Can I get some Tips for a $600 rig?

[Subaru]

My friend wants a intel 2.8ghz(800fsb) rig for $650. I don't know why he wants 2.8 but let's put it that way. So far, I found ebay to have them for $250 shipped.
For case, he got one already, and I just don't know what's a good reiliable and ocable MOBO.

Also, is $600 even enough for a gaming pc?

2.8= 250
mobo= ?
ram= ?
videocard= ?


no need for HD, cdrw, dvd.

any other setup is welcome.

[pik4chu]

you can alyways start with aid range dell then add a good vid card, might try that to see what prices you end up with

[sixshot666]

since he's on a budget go amd.
xp2500 barton=$90
abit nf-7=$93
PC3200 512MB=$86.79 (http://www.hardcorecooling.us/product.asp?0=200&1=201&3=324)
Gigabyte GV-R98P128D,ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB=$330
the xp2500 can easily o/c to an xp3000.
everything but memory is from newegg pricing.

[bluestreakLB]

i'm building my g/f's dad a gaming PC. I went AMD due to cost and granted he needs everything...it's plenty over $600, it really depends on what he already has, although the real killer is the fact that he needs a video card.

[pik4chu]

Originally posted by sixshot666
since he's on a budget go amd.
xp2500 barton=$90
abit nf-7=$93
PC3200 512MB=$86.79 (http://www.hardcorecooling.us/product.asp?0=200&1=201&3=324)
Gigabyte GV-R98P128D,ATI RADEON 9800 PRO 128MB=$330
the xp2500 can easily o/c to an xp3000.
everything but memory is from newegg pricing.

Aye, that would be better, was just looking on Dell and they dont have an good deals going like they normally do.

[Subaru]

Heh, I wish he want amd, but the thing is he only wants intel.

[bluestreakLB]

Originally posted by Subaru
Heh, I wish he want amd, but the thing is he only wants intel.

Well, i had a friend like that too, he spent $1200..it's a great computer, infact faster hen mine...but he had to pay for it.

Just show your friend what he can get with $600 and it'll be up to him.


as you said

$250 for CPU
$120-ish for ram
$115-ish for good motherboard

with the money left over he'd have to settle for something like an ATI 9500

It would be a good system, but it wouldnt be as good as it could be had he been a "better shopper"

[RoadWarrior]

Well if he's never going to overclock it, you can prioritise the vid card, and get a 9600 so it's got a hope in hell of playing halflife2, just get an ordinary mobo, and don't get much RAM, which is something you can always throw more in later.

If he is going to overclock it, well I've seen 2.4Cs do as well as 2.8s, so I'd get a cheaper CPU, spend more on the motherboard, get as little as possible good RAM, and still try to squeeze for the 9600.

Now he might think he's got a case, but in a months time he could be running screaming to buy a new PSU as his "new" machine keeps crashing. So if it's not a 350W top brand, or 400W or so generic, start figuring for that too.

my 0.02

Road Warrior

[Subaru]

What's a good mobo for a 2.4c 800fsb? I'm trying to help him save money and get a good videocard.

[Al_Capown]

Abit IS7 865PE Chipset. Nearly as kickass as the ic7, if not as kickass.

[Al_Capown]

As for the pricing:
[u]P4 system (newegg)[u/]
ATI RADEON 9000 64MB DDR TV out, RETAIL, $88
KINGSTON HyperX Series 184-pin 512MB DDR434 (PC3500) $123
ABIT IS7,Intel 865PE chipset for Socket 478 P4 ATX motherboard RETAIL $109
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.8CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL $265
$585
Shows you how far you can go with intel. On the other hand if he bought a 2.4c i'm sure he would get the same performance and a better video card.

[Subaru]

What's the different between is7 and ic7?

[bluestreakLB]

the IC7 has the 875p chipset vs the 865pe

the 875p has Intel Performance Acceleration Technology which is supose to increaes "memory and system level" performance. Other then that, as far as i know there is no difference.

[Subaru]

okay this will be the end of videocard. He choses, fx5600, radeon 9500(hopefully he do the mod), 9500pro, and 9600pro.

[bluestreakLB]

personally i'd go with the 9500...althought the 9600 does have some major overclocking head room from what i hear.

As for being able to mod the 9500 to 9500pro, there was only one card that you could do tihs, and if they were hard to find 5 months ago they would be hard to find now, especially since they no longer make them.

[cursor]

I prefer the Asus P4P800 Deluxe to the Abit IS7. Abits are reportedly buggy and have trouble past 255 fsb. Of course, I've been an Asus fan way back. Just ordered a P4P800 from the newegg refurbs--$81.

[Subaru]

All right, so far this is what he got.

all from newegg for $432 shipped.

2.4c 800fsb
kingston hyperx 2x256 3500
abit ic7

now, it's either radeon 9600pro or 9500.

[sixshot666]

POWERCOLOR ATI RADEON 9600 PRO 256MB (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?catalog=48&DEPA=1&submit=property&mfrcode=0&propertycode=&propertycodevalue=4808,3671) $179.00