Tight budget, help needed

pitsi

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Jan 19, 2003
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I know you see tons of posts like this every week but any help would be really appreciated. Here it goes:

My friend wants to upgrade his system. He is on kind of a tight budget. He asked me what my opinion was and at first I suggested A64 3000+ & MSI K8N Neo Platinum (Newegg: $350). Then, I saw this offer they have at Newegg, where they offer the A64 2800+ & Abit KV8 for only $198. I know that many of you will say go for the 3200+ but he has already difficulty choosing the 3000+ because of his budget. Anyway, what do you guys think? What would be the best A64 CPU/mobo combo, for a person on a budget?

Also, I see many people (like myself) going out and buying memory like Corsair's XMS, but is the performance increase really worth it? I have lately realised that the answer to this question is no, since an XMS module from corsair with CAS 2 costs twice as much as the same module by the same company with CAS 2.5. What do you think about this matter? And what memory do you suggest for this person, having also in mind his budget? Btw, if possible he wouldn't mind overclocking his CPU a bit 😛 so keep this in mind in your suggestions (regarding memory for example and/or cooling).

Thanks.
 
The abit board works well with several brands of memory, including kingston, pmi, samsung, corsair, and crucial. It won't overclock as well as some of the nforce3 boards, but the price is excellent. I wouldn't waste my money on premium memory for twice the price. Shop pricewatch for the best deals. With the money he saves, he might have enough for a video card upgrade.
 
If the A64- 2800+ is enough for his needs, it's a great deal. Any via based problems will be your responsability (not a big deal anyhow).
I am trying to talk me into an A64 system. When I succeed, I will be using Samsung own brand memory. The extra $ will be way better spent on a graphics card.
 
Well make sure you talk yourself into a clawhammer core.

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He can't get close to a 3200+ Clawhammer for that money. They are going up in price and going away!

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds. Now, let's eat!
 
Locally? you mean vancouver? no gurantees anymore, the only place i know that can gurantee one for you is <A HREF="http://www.bigfootcomputers.com" target="_new">bigfoot</A> They're over in toronto, just send them an email, they can still get the clawhammers.

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Supercom still has 174 Clawhammers 3200+ left, after that, no more claws 3200+ left in vancouver. The 3400+ Clawhammers are still pretty plenty, but the price jumps.

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