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**Kaickul** · 01-08-2004, 01:38 PM

You are hoping to keep what under 400$? The video card or the Mobo?
If you are refering to the cost of all it... I'd have to say you won't get much for that price.

As for parts, different people want different things. The arguement over AMD vs Intel isnt really valid considering they out perform each other in different aspects. AMD is the better graphics processing chip though. As for video cards, my preference is ATI vs Nvidia, but do your own research. RAM, Corsair is good, but other brands and types offer their own specialties. These days buying a computer is all about knowing what you want it to do, and what is out there that can do it best.

Check out sites like newegg.com for parts you can buy.
pricewatch.com lists alot of vendors for parts also.
If building comps isnt your thing.. look into something like Alienware, cyberpower, or alike systems where you have more control over what parts you want in it.
I would advise against sites like Dell, Gateway and so forth...

**ChivalricRonin** · 01-08-2004, 02:03 PM

I'm afraid there's not much working with on that budget. However, let me make some suggestions if you can get a little more than that togeather. I'm also assuming you're capable of putting a system togeather yourself, and negating the cost of artic silver, cables etc...

1. New motherboard. I strongly, strongly suggest one of the new Abit boards the IC7 series. The IC7 by itself supports SATA, dual channel memory. If you can use gigabit LAN, I suggest the IC7-G as that includes it. The top of the line is the MAX3, which has a cooling system in place and a bunch of other top of the line stuff. There is a comparable series for AMD processors as well, but let me get to that in a minute

1.5 new RAM. CHances are, your old RAM really isn't worth it, or is not compatable with your new motherboard. If you'e not hevily into overclocking, I'd suggest a good Dual Channel kit of 1 Gig from Corsair. A PC3200 (DDR400) should be perfect if you're not overclocking, anything higher than that is designed for OC. Try for something Low Latency, preferably CAS 2. Mushkin Level 2 Black is good as well.

2. New Processor. I'd like to suggest buying an Intel Processor for now. The new AMD 64s have not come into their own yet and are not worth the price IMHO. I'm thinking again that you're not going to overclock. I'd suggest buying an Intel Pentium 4 "C" with an 800 FSB and HT (hyperthreading). Depending on how much you want to spend, I'd say get a 2.66ghz, or up to a 3.0ghz. 3.2 is MUCH more expensive for minimal gain

3. New windows - DEFINATELY get MS Win XP Professional. If possible get a student discount. Most of this new hardware goes to waste on an old windows.

4. New video card. If you afford it, I strongly suggest you get a 9800 Pro or XT instead of a 9600, UNLESS you plan to upgrade within the next year or so (This based on the assumption that you enjoy playing the latest games). If you do decide to go for a 9600, its worth it go for the XT, as the XT series have a thermal sensor that auto-overclocks itself depending on how cool it is. I strongly suggest the current crop of ATI cards over their Nvidia counterparts, for the moment.

While you'er not going to be able to buy all this on 400, you may be able to make one upgrade set. If you can scrape togeather another 200 you can probably get Mobo, RAM, and Proc for that price, give or take 50. All my advice suggests that you have a decent case/powersupply and stuff to run it. Since I don't know all the details it could be inaccurate.

If this is not the case, and you're running out of a micro-tower dell with propriatary connectors, you may be better off purchasing a whole new computer. For that, I wholeheartedly suggest www.thunderboxpc.com Both in price and performance, they are without a doubt superior to everything else on the market. I personally have one of their systems and it is superb. Let me know any more data and I'll see if I can help!

Gomen, that may be a lot to read ^_^;

**Cometgreen** · 01-08-2004, 05:40 PM

What are you guys talking about? Most AMD motherboards are under $100, the AthlonXP 2500+ is around $100, and the Radeon 9600Pro is $190. That's under $400.

Of course, that only handles the hardware side. You'd have to stick with Windows 98 or try to find an inexpensive copy of 2000 or even XPHome.

However, you're probably forgetting a lot of smaller components. Is your powersupply adequate (preferably 300watt)? Do you have a heatsink and fan to use? Will a new mobo fit in your case? And what about the ram? You'll probably wanna upgrade that, unless you all ready have some good DDR ram.

Check out www.pricewatch.com or www.newegg.com

Cometgreen

**Kyuss** · 01-09-2004, 01:22 AM

I still think i can keep it under about 400$. For one my friend and i are building it. Two the video card will be around 140$ then the motherboard he said i could get for around 100$. I don't know if my powersupply will cut it for the new system ,but i can get one of those for free. Also how much would pentium 4 cost?

**ChivalricRonin** · 01-09-2004, 07:16 AM

Sorry, sometimes I'm a bit of a high-ender and its hard for me to suggest quality mid-range parts. Which motherboard and vid card are you guys talking about?

A pentium 4c (800fsb) will run you $161 at newegg.com for a 2.4 OEM, to about $272 for a 3.0ghz OEM. Retail boxes cost slightly more.

Abit IC7 mobos run $119-$189 depending on the variety.

If you're going to the trouble of upgrading your processor, make sure the motherboard you're looking for can handle the FSB speed (800, as opposed to older 533 and 400 Intel procs...AMD is a totally different story). I'd also strongly look into your RAM to see if its compatable.

**Cometgreen** · 01-09-2004, 10:24 PM

The whole reason AMD is still out there is because of those of us on a budget. If you want to keep this under $400, you're probably best off with AMD. It's your choice, of course. Just check around yourself. Go to newegg and fill up your basket with what you need and see how much it costs, then work down to $400.

Cometgreen

**Siber** · 01-10-2004, 08:13 AM

Here's what I just recently bought:

1.) AMD "Barton" 2500+ - $90
2.) Asrock K7S8XE - $51
3.) Radeon 9600 XT - $170

That right there totals to $311 and it's good. If you go onto EBay (never buy hardware on eBay NEVER!) you can get Windows XP Pro OEM from $30 and up (unused). Then that leaves you with about $50-$60 to get memory. If you get the hardware at www.newegg.com you get free shipping too which is always awesome. Those would be my suggestions. But of course, this being hardware and all, it's all preference and how much experience you've had w/ the manufacturer.

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