Can You Trust Computers On Ebay?

[lynx]

Originally posted by Super Dude@16 July 2004 - 12:52
Since you're considering getting a 5200, you might want to take a look at this review, for the ATI Radeon 9550 - it is Nvidia's 5200 competitor.The 128mb/128 bit is available at NewEgg for $76.99.

Since you have a limited budget, I don't think it's wise to get a P4 2.8.It's more expensive than Amd, and most of Intel's motherboards have low-quality onboard sound.Take a look at this comparison, between onboard sound and soundcards as an edification as to why Lynx recommended a soundcard, and mentioned about the nVidia Soundstorm - keep in mind, sound does effect the peformance of games.The nVidia Soundstorm onboard sound is intergrated in some Amd motherboards.Abit's NF7-S and Asus' A7N8X-E-Deluxe series are two motherboards which has the nVidia Soundstorm onboard sound intergrated, so you might want to check them out, if you're considering getting an Amd Athlon.

IMHO, there's no point getting a P4 2.8, when you have a low-end Vga card for games - even if you bought an A64, or P4 3.2 EE - you'll still be having lags in games due to the Vga Card.An Amd Athlon 2500+, can easily be overclocked to 3200+ speeds, with a stock HSF.And it's performance will be almost the same or even better than Intel's P4 2.8.

Save your money and get an Amd CPU, and use it to get a better Vga Card.ATI's 9800 Pro's have dropped in price, and could be bought for less than $200.

Your call.

Nice post.

[lynx]

Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004+16 July 2004 - 18:00--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ROSSCO_2004 @ 16 July 2004 - 18:00)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-lynx@16 July 2004 - 04:48
They usually fail because of low quality caps.

When you turn the pc on you get a big inrush of power. That is usually when they fail.

Either that or voltage spikes, cheap psu&#39;s have poorer protection.

ha mine died while i was playing need for speed 5 [/b][/quote]
Yea, but you were going too fast anyway.

[tesco]

Originally posted by lynx+16 July 2004 - 15:00--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (lynx @ 16 July 2004 - 15:00)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Originally posted by ROSSCO_2004@16 July 2004 - 18:00
<!--QuoteBegin-lynx

@16 July 2004 - 04:48
They usually fail because of low quality caps.

When you turn the pc on you get a big inrush of power. That is usually when they fail.

Either that or voltage spikes, cheap psu&#39;s have poorer protection.

ha mine died while i was playing need for speed 5

Yea, but you were going too fast anyway. [/b][/quote]
ya, i was winning too, but it was an easy race anyway so i was able to get back to where i was pretty fast.

[Monkeee]

is overclocking easy? doesen&#39;t have risks? oh and i&#39;m trying to get these run high quality games that are coming out such as DOOM III, Half-life 2, etc etc

the minimum machine specs for decent performance on Half-life 2 will be a 1.2GHz CPU with 256MB RAM, Win 98/ME/2000/XP and a DirectX 7 capable graphics card

half-life2 recommended system specs which are as follows: a 2.4 GHz CPU with 512MB RAM, Windows 2000/XP and a DirectX 9 graphics card.

1GHz CPU
256MB RAM
GF1 or Radeon 7xxx series card

this is the minumum sysm requirements for DOOM III and wont run very well with the specs above or pretty much anything close to it

[Storm]

overclocking an XP 2500+ is really easy........ just a couple of bios settings to change........ your are risking a couple of things though:
1) your warranty
2) you might fry your system

now #2 doesnt happen that often, but you do have to be carefull

#1 is to your own decision......

[Monkeee]

Originally posted by Storm@16 July 2004 - 21:12
overclocking an XP 2500+ is really easy........ just a couple of bios settings to change........ your are risking a couple of things though:
1) your warranty
2) you might fry your system

now #2 doesnt happen that often, but you do have to be carefull

#1 is to your own decision......

damnit now i&#39;m scared

[Storm]

Originally posted by Monkeee+16 July 2004 - 22:13--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Monkeee @ 16 July 2004 - 22:13)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Storm@16 July 2004 - 21:12
overclocking an XP 2500+ is really easy........ just a couple of bios settings to change........ your are risking a couple of things though:
1) your warranty
2) you might fry your system

now #2 doesnt happen that often, but you do have to be carefull

#1 is to your own decision......

damnit now i&#39;m scared [/b][/quote]


no, seriously.......

google a lil on "overclock amd 2500"...... read around a lil........ you&#39;ll get what im talking about.....

[tesco]

as long as you monitor the temps and don&#39;t do anything drastic (like ocing to 5ghz or rasing vcore to 3v) then nothing bad will happen.

worst case you can&#39;t boot and gotta reset cmos (not too likely)

[Virtualbody1234]

Get a board that supports AMD 3200+, get some PC3200 RAM, drop in a 2500+ and then all you would need to do is set the FSB to 400MHz. Very easy to find in BIOS settings.

Make sure to have good case ventilation and that the CPU cooler is properly installed (preferably with Arctic Silver) and check the temperatures after building it. That&#39;s basicly all that&#39;s needed.

[Monkeee]

ok well since all of you guys reccomend getting an AMD can you just tell me exactly what to buy on New egg Pweez? and i dunno what to choose for power supply (this is my first time building a comp and dont want to screw up ) oh and if i get my comp can you guys help me overclock it to 3200 without destroying my comp

i thought about getting this case

NZXT Green ATX MId Tower Case with Side Panel Window, Model "GUARDIAN" -RETAIL

Model# GUARDIAN GRN
Item # N82E16811146004

Specifications:
Case Type: Mid-Tower
Color: Green
Material: All metal construction(SGCC)
Drive Bays: 5x 5.25", 2x 3.5", 3x 3.5"(Internal)
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: 2x USB2.0, Audio Ports
Power Supply: 400W
Cooling System: 1x Tri-color LED Fan (side panel), 1x 80mm Fans in rear
Motherboard Compatibility: ATX, MicroATX, Baby AT, Mini ATX
Dimensions: 8" D x 21" W x 17" H

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc....-146-004&depa=0

if i have enough money..