ok so im about to upgrade my PC to a gaming platform. I would just like to know what combo CPU, MOBO, VID CARD set up would be the best for around $300-$350

so using http://www.newegg.com post your best set up you can come up with. this setup is what im thinkin

CPU - AMD Athlon XP 2600+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail - $90.00

Motherboard - ABIT nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "NF7" -RETAIL - $70.99

Video Card - SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600PRO, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP - $146.50

Total - $ 307.49

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quote:

Originally posted by gOOD-tRiP ok so im about to upgrade my PC to a gaming platform. I would just like to know what combo CPU, MOBO, VID CARD set up would be the best for around $300-$350 so using http://www.newegg.com post your best set up you can come up with. this setup is what im thinkin CPU - AMD Athlon XP 2600+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail - $90.00 Motherboard - ABIT nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "NF7" -RETAIL - $70.99 Video Card - SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600PRO, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP - $146.50 Total - $ 307.49

Looks solid cept maybe paying a bit much for your video card compared to the rest of your components. Still need high speed ram too? Try pricewatch for all of it - there is a few shady vendors so watch out, they'll try to gouge you on shipping or sell you bullshit oem when it says retail. I'd buy a non-retail processor though and get an aftermarket (LOL I can't think of proper term) heatsink, the stock ones blow. blow like donuts on a viper

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quote:

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ASUS nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "A7N8X-E Deluxe"
$115.00
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor
$80.00
GIGABYTE nVIDIA GeForce FX5700 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "GV-N57128D"
$145.00

total $340.00

the on board audio on the abit board isnt as good as the asus one and the 2500 seems to overclock better than the 2600.. And for the graphics card i just prefer nvidia over ATI althought i own a ATI card atm...

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"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes"

Yes, the correct term is "aftermarket."

And I'd try to avoid the Nvidia FX line of cards, I too was eagerly awaiting their launch last year until I found out how horribly they did on Half-Life 2 tests, even when the code was optimized for NVidia's cards. I've read a lot of literature on this, and suffice it to say that NVidia's FX line of cards just doesn't cut it when compared to ATI's 9800 line of cards in regards to Directx 9.

Even the 9200 does better on some games than the cheapest FX card, and the 9200 came out about a year before the FX series of cards came out.

Here's some links:

http://www4.tomshardware.com/busine...0911/index.html
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1863

There's some more out there from other reputable sources, but I can't remember them all.

Ohh yeah btw that looks good, if you're planning on using the same RAM you already have.

isnt that like kinda cheap only 350

P4c800-E deluxe $180
P4 3ghz 800mzh fsb $250 welll then im little over already
Leadtek gfrc 4 ti4800 se $150

damn 580?

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quote:

Originally posted by Tranc3 Yes, the correct term is "aftermarket." And I'd try to avoid the Nvidia FX line of cards, I too was eagerly awaiting their launch last year until I found out how horribly they did on Half-Life 2 tests, even when the code was optimized for NVidia's cards. I've read a lot of literature on this, and suffice it to say that NVidia's FX line of cards just doesn't cut it when compared to ATI's 9800 line of cards in regards to Directx 9. Even the 9200 does better on some games than the cheapest FX card, and the 9200 came out about a year before the FX series of cards came out. Here's some links: http://www4.tomshardware.com/busine...0911/index.html http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1863 There's some more out there from other reputable sources, but I can't remember them all.

your only basing this on certain games read some more reviews. Not to mention nvidias drivers are much more stable than ATI's

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.html?i=1955&p=26

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"The only real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes"

quote:

Originally posted by Mystre isnt that like kinda cheap only 350 P4c800-E deluxe $180 P4 3ghz 800mzh fsb $250 welll then im little over already Leadtek gfrc 4 ti4800 se $150 damn 580?

why the hell would you buy intel???

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no sig, no prob

MB NFORCE2 A7N8X DELUXE ASUS RTL 1 $125.00
VGA ATIOEM|RADEON 9000 128M TV% 1 $66.00
CPU AMD|2400/266 ATHLON XP TBRED RT 1 $82.00

$273


WOOOO i get like 670 in 3DMark03

Wings of Fury 50.3 fps
Battle of Proxyon 4.5 fps
Troll'sLair 2.3 fps
Mother Nature 2.1 fps


it's funny though, i can totally do 166mhz FSB on my athlon instead of 133

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I wouldn't recommend buying a regular NF7. If you think you will be able to overclock with it as good as with NF7-S -- forget it. One of the best value boards right now, and has been for quite some time, is Soltek 75FRN2-L.

And I'm frikken stuck with a NForce1, AMD AthlonXP 2000+, 512 Megs....

I've spent too frikken much on upgrading all these years

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Benz & MD - Oneric
Madoka - Plataforma
Solid Globe - North Pole
Quivver - Space Maneuvers Part 3
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quote:

Originally posted by gOOD-tRiP ok so im about to upgrade my PC to a gaming platform. I would just like to know what combo CPU, MOBO, VID CARD set up would be the best for around $300-$350 so using http://www.newegg.com post your best set up you can come up with. this setup is what im thinkin CPU - AMD Athlon XP 2600+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail - $90.00 Motherboard - ABIT nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "NF7" -RETAIL - $70.99 Video Card - SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9600PRO, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP - $146.50 Total - $ 307.49

a 5700 ultra would be a good alternative. it is a tad bit faster in today's games although i doubt it would do as well compared to the raddy in dx9-based games such as half-life 2.

check into epox's line of nforce2 mobos. i think they are equally well-built and probably at a slightly lower price.

cpu-wise, that's good deal. i personally have a 2500+ barton and overclocked it from 1.83 to 2.35 without investing on a massive 'sink. prolly can go higher, but i'm limited by my pc2100 ram, boo.

i think you should also look into a ram upgrade if you haven't already. it's hard to say since you didnt post your current comp specs.

cheers.

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Last edited by subtledreamer on Feb-23-2004 at 18:35