Pending configuration for budget gaming

[zigzag]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

I am building a computer for my neighbor whose son plays Sim 4, Populus
and 4 x 4 Screamer, soon to upgrade to newer games once he has the
computer to play them. They currently have a 600mhz e-machine, so I
will scavenge the floppy drive, CD drive, etc, but want to build an AMD
system. I built myself one almost 2 years ago and love it. Their limit
is $500. I would appreciate any comments.

Pending config:

Enermax 10 bay ATX Mid Tower Case CS-30881TA-B3A with 350w PS $63
Abit NF7 nForce2 Chipset Mobo $65
AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Thoroughbred CPU $72
Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18
Crucial 184 Pin 256 DDR PC2700 RAM 2 chips at $48 each
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 SE Video Card $71
Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 $51 (just for good measure)
Asus CRW-5232AS QuieTrack CD-RW drive $33 (for his mom)
Shipping $25

Total $493

I have an Enermax server case that I love and since I will be working on
and maintaining their computer, I want it easy!
I have an Abit KR7A with an 1800+ chip, Crucial RAM and a Maxtor 40GB HD
and have not had one problem in 2 years. I researched intensely before
building it. I want theirs to be as reliable since I am doing this in
exchange for horseback rides for my 2 year old granddaughter.

Take care,
Nancy

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Drop the 9600SE. Go for either a Fx5500, or plain 9600 (silent).


"Zigzag" <zigzagmolly@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1b1207bd84911479989680@news.verizon.net...
> I am building a computer for my neighbor whose son plays Sim 4, Populus
> and 4 x 4 Screamer, soon to upgrade to newer games once he has the
> computer to play them. They currently have a 600mhz e-machine, so I
> will scavenge the floppy drive, CD drive, etc, but want to build an AMD
> system. I built myself one almost 2 years ago and love it. Their limit
> is $500. I would appreciate any comments.
>
> Pending config:
>
> Enermax 10 bay ATX Mid Tower Case CS-30881TA-B3A with 350w PS $63
> Abit NF7 nForce2 Chipset Mobo $65
> AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Thoroughbred CPU $72
> Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18
> Crucial 184 Pin 256 DDR PC2700 RAM 2 chips at $48 each
> Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 SE Video Card $71
> Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 $51 (just for good measure)
> Asus CRW-5232AS QuieTrack CD-RW drive $33 (for his mom)
> Shipping $25
>
> Total $493
>
> I have an Enermax server case that I love and since I will be working on
> and maintaining their computer, I want it easy!
> I have an Abit KR7A with an 1800+ chip, Crucial RAM and a Maxtor 40GB HD
> and have not had one problem in 2 years. I researched intensely before
> building it. I want theirs to be as reliable since I am doing this in
> exchange for horseback rides for my 2 year old granddaughter.
>
> Take care,
> Nancy
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

On Mon, 17 May 2004 07:21:38 GMT, Zigzag <zigzagmolly@yahoo.com>
wrote:

>I am building a computer for my neighbor whose son plays Sim 4, Populus
>and 4 x 4 Screamer, soon to upgrade to newer games once he has the
>computer to play them. They currently have a 600mhz e-machine, so I
>will scavenge the floppy drive, CD drive, etc, but want to build an AMD
>system. I built myself one almost 2 years ago and love it. Their limit
>is $500. I would appreciate any comments.
>
>Pending config:
>
>Enermax 10 bay ATX Mid Tower Case CS-30881TA-B3A with 350w PS $63
>Abit NF7 nForce2 Chipset Mobo $65
>AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Thoroughbred CPU $72
>Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18
>Crucial 184 Pin 256 DDR PC2700 RAM 2 chips at $48 each
>Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 SE Video Card $71
>Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 $51 (just for good measure)
>Asus CRW-5232AS QuieTrack CD-RW drive $33 (for his mom)
>Shipping $25
>
>Total $493
>
>I have an Enermax server case that I love and since I will be working on
>and maintaining their computer, I want it easy!
>I have an Abit KR7A with an 1800+ chip, Crucial RAM and a Maxtor 40GB HD
>and have not had one problem in 2 years. I researched intensely before
>building it. I want theirs to be as reliable since I am doing this in
>exchange for horseback rides for my 2 year old granddaughter.
>
>Take care,
>Nancy

That config seems fine to me, although if it's to be mainly a gaming
machine I would go for a 9600XT card at least and perhaps a XP2800
chip, if the dollars allow.
--
webweaver@CATihug.com.au
"Put the CAT out to reply"
*I DETEST Spam - A Spam Hater since 1951*

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

"Zigzag" wrote
> Enermax 10 bay ATX Mid Tower Case CS-30881TA-B3A with 350w PS $63
> Abit NF7 nForce2 Chipset Mobo $65
> AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Thoroughbred CPU $72
> Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18
> Crucial 184 Pin 256 DDR PC2700 RAM 2 chips at $48 each
> Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 SE Video Card $71
> Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 $51 (just for good measure)
> Asus CRW-5232AS QuieTrack CD-RW drive $33 (for his mom)
> Shipping $25
>
> Total $493


Hi,
not bad, not bad, but a few changes are in order, add:

XP2500+ Mobile
9600XT
PC3200 Crucial
--
Wayne ][

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

As op said, budget is about 500usd. Since 9600XT is about twice the price of
9600Se, might get over-budget.
9600 and 5500/5600 are not very far from SE price, but offer better
performance. As for XP2400+, it is fast enough for those cards, so that will
not be a bottle neck.

"Wayne Youngman" <waynes.spamtrap@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:40a913f4_1@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> "Zigzag" wrote
> > Enermax 10 bay ATX Mid Tower Case CS-30881TA-B3A with 350w PS $63
> > Abit NF7 nForce2 Chipset Mobo $65
> > AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Thoroughbred CPU $72
> > Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18
> > Crucial 184 Pin 256 DDR PC2700 RAM 2 chips at $48 each
> > Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 SE Video Card $71
> > Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 $51 (just for good measure)
> > Asus CRW-5232AS QuieTrack CD-RW drive $33 (for his mom)
> > Shipping $25
> >
> > Total $493
>
>
> Hi,
> not bad, not bad, but a few changes are in order, add:
>
> XP2500+ Mobile
> 9600XT
> PC3200 Crucial
> --
> Wayne ][
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

"Zigzag" wrote
> Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18

There are cheaper, quieter coolers that will do as good or better than
this.

--
Abit KT7-Raid (KT133) Tbred B core CPU @2400MHz (24x100FSB)
http://mysite.verizon.net/res0exft/cpu.htm

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

"Asestar" wrote
> As op said, budget is about 500usd. Since 9600XT is about twice the price
of
> 9600Se, might get over-budget.
> 9600 and 5500/5600 are not very far from SE price, but offer better
> performance. As for XP2400+, it is fast enough for those cards, so that
will
> not be a bottle neck.


Hi,
yes I know, I know I read the original post, I clearly saw the word *Budget*
😛 but still. . .

T-Bred XP2400+ is a nice enough chip, but XP2500+ (or XP2500+M) is just a
few groats more and is a better chip. I used both Barton 2500+ and T-Bred
XP2400+ and the Barton is a better chip for a *little* extra mulla.

I have the Sapphire 9600 and the Sapphire Atlantis 9800. I was very
surprised at how good the 9600 is, very clear 2D/Windows/DVD/DivX etc and
very nice 3D. The only thing with the 9600 is no Fan/Power-Socket for Fan.
Although having no fan may appeal to SFF types.

At the end of the day, budgets are there to be *broken*, I should know I do
it all the time 😛. If a client/friend has £1000 to spend, the project
total always seems to be £1500!.

T-Bred XP2400+ and Sapphire 9600 = Nice
Barton XP2500+ and Sapphire 9600XT = *Really Nice* but how much extra dough?
--
Wayne ][

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Zigzag wrote:
> I am building a computer for my neighbor whose son plays Sim 4, Populus
> and 4 x 4 Screamer, soon to upgrade to newer games once he has the
> computer to play them. They currently have a 600mhz e-machine, so I
> will scavenge the floppy drive, CD drive, etc, but want to build an AMD
> system. I built myself one almost 2 years ago and love it. Their limit
> is $500. I would appreciate any comments.
>
> Pending config:
>
> Enermax 10 bay ATX Mid Tower Case CS-30881TA-B3A with 350w PS $63
> Abit NF7 nForce2 Chipset Mobo $65
> AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Thoroughbred CPU $72
> Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18
> Crucial 184 Pin 256 DDR PC2700 RAM 2 chips at $48 each
> Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 SE Video Card $71
> Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 $51 (just for good measure)
> Asus CRW-5232AS QuieTrack CD-RW drive $33 (for his mom)
> Shipping $25
>
> Total $493
>
> I have an Enermax server case that I love and since I will be working on
> and maintaining their computer, I want it easy!
> I have an Abit KR7A with an 1800+ chip, Crucial RAM and a Maxtor 40GB HD
> and have not had one problem in 2 years. I researched intensely before
> building it. I want theirs to be as reliable since I am doing this in
> exchange for horseback rides for my 2 year old granddaughter.
>
> Take care,
> Nancy
>
my recommendations.
keep the retail Heat sink and up the 9600 SE to a 9600 you wont regret it

the next step is the 2400 to a barton 2500

and a further step is the 9600XT


but just the first recommendation should be enough for a quality gaming rig

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Zigzag wrote:
> I am building a computer for my neighbor whose son plays Sim 4, Populus
> and 4 x 4 Screamer, soon to upgrade to newer games once he has the
> computer to play them. They currently have a 600mhz e-machine, so I
> will scavenge the floppy drive, CD drive, etc, but want to build an AMD
> system. I built myself one almost 2 years ago and love it. Their limit
> is $500. I would appreciate any comments.
>
> Pending config:
>
> Enermax 10 bay ATX Mid Tower Case CS-30881TA-B3A with 350w PS $63

Anything wrong with the old case?

> Abit NF7 nForce2 Chipset Mobo $65
> AMD Athlon XP 2400+ Thoroughbred CPU $72

Bartons are better.

> Thermaltake Volcano 7+ $18

Stock cooler should be fine, unless you want to overclock.

> Crucial 184 Pin 256 DDR PC2700 RAM 2 chips at $48 each

....PC3200 isn't much more.

> Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600 SE Video Card $71

The SEs are crippled. Try to find a 9600 non pro.

> Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM ATA 133 $51 (just for good measure)

....if they need it, but getting a 40GB disk is kinda like throwing money
away, you can double the capacity for only a few $ more.

> Asus CRW-5232AS QuieTrack CD-RW drive $33 (for his mom)
> Shipping $25
>
> Total $493

Thats a very tight budget for gaming. But do not go for the 9600 SE - false
economy.

If you could do without the case/hard drive/cooler and get PC3200 and a 9600
non pro you'd be looking at a system thats significantly faster for similar
money.

Ben
--
A7N8X FAQ: www.ben.pope.name/a7n8x_faq.html
Questions by email will likely be ignored, please use the newsgroups.
I'm not just a number. To many, I'm known as a String...

 

[STUBBY]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

"Wayne Youngman" <waynes.spamtrap@tiscali.co.uk> wrote in message
news:40aa31f9$1_1@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
>
> At the end of the day, budgets are there to be *broken*, I should know I
do
> it all the time 😛. If a client/friend has £1000 to spend, the project
> total always seems to be £1500!.
>

Keep going over budget like that and you'll be able to be a contractor for
the US Department of Defense.

Seriously, if you were bulding a system for me, and you suddenly told me you
went 50 percent over budget, it would be the last system you ever built for
me. That is, of course, unless I told you to shove it, and not buy that
system from you. Budget means just that: It's how much your client/friend is
willing/able to pay, period, end of discussion.

Stubby

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

In message <2h21b8F85ko2U1@uni-berlin.de>, Ben Pope <spam@hotmail.com>
writes
>
>Bartons are better.
>Stock cooler should be fine, unless you want to overclock.
>...PC3200 isn't much more.
>...if they need it, but getting a 40GB disk is kinda like throwing money
>away, you can double the capacity for only a few $ more.
>

I'd second all of the above. A 2500+ Barton should be able to run as a
XP3200+ by upping the FSB to 400 over 333, hence the PC3200 RAM.
Frankly, the stock cooler will probably copy fine as well.

Personally, I'd also stick to a KT600 based board over the NF. My
experience is that the latter are far fussier over driver issues and RAM
types. The slight (and I mean slight) performance increase probably
isn't going to noticed anywhere in real life, and if you get a stable
successful overclock to 3200 (or more!) with the KT600 board ...... you
get my point.
I'd try something like a KV7 (although haven't used this one) or Asus
A7V600.
Use just one stick of 512MB RAM then as well.

And yes, the graphics card is going to make THE biggest difference for
gaming.

--
__________________________________________________
Personal email for Gareth Jones can be sent to:
'usenet4gareth' followed by an at symbol
followed by 'uk2' followed by a dot
followed by 'net'
__________________________________________________

 

[zigzag]

Archived from groups: alt.comp.hardware.amd.thunderbird,alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.abit (More info?)

Thanks for all the advice. I spent $517 and it all arrived today.
I went with:

Enermax case,
Abit NF7,
Sapphire ATI Radeon 9600,
Barton 2500+
Two 256MB Corsair sticks with platinum heatspreaders (I have a thing
about always having two chips. That way if one goes by the wayside, I
still have a computer during RMA)
and a WD 40GB 7200RPM 8MB cache HD

I hope it all goes well. I'll remember to clear the CMOS, I know the
floppy cable will be good as I am migrating it from the old system and
I'll make sure and seat the RAM completely. Have had those things go
wrong, so it's bound to be something new this time. Just once I'd like
a COMPLETELY smooth build.

Thanks again and take care,
Nancy