Wow! just rocketed out of the pickle jar!

theholylancer · Jul 5, 2005

well all my plans has gone astray..............................................
now i can;t find work with the computing companies in this tiny city of mine (too young generally, some were even requiring me to drive :evil:

) and well the mcse people is sorta full and i don't like study by my self too much....
so now i;m stuck with about $700 and wants a socket 939 PCIE
system that can be OCed a little (with stock cooling and oc only need to set few jumper and set in bios) the PCIE card i wish for a 256 mb but i guess 128 could do (btw is there any agp to PCIE adaptors cuz i got a readeon 9200 256mb AGP 8X and if i could use that on a PCIE board then i'm set
BTW i got $700 CAD not USD............. [cry]
i might get about 150 if my report card is good but......
so any suggestions?

update:Wow.............. and they say respect elders don't get ya anythingEdited by TheHolyLancer on 07/16/05 10:00 PM.

endyen · Jul 5, 2005

Have you got any old parts you can through in, or are we talking from scratch?

theholylancer · Jul 5, 2005

mostly from scrach i have a 300 wt power supply a case a 20 gb hhd... a sony DRU-800 DL DVD CD burner and that is it i will need new ram and possiblitly a new power supply?

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

Here is my suggestion (in Canadian Currency - prices from NCIX.com) :

CPU : Athlon 64 3000+ BOXED (204$)
MOBO : MSI RS480M2-IL (123$) <-- With onboard Video
MEMORY : 1Gig Kit (2x512) Corsair DDR400 CL2.5 (131$)
HDD : SEAGATE BARRACUDA 7200.7 160GB HARD DRIVE 7200RPM SATA W/ NCQ 8MB CACHE 8.5MS 3.5IN OEM (120$) <-- 20Gig HDD is pretty much outdated
PSU/CASE : You can keep what you have for now

TOTAL : 580$

This setup would be easily upgradable to faster CPU in the future and you will be able to slot a PCI-EXPRESS GPU when you need more GPU power in the future. Since the setup would not use dedicated graphic card and not much add-in cards and drives, your actual PSU should be enough if it's compatible with the motherboard (not too old). If you need to buy a PSU, I recommend Antec TruePower Series which offers a great value/reliability.

Some might argue that the mobo is based on the ATI chipset and some people would prefer nForce4, but I personnaly think that both chipsets are performing really well. The MSI/ATI mobo offers all you need : SATA, onboard audio AND video, FireWire, etc... Very good value and I don't think it's possible to buy nForce4 motherboard with integrated video yet.

By the way, NCIX.com never beat street price in the Montreal area, so you might get better price or equivalent price at a local computer store in your area.

NOTE : Forgot to mention that A64 3000+ should be easily overclockable to 2.2GHz or more with stock HSF.

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>Edited by TheRod on 07/05/05 10:02 AM.

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

i got a Radeon 9200 256mb AGP 8X

Sorry, but it's basically "crap" for today's games and 256Megs is a waste of memory with this kind of GPU.

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

<A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=3560" target="_new">CPU: Venice 3000+</A> $179.95
<A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=3165&mcid=31" target="_new">DFI NF4 Mobo</A> $175.95
<A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=3092&mcid=28" target="_new">Seagate Barr 80GB HD</A> $79.95 (I know that this isn't a ton of room, but it is enough for most gamers)
<A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=2022" target="_new">1GB OCZ DDR400 Matched Pair (2x512)</A> $139.95

This is a total of $575.80

Study hard, and make your bed and sh!t... then with the extra $150.00 plus the $124.20 left over get this <A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=3225" target="_new">eVGA 6600GT GPU</A> for $225.95 and you will have a pretty good rig.

This means that you will have to keep your case (don't worry about cooling and air flow, this beast will run pretty cool. You might have a problem with the PSU though... I have ran this identical system that I have built here (actually different RAM) and it runs great on a generic 350W PSU. I haven't tried it with a 300W but if its brand name PSU you might get away with it.

If you find you need a new PSU build the whole system first, and make sure your mom watches you put it ALL together (and take a long time). To add effect I would sweat alot, and maybe even cut yourself on something sharp while you build it. I don't know exactly how old you are, but a few tears might add to this effect (if over 18 don't try this one). After you have invested that much time say to your mom, "oh no, after all this work all I need is a stupid $11.70 for the <A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=3875&mcid=19" target="_new">final piece</A> of this painstaking ordeal to fall into place."

I know that <A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/?mode=product_detail&pid=3875&mcid=19" target="_new">the PSU</A> I recommended isn't exactly the top of the line guys but I have set up this same rig on that PSU and it works great, no problems (it is good for the price).

P.S. You might also want to remind your mom at some point that she has to pay for the GST and shipping/PST (depending on what province).

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

No offence to TheRod, but I think my specs are slightly better. You don't need to pay the extra money for the Corsair name on the RAM (ask Crashman if you don't believe me)... the 160GB is a little more than necessary I think... and what kind of a gamer wants to be running onboard Video. I know that when I talk with my buddies about the rig I am running I wouldn't want to answer "I don't have one" when asked what kind of GPU I'm running.

dunklegend · Jul 5, 2005

Hey in my cheap bastard days I used onboard video on a PC Chips mobo and it wasn't so bad, you could still play with low details, and save for a video card.

Anything good in life is either illegal immoral or fattening

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

But he is soooo close to having enough money for a really good system. He is right on that cusp of the hill... and I think he should try to roll down the light side into the holly land of high resolution, and fast frame rates... and try to avoid rolling backward into the dark valley of slow block figures moving around his screen. That extra little bit of cash makes a big difference in the rig.

Guest · Jul 5, 2005

Lol Fishy!!!
Look like you've done this before! Im sure you stil drop a few tears(how old are you)so your mom/gf/wife whatever let you spend more money on your rig

This is the best combo of hardware/sentimental advices I saw in a while! =)

Asus P4P800DX, P4C 2.6ghz@3.25ghz, 2X512 OCZ PC4000 3-4-4-8, MSI 6800Ultra stock, 2X30gig Raid0

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

- For the CPU you are right, it's cheaper their. Get this one!

- I agree for that the Corsair brand-name is not necessay. But the kit is fairly cheap for quality ram. In fact, the Corsair Kit is a bit cheaper tham OCZ for the same TIMINGS.

- You are right that a 80Gig HDD is enough, but the 160Gig offer a better price/size ratio and with today's Video, Photos, MP3, Games that always takes more and more space the extra 80Gigs is worth for the long run. But the 40$ saved on the HDD could be spent on a GPU.

- TheHolyLancer never mentionned that he needed HIGH-PERFORMANCE in games. From what I understand in is e-mail he wants to keep is system to low-cost.

- I still recommend the ATI based board, because it's cheap and it integrates the GPU. I doubt that the nForce4 would offer much more for the extra money.

If we mix our recommandation we would get this stuff :

CPU = Venice 3000+ (180$)
MOBO = MSI RS480M2-IL (123$) <-- Integrated GPU
MEMORY = 1Gig Kit (2x512) Corsair DDR400 CL2.5 (131$)
HDD = Seagate 80GB HD (80$)
TOTAL = 510$

with a decent gpu ...
GPU = eVGA e-GeForce 6600GT 128MB (225$)
TOTAL = 730$

If PSU needed, add 60$

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>Edited by TheRod on 07/05/05 12:23 PM.

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

Yep, I'm a big fan of the puppy dog face... my wife can't resist. That's why I get what ever I want. Like that new X2 4800+ that my wife let me buy.... hey... wait a minute... this pouting crap doesn't work at all... I WANT MY X2!!!!!

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

Where did you see the Corsair kit? I didn't even look at the price (or at least didn't let it sink in).

And I guess you are right... if he wants a system for daily tasks (not gaming) then the integrated video is probably good enough... and you are also right that if this is not primarily a gaming rig, and will be used more for storing pics, and videos than the 160GB might be worth his while.

You would have your work cut out trying to convince me of that MSI mobo over the DFI LP NF4... but I guess he has to decide what he is doing with it. I really like the NF4 boards and am not a big fan of ATI (but I guess this is personal preference). I am still trying to justify spending an extra 50 bucks on a sweet OCers dream board with all the fancy trimmings, but maybe you are right and I should just bite my toungue on this one. But all it would take is a little bit of extra crying and he could probably get it.

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

<A HREF="http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=9821&vpn=VS1GBKIT400&manufacture=CORSAIR" target="_new">Corsair 1Gig Kit</A>

I really like the NF4 boards and am not a big fan of ATI (but I guess this is personal preference). I am still trying to justify spending an extra 50 bucks on a sweet OCers dream board

I really like nForce4 too, I even own one, not an OCer best, but a good bargain : Gigabyte GA-K8NF-9. The ATI AMD Chipset was very well received by all review site, it overclocked well too. I don't why an ATI based mobo would not be as good as nForce4. Maybe since it's a new chipset, it have some drivers issue... But nForce4 have some too! I never had that much trouble with a chipset before, my nForce4 mobo gave a lot of headaches that were all corrected with driver's update or manual configuration, which is quite annoying!

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

Yeah, that corsair looks like a good deal... if I was him though, I might pay the few extra dollars on shipping and buy it all from one place... depending on where he lives. I live in Alberta, but Anitec is cheap enough that they usually win my business even with the shipping costs. But if he was in Ontario or something than obviously Anitec is not the way to go.

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

As I stated, here in the Montreal area we can buy stuff for nearly the same price in local store. So, I don't bother to check online price anymore. If newegg.com would ship to Canada, I would only buy from them, they have much better price for nearly everything.

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

Wow, you must have some nice local stores... in Alberta we don't have any good local stores. Anitech is usually just too cheap for them to compete.

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

We can compare price in Quebec at <A HREF="http://www.meilleursprix.ca" target="_new">www.meilleursprix.ca</A>. Here is some price comparison :

Athlon 64 3000+ S939 :
<A HREF="http://www.meilleursprix.ca/list-product.asp?idproduct=20215" target="_new">meilleursprix.ca</A> vs <A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/default.aspx?mode=product_detail&pid=3560" target="_new">Anitec</A>
DFI LanParty Ultra-D (NF4) :
<A HREF="http://www.meilleursprix.ca/list-product.asp?idproduct=73767" target="_new">meilleursprix.ca</A> vs <A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/default.aspx?mode=product_detail&pid=3165" target="_new">Anitec</A>
Sapphire X800 PRO 256Megs (OEM) :
<A HREF="http://www.meilleursprix.ca/list-product.asp?idproduct=70288" target="_new">meilleursprix.ca</A> vs <A HREF="http://www.anitec.ca/default.aspx?mode=product_detail&pid=3672" target="_new">Anitec</A> NOTE : Shipping from Anitec for this item is 16$

Anitec have the advantage, but as you see for only 10$ difference and considering shipping cost and the easier support from local store, I don't find it worth to buy my stuff on Anitec. Maybe a complete system might be worth or if I can save some taxes by buying online, it might offset the price difference to a point where online shopping would be worth it.

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>

Guest · Jul 5, 2005

Hehe that site only have MB and LCImtl though.
there use to have <A HREF="http://www.info-materiel.com" target="_new">http://www.info-materiel.com</A> but the webmaster died and he did everything by himself!(now its redirected so some other place...)

Anyhow im biased towards <A HREF="http://www.sohodiffusion.com" target="_new">http://www.sohodiffusion.com</A> because I worked there some =).

Now I get around 10% of everything wich is basically what they make on hardware...

Asus P4P800DX, P4C 2.6ghz@3.25ghz, 2X512 OCZ PC4000 3-4-4-8, MSI 6800Ultra stock, 2X30gig Raid0

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

I had a "bad" experience with Soho Diffusion. I asked them for a specific graphic card with every reference I could find (from maker, other websites, etc...) and they managed to send me the WRONG card and the only answer I got was, we can't get you the one you want... Even if I specify them EVERYTHING I could, I even insisted on the specific part number and I told them that it would be a NO-BUY if they would come with the wrong part.

I was disappointed by them, maybe they tough I would buy the card anyway. I don't think it'S good business. When a buyer comes with very specific needs, it's better to tell him the truth : WE CAN'T GET THAT PART. They lost business from me! I bought my stuff from Micro-Bytes instead, even if I paid a bit more.

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>

Guest · Jul 5, 2005

Oh I understand! Never happened to me with them but already happened to me with other smaller shop! And its always frustrating...
And with micro-bytes you can always rough them up a bit, there big enough so you can easily get replacemnt(well its easier!)

Asus P4P800DX, P4C 2.6ghz@3.25ghz, 2X512 OCZ PC4000 3-4-4-8, MSI 6800Ultra stock, 2X30gig Raid0

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

Do you guys have PST in Quebec? I am in Alberta so we don't have PST. That's why it pisses me off so much that the local Alberta dealers can't compete with Anitec, it would mean that I could pick it up and save on the shipping... but Anitec has just got killer prices.

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

That's sweet that you get a discount, but I think that the average markup for Anitec is about 14% which would put those Quebec sites at about 16-17%. So if they are telling you they are giving it to you at cost maybe you could weasel a few more dollars out of them.

Starfishy · Jul 5, 2005

Nevermind, never look a gifthorse in the mouth... I don't know what I was thinking. I wish the local shops here would give me a 10% discount I buy enough from them that they probably should.

TheRod · Jul 5, 2005

Yup! Quebec have a Provincial sale Tax that is applied after the GST.

For example :

10.00$ purchase...
10 x 1.07 = 10.70$ (GST)
10.70 * 1.075 = 11.50$ (PST)

We often says that we have a 15% Tax.

-
GA-K8NF-9 / Athlon 64 3200+ @ 3800+
Infineon DDR400 (CL2.5) 2x512Megs
GeForce 6600GT 128Megs
<A HREF="http://www.getfirefox.com" target="_new">Get Firefox!</A>

Wow! just rocketed out of the pickle jar!

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