New computer for $500-600?

oolceeoo

Distinguished
Jan 25, 2004
57
0
18,630
My friend wants me to build him a new computer that will run Everquest smoothly with maximum settings (but not high resolution, around 1024*768 to 1280*1024)on his computer(and *maybe* EQ2) for around $500-$600 dollars. He needs a motherboard, cpu, ram, a hard drive,a video card, a sound card, a dvd rom drive, floppy drive, and case with power supply. He already has a monitor(although old), keyboard and mouse. I've built 3 computers before, but I am not sure what will do him best in his price range. Also, he doesn't believe that he needs a new monitor, but I believe that he should get one.

Which side should I go AMD or Intel? What clock speed is sufficient? I am really unsure of which one is better in terms of quality vs. price.

Which motherboard should I get for him? I know that Asus, MSI, and Gigabytes are good motherboard manufacturers, but I am unsure which makes better budget boards for the best price.

What amount and speed of ram should i get? I was thinking of 184 pin 512 MBs DDR400 from either Kingston, Mushkin, or Corsair. But again price is an issue.

Which videocard should he get? Nvidia or ATI? Which has better overall performance in games and also keeps the gpu cooler and video memory from overheating better? I've read that ATI has better drivers than Nvidia, but which would be a smarter choice?

What kind of sound card should he buy?. I don't know much about sound cards.

What companies make good dvd/cd rom drives? Also, which companies make the best hard drives?

Finally, which case company should I go with that keeps all his components relatively cool, and includes a power supply?

I am sorry about this long post. I want to expand my computer hardware knowledge to build better computers in the future. Also, I love this web site, its very informative. Any tips or advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 

RCPilot

Champion
That's a lot of want's for a little money IMO

Your going to have to go AMD on that budget. XP2500 for $90 is about it.

MOBO, Nforce board, cheapest ASUS @ newegg with Nforce is A7N8X X $72.99. Someone else will know a cheaper board though. Don't need sound card, on board is great. Also LAN on board.

RAM, I would get 2 x pc3200 Kingston Value RAM is $47 x 2 = $94.

TI4200 is your card for this machine. 64 mg Gainward is $89

HDD Western Digital 80 gig. JB $70

DVD Combo Drive with CDRW Burner, LiteOn 48x24x48x16 = $48

Floppy Drive, Sony $7

Case, Antec Solution Series, w 350 w Smart power. $65

That all equals $539.99 without shipping, & most is free shipping. All prices are Newegg. It's good I looked these up, I'm ordering for a client.

Hope that gives you an idea. All good stuff there. All could be better as well.



Dazzle them with Brilliance, or Baffle them with BS! :wink:
 

endyen

Splendid
RC put together a nice setup. I would suggest one upgrade. While the A7N8X is a nice board, the onboard sound does not have the nforce apu. I believe tha Abit NF7 does, and is generally as good or better than the asus board for about $5. more. I believe it also has the extra audio jacks as well.
 
I would get a regular ati 9600 pro (either ati or sapphire technologies) or an nvidia ti4200 chipset card. Both will work fine. The ti4200 doesn't have agp 8x or directx 9.0 support, but will still work fine for your friend. Order them online from a place such as newegg, or check pricewatch. If your budget is really close, I would check newegg's refurbished section for an 8500LE card, which can run as low as $40 shipped. I've got 2 of them, and they both work fine with directx 8.1.
 

RCPilot

Champion
That's one of my troubles, I don't handle enough different MOBOs. I've always built with ASUS, so I know them better. The next board up had the better audio & was only a few $$$ more. I've put several of these machines together & they are a great budget gaming rig for sure. Plus there's a good backbone for some upgrades.





Dazzle them with Brilliance, or Baffle them with BS! :wink:
 

endyen

Splendid
It is hard to argue with asus reliability. I do have a couple of minor gripes with the nforce boards. The passive cooling is not great on the north bridge. I have seen temps as high as 60*C around it. The v-regs dont have as stable an output as I would like either. Just the same, the majority of boards I use myself will still be asus. Not like everyone else never had a problem.
 

Kanavit

Distinguished
Jan 6, 2004
390
0
18,780
P4 2.4c HT 800fsb $164<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&catalog=343&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&catalog=343&depa=1</A>

2x256mb PC2700 Geil $66 <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-507&catalog=147&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-507&catalog=147&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1</A>

Asus P4S800 HT, Prescott $71.99<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-462&catalog=280&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-462&catalog=280&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1</A>

Maxtor 40gb $56.00 <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-140-133&catalog=14&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=22-140-133&catalog=14&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1</A>

EVGA Nvidia Geforce FX 5200 128mb $109 <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-149&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1" target="_new">http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-130-149&catalog=48&manufactory=BROWSE&depa=1</A>

Grand total; $466.99

A great gaming rig which is highly overclockable and reliable! with futureproof Prescott support too.


-------
:evil: <b><font color=red>K</font color=red></b>anavit's Aquamark3 rig----><A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409</A>
 

Snorkius

Splendid
Sep 16, 2003
3,659
0
22,780
The 2500+ is a better deal, especially if OC'ing. I know the 2.4C is a good OCer, but you need much better memory if you want a good run.

To the original poster:
My advice is a 2500+, 400 DDR and a little OC to 3200+. Plus if you get a good nforce2 board, you'll have no need to buy a sound card.


p.s
Don't get a 5200! A big waste of money.

<b>wooooow <font color=red> Killer Klowns </font color=red> ... from <font color=blue>outer space</font color=blue>... HOLY SH¡T!</b>
 

MrPanther0

Distinguished
Sep 12, 2003
178
0
18,680
Kanavit dont give advice to anyone else ok?
The pentium is almost twice as expensive and is about the same performance. You recomend ram that is NOT the right speed. 200 MHZ(PC 3200) is different than 166MHZ(PC 2700) DO YOU REALIZE THAT? That means async operation and the pentium 4 will perform lower that then 2500+ in every test. If the person is not knowledgable enough about computers to make make the list himself then he will NOT want to overclock. So the Pentiums only trump card is not valid. Also, the Geforce 5200 is the worst non-used video card out there. For that price it is RIDICULOUS that card will not run EQ1 fine MUCH less EQ2.

For the original poster this is my advice.
Buy the Geforce 4 ti 4200 as previously stated. I am almost positive that it will not run eq1 and NOT eq2, but eq2 will not be out until arpil-may season. By this time the new gen cards will be out and the 9700 pro will be CHEAP, possibly as low at 150. So at this time scrap or sell that old video card and buy one that is more capable at a better price.
 

oolceeoo

Distinguished
Jan 25, 2004
57
0
18,630
Thank you all for your tips and advice on this computer. I think that RCPilot has a good setup. One question though. I'm still unsure of whether or not the nforce onboard sound is decent. If he were able to not have to buy a sound card that would be great but is the asus nforce sound any good?
 

Snorkius

Splendid
Sep 16, 2003
3,659
0
22,780
If it's the Nvidia APU, then it is one of the best sound procs around. I'm pretty sure that Asus doesn't use the Nvidia APU in it's non-deluxe models. Someone should know which mobos have which onboard sound. Abit NF7 prolly has Nvidia onboard, but again I'm not sure

<b>wooooow <font color=red> Killer Klowns </font color=red> ... from <font color=blue>outer space</font color=blue>... HOLY SH¡T!</b>
 

jammydodger

Distinguished
Sep 12, 2001
2,416
0
19,780
Unless he has a VERY good set of speakers the nforce onboard sound should be fine. I would recommend the Radeon 9600/9600pro if your friend can afford it. They are much more future proof than the Ti's. Or do as they say and get the Ti4200 and upgrade it when he's got more cash.

[Insert witty comment here]
 

Kanavit

Distinguished
Jan 6, 2004
390
0
18,780
Funny how people are complaining about my Intel P4 advice, when my total system cost is less than the AMD one.

A P4 2.4C will kill the Barton 2500+ in all scenarios, even with crippled DDR333 ram. Just run 5:4 cpu/memory ratio, and o/c the 2.4 to 3.2ghz easy on stock everything.

-------
:evil: <b><font color=red>K</font color=red></b>anavit's Aquamark3 rig----><A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409</A>
 

Snaggle

Distinguished
Dec 10, 2003
176
0
18,680
SAPPHIRE RADEON 9200SE Video Card, 64MB DDR, 64-bit, TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK


- Specifications -

Chipset/Core Speed: RADEON 9200SE/250MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 64MB DDR/333MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out
Support 3D API: DirectX®8.1, OpenGL®1.3
Cable/Accessories: 1 Cable
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@75Hz

Model#: RADEON 9200SE 64M
Item#: N82E16814102298

Rating: Vote(s): 2
Free FedEx Saver Shipping




Yes $49.00 -newegg,not great but is very cheap and will do the job.

The biostar m7ncd for the 2500+barton is only $55 and uses single channel ram.I would use crucial or kingston if you're not overclocking the ram;but if you do mushkin,ocz or corsair.the samsung sm-352brn is a great gaming optical drive with a cd read time of 52 and a dvd of 16(both the fastest) all for $56 at newegg.Go antec for good cheap cases or chenming/chieftec for good and really cheap ones;but be warned the chenmings have two big defects (no filters on the front intake fans and use usb 1.1)
 

Vapor

Distinguished
Jun 11, 2001
2,206
0
19,780
And it would still be slower...especially with that crappy 5200 in there. XPs are the best bang for the buck in the budget section--especially for gaming. Also, running 3.2GHz on the 2.4C and DDR333 is simply not possible. DDR400 would stretch to the needed 213MHz FSB, even with a 5/4 ratio. Even in a CRIPPLING 3/2 ratio, DDR333 would need to stretch to get to 178MHz @ 3.2GHz.

Even at those speeds, the 2500+ would still be faster...and could easily be OCed to a 3200+'s speeds (or greater) with some DDR400 (which would cost about the same [total] as a 2.4C with DDR333).

If you had any common sense, you'd also recommend a 2.6C, which is the same price (give or take a few dollars, depending on retailer) as the 2.4C...which would work better with DDR333, but still nowhere near the performance of the 2500+ (after a crippling 5/4, 4/3, or 3/2 FSB/RAM ratio).

Also, why did you recommend a 5200?? It's one of the worst gaming cards available today!

Now stop being an idiot, okay?

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
 

Spitfire_x86

Splendid
Jun 26, 2002
7,248
0
25,780
Kanavit, I hate to argue with clueless rabid fanboys like you. But your post in this thread FORCES me. It's fine if your want to live in your own fantasy world, but don't try to screw other people.

Have you seen any benchmark of your "DDR 333" crippled P4C 2.4 GHz? Are you sure every P4C 2.4 GHz "will" overclock to 3.2 GHz at stock cooling? Do you know that this guy also needs case, psu, optical drive? Do you know Ti4200 is going to kill your FX5200 in every game? Have you noticed rcpilot has suggested everything he needs, but you didn't? Do you understand that rcpilot has listed a faster and 2x bigger hdd?

P4C 2.4 GHz is so wonderful, it doesn't need case/psu. It has built in power converter and self contained. It compresses things 2x more by default, so 40 GB for P4C is same as 80 GB for AXP. It doesn't even need optical drive to read/write cd, record dvd. Just place optical media on the mobo, and P4C magic will get your work done. And it makes FX 5200 (the worst graphics card in the world, next to XGI Volari) turbo charged, so it can kill Ti4200 in games.

If you want to screw people, work in your local pc shops and screw the n00bs who will come to your shop and compeletey rely on your holy words to make their purchase decesion. Unfortunately, THGC is a place where people come here for good advice, not to get "holy words" from people like you.

----------------
<b><A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86" target="_new">My Website</A></b>

<b><A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig & 3DMark score</A></b>
 

Spitfire_x86

Splendid
Jun 26, 2002
7,248
0
25,780
Follow RCpilot's suggestion. I have few things to add:

If you don't overclock, then get AXP 2700+. It's a better choice at stock speed, due to it's much higer clockspeed.

Personally I have very good experience with ABIT NF7 v2.0. So I recommend this mobo

If you can spend some extra money for graphics card, then go for Radeon 9600 PRO. R9600 PRO is better in DX8 games (not much better), will play DX9 games with full eyecandy and at better fps, 2x better in Anti-Aliasing and Anisotropic filtering.

----------------
<b><A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86" target="_new">My Website</A></b>

<b><A HREF="http://geocities.com/spitfire_x86/myrig.html" target="_new">My Rig & 3DMark score</A></b>
 

Kanavit

Distinguished
Jan 6, 2004
390
0
18,780
I garauntee that the 2.4c would easily reach 3.2ghz on stock cooler with stock vcore on a 400w psu. Plus you get hyperthreading support, something barton 2500+ doesn't have. PC2700 ram can be overclocked in most cases to PC3200 speeds with no problems mate, and if not, use the cpu/memory divider to keep ram at DDR333 speeds while overclocking the fsb @ 250mhz. It's routine to get 3.2ghz with Northwood core.

The FX 5200 128mb is DX9 compatible and can run DX8 faster than a Geforce 4 ti 4200 64mb.

-------
:evil: <b><font color=red>K</font color=red></b>anavit's Aquamark3 rig----><A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409</A>
 

Vapor

Distinguished
Jun 11, 2001
2,206
0
19,780
1) I bet 90% of Northwoods will reach 3.2GHz, but likely not on stock voltage if they were originally a 2.4C, 2.6C, or 2.8C.
2) HT is good, but straightup performance needs to be considered in this price bracket. The 2500+ system (which is also a lot more complete) will dominate the P4 system you put out as a recommendation, especially in games.
3) Budget PC2700 will rarely OC to PC3200 speeds. I'd bet 180MHz would most PC2700's max, let alone budget PC2700.
4) Using a FSB/RAM divider destroys performance, it is MARGINALLY better than running the FSB/RAM in a 1:1 ratio, at the RAM's speed.
5) In order to reach 3.2, the 2.4C needs to have a 267MHz FSB (not the 250MHz that you previously listed), something only PC4200 (or better) can provide. As I stated earlier, a 2.4C at 3.2GHz with an absolutely crippling 3:2 ratio has a 178MHz FSB, which, as I just said, would be a reach for most budget PC2700 RAM (especially with good timings).
6) The 5200U can't even take on a Ti4200 (64MB or 128MB) in DX8, let alone a lowly 5200nu.
7) The 5200 isn't powerful enough to run DX9 features, only compatible by design spec.

Hope that clears things up :smile: .

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
 

Johanthegnarler

Distinguished
Nov 24, 2003
895
0
18,980
HT support is useless. The best thing you could have commented on was the 800 fsb factor. ANd maybe said something about higher clock speed.
Although in video gaming it hasn't proven [-peep-] to me.

<A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081</A>
Figured i'd do it too..reality my ass.
 

Johanthegnarler

Distinguished
Nov 24, 2003
895
0
18,980
I've oc'ed a 2.4c to 3.2c and you can't keep stock voltage.
But i also haven't tried that with a fortron ps only antec.
I had to have it raised to 1.6vcore for stability.

*edit actually i think i have it higher than 1.6v, i was using 1.6 for 3ghz.

<A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081</A>
Figured i'd do it too..reality my ass.<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by johanthegnarler on 01/25/04 10:42 PM.</EM></FONT></P>
 

Johanthegnarler

Distinguished
Nov 24, 2003
895
0
18,980
The only reason i hate arguing with an intel fanboy is it makes me look like an AMD fanboy.

<A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=610166081</A>
Figured i'd do it too..reality my ass.
 

Kanavit

Distinguished
Jan 6, 2004
390
0
18,780
I would rather have intel inside my respirator in the emergency room, not amd chip watching my vital signs. of course the P4 cost more, but it's worth more. why would you pay $50 for the most important part in your computer may I ask?! You pay for what you get. buy Intel, if you want reliability and good quality. buy AMD, if you want cheap stuff. That's your call, I know one thing tho, my P4 has served me well. And the value last longer too. :smile:

Stick with Intel system , if you are going to use a lot of foreign hardware, they are bug free.


-------
:evil: <b><font color=red>K</font color=red></b>anavit's Aquamark3 rig----><A HREF="http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409" target="_new">http://arc.aquamark3.com/arc/arc_view.php?run=1817959409</A>