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Building a new(er) system

B

Bale

n00b
Joined
Nov 15, 2004
Messages
2
I'm trying to build a new(er) system with a budget around $500. I have spent a great deal of time building systems from the ground up, but these have been "recycled" computers I build for a non-profit organization. I know how to build them, but the technology out today leaves a lot more confusing options when compared to those offered by a PII.

I need the following : CPU / Mobo / Ram / Video Card

All the other bases are covered, me thinks. Have a nice 19 inch monitor, good speaker system, 120g and 80g hard drives (IDE).

The system will primarily be used for graphic design and programming. Some gaming will occur (My wife wants the Sims2 bad), but would like to leave it sort of open to more in the future.

This system will sort of be a "life boat", if you will, until I get out of school. I plan on doing a major upgrade as a graduation present for myself, but that's about a year and a half away.

I guess I'm confused on a sliding scale. I could skimp out on one, leaving more money for another. But I (think) I realize that a $400 CPU would be kind of useless with only $100 to put into RAM/MOBO/Video.

I would appreciate any help on getting these sliders set at their optomized levels.

Thanks in advance

Bale
 
CPU ------$180
Mobo-------$80
Ram--------$80
Video------$160
_______________
Give or take $20 from each.
 
If you can squeeze $40 more out of ^^ for video you could grab a 9800pro.
You could do this by shaving some off the CPU, however if you are going AMD that might put you down to an XP chip, which would hinder your ability to upgrade
 
Athlon 64 3000+ OEM (socket 939) - $149.99
Abit AV8 mobo - $112.99
Memory - 512MB DDR PC2700 or PC3200, make sure you get a value series if you don't plan on OC'ing - ~$80

Video card: 2 options
Radeon 9800 Pro based card - there's several on newegg which are out of stock right now, but will come back in eventually - ~$185
GeForce 5900XT - take your pick on newegg ~$185

Your total would then be: $525-$535... not a bad deal if you ask me. Good thing you already have the hard drive, and I assume all of the operating system/programs.

Those are my suggestions.
 
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