Computer Plans (Good idea on a budget? )

[Aynjell]

This computer is going to built ( maybe ) for a measley 367 dollars:


AMD Athlon XP 2600+ CPU :]
256 MB RAM DDR333 ( PanRam )
CD-RW/DVD-ROM ( Rosewill )
FX5200 w/ 128MB ( Nvidia Chaintec ) :]
ECS K7VT4A+ Motherboard ( ASRock )
80GB 8MB buffer Hard Drive ( Western Digital ) :]
Super Case ( Apex )
CD-RW/DVD 52x32x52x16 ( Rosewill ):]

I am not the only one that get's to make decisions on my money, and I am getting a fasfa check in soon, that will be a couple of pennies over this computer's price. This is the biggest compromise I can make, but I need a linux terminal at home that will not have any issues with the hardware like my lappie.

I think it will perform, but I am a little bit dissapointed about the ram, but Linux will use everybit of it well, and with an 8 MB buffer swap won't be too agonizing, but geez 128 MB on the video card.

I think GLXgears will be about 2000 FPS which will suffice for games like UT2004, Quake III ( My personal favorite ), and Neverwinter Nights. Good buy, but if any of you know something about this hardware I don't please respond. And yes I know about the mother board having to work with a shit ton of jumpers. That will be okay though...

Thanx in advance...
_________________
CPU: 3800+ X2 (2.5Ghz)
GPU: eVGA 7600GT (640/1700)
MOBO: DFI SLI-DR (Surprisingly good!)
RAM: 2 x OCZ Gold 1024 DDR500 3-4-3-7 (2048)
HDD: Western Digital Raptor

[Nate_S]

make sure you get a good quality power supply.

Also, you might be able to do without both optical drives, as the money could be spent in better places, and it doesn't take that long to make a copy by caching to the HD.

-Nate

[bk0]

I agree with Nate_S about the optical drives.

You may want to consider a motherboard with onboard nvidia graphics like one of the NForce boards from ASUS. The mobo is probably the most important single component of a machine, you don't want to skimp on a crappy knock-off. ASUS makes great boards and having on-board 3D accelerated video will save you some money.

Also, I think capacity is more important than cache size when it comes to hard drives (unless you're building a server). Consider getting a bigger drive with a 2MB cache, it should cost the same but you'll get more life out of it before having to upgrade.

[Nate_S]

last time I checked there was only a few dollars difference between a 2 and an 8 mb cache, and it does improve performance by quite a bit.

I agree on the mobo, and onboard gfx might not hurt since you're not exactly getting a top of the line gfx card anyways. Just so long as the mobo has an agp slot so you can always change it if you need to.

-Nate

[woodwizzle]

I'd suggest getting the 2500+ instead. Its a tad cheaper and can usually be overclocked to a 2600+ with little to no trouble. Plus they tend to have a better reputation. I also agree with nate about the optical drives. I'd try to put the cash back into the ram. Onboard graphics isn't a good idea if you ask me. IGP boards don't come with onboard memory like a graphics card, so it uses your actual ram and since you've only got 256 mb there, you're gonna be suffering.

I'd suggest a mobo with the nforce2 chipset that supports dual channel ram and getting two 256 chips of ram. Dual channel ram makes a HUGE boost in performance. The nforce2 chipset also has great sound and ethernet included.

I also say stick with an 8mb cach drive. You can always add more hard drive space later.

[Nate_S]

True, I frogot that onboard gfx shares system memory, so that's prolly a bad idea.

I agree about the chip as well. If you can spare the $8 or so, I'd opt for the mobile version. It comes factory-unlocked, and it runs very cool, so with even standard desktop cooling it is very easy to overclock it, with next to no risk. I have a mobile 2400+ overclocked to about 2Ghz, and it doesn't even get warm; some people have even hit 3Ghz, with 2.4Ghz being almost a given. (I could have done more, but I wanted it ro run silently.)

You also might consider getting an ATI gfx card, as they tend to be a bit cheaper. Now, I know that many people on this forum recommend nvidia over ati due to their history of good graphics drivers, however, more recently, ati has been putting out some very good drivers of their own. (for me, they work better than the nvidia ones, YMMV,) so I think that's much less of an issue now than it was several months ago. Also, I'm assuming you aren't planning on gaming, (bc if you are 256mb system ram will really hurt,) I wouldn't worry about the 128mb. (I have a 128mb radeon 9000 and it's playin all the games I have just fine) I'd put that money into system memory where it will really make a difference. (I couldn't live with 256mb)

-Nate

[LucaSpiller]

My system specs are basically the same as that, but I have 512mb RAM and seperate CDRW and DVD drives. Altogether it cost about £250 - £300 (I think - it may have been £350 though), which isn't bad for what I have got.

As woodwizzle suggested a 2500+ may be a better idea - they are at 1.83ghz and 2700+ at 1.91ghz. Everything else is basically the same. If you are thinking of getting an upgrade don't get a 2700+ as they only have 256kb cache.

A few months ago (actually it was quite a few months ago, maybe March) I got some really cheap RAM in PC World - 256mb DDR400 for only £20, I don't know why they were so cheap, but they were made by PNY and haven't seem to of caused me any problems. Arrgg I wish I had got more now.

Hard disks are also rrreeeaaallllyy cheap now - Dabs.com are doing a 250gb one for only £72 (Barracuda 7200rpm, 8mb cache, Sata150).

Good luck with your built, but don't be disapointed that the week after you have finished you find everything goes down in price.
_________________
:: Luca :: Mac Fag :: Original Macbook, 2g RAM :: Closet Linux user (seasoned with salt and pepper) :: C2D E4400 @ 2ghz, 4g RAM (only 3.2g detected under 64bit...), Nvidia 9600GSO ::

[Aynjell]

The hard disk I am getting is an 80 gb hard disk with an 8 MB buffer, for 60 dollars. :]

Second optical was a typo.

The video card is a good buy, but I am hard pressed on cash, If I can get more I would love to get a better board...

Motherboard, um, yeah, doing my best here without going sempron...

Ram can be added, this machine will be built as a start off...

At any rate 367$.

I know very well that I am getting what I am paying for.
_________________
CPU: 3800+ X2 (2.5Ghz)
GPU: eVGA 7600GT (640/1700)
MOBO: DFI SLI-DR (Surprisingly good!)
RAM: 2 x OCZ Gold 1024 DDR500 3-4-3-7 (2048)
HDD: Western Digital Raptor

[Nate_S]

I wouldn't worry about the vid card so much it's better than mine, and mine plays UT 2k3 just fine. (like the ram, you can upgrade later if you need.

Sounds like you're getting a sweet deal.

-Nate

Edit: just for refrence, how much is the mobo you're planning to get?

[LynZ]

Take the 2500+ Barton... Mine was like that too. but it works flawlesly as 3200+ (200 x 11)
I'd take an Nforce2 board with dual ddr , or a via kt600 one, abit or epox...
Video.... Hmmm... if u really need one =) then GeForce any that you choose
_________________
Athlon64 (Venice) 3200+ @ ABIT KN8 ULTRA
1 Gb DDR 400
ASUS GeForce 6200 64Mb PCI-X
2 x Samsung SpinPoint P80 80 Gb
SB Live! 5.1 Player
Sven IMHOO MT 5.1

[Aynjell]

Hey guys, I recently met a man whom was willing to donate parts similar to the ones that I was intending to buy, but only a little bit slower. At any rate here is the new specs, estimated, for I have not got my hands dirty yet...

CPU: 1.4 GHz Athlon
RAM: 512 Unknown speed
Motherboard unknown
Hard Drive: 40Gb
Optical: 52x CD-ROM
Video: Onbaord Junk

Overall a good deal, considering it was all for free.
_________________
CPU: 3800+ X2 (2.5Ghz)
GPU: eVGA 7600GT (640/1700)
MOBO: DFI SLI-DR (Surprisingly good!)
RAM: 2 x OCZ Gold 1024 DDR500 3-4-3-7 (2048)
HDD: Western Digital Raptor