I haven't been paying much attention to PC specs as of late, and my old comp has recently fried itself. I'm looking to rebuild with about $500 budget, reusing much of what I had. I am thinking of re-using what's left over of the old PC and build a cheap, small, media center pc or something with a uATX or BTX mobo.

Old PC:
Asus A7N8X-Deluxe mobo (I think the IDE channel's fried)
AMD Athlon 2800+ Barton
1 gig RAM PC3200
Sapphire Video Card AGP 8x (ATI chipset, but don't remember what)
various IDE HD's and a new DVD-RW drive that i haven't used yet, and an old CD-RW
a new 300gb IDE drive that hasn't worked in this machine but has in others (reason to think IDE channel is gone, asides from the constant reboots after POST)
Antec Sonata w/ orig 380w PSU

What I want to keep:
RAM and maybe add another 1gb module if within budget (haven't looked at ram prices)
HDD's (new and old) DVD-RW, and CD-RW

What to get new:
Mobo (where do I start??) ~$100
considering another brand due to probs with my old Asus. I'm fine w/ onboard LAN and sound
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo (939 so I can reuse the old RAM) $200
E-PCIxpress Video Card $100-200
would consider TV card option or add-on card, even if over budget

What I use my machine for:
most intensive stuff is AutoCad & PhotoShop; and the typical web, email, mp3 etc etc etc. I'm not what one would consider a PC gamer...any game I would play are oldies or on another platform

Any help in filling in the blanks would definately be appreciated, as would any suggestions or reason to consider the AM2 socket. AMD rocks, I don't care what the benchmarks say.

Sure we can point you in the right direction.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...asp?...N82E16813131530

Asus: a real good mobo maker...

$77.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...asp?...N82E16819103542

X2 4400+: a little more bang for your buck. It's OEM (which means no heatsink and fan) but no problem there.

$198.00

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...asp?...N82E16835185125

A real good cpu heatsink and fan.

$29.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...asp?...N82E16814130054

7300gts: I would stay away from any and all ATI products under $200.00. This looks like a pretty good card. Nvidia drivers are for the most part pretty good. Seeing how your not a serious gamer or any thing you can go with this

$119.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...asp?...N82E16817194009

A good power supply: You will need one good psu to power your dual core, pci-e rig. Don't go with what ever comes with your case.

$79.99

Totals out to $505.96
S&H around $20.00

Total $526 and some change.

Let us know if we can help you out any more.

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AMD Phenom II X4 BE 940 @ 3000 MHz><Coolermaster Hyper N520><Asus M4N82 Deluxe><Corsair XMS2 800 DDR2(5-5-5-18)>< 2x EVGA 9800 GTX+ ><XFi Xtreme Music><Seagate 320gig 7200.10><Seagate 500gig 7200.11><Corsair 750TX><Cooler Master CM Storm><Logitech G15 Keyboard v2><Logitech G7 mouse><Logitech Logitech X-530 5.1><fUnc 1030 sUrface><Veiwsonic VX2235WM><Vista x64 Home Premium SP2

I would rather get a +3800X2 but it seems newegg sold out of them alot cheaper and like 80-90% percent of the +4400X2
You don't really need a -NEW- heatsink because the one that come with the dualcores are pretty good if your not Over clocking.
I'm a little worried about the Asus mobo but the biostar seems to be a better choice. To bad it's out of stock.

I have a old grudge against biostar (had more than one crap out on me). That's why I suggested the asus. As far as heatsink and fans go. I suggested an OEM cpu, so he would need a heatsink and fan any way. So, why you getting that why not go for a real good one at a real good price?

I was shooting for best bang for the buck.

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AMD Phenom II X4 BE 940 @ 3000 MHz><Coolermaster Hyper N520><Asus M4N82 Deluxe><Corsair XMS2 800 DDR2(5-5-5-18)>< 2x EVGA 9800 GTX+ ><XFi Xtreme Music><Seagate 320gig 7200.10><Seagate 500gig 7200.11><Corsair 750TX><Cooler Master CM Storm><Logitech G15 Keyboard v2><Logitech G7 mouse><Logitech Logitech X-530 5.1><fUnc 1030 sUrface><Veiwsonic VX2235WM><Vista x64 Home Premium SP2

About the ATI card, It's not that I wouldn't stay away from one under $200, I wouldn't consiter and ATi card unless it was over $200...An AM2 set up has a bett upgrad path and DDR2 is cheaper(DDR2-667 being the cheapest) an AM2 sempron would work just fine for you. I would rather get the Am2 sempron in box w/ heatsink and a warrenty then it being OEM.

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Selling Asus M2N32-SLI deluxe & X2 4200+. PM me if interested

Agreed, but he did mention that he wanted to retain his memory (pc3200).

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AMD Phenom II X4 BE 940 @ 3000 MHz><Coolermaster Hyper N520><Asus M4N82 Deluxe><Corsair XMS2 800 DDR2(5-5-5-18)>< 2x EVGA 9800 GTX+ ><XFi Xtreme Music><Seagate 320gig 7200.10><Seagate 500gig 7200.11><Corsair 750TX><Cooler Master CM Storm><Logitech G15 Keyboard v2><Logitech G7 mouse><Logitech Logitech X-530 5.1><fUnc 1030 sUrface><Veiwsonic VX2235WM><Vista x64 Home Premium SP2

quote:

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Originally posted by: happaflapp
Agreed, but he did mention that he wanted to retain his memory (pc3200).

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I'm not set on retaining the memory if cost is reasonable. The applications I use are pretty intense, but I would presume not as intense as some of the high-end games that are out there. I am also unfamiliar with overclocking, but doesn't necessarily rule out that I won't with this system.

This is what I've put together so far. No decision on video card yet or TV tuner add-on.

EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLi Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard (heard it was good)

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo 2.2GHz Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4400DAA6CD - OEM

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail (would net me 2gb total RAM with the 1GB I already have)

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail

Total price so far: $450

Another question that happaflap brought up, I am re-using my Antec Sonata case and 380w PSU. Can that handle this system or is it worth getting a bigger unit?

Thanks for all the help! Greatly appreciated and fantasic forum!!

quote:

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Originally posted by: bassicrob
I'm not set on retaining the memory if cost is reasonable. The applications I use are pretty intense, but I would presume not as intense as some of the high-end games that are out there. I am also unfamiliar with overclocking, but doesn't necessarily rule out that I won't with this system.

This is what I've put together so far. No decision on video card yet or TV tuner add-on.

EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLi Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 SLI ATX AMD Motherboard (heard it was good)

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo 2.2GHz Socket 939 Dual Core Processor Model ADA4400DAA6CD - OEM

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail (would net me 2gb total RAM with the 1GB I already have)

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 64 Pro Cooling Fan with Heatsink - Retail

Total price so far: $450

Another question that happaflap brought up, I am re-using my Antec Sonata case and 380w PSU. Can that handle this system or is it worth getting a bigger unit?

Thanks for all the help! Greatly appreciated and fantasic forum!!

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It looks all right, but you will need to upgrade your PSU to something stronger as both dual core, 2 GB memory, a new videocard in the medium range and some USB devices that you hook up to your PC on and off will (over)load your PSU very fast. Better to have some room for all this then to break something.

You don't need more power then around 500 W (*) up and down from any good brand like Antec, Hiper, FSP and Enermax. Remember that even good brand have cheaper type in the low end that isn't always that good, so be careful for what you pick.

You have picked an nforce MB so you will be best with an nvidia videocard if you want to get SLI, but you could also find good offering from ATI like the new X1650 or better cards.

Even if you think you don't have that high demand today it is better to have some room before you will need to make a new upgrade to show/listen to High Definition material on your computer. Take look at videocard that can support HD or even HDCP (for future HD material), so you don't need to upgrade to watch movies or listen to HD-DVD in the future.


(*) This is only for one single videocard. In SLI/Crossfire you might need more power and power means here to look at Ampere output for each rail of Volt. ower= A(mpere) x V(olt):

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Abit AT8-32X (Xpress3200)/Athlon64 X2 4200+@stock/Corsair VS 2GB/Samsung SATA II 2x 250 GB/Club3D X1950XT GDDR3 256MB+ PowerColor Theatre 550 pro (PCIe x1)

quote:

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Originally posted by: happaflapp
I have a old grudge against biostar (had more than one crap out on me). That's why I suggested the asus. As far as heatsink and fans go. I suggested an OEM cpu, so he would need a heatsink and fan any way. So, why you getting that why not go for a real good one at a real good price?

I was shooting for best bang for the buck.

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Yeah but as you can see this biostar is alot better then their other products. I would rather shop by reviews because thier can be a gem from companys that dont have good products.

Any ways you shouldn't really mix ram because sometimes the mismatch ram will destroy each other and to save money you dont really need to buy a new cpu cooler since the ones that dual come with are good that cooler 64 is like 2-3 C different

Get a good psu that over 500watts!! if your going to sli mode 600+ watts to be safe

quote:

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Originally posted by: Bill100
Yeah but as you can see this biostar is alot better then their other products. I would rather shop by reviews because thier can be a gem from companys that dont have good products.

Any ways you shouldn't really mix ram because sometimes the mismatch ram will destroy each other and to save money you dont really need to buy a new cpu cooler since the ones that dual come with are good that cooler 64 is like 2-3 C different

Get a good psu that over 500watts!! if your going to sli mode 600+ watts to be safe

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I had a something happen from buying a cheap PSU(680watt PSU under $30) it blew up violently(with sparks shooting out of the back) and after that "magic smoke" came out of the back of it. I was lucky it didn't take my PC with me .DON'T BE CHEAP WHEN IT COMES TO POWERSUPPLIES!!!!

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Selling Asus M2N32-SLI deluxe & X2 4200+. PM me if interested

quote:

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Originally posted by: k2aka111
I had a something happen from buying a cheap PSU(680watt PSU under $30) it blew up violently(with sparks shooting out of the back) and after that "magic smoke" came out of the back of it. I was lucky it didn't take my PC with me .DON'T BE CHEAP WHEN IT COMES TO POWERSUPPLIES!!!!

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LOL, me too.

My first AMD64 rig, I had one of those came with the case psu's. I started smelling ozone, and then magic smoke from the back of it. I went right out and bought a enermax psu and never had a problem after that.

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AMD Phenom II X4 BE 940 @ 3000 MHz><Coolermaster Hyper N520><Asus M4N82 Deluxe><Corsair XMS2 800 DDR2(5-5-5-18)>< 2x EVGA 9800 GTX+ ><XFi Xtreme Music><Seagate 320gig 7200.10><Seagate 500gig 7200.11><Corsair 750TX><Cooler Master CM Storm><Logitech G15 Keyboard v2><Logitech G7 mouse><Logitech Logitech X-530 5.1><fUnc 1030 sUrface><Veiwsonic VX2235WM><Vista x64 Home Premium SP2

quote:

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Originally posted by: happaflapp
LOL, me too.

My first AMD64 rig, I had one of those came with the case psu's. I started smelling ozone, and then magic smoke from the back of it. I went right out and bought a enermax psu and never had a problem after that.

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what magic about it is that nowhere in the process is it put in, but when it comes out it doesn't work anymore. Thats why they call it magic.

If you think I believe that, then kill yourself(same goes if you believe that)

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Selling Asus M2N32-SLI deluxe & X2 4200+. PM me if interested

quote:

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Originally posted by: happaflapp
LOL, me too.

My first AMD64 rig, I had one of those came with the case psu's. I started smelling ozone, and then magic smoke from the back of it. I went right out and bought a enermax psu and never had a problem after that.

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Join the club lol my cheap Emachines psu blew out and took out the ram/mobo/mouse/keyboard/56k card

quote:

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Originally posted by: Bill100
Join the club lol my cheap Emachines psu blew out and took out the ram/mobo/mouse/keyboard/56k card

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sounds like an old dell i had. ironically, it was also the last Pentium-based system I purchased.

here's what I've put together, but I would like to trim about $100 off if I could. Wishful thinking though as I'm not one to upgrade frequently and would rather build something (near) top of the line right off the bat.

PSU - Enermax Whisper II EG565P-VE FMA(24p) 535 watt - $85
MB - EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLi - $130
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo OEM - $198
RAM - Corsair ValueSelect 1GB (2x512) 184-pin DDR400 - $113 (net 2GB with what I have already)
FAN - Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro - $16
Video - BFG Tech GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-e x16 - $144
TV - Hauppauge WINTV-PVR-150 - $90

Total: $776

I priced out an AM2 based system as well, and basically seems to be about $150 or so more. The additional cost is in the 2x 1GB DDR2 800 memory. would be the roughly same if I went with 2x512mb DDR2 or even a single 1GB module.

Hmmm...decisions, decisions. I've already blown my budget, but I think what I'm getting is reasonable to last me for 5 or so years again. Do I bite the bullet and go for the AM2 system for the additional cost?

quote:

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Originally posted by: bassicrob
sounds like an old dell i had. ironically, it was also the last Pentium-based system I purchased.

here's what I've put together, but I would like to trim about $100 off if I could. Wishful thinking though as I'm not one to upgrade frequently and would rather build something (near) top of the line right off the bat.

PSU - Enermax Whisper II EG565P-VE FMA(24p) 535 watt - $85
MB - EPoX EP-9NPA+ SLi - $130
CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Toledo OEM - $198
RAM - Corsair ValueSelect 1GB (2x512) 184-pin DDR400 - $113 (net 2GB with what I have already)
FAN - Arctic Cooling Freezer 64 Pro - $16
Video - BFG Tech GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI-e x16 - $144
TV - Hauppauge WINTV-PVR-150 - $90

Total: $776

I priced out an AM2 based system as well, and basically seems to be about $150 or so more. The additional cost is in the 2x 1GB DDR2 800 memory. would be the roughly same if I went with 2x512mb DDR2 or even a single 1GB module.

Hmmm...decisions, decisions. I've already blown my budget, but I think what I'm getting is reasonable to last me for 5 or so years again. Do I bite the bullet and go for the AM2 system for the additional cost?

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the X1900 is better than the 7600GT for close to the same price. I assume this going to be for gaming or is it there so if you want to game you have it?

The AM2 4400+ is cheaper($180), and you can get 2gb of DDR2-667 for $50 more. For the same price you can get an nVidia 570 chipset, and those are great OC'ers(as are the 590s)

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Selling Asus M2N32-SLI deluxe & X2 4200+. PM me if interested