Help on short budget PC

Discussion in 'General Hardware' started by SHINOBI_H2O, Feb 1, 2006.

  1. SHINOBI_H2O

    SHINOBI_H2O Member

    Messages:
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    GPU:
    Pine-XFX GeForce4 Ti4200 64MB DDR
    Hi.

    I had a problem with me ASUS TUV4X (Pentium III) and decided to get a new 'kit' (Processor/Motherboard/Memmory).

    The problem is: I have a short budget.

    What I've got right now that I'm not sure if it's useful is my GeForce4 Ti4200. It's a pretty good card( pitty it's AGP) and US$ 400 or 450.

    I'm not sure if it's smart to spend some money on a GeForce6 6600GT PCI-X (is it goot enough?) and get rid of the 'future upgrade' problem (AGP to PCI-X), or if I should keep my GF4 AGP and get only the MB/Proc/Mem -- considering I'll have to upgrade my MoBo someday for PCI-X (I don't like the idea of 'hybrid' graphic slots).



    What I guess I'm sure is:
    I want an Athlon 64 939 (for the possibility to upgrade to any 64X2 in the future)
    Motherboard brands may be ABIT, MSI, EPoX or even ASUS (any idea on this?)
    One single 1Gb DDR (DDR1 or DDR2?) 400MHz would be nice; I could buy another one for dual channel later (is it really worth?).

    What I'm not sure is:
    Should I buy 1) a MoBo AND a VGA with PCI-X
    or should I buy 2) just a 'normal AGP MoBo' (and discard it later, on a future PCI-X upgrade)?
    If 1, which VGA? (And, of course, which MoBo?)
    If 2, which MoBo? Is it worh an expensive MoBo, or a cheap one would do the job?
    Which one, DDR or DDR2? And which brand?

    Sound card, hard drive and stuff will be the old one's.

    By the way: I have a generic 300W PSU. It worked well, but I think I'll have to get a new one... Any suggestions?


    Thank you all for your atention. =)

    Guilherme H.

    -- I'm going desperate without my computer...!! lol --
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2006
  2. DrFreeze

    DrFreeze Guest

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    GPU:
    MSI GT740 2GB
    allright, i would suggest getting a mobo with a geforce 6100, its not as fast as a GF4 ti, but its the best when it comes to integrated stuff, pluss youll have a pci-e slot later on, for a brand i would go with Asus, biostar or DFI or the likes

    another good option would be the Asrock dual sata 939 board, it has native AGP and pci-e, so you can use the ti4200 now, and step up later to a pci-e card

    as for the psu, make sure to get a 24 pin, quality brand name, 400 W (minimum!) psu

    good luck!
     
  3. Donn1nger_69

    Donn1nger_69 Active Member

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    GPU:
    ATI Radeon x1900xt
    How about this option
    Ram http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440 $80
    2x512 corsair

    CPU amd 3200+ s939 $170
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535

    MOBO msi nforce 4 6100 mobo for $70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130041

    video comes with sm3 and latest technology supporthttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102650
    use your old hdd and cd drives

    case Broadway Com Corp 712-4HLW-BK Black Computer Case With Side Panel Window http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811162011

    This comes to $500 it is a good system will get u 4000 3dmark05
     
  4. SorienOR

    SorienOR Guest

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    GPU:
    BFG 8800GT + Acer 1080p
    It will be hard to get cpu/ram/video and motherboard for $450, especially since the cheapest 939 cpu you can get is $170.

    Personally I would recommend going with a cheap S754 sempron setup with plans to discard it down the road later...especially considering within 8 months both amd and intel will have made significant changes to their product lines.

    K8N Neo-V: $56
    Sempron 3000+ :$86
    1gb ram: (g.skill value): $78
    ---
    $220

    Or go with a pci-e motherboard and a cheap video card:
    K8N Neo-3: $67
    aopen 6600 DDR2 pci-e: $104
    ----
    $335

    Then start saving for an AM2 system =)
     

  5. ZeroAndOne

    ZeroAndOne Master Guru

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    GPU:
    eVGA 6800GS AGP 256mb @ stock
    I think PCI-express board is the way to go. you could just save money on the ram. Just get 512mb of ram for now, but the motherboard should have 4 slots for dual channels so that U can upgrade more and better ram in the future without taking out the old ram. You can save more money on the graphic card too. If you do decide to upgrade from the cheapy graphic card in the future, the PCI-express board will benefit you greatly. The newer graphic card is always cheaper for PCI-Express than AGP and faster. e.g. Just look at 6800GS as an example.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2006
  6. The Kyle

    The Kyle Banned

    Messages:
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    GPU:
    Radeon HD3870 / Radeon HD
    I second going for a cheap sempron system and maybe throw in a 6600GT. Will keep you in the game til the new am2 stuff.
     
  7. Logick

    Logick Master Guru

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    373
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    GPU:
    eVGA GeForce 7900GT
    Yea you should just wait until the new socket comes out or if you "can't wait" then ill reccomend this:
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    AMD Athlon 64 3200+ (sckt. 939) w/ 64 bit - $170 > Good processor for overclocking and for usage overall
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535
    DFI nF4 SLI Infinity - $116 >this is the king of "cheap" SLI mobos,runs awesome, lots of overclocking options, and many other thinks.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136164
    PNY GeForce 6600GT GDR3 PCI-Express x16 (SLI ready) - $137 > Rock-solid card, overclocks like hell, runs cool, SLI ready.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814133129
    Corsair 1GB (2x512Mb) Value Select - $99 > Cheap, good memory.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145568
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    That should be about $500, you can save on the sli motherboard and get a regular one for $50 less.

    Although i would reccomend saving up and waiting for the new socket to come out, and get it "fresh"
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2006
  8. SHINOBI_H2O

    SHINOBI_H2O Member

    Messages:
    12
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    GPU:
    Pine-XFX GeForce4 Ti4200 64MB DDR
    Allright, I have these pieces and their prices in three different stores:

    Memms:
    DDR 400MHz 1GB Corsair V.Select (V.select?!): 104
    DDR 400MHz 1GB Kingston: 112
    DDR 400MHz 1GB Kingston kit (2x512, right?): 116

    DDR2 400MHz 1GB Kingston: 108

    DDR2 533MHz 1GB Corsair V.Select: 97
    DDR2 533MHz 1GB Samsung: 109


    VGA:
    XFX GeForce6 6600GT 128MB V.1 (WTF is this 'version'?): 150 (Do XFX cards come with sensors now?)
    XFX GeForce6 6600GT 128MB V.2: 194
    MSI GF NX6600GT-TD128E: 162 (Is this MSI a good deal because of it's sensors...?)



    Motherboard:
    ABIT AN8: 107
    ASUS A8N-E: 100
    MSI K8N Neo4-F: 109
    DFI Lanparty (UT?) nF4-D: 135



    Processor:
    Athlon64 s939 3000+ BOX: 165
    Athlon64 s939 3000+ BOX DIRECT: 158

    Athlon64 s939 3200+ BOX: 176
    Athlon64 s939 3200+ BOX DIRECT (what is this 'direct'?): 166



    The budget is, in fact, around 500 with the importing taxes (these store's prices), but i'll soon talk to my parents and see if I can get some 100~150 dollars...

    Anyway, which is the best deal within these products and prices?
    Thank you very much for your attention! =)
     
  9. adam watts

    adam watts Master Guru

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    GPU:
    EVGA 8800GTS 640MB
    The MSI 6600GT is a great card! It overclocks like a beast!
     
  10. SHINOBI_H2O

    SHINOBI_H2O Member

    Messages:
    12
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    GPU:
    Pine-XFX GeForce4 Ti4200 64MB DDR
    Really? I heared it used to overheat... Something with the heatsink contact with the mems, if I'm not mistaken.

    But anyway, if the problem is the lack of contact, I can wait for the warranty to 'expire' and mod it. Heheheh

    Thank you, Adam!
    Wrote it down! =)
     

  11. clkProject

    clkProject Master Guru

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    Shinobi, PCI-X isn't the same thing as PCI-Express.
     
  12. SHINOBI_H2O

    SHINOBI_H2O Member

    Messages:
    12
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    GPU:
    Pine-XFX GeForce4 Ti4200 64MB DDR
    Actually, I had never seen someone referencing 'PCI-X', so I thought I had 'created' that 'short version' for PCI Express. lol


    So... Any suggestions, specially on the motherboards...?
     
  13. Logick

    Logick Master Guru

    Messages:
    373
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    GPU:
    eVGA GeForce 7900GT
    From your list i would go like this:

    XFX GeForce 6600GT
    AMD 64 3200+ s939
    1GB Kingston Channel Kit
    Don't know between the mobos
    MSI K8N Neo4
    DFI Lanparty nF4 Ulta-D - They're both great
     
  14. Aloos

    Aloos Member

    Messages:
    18
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    GPU:
    Gigabyte 6800GT 350/1100
    How about this.....

    -AMD Athlon 64 3200: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103535

    -G.SKILL 1GB DDR 400: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231027

    -SAPPHIRE X850XT 256MB PCI-E OEM:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814102483

    -TUL AX480A-GF Socket 939 ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 ATX Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813190003

    All this for about $510

    Dunno about the motherboard though... But with G.Skill ram you should be able to OC quite easily.
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2006
  15. Logick

    Logick Master Guru

    Messages:
    373
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    GPU:
    eVGA GeForce 7900GT
    2 Aloos

    Yea man thats a nice setup, but remember he is from Brazil. Newegg.com doesnt ship to brazil :(
     

  16. sixty4bitdiablo

    sixty4bitdiablo Guest

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    GPU:
    Onboard
    ok, now i know this build is a little less than most of the ones mentioned above, but it actually stays real close to the price range he gave in the very beginning:

    Corsair Value Ram 512 X 2 CAS 2.5
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440

    AMD64 socket 939 Venice Core
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535

    Thermaltake 430 watt Psu
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023

    Gigabyte GA-K8N Pro-SLI Socket 939
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128301

    eVGA 256-P2-N363-TX Geforce 6600LE 256MB
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130253

    461 + S/H = ~500

    The video card isnt much but remember he's been use to a geforce 4...pretty much anything available for purchase are better than that...

    it can be upgraded to both dual core 939's and sli, and it will be running dual channel ram, not a bad setup...
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2006
  17. sixty4bitdiablo

    sixty4bitdiablo Guest

    Messages:
    377
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    GPU:
    Onboard
    ~deleted Because Of Double Post~
     
  18. SHINOBI_H2O

    SHINOBI_H2O Member

    Messages:
    12
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    GPU:
    Pine-XFX GeForce4 Ti4200 64MB DDR
    Logick:

    That's exactly what I was planning, but I was tending to get the ABIT AN8, but it seems like the vendor had run out of it.
    I'm thinking of the LANParty now... Heared DFI is good at o/c'ing.

    I'm just unsure what are the cores for the '64s, it's not explicit in the price list.
    What are the options for a '64 939 3200? I guess Venice is the cheapest one, right?



    Aloos:
    Unfortunately, none of these are available from the vendors I know.
    And to be honest, I think I'll stick with GeForces for a while... Never used Radeons or Matroxes, but I know stories of some guys with compatibility issues on some games... :-\



    Sixty4BitDiablo:
    "The video card isnt much but remember he's been use to a geforce 4...pretty much anything available for purchase are better than that..."

    That's not true at all...
    The GeForce4 Ti4200 is better than the 'mainstream' cards available in Brazil, including the Fx and 6 series. All you see around is Fx5200s and 6200s, basically.
    The Ti4200 is better then those, man. At least in performance. ; )


    Well, thanks guys!
    I guess I'll stick with the DFI MB, MSI VGA, and a pair of DDR400 512MB Kingstons.


    P.S.: That Brodway case is fine, though, with that LCD and thermo sensors. Wish I didn't have to pay like 60% in taxes for importing from NewEgg...
    Guess I'll buy a cheapo case just to get the base plate and the back of it, and make a G5-style case myself. =)
     

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