but I will need to buy Windows XP Pro.

But first of all, I need help on choosing between Intel or AMD. I know that the AMD has some new 64 bit stuff, but I dont know much about it. What CPU would you recommend, and what speed? I probably wont upgrade for a long time, so I'd like to get the high FSB and ram speeds if possible. And if you could recommend a good mobo for it too I'd appreciate it. Is it good to get cpu/mobo combos?

Thanks for your help.

$500 for the computer or CPU?

WinPro is $150 off the top. That leaves $350. I don't see how you can do it.

Case = $30
PS= $50
(not 64) CPU = <$100
MB = $50

Thats not including the drives, RAM, hard drive or video card.

Sorry,

RicRogue

Best to probably buy a emachine or get a $200 computer at Frys.

Seems like you're between a rock and a hard place there.
Intel shines with video editing because of the virtual SMP via hyperthreading.
A64's do a better job at gaming.
Both are great chips so you'll have to decide.


AMD wise look into the Winchester core 64's with an MSI MB. Before I would say go for an nvidia chipset but the new VIA's are looking good too. Again you'll have to compare.

On the Intel side go with a Northwood core ( C class) and maybe an 865p chipset.

You can grab a GB of Corsair value ram for ~ $78.

Look at Antec solution series for a case and PSU. ( I think that's what they're called).
As for hard drives you'll need lots of space and a decent video card too, depending on the games you play.

Go to newegg.com or froogle and see what you can find.

I doubt you'll be able to stay in budget though like Ric said

i'd have to agree on the idea of being in a tough situation. a complete box for $500 is doable, but it would require cheap parts that i couldn;t bring myself to actually recommend.

AMD tends to have a better bang for the buck ratio, so if in a monetary pinch, thats what i would steer towards.

your best bet would be to find combo deals (think i saw an AMD Sempron CPU *shudders* and mainboard combo for $87 on newegg). once upon a time i remember TigetDirect.com had a selection of combo deals. http://www.aberdeeninc.com also has some barebone/combo systems.

Cypher_138 wrote:
You can grab a GB of Corsair value ram for ~ $78.

Seems pretty cheap...got any links?

Hey guys, I am seeing some deals on the Antec quiet cases. But I want to know if that swinging door allows you to have an external sound drive bay in there. I havent seen one up close so I dont know if the knobs on the sound drive bay will fit in there. Please help.

JBKM wrote:Seems pretty cheap...got any links?

I think he means 512MB.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 477&depa=1

Joel wrote:I think he means 512MB.

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDe ... 477&depa=1

Yeah they did have 1GB kits for that price a month ago.

I wouldn't get another one myself but for 500$ you can get a nice system from Dell that includes monitor too..and I think they have systems for that much that will run pretty good so just for thought.

Well, it's going to be tough, and it wont be top-of-the-line, but I think this may help you out.

Here is what I put together.

I can vouch for some of those components.

The motherboard is in my parents PC, as well as the HD, and the cooler. The RAM is also in there, but in the PC2700-flavor.

My experiences have been good.

Gaming; I had a Halo party thing at my house, one of my friends used my parents computer. It ran it. It wasn't full eye candy, granted, but it ran it. And, it's only a 'temporary' fix. The motherboard has a 4x/8x AGP slot, so when you get a few more $ you can grab a nicer, actual, card. However, for onboard, it's excelent. Did better than my brothers FX5200 on a P4 2.8C @ 3.45GHz at Halo.

On the note of the motherboard, absolutely wonderful board. BIOS is excelent, stability is awesome (have a 2400+ XP-M running nice and cool at 2.05GHz, no voltage adjustment or anything), and on the note of overclocking, one of the best mATX you can find for it.

The HD is pretty quick, great price. Recommended.

The RAM we have in there, same stuff practically, only rated at 2700 from the factory, is running 340MHz @ 2-2-3-5. Stable as a rock, great stuff.

You could get a different case, I jsut threw whatever was cheap and had what appeared to be a decent PSU. You can get a mATX case if you'd prefer, make a smaller computer. That's upto you. I'd splurg a little and get a snazzy case, though.

The CPU. I don't personally have any experience with a Sempron chip, but for a budget PC, they appear to be decent. The 2600+ should provide fairly decent performance.

Didn't get a fancy DVDRW or anything, that's all stuff that can be added as needed, as funds permit. This is a decent base system for what you wanted.

Shipping will bring it over $350, but should leave nearly enough for XP Pro to not hurt you too much. If you can get an acedemic copy of XP Pro (if you're a teacher, or student currently), that'll save you some money. My brother can get a license of XP Pro for like $7 at his college. If not, just look around for an OEM XP Pro at a decent price. Should be right around $500 overall, maybe a little more.

Dimension 3000 Celeron 2.4GHz 512MB 15"LCD $349 after $100MIR

Dell Business has the Dimension 3000 Celeron 2.4GHz System w/ 15" LCD for $349 after $100MIR. No AGP or PCI-E slot so gamers/techies will want the Dimension 4700 instead.

Intel Celeron D Processor 320 (2.40 GHz, 533 FSB)
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
FREE UPGRADE 512MB Dual Channel 400MHz DDR SDRAM
FREE UPGRADE FROM CRT! 15 in (15.0 in viewable) E153FP Flat Panel Display
Integrated Intel Extreme Graphics 2
40GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
48x CD-RW Drive
Integrated Audio
Mail-In Rebate $100 Mail In Rebate

Dell Link
Rebate

It expires today so be quick!

You can also go for this on Here

It comes to $524 and it expires on the 26th.

Good luck