The Best of the Cheepest

[joltcola]

Hello ... need your help :)

I wish to buy a new motherboard , cpu , and matching ram ( the ram I got probably won't fit in the new one ). I've read reviews untill blue in the face on all kinds of processors and motherboards, but I can't really make a decision on what to get... I'd like to spend as little as possible, but I'd rather not buy crap if you know what I mean. i've got money to spend, but i've also got bills.

So...

- Motherboard

- CPU

- Memory

Probably just going to purchase Crucial memory to match the mobo. I've been mainly looking at AMD processors , but whatever is kewl.

Thanks for your help and suggestions ahead of time.


-- Jolt Cola

[pelly]

Hmm...well...given that I have no idea how much you consider "reasonable"....here's my stab at your best bet:

Athlon XP1600+ ( Overclocks to 2100-2200+ ) $53
MSI KT3 Ultra ( KT333 ) $82
256MB Crucial PC-2100 $65
--------------------------------------------------------
Total: $200


One thing to consider here is the lack of AGP8x support...Should you plan on upgrading your graphics card down the road, the motherboard won't support the full 8x spec...

If I were you, I would do the following:

Athlon XP1600+ ( Overclocks to 2100-2200+ ) $53
Any nForce2 without integrated graphics $100-125
256MB Crucial PC-2100 $65
--------------------------------------------------------
Cost of hardware: $218-240

Cost of having a ton of features like DDR400, 333MHz FSB support ( future- AMD CPU's ), Firewire, Serial ATA-etc built onto motherboard.... $100-125

Cost of being virtually future-proof and sinfully fast: Priceless...

:D

[Gator]

King of the cheap but the good right here: (all prices from http://www.newegg.com )

ECS K7S5A motherboard $55
AthlonXP 1600 $53
Crucial 2100DDR $65

ah newegg, how much I love thee :D

I can see Pelly is quoting Newegg as well. We're recommending the same stuff, except that I like SIS chipsets better than VIA, and it's cheaper. But whatever floats ya boat :)

[pelly]

I've worked with the ECS K7S5A motherboard before....great board...

I always believe its worth a little bit more money though to grab a really good motherboard...it's the backbone of the system...

I've had great luck with MSI motherboards.....look around the forums at amdmb.com and see what boards sound good to you...

As for shopping, Newegg is the best I have ever used...I've done tons of shopping there ( just placed an order today actually ).....I've always been impressed and 100% satisifed with their work...great place with great prices...

:D

[Starscream]

Agreed with Pelly, the k7s5a is a good board but very plain. I'd definately go with something that has multiplier adjustment.

[netviper13]

The K7S5A, and its big brother the K7S6A are both great boards, I have owned both.

One thing that I don't like about them though is lack of overclocking featurs (5a has no multiplier support and nearly no FSB support, 6a has multiplier via jumpers and still fairly scarce FSB settings) and lack of performance. They competed very well against the original kt266, but they just can't keep up with the 266a or greater.

If you're looking for great stability at a low price though, I would whole-heartedly recommend either the 5a or 6a (probably 6a though, it fixed a few issues the 5a had).

[Gator]

Originally posted by netviper13
The K7S5A, and its big brother the K7S6A are both great boards, I have owned both.

One thing that I don't like about them though is lack of overclocking featurs (5a has no multiplier support and nearly no FSB support, 6a has multiplier via jumpers and still fairly scarce FSB settings) and lack of performance. They competed very well against the original kt266, but they just can't keep up with the 266a or greater.

If you're looking for great stability at a low price though, I would whole-heartedly recommend either the 5a or 6a (probably 6a though, it fixed a few issues the 5a had).

there is an overclocker bios available for K7S5A if you're interested

[saturnotaku]

My former roomie has a K7S5A and it's running perfectly for him. It's absolutely not a board for overclockers. Despite there being an OC'ing BIOS available, it's an absolute nightmare to flash that board's AMI BIOS, especially when compared to Abit's wonderful system.

If you have to remain on the cheap side, go to Newegg and scope out the cheapest AMD motherboards you can find. A fair number of VIA KT333 boards can be had for under $100. I'm sure you'll find something that has the features you want at the price you're willing to pay.

[LORD-eX-Bu]

Built this system under $835.:D

[thcdru2k]

wow dude that was a very impressive price. is that including everything listed in your sig? if it is than..where did you get all your parts? cause it couldn't possibly be newegg

[LORD-eX-Bu]

Pricewatch.com(Motherboard, Memory), Googlegear.com(for CPU, great price), Ebay(HD, HSF, Video card, Case), and Pricegrabber.com(CD-rom, CDRW). I am a good shopper.:D

[thcdru2k]

you should make a part time job selling computers to people on ebay. that computer would run anywhere near $2000. imagine your profit.

[LORD-eX-Bu]

Yep, I've definately thought about it.:D

[styles-T]

Originally posted by |TX|-LORD-EX-BU
Built this system under $835.:D

thats really hard to believe...Hell of a job..

[Essense]

Is that including shipping and all? Seems like having to ship from all those places would cost quite abit more.

Regards,
Mike

[LORD-eX-Bu]

Yes, that includes shipping and taxes.

[LORD-eX-Bu]

But it does not include the monitor or speakers. I just happened to have an extra 19" Viewsonic laying around and so I am using that. And for the speakers, eh, well, 5.1 Creative whatevers aren't bad at all.:D

[pelly]

Newegg is a beautiful thing....Anyone can jump onto their website and throw together a sick computer for an incredibly cheap price...

I've built a few $700 systems for friends and family that were absolutely insane....

Great prices newegg...

:D

[joltcola]

Thank you all for your information. I too was looking strongly at the boards that were listed.

On the cpu, I'm assuming everyones in favor of the AthlonXP's ?

Btw.. I'm really tired right now... insomnia with an addiction with games ... sucks.. just fyi

=)

Thx again!

[thcdru2k]

they're athlon xp is slower than the p4 but for the price, it just can't be beat.

[joltcola]

Pelly,

could you post some links on some decent mobo's sportin' nForce2
?

[thcdru2k]

nforce 2 ain't out yet bro, maybe end of this year, or beginning of next year.

[joltcola]

I was just thinking maybe someone has links to pics or reviews , that kinda thing.. I should worded that better =)

That sig is huge btw! =)

take it easy

-- Jolt

[thcdru2k]

check out the front page nvnews, lots of good nforce2 info :)

[pelly]

So far, only a handful of pics have surfaced....Aside from the "reference" specs, no details have been given....

Hopefully, we'll learn more soon...

:D