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$2000 Budget Help!!

J

jinderb

n00b
Joined
Oct 2, 2005
Messages
26
Hello. I'm new to this message board thing. So bear with me.
I am looking to upgrade my comp. We had a lightning storm come thru a couple of weeks ago(I think this is what happened). It took out cable modem, router w/VOIP. Already replaced both of them. But, I think, it also fried mobo and psu(plug at ATX connecter. burnt). I'm not sure if cpu is ok or not.
I'll try to list everything I have and what I use comp. for. And what I have looked at so far. I have visited THG, Anantech,[H]ardOCP and several other sites. But am getting a migraine(Information OverClocked...I mean Overload).Here's, basically, what I have:

AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Socket 754
MSI K8T Neo (MS-6702) Ver. 1.0
Maxtor 40GB D740X-6l (IDE)
512mb Crucial Ballistix DDr4000 CL2.5 unbuffered
ATi Radeon 9800Pro 128mb or 256mb(not sure) AGP
On-board sound
Case is about 5-6yrs old. But it has alot of room. That's kinda why I have had it that long. 4-5.25, 2-3.5 ext bays. 2-3.5 hdd holder (removeable). removeable mobo tray. 7 exp. slots. changeable i/o panel. 21" tall.
Ext. Sony DVD/Cd Rewritable DRX-700UL
Int. 52x cd drive
17" Studioworks 995E CRT
I do alot of video editing(Studio 9) for my home movies from my dig. camcorder and from VHS to DVD.Also work with pics from dig. camera. I use Paintshop for pics(don't know if that has an impact on recommendation or not?).I like to do other things on comp. while waiting for video rendering, but it is nearly impossible.

Am also a gamer !! (between family life)

I've looked at:

Abit AN8fatal1ty SLI
AMD 64 x2 3800+
Corsair 1gb Twinx1024-3200c2
Antec True Power 2.0 550w
BFG Tech 7800GTX
74gb Raptor WD
19" Viewsonic LCD 5ms
Which brings total around $1850.00. Just want to know if someone knows of a better configuration for around $2000.00.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for being soooooo wordy. Just wanted to give plenty of info(probably isn't enuff!)
 
Go with two gigs of ram so you can handle BF2 and any other game thrown at you lag-free. I also dont hear good things about that fatality board, try the a8n sli premium mobo instead. And the psu, antec psus are *okay* but if you want a reliable and quiet one, then go with a seasonic. Either the s12-430 or the s12-500 will do just fine. The 500w is definatley enough power to run 2 cards in SLI, but if you really want to be cautious, their s12-600 is sli certified. Another thing, that maxtor drive scooter linked to is supposedly faster than the raptors I believe, if so, its much cheaper also, you should go with that. Feel free to correct me if im wrong.
 
Hey scOOter,
Where is the MIR for the monitor? I can't find it on Manufacture's site or Newegg.
 
Oh..it ended. :p Sorry 'bout that. Still, you don't need to spend that much on a monitor just because it has a 4ms response time. What about something like this? It's not a big brand, but the reviews/specs are good. Also, go with the RAM paintb posted, I didn't realize how cheap the total price was going to come out as. As to the PSU..it's up to you really. Seasonic is good, but they're not cheap. I like Fortron. :)
 
That's alright. Still a good price for lcd monitor. Too late to change. I bought the Samsung 915n for $345.80.Yeah, I'm still up in the air on psu and mobo(too many combos for x2). The DFI looks good, but so does the a8n that paintb suggested.I guess, since the bottom line price is cheaper I can splurge on some things.
 
Yeah, I'd go with the Asus mobo. The DFI is good (I know from experience), but the Asus is supposedly an all-around more reliable board.
 
I like to mess with oc'ing some. But for the most part as long as the computer can handle the tasks that I give it with no hiccups I can live with. The only problem I have is when I play any games I like alot of eyecandy to make it as real as possible. So when I can't get that in a game I go to oc'ing. So I think that Asus would be preferred.
 
You're lucky. In Poland parts for computers are very expensive. You can buy DFI and AMD X2 This is very good cpu beacouse this processor is is very efficient :D
 
Mr. Miyagi said:
If you're going to go with the Asus, I would wait for the new ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe and get some of the new 2x 1GB Corsair XMS-3500LL PRO @ 2-3-2-6.
Click to expand...

When is that mobo going to be released? and will it help my current 7800GTX SLi setup with the Dual 16x PCI-E slots?
 
I belive around Oct. 18th. You will see some performance increase, but it will help a lot more later down the road.
 
If you do go with the DFI board get non value ram. But 2 gigs so it will be pretty expensive, but with some new games coming out(FEAR quake 4) and BF2 those all will be or are hungry for more than 1 gig.
 
Here is what I have so far:
MOBO......................Asus a8n-sli premium..................................161.47
MEMORY.................2GB Ocz dd2 pc3200 Platinum.....................220.00 w/rebate
CPU.........................AMD x2 3800+............................................352.95
PSU.........................Seasonic s12-600........................................144.63
HDD.........................(2x)Maxtor Diamondmax 10 250gb 6b250s0...192.00 (96.00 each)
Graphics Card...........eVGA Geforce 7800gt pci-e 256mb................340.00 w/rebate
Monitor.....................Samsung 915n LCD (already ordered)............346.00
Cd Drive....................Int. 52x cd drive...........................................----------
DVD/Rewrite..............Ext. Sony DRX-700ul...................................----------
Mouse/keyboard........Microsoft wireless elite.................................----------
..................................................................................... Total:$1757.00
Not sure I can wait for Asus' new mobo. Using just a backup comp. right now. Driving me crazy!! :( :( :mad:
Anything that can be modified or change?? Have about $250.00 left in budget. Nice case or some kinduv add-on or something? Or just be happy with what I have!? :D
 
Yeah, I'm on a backup comp right now, just waiting for the release of the board. :) You can do it! :p
 
If you want to spend every last penny of your budget, go for Lian-Li. The cases rock. The cases are also expensive as hell. The P180 is nice for the price.
 
sc00ter said:
If you want to spend every last penny of your budget, go for Lian-Li. The cases rock.
Click to expand...

You bet I want to spend every penny of it. That's what the budget is for. :D :D
If I leave any money leftover my wife will want it!! :D
Not often do I get money to play with.

Those are pretty sweet cases!! :eek:
 
WD740GD > WD2500KS > Maxtor 6L250S0 > Every other ATA drive. Any current generation 7200RPM drive with an 8 or 16MB buffer will be a huge step up from your D740X.
 
I think you'll be happier with the Antec P180. It's much quieter and has great build quality. I really miss mine. :(
 
Mr. Miyagi said:
I think you'll be happier with the Antec P180. It's much quieter and has great build quality. I really miss mine. :(
Click to expand...

I really dont think the "quality" of the p180 can top a li-li. Sorry :(
 
paintb4707 said:
I really dont think the "quality" of the p180 can top a li-li. Sorry :(
Click to expand...

I know it doesn't have the quality of Li-Li, but it's a great case for the price.
 
No matter what case between the 2. It is leaps and bounds better than mine.
Like I said , my case is appr. 5-6yrs. old. Alot of progress toward case style and functionality have been made. It is a pretty penny for a case. But I look at mine now and it has served me well for 5-6yrs. So look at it over a period of time, compared to the other components, a case will last for a long time in computer years! (That's about 20 comp. yrs.=1 human year!!!! :D :p :D
 
Again, go with the Lian-Li. Excellent quality, sexy looks, good cooling, plenty of upgrade space... I mean, $250 is a lot of money for a case, but if you wan't it to last that long, money shouldn't really be an object.
 
You might have compatibility problems with the Premium and the V-1000 because the heatpipe needs to be upright, not upside down. You would have to go active cooling to do this.
 
Mr. Miyagi said:
You might have compatibility problems with the Premium and the V-1000 because the heatpipe needs to be upright, not upside down. You would have to go active cooling to do this.
Click to expand...
Oh shit, I completley forgot about that. I hope you didnt order yet jinderb, because Im not sure how to resolve this issue other than what miyagi said.
 
Oh MAN, I ordered the V-1000 yesterday before I read this. :( Crap, the a8n32-sli is the same way. How do you go about changing to active cooling?
I assume you can take the sinks and pipe off ?!! Does anyone offer a mod for this?
 
jinderb said:
Oh MAN, I ordered the V-1000 yesterday before I read this. :( Crap, the a8n32-sli is the same way. How do you go about changing to active cooling?
I assume you can take the sinks and pipe off ?!! Does anyone offer a mod for this?
Click to expand...

I deeply apologise jinderb. I suggested the premium AND the li-li and completley forgot all about it. Hopefully someone can find a resolution for this.
 
paintb4707 said:
I deeply apologise jinderb. I suggested the premium AND the li-li and completley forgot all about it. Hopefully someone can find a resolution for this.
Click to expand...
Well, as much as I read and looked at all the pics and info on both of these, I guess, I should have either realized it or have been a little more patience. Since I probably am going to wait for a8n32-sli board and mem. I'm sure there is a solution for this. At least I have some time b4 the release date!!
 
jinderb said:
Well, as much as I read and looked at all the pics and info on both of these, I guess, I should have either realized it or have been a little more patience. Since I probably am going to wait for a8n32-sli board and mem. I'm sure there is a solution for this. At least I have some time b4 the release date!!
Click to expand...
Well, theres always the a8n deluxe. It provides the same quality as the premium, just the thing is I can almost guarentee you would have to replace the chipset fan. Then again, those zalman chipset heatsinks seem to do some good anyways.
 
Hey, I think I have a chance that my case hasn't shipped yet! Have to call at 10:00. Will find out.
If I can cancel, what other case suggestions.
 
ALRIGHT!!! I was able to cancel the order! :D :D
Thanks for all the help!
I will still suggest the P180 or maybe another Li-Li (PC-7) or a Silverstone.
Click to expand...
Will check them out.
Is Thermaltek a good case?
 
Do you mean Thermaltake? I personally don't like them and they don't have the same build quality as Silverstone or Li-Li.
 
Yes SIlverstone cases are a nice alternative. They very clean and good quality. The only thing is, they dont have any full-tower cases. To be honest, I believe a 2k budget computer should be in a full tower. (cooling advantage, room, and WC possibilities)

Anyone know if the mobo is held up-right in this Li-Li?
 
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