What to do....

[lonegunm4n]

Gents,

A friend of mine recently got his tax refund, and has decieded to build a new computer. Problem is, he only has about $700.

Here is what I've suggested:

MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 $82.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130491&ATT=13-130-491&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ $154.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103535&ATT=19-103-535&CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r

Antec PlusView II $76.72

http://www.nextwarehouse.com/item/?184135

Antec SmartPower 2.0 500watt PSU $62.99

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=273503&affiliate=pricegrabber

2GBs of Corsair Value Ram $135.80

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-86&affiliate=pricegrabber

SAMSUNG DVD/CD burner, drive, etc. $54.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827151118

eVGA Video card $129.99 (plus $30 rebate)

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1734077&Sku=E145-5150&SRCCODE=PRICEGRABBER&CMP=OTC-PRICEGRABBER

He is gonna reuse his old hard drive, he bought one a few weeks ago, so it's still new.

any additions, subtractions? I know I am a little over, but that doesn't matter. As long as it's under $725, preferably under $700.

[sackynut]

Re: What to do....

for the most part that is pretty good.
1 thing you COULD change is the Ram. value is good I guess, but if he is gonna be overclocking or just wants somewhat better ram, I wouldnt get value.

the video card is nice and a very good price for a budget build for that video card, but that too, could be upped a little bit to a better card.

also, some people say MSI motherboards are bas, I personally dont see why, they seem to be good boards, but, just letting ya know. you could probably get a small price drop going with a differnet motherboard. but same chipset and everything.

those things raise the price though...
another thought it only going with 1GB of ram at first, its still not THAT bad 2GB is really only noticable in Bf2, and with a vanilla 6800, hell still be able to play at close to high.

[lonegunm4n]

Re: What to do....

he won't overclock enough for the RAM to make a difference.

so, less RAM, and take that money and put it to a better video card?

[LoD]

Re: What to do....

Looks good but can be improved. Get a case and PSU combo, something like this. (Antec is an excellent brand, a good modern 24 pin ATX 400+ watt is all you need.)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

(check out the free combo price, on a flobby drive )


Get a cheaper DVD/RW. This liteon also comes with nero but its cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106014


Your also going to want to pick up a 7600GT. Use the savings and get something like this. eVGA is one of the nicer brands IMO.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130283

(also has a mail in rebate.)

[sackynut]

Re: What to do....

well, it depeneds. a gig of ram would do, it depends on personal preferance for the amount. i mean if ALL he is gonna be doing is bf2, then 2GB. but... if he will be playing some bf2, and other games as well I would probably drop the ram to 1gb and get a better video card. because most games currently rely on more video card than ram. and maybe in the future he can upgrade to more ram as well.

[lonegunm4n]

Re: What to do....

it's mostly BF2, with some CS Source and UT2004.

[sackynut]

Re: What to do....

if that is what he will be playing I would MOST LIKELY go with the 2gb ram and the 6800. I mean with 2gb ram and a 6800 he can play bf2 on close to high settings and all of those games pretty well as well.
but, if more games start coming out that he wants to play, u might have wantd to go with something better than a 6800 and dropped to 1gb of ram. the 2gb and 6800 concept is ONLY for those games u mentioned. if he starts playing newer ones that require more it might not be a good idea.

[LoD]

Re: What to do....

Or change what i recommended and get 2GB and a 7600GT......

[lonegunm4n]

Re: What to do....

wow, now I'm glad I posted.

Here's what I have (not to shabby for $700):

MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 $83.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...e=pricegrabber

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ $152.90
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...e=pricegrabber

Antec LifeStyle SONATA II $94.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129155

2GBs of Corsair Value Ram $135.80
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Produc...e=pricegrabber

Lite-On $37.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106014

eVGA 7600GT $179.99
http://www.clubit.com/product_detail...C-pr1c3grabb3r

Total price: $685.66 (includes shipping)

He wanted a side window case, but if he can get a 7600GT, screw the side window, he can always upgrade later!

crap! he lost his version of XP, where can I get a copy of XP for $39.44?

[sackynut]

Re: What to do....

a copy of xp for 40$? on the streets of mexico, heaven, your dreams. or you can just find one laying around, usually when you buy from a company they give you one and you can just use that.

[lonegunm4n]

Re: What to do....

like, what do you mean when you buy from a company?

[sackynut]

Re: What to do....

like Dell, HP, Gateway. Maybe companies like cyberpower and ibuypower, but only if you order xp with their computer. so if you or him had a dell or HP or some previous computer with XP installed chances are you have a disk. i think the OEM costs around like 80$ on newegg or something.

[lonegunm4n]

Re: What to do....

well, he self built it. Cheapest version was $66.83. CRAP!