Building the girlfriend a replacement PC

M

MemoryInAGarden

2[H]4U
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Oct 26, 2003
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I was looking at what to build my girlfriend. She's in need of an upgrade of her 1.1 ghz Duron running XP under 128MB of memory ;). So I started looking at some budget minded configurations. A few notes: She isn't a gamer, so integrated graphics are fine. I also got the full GB of RAM and a DVD-RW simply because it's just not practical to get 512MB of RAM and a CD-RW when memory and burner prices are so low. I'd like to sneak this box in as a file server for my next LAN party. Also, I'd like to make it 64-bit compatible so she will be able to keep it when things start switching to 64 bit en masse.

The Intel Config:

Intel 630 $230
Intel BOXD915GAVL $104
Western Digital 80GB SATA $61
Antec SLK1650B $81
1GB Corsair Value RAM $81
NEC 3520 DVD-RW $51

Total: $608

Substitute a 330J Celeron D in there for the P4 and this is the total: $469

The AMD Config:
Athlon 64 2800+ $120
Gigabyte GA-K8VM800M $69
Western Digital 80GB SATA $61
Antec SLK1650B $81
1GB Corsair Value RAM $81
NEC 3520 DVD-RW $51

Total: $463

So the P4 system is a tough pill to swallow, even considering the benefits of HT and 64-bit capability. This is more than I really want to spend on it. The Celeron based system is cheaper, but lacks 64-bit capability, which is something that IMO should be in this box because it might be in use for awhile. But I've had two VIA based boards back in the KT333 days and had hell with them. The A64 is just the right balance between price, performance, and features. Which system do you think would be better for someone who isn't a gamer and just chats, checks email, and general Windows use?
 
The AMD one looks like a better deal to me. If you're wary of the Via chipsets, maybe you could try an nForce 3 board? I don't know if any of them had onboard video, but if not you could probably find a cheap GeForce 4 MX somewhere.
 
AMD all the way.

It boggles my mind why people still buy new intel processors; they're more expensive and slower for the most part. :rolleyes:
 
At work we like Intel chips for running lots of simulation models simulateously. No graphics or anything, just lots and lots of heavy computations. The HyperThreading helps. Dual CPU systems are out of our price range still.
 
Jesus_Faction said:
go for a sempron if shes not gaming
Click to expand...

The price difference between the Sempron and the normal A64 is just a few dollars. The Palermo 3100 Sempron was even a bit more expensive than the A64 2800.
 
beanman101283 said:
The AMD one looks like a better deal to me. If you're wary of the Via chipsets, maybe you could try an nForce 3 board? I don't know if any of them had onboard video, but if not you could probably find a cheap GeForce 4 MX somewhere.
Click to expand...

The integrated graphics were mainly for noise reduction, but this would work just as well.
 
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