Building A Computer

[mutha trucka]

I want to build a computer that can play modern games, mainly halo, for as little as possible to get a good experience playing and, less importantly, to burn cds and dvds. I may try to overclock as well but I do not know for sure, as I haven't done it before.

Antec Performance Plus Case, Model:PLUS1080AMG, Retail.
$112.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-129-115&depa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-115&depa=0)

Shuttle nForce2 Ultra 400 Motherboard for AMD Processors, Model "AN35N-Ultra" Retail (cheap but had pretty good reviews on newegg)
$64.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc....45&searchdepa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=13%2D150%2D045&searchdepa=0)

SAPPHIRE RADEON 9800SE, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, Dual VGA/TV-Out, 8X AGP, OEM $145.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-102-321&depa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-321&depa=0)

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail
$91.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-103-379&depa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-379&depa=0)

Kingston HyperX 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC3000 - Limited Quantity Offer
$104.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc....06&searchdepa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=20%2D144%2D106&searchdepa=0)

SAMSUNG SFD321B/LEB 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, OEM Driver Only
$5.59
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc....02&searchdepa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=21%2D103%2D202&searchdepa=0)

WESTERN DIGITAL SPECIAL EDITION 80GB 7200RPM IDE HARD DRIVE, Model WD800JB, OEM DRIVE ONLY
$74.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-144-122&depa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-144-122&depa=0)

Proview PS720F (Beige) 17" Pure Flat Tube CRT Monitor Retail
$91.00 after $50 dollar rebate
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc....17&searchdepa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?DEPA=&sumit=Go&description=24%2D184%2D017&searchdepa=0)

NEC 4x DVD+RW/-RW Drive, Model ND-1300A/GEN w/SW, OEM
$105.00 (mostly good reviews on newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-152-008&depa=0 (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-152-008&depa=0)

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM
(Just to be safe or is it not worth it?)
$91.00

S&H
$37.00

Total
$920.00

[bigdawgfoxx]

Ok I already wrote a whole thing and posted it...but I guess it didnt work.

The graphics card...HELL NO..its a 9800 with a slow ass core and memory speed...get the 9600XT its 175Mhz faster core and 100Mhz faster memory. $180 Here (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-102-331&depa=0) , they also have refurbed ASUS ones which are nice for $150.

Memory, I dont know if a board that doesnt support daul channel will need that great of memory or if it will be able to take advantage of its timing..I dont really know so let VB or someone post on that lol.

[Kunal]

1) Wait till after xmas before purchasing

2) Dont bother getting winXP

[chinook_apache]

Originally posted by Kunal@11 December 2003 - 15:11
1) Wait till after xmas before purchasing


yeah prices drop very steeply then.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Forgot to mention that..lol yeah thats what im doing..im waiting untill after chrismas to build my new one.

[Kunal]

Originally posted by bigdawgfoxx@11 December 2003 - 18:06
Forgot to mention that..lol yeah thats what im doing..im waiting untill after chrismas to build my new one.
:lol:

Why bother, you've got one the best systems on the board! :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Ninjastyle]

Why NOT get XP? XP is great, don't be fooled. All it needs is some tweaking and it's an excellent OS.

[john_malkie2010]

1) pick a better motherboard....a A7N8X Deluxe Rev2.0 or a NF7-S are the best with that cpu(especially since a 2500+ can do 3200+ speed by just upping the fsb)

2) pick some dual channel PC3200 kit not a single stick of PC3000 (if u do decide to overclock the PC3000 will hold u back) and buy a decent brand

3) the 9800se can be softmodded to 9800pro speed but u need to buy one of the 9800se All In Wonder versions ive been told then the chances are supposed to be bout 60-70% for the softmod

[3rd gen noob]

Originally posted by Ninjastyle@11 December 2003 - 16:53
Why NOT get XP? XP is great, don't be fooled. All it needs is some tweaking and it's an excellent OS.
why buy it when you don't need to :)

[Kunal]

Originally posted by 3rd gen noob+11 December 2003 - 18:57--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (3rd gen noob @ 11 December 2003 - 18:57)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Ninjastyle@11 December 2003 - 16:53
Why NOT get XP? XP is great, don&#39;t be fooled. All it needs is some tweaking and it&#39;s an excellent OS.
why buy it when you don&#39;t need to :) [/b][/quote]
yep, looks like 3rd gen understood me and Ninjastyle didnt

[DWk]

he only got 3 stars, uc? :D

[bigdawgfoxx]

Originally posted by john_malkie2010@11 December 2003 - 11:54
3) the 9800se can be softmodded to 9800pro speed but u need to buy one of the 9800se All In Wonder versions ive been told then the chances are supposed to be bout 60-70% for the softmod
I hate that. Why would he want to take a CHANCE that it might be able to get a better card...I would just get the 9600XT..very good card.

[Virtualbody1234]

Originally posted by DWk@11 December 2003 - 13:14
he only got 3 stars, uc? :D
Stars don&#39;t mean anything. :P

[john_malkie2010]

the 9800se is as good a card as the 9600xt plus u get the chance that u can soft mod it

[bigdawgfoxx]

no its not the 9600XT is like 175Mhz faster core and 100Mhz faster Memory.

[john_malkie2010]

from that statement u must think that a 9600xt is a better card than a 9800pro

[bigdawgfoxx]

well the 9800 Pro has faster memory but slower core..I know its about more then that but I would just figure the SE, being cheaper then the 9600XT, would have been stripped of any special features and runs slow.

[john_malkie2010]

the 9800se runs at the same clock speed and same memory speed as a 9800pro....it also uses the same core...but instead of the usual 8 pipelines which a 9800pro has they have shut down 4 of them and sell it as a 9800se....with a softmod 60-70% of these 9800se aiw cards can have the xtra 4 pipelines opened up again which means u have a 9800pro....even if u dont u still get a card that is about equal with a 9600xt except u get the benefits of the all in wonder xtras

[bigdawgfoxx]

Ok...the 9800 SE does not run as fast as a 9800PRO or as fast as a 9600XT damn...look at the specs. I cant even find an ATI 9800SE All In Wonder.

[_John_Lennon_]

Couple things.

About the SE. You know, theres a reason its a hell of alot less than a regular 9800......

A 9600 AIW is about 200 on newegg, a 9600 regular is roughly 135, all of which will run halo FINE.

About the memory. Its a fine memory company (kingston) however, I would suggest going for 400Mhz (3200) ddr-Ram to overclock alot more. Look at their 3200 Geil Ram, which is usually about 85 bucks, give or take a few. I am using it, and it got me to the specs in my sig, EASY.

About the case: Save yourself 50 dollars and go with the asipre Dreamer cases. They are great value, u get 3 fans with grills, and they are LED. You also get the window, and a temp sensor on the front I believe. Those actaully look quite cool, and are half the price of ANTEC brand cases.

If you are set on those stupid antec towers, atleast go with the cheiftec brand, u can get a windowed one, for about 75, and a non window one for about 65.

[bigdawgfoxx]

Thanks for backing me up john...The SE is alot worse then the regular 9800...thats why its like 200 dollars cheaper dumbass