Buying a PC for $800

M

mash

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 16, 2005
Messages
278
Ok, I'm building a PC for $1000. I want decent gaming (online FPS mostly) and all around speed. I already have a moniter, and I'm getting Windows XP home for $50 elsewhere. Here is what I came up with.

Case- Thermaltake Tsunami
PSU- FSP 450W
Processor- AMD Opteron 148
Mobo- eVGA NF4 (SLI) (free w/vid card)
Vid card- eVGA Geforce 7800GT
Memory- Corsair Valueselect 1gb
HDD- Hitachi Deskstar 160GB
DVD Burner- NEC Black

Total: $974.76 shipped

Would you make any changes? Anything that will make it run faster or cheaper, but games take priority over multitasking etc. Thanks.

-mash
 
I'd probably swap that mobo for something like an ASUS NF4 board or the Chaintech VNF4/Ultra.
 
I'd dump the 3200+ and look for an Opteron 146. If you don't mind mail in rebates you can find cheap hard drives in Sunday ads.
 
 
All Opterons have 1mb of L2 cache. That A64 you have listed has 512kb of L2 cache. Basically more = better.
 
Major_A said:
All Opterons have 1mb of L2 cache. That A64 you have listed has 512kb of L2 cache. Basically more = better.
Click to expand...

And, if you choose to do so, they overclock like gangbusters.
 
Ok, I could get a Opteron 146 here for even less than the 3200.

Is there any disadvantage, or is it pretty much better than the Athlon 3200 in every way?
 
You might consider swapping the OEM DVD-R for the retail box to get the software. I'm not sure how the "comes with a driver" version it stacks up the the "real" Nero, but at least you'll get some burning software w/ the retail package. (along with a cable lol) Plus it's <$10 more, compared to $60 or so for Nero.

Also, for the memory, a single 1GB module will work on a S939 board, but performance will be better with 2x512. Using one memory module effectively turns a 939 chip into a 754 chip. If you plan on upgrading to 2x1GB soon get the 1x1GB. If you'll be at 1GB for a while I'd get 2x512. Or, better yet, just get 2x1GB if you can fit it in your budget.
 
mash said:
Ok, I could get a Opteron 146 here for even less than the 3200.

Is there any disadvantage, or is it pretty much better than the Athlon 3200 in every way?
Click to expand...
They are faster, and generally overclock much better. Man that's the cheapest I've seen that processor for in a long time. Very tempting on my end too. Might get myself a Christmas present.
 
yeah i was going to say the same as everyone above get rid of the 3200+ and grab something better. 3500+, Opteron, 3700+

the 3200+ is $174.00 and the 3500+ is $201.00 and even the 3700+ is around $235.00 wich these prices are within a 20 to 30 dollar extra range wich isnt bad.

might run you alittle over 800 but it will be worth it in the end
 
Well, eBay sales are going my way so it looks like I'm going to end up with over $1000 to spend. I edited original post, big changes: processor to X2 3800+, and vid card to eVGA geforce 7800GT.

Comments?
 
mash said:
Well, eBay sales are going my way so it looks like I'm going to end up with over $1000 to spend. I edited original post, big changes: processor to X2 3800+, and vid card to eVGA geforce 7800GT.

Comments?
Click to expand...
well.. now you should look for an opteron 165 or 170 instead of that 3800+ x2..

otherwise it looks good.. not that the 3800+ is bad by any means.. but the opteron will most likely be a little bit better due to more cache and a better chance of overclockign well..
 
Updated yet again. Changes: got a more expensive vid card since it comes w/ a mobo, changed to an optron processor, changed case/added PSU, and changed HDD to 160gb (hitachi).

EDIT: is that PSU compatable with my processor? On the box is says for P4 and AMD athlon XP =/
 
I'm ordering very soon, could someone confirm that the processor/PSU are compatable?

-mash
 
mash said:
I'm ordering very soon, could someone confirm that the processor/PSU are compatable?

-mash
Click to expand...
The Fortron 450W? That'll do just fine for the rig you have spec'ed out. Fortron's a good solid brand too. Not #1(that's PC Power & Cooling), but definately in the the quality club. Fortron is what I normally use when building systems other than $multi-K systems. I prefer a PCP&C for $2-3K+ setups. Dual Opteron/Xeon, etc.
 
Ok, just making sure (the box said athlon xp so it worried me).

My laptop is now sold, so I'll be ordering that system soon (this week). If anyone has any last minute suggestions, lmk :)

Oh, and if someone had a link to a good guide on building PCs, it would be helpful. I've never built one before, so I'll need it.
 
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