new build, low budget

R

Ruick

n00b
Joined
Apr 17, 2005
Messages
53
hey guys, i know there are dozens of these threads daily but i really want some hardforum wisdom. currently the pc i have is about $500, but i want to strip anything that isn't needed and lower it to $400-450 if thats possible. Actually, i won't be doing much overclocking because the pc is suppose to be my brother's stable comp / light game comp, so overclockability isn't a requirement but a plus.

MOTHERBOARD
options
chaintech vnf4/ultra 939 nvidia nforce4 retail mobo $85 newegg
DFI nF4-DAGF Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 $90 newegg

VIDEO CARD
chaintech se6600 128mb pci-e retail vc $107 newegg

MEMORY
options
corsair valueselect 1gig (2x512) pc3200 $82.99 newegg
crucial 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM x2 $90 newegg
mushkin SP3200 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM

CPU
athlon 64 3000+ venice $119 shipped ewiz

CASE
antec slk3000-b retail $46 newegg

PSU
antec 350w smartpower supply

HDD
seagate barracuda 80gig 7200rpm

first off, i hear that dfi and corsair ram don't go together? and also i dont think the dfi mobo is needed if im not going to oc, so whats a cheaper stable alternative that i can replace it with? also, how many watts would i need? think a 350 is enough?

Also, according to this http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.p...&postcount=1000 (scroll down to the graph & avg scores) the 6600 and 6200 are equal in fps? because if i switch i could save $30-40 or so.
 
350 watts in general should be OK. It's just you won't be able to upgrade much.

I looked at a couple of benchmarks and I could not find the 6600 against the 6200. But, the 6600 should be able to beat the 6200. Also, if you get the Turbo Cache 6200, then you're dealing with a card that really is basic and slow.
 
I still need an idea on a good mobo replacement, and any other comments?
 
That mobo is pretty cheap already for any 939 pci-e mobo. I doubt you'll be able to go pci-e 939 for much lower.

Good ram, but I would switch to Crucial Value, it is $90 for 512x2 (like the Corsair), but it will probably overclock better, and have really tight timings at 200mhz (like 2-2-2-5ish, and 2-2-2-5ish up to 235-250!!!!! :eek: ).

3000+ Venice $119 shipped:
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=A64-3000BP

Get a HDD from www.ZipZoomFly.com (I dunno where you're getting that one, but hopefully it isn't newegg. Newegg ships its HDDs in a way that allows them to be damaged in shipment quite easily.)

Good quiet case with reliable 380w PSU: $99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140025
The Antec Sonata is quiet, looks good, and has a capable PSU built in. :)

Almost all of the scores in that thread are overclocked. You might be looking at an overclocked 6200 vs. a stock 6600. I would think that with both cards at stock the 6600 would be better. You might want to look into an X700 something. They are very similar to the 9800 series but are pci-e. Will be cheap.

Overall your system is already rockbottom in price for the platform it is on. If you want it to be cheaper you'll have to go socket A or 754.

anything else?
 
I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to get some links and write up some good info for me. thanks for the link, it looks like a really good price but its oem so amd would only give 30 day warranty unlike the 3-4 yr retail warranty? Maybe im biased but i always thought corsair was higher quality, but i'm might read around and see what others think about the crucial. Thanks for warning me about newegg, because i was going to use newegg for the HDD.

I actually really like that case after looking at it, it must run really quiet too. Though i found a 350w antec smartpower PSU so im going to use that, so i only need a case. and with my current budget i'd rather add some funds into hardware instead.

I used anandtech's price watch engine and the X700 came up more expensive than the 6600.
 
Ok.

Well if you already have a PSU, here's the same case without a PSU and a different front bezel for $47!
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=140037

I wouldn't worry about the warrenty unless you have a similarly priced retail 3000+ lined up. If it is DOA or something, you can return it for another one. If it dies within 6 months, eWiz will replace it. Also you aren't overclocking, so if it lasts 6 months it's going to last for years! There would be no reason for it to fail when there's no warrenty on it if you have adequate cooling. Remember to buy some kind of cpu heatsink. I'm sure you could find a stock one for about $8.

Maybe I'm biased, but I always thought Corsair was overrated and overpriced. :p

-----

For either of those cases (the two that I linked to), you might want to get another 120mm fan to increase airflow. Just make sure it has a decent cfm (amount of air moved) and not too high of a dBA (sound) rating. If you compare a few I'm sure you'll get a good idea of what is good for what you are willing to spend. "Panaflo" is one of the best brands you can buy, but they are a little overpriced on Newegg. You can find much lower prices (50-100% less) if you froogle.
 
MOTHERBOARD
options
chaintech vnf4/ultra 939 nvidia nforce4 retail mobo $85 newegg
DFI nF4-DAGF Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 $90 newegg

VIDEO CARD
chaintech se6600 128mb pci-e retail vc $107 newegg

MEMORY
options
corsair valueselect 1gig (2x512) pc3200 $82.99 newegg
crucial 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM x2 $90 newegg
mushkin SP3200 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM

CPU
athlon 64 3000+ venice $119 shipped ewiz

CASE
antec slk3000-b retail $46 newegg

PSU
antec 350w smartpower supply

HDD
seagate barracuda 80gig 7200rpm



is what i have so far. a few questions, each company just adds 2 letters before the 6600 right? i'm not buying some 6600 SE version? Also, is the chaintech motherboard i chose a good alternative?
 
Ruick just thought that i'd let you know that the sonata just went on sale at the egg w/a 30$ MIR.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top