Looking For Some Suggestions For

[reignking]

As the title says, i'm looking for some suggestions. In the next two weeks i'll be looking to get into the market of some good gaming. the key things i'm looking for are: performance and upgradeable.

meaning i'll probably be looking to get the most out of 500-700 dollars (price range) in the next two weeks and then add on some goodies like a high end video card, etc in the next month or so.

I would prefer a pentium w/ 800mhz fsb. a solid mb that can handle hyper threading and can be upgraded for at least a little while before it becomes obsolete. a large hard drive w/ a good amount of cache as well as 1gb ram.


The people i used to purchase my computers from have gone out of business. And since i haven't really been keeping track of where to get some good deals... I thought i would ask you all.

What would you do for a good gaming computer if you had, 500-700 dollars to spend? I'm no stranger to building a system so that wouldn't be a problem... but i wouldn't mind a system set up for me either.

My current system is a athlon xp 1700. with 1gb of sdram and a 64 meg geforce video card. it worked well, but is a few years old and can no longer handle the games i like to play (bf1942, halo at good settings).


Any suggestions would be helpfull... Thanks!!

[Benno]

Originally posted by reignking@2 October 2003 - 23:08


My current system is a athlon xp 1700. with 1gb of sdram and a 64 meg geforce video card. it worked well, but is a few years old and can no longer handle the games i like to play (bf1942, halo at good settings).

Buy a new video card and it should not have any problems handle all recent games.

[reignking]

I've thought about that... but at the same time want to get a new one.

the motherboard can't handle more than the 1700 i'm running now, and i want to get more fsb and l2 cache. i know that the biggest thing holding me back is the video card, but it doesn't pay to invest on a 350 dollar ati 9800 pro when i would be running it in a 2 year old system.

i've been looking on ebay but don't like the way they cheap out on the important things on their systems. guess i'll keep looking...

[_John_Lennon_]

Originally posted by reignking@2 October 2003 - 19:09
I've thought about that... but at the same time want to get a new one.

the motherboard can't handle more than the 1700 i'm running now, and i want to get more fsb and l2 cache. i know that the biggest thing holding me back is the video card, but it doesn't pay to invest on a 350 dollar ati 9800 pro when i would be running it in a 2 year old system.

i've been looking on ebay but don't like the way they cheap out on the important things on their systems. guess i'll keep looking...
Frogive me, but I am looking crunching some numbers on an AMD system for you, because thats just what I do best.

Also a few things,

1.- Do you want a new hard drive?
2. Do you want a new monitor?
3. New speakers?
4. Do you need a high end sound card, because you have high end speakers?
5. Do you need a mouse/keyboard?
6. Do you need an operating system? (you can usually use the backup discs for the computer your using now.)


Any other specs you would like, like the size of a new hard drive if you want one?

[reignking]

john,

thanks for taking the time to look into it...

i have a amd system now and love it... however i was always under the impression that intel w/ the higher fsb and higher l2 cache was the better choice for gaming. is it comparable? as in does the fsb and l2 cache make as much difference as i've been led to believe?

your other questions:
1: i could probably use a new hd. my current one is 60 gigs and i would probably move it into my new system as a secondary drive for kazaa use. the new one i would get would be 80+ gigs at 7200.
2: i don't need a new monitor. just recently purchased a new one.
3: don't need new speakers either. the ones i have now are the best i've ever owned.
4: i could probably use a upgrade in the soundcard department. sblive 5.1. but it does the job for a cheap card.
5: will need a new mouse but keyboard i'm ok on.
6: i shouldn't need a new os. i'm running xp pro... and have a copy of 98se if i ever decide to go back to it.


anyways... that's about what i have. I would love the new amd 64 but i would have to be sure it would be worth the money to put that much on plastic.

rk

[_John_Lennon_]

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Qty Product Item # Unit Price Qty x Price

Cases (Computer Cases, ATX Form)
Aspire (Turbo Case )X-Dreamer Black ATX Mid-Tower Case w/Window and 350W Power Supply, Model ATXB3KLW-BK/350W
Specifications:
Form Factor: Standard ATX
Drive Bays: External 4 x 5.25" - 2 x 3.5" Internal 4 x 3.5"
Expansion Slots: 7
USB/IO: 2x USB 2.0 + Audio/Mic
Case Fans: 2 x 80mm (see pics)
Power Supply: 350W
Approx. Dimensions: 7.75" x 18.5" X 16.75" (LxWxH) more info>
N82E16811144001 $55.00
$55.00

CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)
Samsung SW-252BEN 52x24x52 CDRW Bulk- OEM
Specifications: Data Transfer: Read CD : 52X (7,800 KB/sec),Record CD : 52X (7,800 KB/sec),Rewrite CD : 24X (3,600 KB/sec)
Burst Transfer Rate PIO Mode 4 (16.6MB/sec),UDMA Mode 2 (33.3MB/sec)
Buffer Memory 2MB
Interface EIDE/ATAPI
Average Access Time 110ms
Size: 148.2 x 42 x 184
OEM Bulk Package (see pics for details) more info>
N82E16827151020 $37.99
$37.99

Floppy Drives
►Top Seller!
MITSUMI D359M3 FDD 1.44MB 3.5INCH - OEM
Specifications:
Connector: 34-pin Floppy cable Standard Connector.
Modes: HD(1.44MB) Supports: Dos, Windows 3.1, 95/98 NT3.51 and 4.0
2DD(720kb) Supports: Dos, Windows 3.1, 95/98 NT3.51 and 4.0 more info>
N82E16821103104 $6.99
$6.99 ea.@10+
$6.5 ea.@20+
$6 ea.@60+
$6.99

Hard Drives
►Top Seller!
WD WESTERN DIGITAL "SPECIAL EDITION" 80GB 7200RPM EIDE HARD DRIVE MODEL # WD800JB - OEM, DRIVE ONLY
Specifications:
Size: 80 Gigabytes
Interface: IDE ULTRA ATA100
Seek time: 8.9ms
RPM:7200
Cache 8MB
OEM(Drive alone) 3 Year Manufacturer Warranty more info>
N82E16822144122 $78.00
$78.00

Keyboards
Aopen KeyBoard KB-858 107-key Windows Layout
107-key Windows layout
3 Windows 98 power keys
Membrane tactile switch
Laser engraved printing keys
PS2 connector
20 million life cycles more info>
N82E16823144001 $3.00
$3.00

Memory (System Memory)
GEIL DDR RAM 512MB PC-3200 Value 400MHz Ultra- CAS 2.5, 2T Command With Extreme Performance Heat SpreaderGL5123200B Value. DDR400, CAS 2.5, 184 Pin Dimm, High Quality 6 Layer PCB OEM - Lifetime Warranty. High Performance at Affortable Price!!! more info>
N82E16820144305 $83.00
$83.00

Monitors - CRT
Hitachi CRT Monitor V700 17" - Retail
16.1" Viewable, .24mm DP horizontal, .14mm DP vertical
1152 x 864 native resolution, 1280 x 1024 maximum resolution
3-Year Manufacturer Warranty
"This monitor produces vibrant colors and crisp text as well as flicker-free performance..."
(Mac use may require adapter, not included, see Detail Specs)
more info>

Standard Warranty only N82E16824134022 $99.00
$99.00

Motherboards - AMD
Biostar Motherboard for AMD Athlon/AthlonXP/Duron processors , Model# M7NCD PRO Retail.
Specifications:
CPU Supported: AMD Athlon/AthlonXP(Palomino, T-bred and Barton)/Duron processors
Chipset: Nvidia nForce2 Ultra 400, MCP2
FSB: 200/266/333/400
RAM: 3x 184-pin DDR DIMMs (PC3200/2700/2100/1600 DDR SDRAMs), supports both 64-bit and 128-bit DDR SDRAM,Dual Channel DDR
Slots:1xAGP (4x/8x) 5xPCI.
Ports:2xCOM,1xLPT,2xUSB, 1xLAN, and Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 6-Channel AC'97 CODEC
Onboard LAN: Intregrated 10/100 Ethernet more info>
N82E16813138227 $72.00
$72.00

Mouse
►Top Seller!
Designer Scroll Optical Mouse Model HC3003/49P Retail
Optical Scroll Mouse for Windows Opperating Systems
Navy with silver buttons
Optical Lens for Superior control. Works with Windows 95,98, and 2000
Specifications
Connector: PS2
Buttons: 2 button + scroll wheel
Technology: Optical more info>
N82E16826129003 $5.00
$5 ea.@2+
$5 ea.@5+
$5 ea.@10+
$5.00

Processors
►Top Seller!
AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL
Specifications:
CPU: 1.83 GHz
Type: XP 2500 Barton Core
Cache: 512K L2, 128K L1, Total 640KB
BUS: 333MHz
Socket A
Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included)
more info>
N82E16819103379 $91.00
$91.00

Software - Operating Systems
**This item is NOT REFUNDABLE, exchange for same exact item only!!**
►Top Seller!
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM Designed exclusively for home computing. From digital photos, music, and video to building a home network, Windows XP Home Edition brings you into the digital age with ease. Built on the solid foundation of Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition also sets the new standard in efficient and dependable computing.
*Must be Purchased with Hardware!!* more info>
N82E16837102141 $96.00
$96.00

Extend my Standard Warranty on the above qualified items: $31.68


Subtotal » $626.98
Shipping and Handling Charge »
Tax Instruction for All Resellers How Newegg.com calculates shipping $ 48.81

Grand Total » $ 675.79


Here is something I just threw together, but it has onboard sound, but everything else, minus speakers.


EDIT: Im re chaing this as we speak, so gimme a few, and I will readjust things.

[_John_Lennon_]

Btw, do you live in the US? And can you build your own computer? Or would you like a prebuilt one from a retailer.

[reignking]

i live in the us and i do have experience building my own... so that wouldn't be a problem.

[_John_Lennon_]

Okay, small condensed post, before I work on some papers.

(All prices from www.newegg.com and are in USD.)

55.00 =Black windowed Case with 350 PS, and LED fan, and top fan.
38.00 =52x24x52x CD-RW, Black.
8.00 =Floppy drive
105.00=WD 120GB 7200GB Hard Drive
83.00 =512MB Geil 3200 (400Mhz) DDR-Ram
72.00 =Biostar AMD motherboard, Nforce2 chipset, 8x AGP, onboard LAN.
10.00 =Optical scroll mouse
91.00 =AMD XP 2500+ Processor, Retail.
80.00 =Creative labs sound blaster audigy - OEM.
125.00= Powercolor Radeon 9600 128MB DDR Graphics card.

670.98. Subtotal
29.00 SHipping and Handling, (to me atleast in NC.)
---------
689.98


Now, as for suggestions, im open to them, but I wont be able to give anymore input for awhile I think, but, we can scale back on the 80 dollar sound card if you like, to try and push more money into the Graphics card (Though its a perfectly fine one) or we could just cut some money off that final price tag.

Also, we can trim back to the 78 for an 80GB hard drive, but its up to you.

Any bases I didnt cover?

[reignking]

that looks good... i'll have to go over to newegg and price out the differnce in video cards between say a 9600 and a 9500 pro or a 9700pro. but that's a good start.... thanks.

[Keikan]

u can't get a p4 800fsb for 700 dollars get an amd

[_John_Lennon_]

Originally posted by reignking@2 October 2003 - 21:38
that looks good... i'll have to go over to newegg and price out the differnce in video cards between say a 9600 and a 9500 pro or a 9700pro. but that's a good start.... thanks.
With a few articles to look at online as well, you can easily overclock or soft mod a 9700 to a 9800 I believe, and the same for a 9600, and 9500 I believe.

I havnt looked into it yet becase I havnt needed to, but its nothing bigger than regular overclocking.