MadPyro

Join Date 01/2004

new 'puter. help me.

:::CATUION:LONG THREAD:::

ok, so i have formed a couple of computers together and an trying to decide which one is a better bang (no i dont mean crash) for my buck, please help me out:

Corner 1:

Soyo Ultra Dragon P4X400 Socket 478 Barebone Kit Blue
-Chieftec Dragon Mini-Tower MS-Blue ATX Case with Front USB, FireWire and Side Fan
-3X5.25 and 3X3.5 bays
-front usb, firewire and side window

Soyo P4X400 Dragon Ultra Platinum Edition Motherboard
-3 dimm sockets upto 3GB
-5 PCI one AGP pro
-8X agp port

Ultra 400 Watt ATX PS With 120mm Blue LED Fan

209.99

Intel® Pentium® 4 2.8GHz / 512K Cache / 533MHz FSB/ Socket 478 / Processor 169.99

Ultra Aluminum Socket 478 up to P4 2.8GHz CPU Cooling Fan 14.99

GEFORCE FX 5200 256 MB DDR DVI & TV Out - 8X 99.99

210+100+170+15=495+ S/H

CORNER 2:

Black ChenMing Aluminum Case with Side Window - 450Watt PSU
-4 x 5.25" , 2 x 3.5" 4 x 3.5" HDD
-450 watt dual fan power supply.

90.00

SOYO 875P Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU, Model "SY-P4I875P DRAGON 2 (Platinum Edition)"
-FSB: 800/533MHz
-RAM: 4x DIMM support Dual Channel DDR400/333 Max 4GB
-IDE: 4x UltraDMA 66/100/133(2 for RAID) up to 8 Devices
-Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI
177.00

Intel® Pentium® 4 2.8GHz / 512K Cache / 533MHz FSB/ Socket 478 / Processor 169.99-20.00 rebate

Ultra Aluminum Socket 478 up to P4 2.8GHz CPU Cooling Fan 14.99

GEFORCE FX 5200 256 MB DDR DVI & TV Out - 8X 99.99

90.00+177.00+170.00-+15.00+100=452.00

CORNER 3:

Chieftec Dragon Green ATX Mid-Tower Case with Ultra 500 Watt Power Supply
-4 - 5.25" Bays with Easy-Pull Port Covers
-3 - Removable 3.5" Bays (2 External and 1 Hidden)
-3 - Hidden Removable 3.5" Bays with Removable Case Fan Mount
-Ultra 500W ATX Power Supply with 2-80mm Cooling Fans
80.00
-ASUS nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, --Model "A7N8X-E Deluxe"
-chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 Ultra 400 + MCP-T
-FSB: 400/333/266/200MHz
-RAM: 3x DIMM support Dual-Channel DDR400/333/266/200(Non-ECC) Max 3GB
-IDE: 2x UltraDMA 66/100/133 up to 4 Devices
-Slots: 1x AGP Pro/8X, 5x PCI
116.00
AMD Athlon XP 2700+, 333MHz FSB, 256K Cache Processor - OEM
-Operating Frequency: 2.17GHz
-FSB: 333MHz

113.00
ASUS RADEON 9600SE Video Card, 128MB DDR, 64-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "9600SE/TD”
-Chipset/Core Speed: RADEON 9600SE/325MHz
-Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/400MHz
-BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X
-Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
-Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@75Hz
94.00
And a fan for say 20.00

80.00+116.00+113.00+94.00+20=419

AND CORNER 4:

Chieftec Dragon Servers Series Black Aluminum Workstation Tower Case without Power Supply,
-Specification:
-Case Type: Workstation Tower
-Color: Black
-Material: Aluminum
-Drive Bays: 5.25'' x4,3.5''(External) x2, 3.5''(Internal) x4
-Front Ports: USB2.0 x2,IEEE1394 x1
-Cooling System: 2 Rear Mounted fans and 1 Side Panel fan
-Motherboard Compatibility: ATX
$65.00

SOYO NVIDIA nForce3 150 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket 754 CPU, Model "SY-CK8 DRAGON Plus" -RETAIL
-Specifications:
-Supported CPU: Socket 754 AMD Athlon64 Processors
-Chipset: NVIDIA nForce3 150
-FSB: 400/800MHz
-RAM: 3x DIMM support DDR400/333/266 Max 2GB
-IDE: 3x UltraDMA 66/100/133 up to 6 Devices
-Slots: 1x AGP 8X, 6x PCI
-Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,1xCOM,6xUSB2.0(Rear 4),1xLAN,Audio Ports
-Onboard Audio: CMI9739 6-Channels Audio
-Onboard LAN: 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
-Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x Serial ATA, RAID 0/1
-Form Factor: ATX
128.00

AMD Athlon 64bit 3000+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - OEM
-Specification
-Model: AMD Athlon 64 3000+
-Core: ClawHammer
-Operating Frequency: 2.0GHz
-FSB: Integrated into Chip
-Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512K
-Voltage: 1.5V
-Process: 0.13Micron
-Socket: Socket 754
-Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, SSE2, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
-heatsink and fan included.
227.00

i will also add Corsair Value Select Dual Kits 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-2700 to which ever computer i choose in the end.

-Speed: DDR333(PC2700)
-Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
-Error Checking: Non-ECC
-Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
-Cas Latency: 2.5
-Support Voltage: 2.5V
-Bandwidth: 2.7GB/s
-Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
147.00

the lucky computer will most likely be used for skinning and gaming, oh, and the occasional school work to keep the parents happy, also, i dont plan to overclock the computer because i dont need any problems.

so please, if you have time, help me out. thanks.

Locked Post

Advanced Search

Watch this post

Do not email me updates for this post Email me updates for this post

Successfully updated karma reason!

sorry for the length of it

but i gotta know

thanks

Successfully updated karma reason!

oh, also, maybe for corner 3, i should get a p4 with HT (3.0 GZH)???

Successfully updated karma reason!

im not sure... it depends on what you are using the puter for. one thing though, DONT get any SE video cards. they dont use 128 bit memory and that just bottlenecks the entire card. you can get a regular non pro 9600 for under 100$.

if you really want a top of the line computer, i woulod go with the amd-64 fx 51, a 9800 pro 128mb, asus motherboard, and corsair ram.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Sign Up or Login and this ad disappears!
There are many great features available to you once you register. Sign Up for a free account and browse the forums without ads.

the hyper threading is also good, pentium has its good qualities, and amd is better in other aspects.

Successfully updated karma reason!

ok, thanks for the heads up on the SE thing. i am not swimming in money so i plan to spend around $500 on my computer... +- 50... somewhere around there. im thinkin athlon but i am not completely sure of the whole 64 bit thing... kinda costly... anyway, i stand in a fork in the road:::

P4 Athlon XP/64bit

which is more bang for the buck if i want performance?

Successfully updated karma reason!

corner 3

i scrolled until i saw "athlon" ..most bang for any buck.

failing corner 3, go to corner 4. *grins evily* given the money, why would you pass up on that 64 bit processor?

edit: if you're looking to spend abotu 500$ DEFINITLY athlon. you can get a processor/board/cooling kit combo, drop it in any case - add a 20$ 500watt powersupply and 512 meg of memory and you'll be at 400$, sound and lan built into the board. if you want a specialty sound card and video card, add another 150-200$. but you can build a very reasonable machine if you keep on pricewatch and stick with AMD. and believe me the performance won't let you down. if you go pentium you will easily spend 50-100% more for your processor/MB combo. if you want i'd be glad to get a copy of the item list (what and where) of parts where you can get what i mentioned above.
[Message Edited]

Successfully updated karma reason!

ooh, is this what you were talking about???:::

http://www.mwave.com/mwave/viewspec.hmx?scriteria=AA23780

(the 9600 non pro?)

Successfully updated karma reason!

DC:
i just dint really have a need for the 64 bit, do i? i mean, gaming and skinning...

Successfully updated karma reason!

i type slow. read my edit.

and you're right, you absolutely don't need a 64 bit unless you've got the cash to burn. i think any of the athlons will have really great gaming push. i use them and swear by them because i've found them to be very good with graphics/rendering.

Successfully updated karma reason!

Jafo

Join Date 03/2001

+1845

I wouldn't waste any money on a window in your case....it's not like the innards of a computer actually get up to stuff worth looking at.

Generally they just sit there...

Successfully updated karma reason!

but they have lights inside!!! hehe. i agree..

[Message Edited]

Successfully updated karma reason!

Hmmm, well when focusing on gaming, I stress to stay away from the SE like Halluci said. I wouldn't look at the non-pro or 5200FX either...bottlenecks. At least a 9600Pro--you mentioned the XT in your other thread. Great card.

You can get a 2600+ "Barton" (retail) for $105.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-418&catalog=343&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1
or
a 2800+ "Barton" (retail) for $144.00
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-377&catalog=343&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1

I would also suggest PC3200 Ram. You can get 512 for now and upgrade to 1gig later.
[Message Edited]

Successfully updated karma reason!

kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

My advice: don't waste money on a Intel chip of any kind.

Get the FX 51. Blows P4 away. And in the long run, more bang for your buck.

And always stick with ATI.

Successfully updated karma reason!

ati is good

Successfully updated karma reason!

one more thing... stay away from nvidia, and if you are going to get an asus a7n8x motherboard like i have, you should probably get a oem ati card (i got a sapphire 9600 and there were compatability probs and it wouldnt work

)

the athlon xp bartons are also very high quality, and much cheaper than equivalent pentiums, i have been using an athlon xp barton 1800+, only 80$ and i can play all the latest games perfectly. video/audio encoding is also very fast, since the bartons implement a 512k cache.

memory, if you dont wanna spend too much money, you dont really need the corsair, or geil or watever, although they are the best on the market, and stay away from really cheap memory too. kingston memory works fine.

Successfully updated karma reason!

kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

kona0197 looks forward to the day when AMD buts Intel out of business!

And the day when Dell makes a AMD system of course!

Successfully updated karma reason!

alright, so AMD it is. i tried to overclock my pentium once in the past and even though it was a slight change, it sucked like , well, you know... ok, AMD it is...

MadPyro goes off looking for a good video card...

Successfully updated karma reason!

PixelPirate

Join Date 07/2003

+17

I went from an Athlon 1800 to a P4 3 GHz (overclocked by 5% at this time at 3.15 GHz), and it runs like a leopard. Of course there's an obvious difference in speed, but even with that in mind I think my P4 PC runs better than my previous Athlon, but perhaps that has something to do with the other hardware? I thought about getting the Athlon FX, but then I thought why now? There's no 64-bit version of Windows yet (I think 64-bit Windows XP is coming this year though), and why not wait until Longhorn ships and the 64-bit chips are more common and yeah - cheaper? I'll definately need a new PC in a couple of years anyway. Just my thoughts in this matter...

Successfully updated karma reason!

kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

Pixel Pirate - Try a Athon Barton 3200+

Successfully updated karma reason!

PurrBall

Join Date 02/2003

+23

corner 1.

Successfully updated karma reason!

There's no 64-bit version of Windows yet

actually there is, you can download it here::: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/64bit/downloads/upgrade.asp

thats the only reason i want the 64 bit, to try out the new Windows XP... i will most likely end up getting a Barton 3200 like kona said...

Successfully updated karma reason!

kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

thats the only reason i want the 64 bit, to try out the new Windows XP... i will most likely end up getting a Barton 3200 like kona said...

VERY GOOD choice my friend

Successfully updated karma reason!

i am looking for a MOBO that supports more than 4 devices, like say, 6 or 8?...

MadPyro is searching newegg.com for his furute MOBO.

Successfully updated karma reason!

kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

buy a regular mobo that supports 4 devices then get a SATA contoller card. That way you can support 4 regular devices and 4 more SATA HD drives. SATA is realy fast to.

Asus or Gigabit or Soyo would be my choices for mobos.

Gigabits are nice because they give you 2 BIOS chips in case to mess up one flashing it, the other takes over.

Soyo is know for good overclocking capabilities.

And Asus makes a good board period.

Also look into MSI. not cheap but worth it.

[Message Edited]

Successfully updated karma reason!