Printable View
Following in Macgyvers Steps.........
I the near future I am going to retire my 433Celeron and buy a new system.
So post your most reliable configuration.
I will be running XP pro and DSL high speed so a nic is needed.
btw I am not a gamer but would like to have the power when I need it for webdesign and graphics.
NIC = 3Com all the way. *Not* the soho series.
Monitor = 19/21" of joy for all those "multitask" graphic sessions ;)
Do you have a budget already planned out?
Looking at about $1200 Canadian.
less is better.
Oh I forgot I have a Monitor all I am Buying is the tower.
Aaaaah!
Look into an AthlonXP/MSI motherboard combination for your budget. I think 1800+ with 512Mb RAM could still be within your range, if you don't have to spend too much on other necessities like hard disks, CD/DVD drives andthe like.
I'm currently shopping for just about the same thing you are so I can have my "old reliable" serve as backup once I put the Celeron 700 in it. A 1800+ / 2000+ is what I'm shooting for.
As for a video card, I know it's hard to pick these days. nVidia's GeForce4 line isn't the smashing success expected, while ATI is coming on strong. Then again, a GeForce 3Ti might be all the pumping you need, as I don't think any software out on the market can actually reach its limits.
Go with an ASUS board, A7V266-E ($150 US), AMD 1800+ to 2000+ (what your budget calls for), 512MB Ram ($200 US) and a GeForce 3 would do since you said your not into gaming. Besides, you can do some overclocking with the ASUS board. Throw in a 60GB 7200 Maxtor ATA 133 HDD for around $110 US, and your good to go. Let us know what you finally choose. :D
Save some money on the video card: I bought a Asus V7700 Ti/VX (GForce2 based) and I get frame rates of 80-90fps in Quake3 at 1024x768 with all options turned on. I'm more than happy with that.
[quote]Originally posted by Fierce:
<strong>Go with an ASUS board, A7V266-E ($150 US), AMD 1800+ to 2000+ (what your budget calls for), 512MB Ram ($200 US) and a GeForce 3 would do since you said your not into gaming. Besides, you can do some overclocking with the ASUS board. Throw in a 60GB 7200 Maxtor ATA 133 HDD for around $110 US, and your good to go. Let us know what you finally choose. :D </strong><hr></blockquote>
One of the MSI boards strong point is the overclocking features also, but for less than Asus and they're reliable.
Check out some reviews for which flavor would suit you, then compare prices.
You thought about a Matrox and a couple of screens?
Check out the epox ep8kha+ at newegg, 90$ last i knew. And an XP 1800 retail for 130, and Kingston 256 DDR for 70$. At 300$ youve got the heart of a good system, and can choose sound and video as your budget dictates.....
Here's what I would suggest:
Antec SX630 Mini-Tower with 300Watt Power Supply (Not really a mini-tower. More like a mid-tower.) $70.00
AMD Athlon XP 1800+ Retail Boxed (Gotta have that three year warranty.) $135.00
Abit KR7A DDR Motherboard (One of the fastest and one of the most stable.) $115.00
512MB Mushkin High Performance PC2100 CL2 DDR SDRAM (One of the highest quality memory companies around.) $169.00 (Add $50.00 if you want CAS 222 memory: very fast memory)
VisionTek GeForce4 MX 420 64MB Xtasy (Plenty fast for what you need it for.) $105.00
Creative Labs Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 OEM (Great card for a great price.) $30.00
Western Digital 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive (Maxtor is looking good as well.) $130.00
TEAC 1.44MB Floppy Drive (Gotta have a floppy.) $10.00
Not sure what you need for a CD/DVD/CDRW
I'd go with either a 3Com 905C or an Intel 8460C3 NIC (Both are good cards.) $30.00
Depending on what you want for a CD/DVD/CDRW, you should be able to get all this for $850.00-$900.00 U.S. (not sure what that translates to in Canadian) after shipping and handling. :cool:
One advice for you:
NOTHING ONboard
Not even the NIC
[quote]Originally posted by Gabriel:
<strong>One advice for you:
NOTHING ONboard
Not even the NIC</strong><hr></blockquote>
Yeah I knowthat tip already I never recomend that either.
I think so far I will be getting an ASUS board whixh one I am still not sure. Haven't decided whether I will stay intel or go AMD.
ps don't start a debate over that please.
um, what's the problem with a onboard NIC?
[quote]Originally posted by TrackMan:
<strong>um, what's the problem with a onboard NIC?</strong><hr></blockquote>
nic goes boards goes and vise versa.
can't get warranty for just the nic have to sen din the whole board and that sucks.
my opinion
One thing I would like to add. Please don't make the mistake of going cheap on the memory or the power supply. They are two of the least thought about components in a computer and can very well cause the most problems. I suggested thwe Antec case primarily because it comes with an Antec power supply. Good quality not a huge price. As far as memory goes anything from Mushkin, Corsair, etc. will be a good choice. Stay away from the cheap stuff. :cool: