New Computer Idea ... Input Needed Please!

Mike · January 26th, 2003, 01:05 AM

Posted for a friend from Voogru Forums

Well, im looking to buy another computer to put in my room. It would just be used when friends are here, for them to use well im on mine, and to do other random stuff, like run servers for aol :x. Its almost more of just a challenge or something for myself, to see how little i can spend, and to see if i can get it all together. I built the computer i have right now, but it was all parts we already have, and its gotten slowly upgraded to where its at today. So heres a list of what i need:

Motherboard
Power Supply
Processor
RAM
Video Card
Networking Card

Im not looking for some super computer or anything, just enough that people can play games on it or whatever when they want, but it doesnt have to perform awesome. Again, i dont want to spend a lot of money, cause i only have about 200 right now, but i think with some help, ill be able to pull this off, and make it work.

There also another option of what i could do. I am thinking of upgrading the computer im on right now, to an AMD athlon xp 2100+ (~$100). I could do this, and put the 1.2 GHz i have now into the new comp, but it seems like a little bit of overkill for the application, and it wouldnt leave me with much moeny to play with.

I would rather have an AMD based system, because thats what ive had most of the time, and been more satisfyed then i have been with intel, performance wise.

Im thinking something along the lines of about 800 mhz (nice and cheap) maybe even with SDRAM (nice and cheap again). I want to spend as little as possible, but still have a system thats usable, and doesnt make people sit there and wait forever.

So I was just wondering if you guys could help me out with putting this new computer together, or at least pointing me to some good sites and everything. Maybe even someone here has a system like that which they are trying to find a new home for, I dont know. The help is appreciated though.

thronka · January 26th, 2003, 01:09 AM

try newegg.com they got some kick @55 prices on leet items.

Mike · January 26th, 2003, 01:11 AM

We were looking there about a minute ago. We found something for about $200 ...
It's a How low can you go contest.

elroy · January 26th, 2003, 01:23 AM

I would suggest an AMD Duron cpu, maybe 1.2ghz. They run about $35. A board for this would run about $40 [compgeeks has an Asus for $39 and nic for $8] and 256mb sdram is about $25. Your choice of video card. Buy a case with 300 watt P/S. Check for parts at www.pricewatch.com whenever they get their site back up. They got hammered today.

Mortis · January 26th, 2003, 01:46 AM

Careful with the CompGeeks board. I was eyeing them up yesterday morning and noticed that it was a kt133, not 133a. The specs state it will support up to a 1.0 . I didnt check Asus website to see if there was a BIOS flash and dont know much about the board other than a slight recognition of a convo around here concerning that board and that it wouldnt support above because of the layering or something. Again, just something to look into if you are considering above 1.0.

I would offer suggestions, but like what I have heard so far. The Duron is a kickbutt processor at an extremely attractive price. For vidcards, you could go with top of the line G2 like a GTS for reasonable dollars or ATI 7500 for about the same. Many like the ECS K7S5A, but you are probably aware from all the posts around here that it requires a really good quality PSU, which kinda negates the ECS BudgetBoard (if you spend 40 on the board and 50-65 on a PSU, what did ya save?)

For Ram and NIC (possibly Vid) you might want to post in the Traders forum and purchase from an established trader to save a few bucks... unless you want all new parts.

GoodLuck!

EDITED for a little clarification

.

Mike · January 26th, 2003, 01:47 AM

Another note that I forgot to mention. Obviously for ease in shipping costs, we would really prefer buying from one retailer. (We realize this will be hard to do...)
Thanks!!

cosjobs · January 26th, 2003, 02:05 AM

You might try this system, just posted on Doc's Steals and Deals thread:
p2-400 optiplex $112 shipped
http://www.computer-show.com/Modern...DPA41&ic=SYS038

Mike · January 26th, 2003, 02:23 AM

Well friend is looking for something at least a 800.

Mike · January 26th, 2003, 12:14 PM

More help?

ThePyro · January 27th, 2003, 06:52 PM

Hmm...Well, this is UnsanePyro, that mike posted for, from over at the voogru forums. Registered that name, but aol decided to delete my account

so had to make this one. Anyways, thanks for some of the help that ive got so far, i was lookin for a lil more though, it would be appreciated. Heres something that i threw together bout 30 mins ago:

MAXTOP CSX-3688KL Intel P4/AMD Ready 7-bay Front USB Connector 350W Power Supply Mid Tower$35

KINGSTON VALUERAM 128MB PC133 SDRAM- OEM $23

BIOSTAR M7VKQ AMD MICRO ATX VIA KL133 686B 266MHZ FSB PC 133 $51

D-Link 10/100 Mb PCI Ethernet NIC Adapter $10

AMD Duron 800MHz Socket A PGA Processor OEM $30

ATI OEM RADEON 7000 32MB SDR NO TV OUT AGP BULK $30

Shipping: $21

Total comes too: $199.99

I got a question about that system though. Its a mid tower case, but a micro atx mobo. Will that fit in there, i know it will size wise, but will the screw holes line up?

?

Also, its a bit more then i wanted to spend, i was hoping to spend closer to $150. As i said before, i think, i only have about $220, and i dont have a job currently either. Its all out of my pocket too, no help financially from my parents. Can anyone top this system, with similar specs???

I know that there are a lot of people here, think of it as a challenge, dont let my sorry n00b arse come in here and show ya how its done. I know that someone can do better.