Best I can get for $250

[jacktesterson]

Hi Guys

I recently blew my AMD T-Bird 1200 up...along with my motherboard.

Looking for the best bang for the buck right now

new motherboard
new processor
new ram (prefer 512MB)

What do you think

 

[AgentOrange]

I would look at the FS/T forums. You can find some nice deals there.

 

[Lonyo]

Barton 2500+ (mobile if possible), Abit NF7, 512MB PC3200 RAM.

Dunno exactly how much that will be, because I'm from the UK, but it might be about there, and you can overclock the 2500+.

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Barton 2500+ (mobile if possible), Abit NF7, 512MB PC3200 RAM.

Dunno exactly how much that will be, because I'm from the UK, but it might be about there, and you can overclock the 2500+.

It's close, if not right on the ball.
If you don't use onboard sound, I'd recommend the AN35N-Ultra, otherwise the NF-7 (non-S) for average sound.

 

[NelsonMuntz]

For $250 you should be able to get something decent.
If you plan on spending about $100 on 512 MB RAM, that leaves $150 for CPU and mobo.
A 2500+ Barton retail can be had a Newegg for $80.
The motherboard should be then selected with the remaining $$$.
The Abit NF7 is nice, but it is close to $100 which would put you over budget.
The Nforce 400 Ultra chipset has dual channel memory interface, so if you do that, look for a matched pair of RAM sticks to put in there.
I like using the Anandtech Buyer's guides to look at what stuff they picked to help me decide.

 

[Cerb]

The NF7 is not $100, it's $67.
And don't worry about dual-channel RAM. 1x512MB now, and maybe get another later for 1GB.

 

[jacktesterson]

What about this

I can get

AMD Athlon XP 2600+ Barton with 684K Cache - $93.99
Soltek Nforce2 Dual Channel Ultra 400 Mobo- $59
512MB Samsung PC3200- $81

= $234

Not to bad

 

[NelsonMuntz]

Originally posted by: Cerb
The NF7 is not $100, it's $67.
And don't worry about dual-channel RAM. 1x512MB now, and maybe get another later for 1GB.

Sorry, I was thinking of the AN7 which had dual channel memory interface and Soundstorm.
These guys are offering good advice.

 

[tomstevens26]

Originally posted by: Cerb
If you don't use onboard sound, I'd recommend the AN35N-Ultra, otherwise the NF-7 (non-S) for average sound.

What's the complaint with the sound on the AN35N? I've setup several and it seemed decent to me, especially for the price. Just curious.

Tom

 

[Cerb]

Originally posted by: tomstevens26

Originally posted by: Cerb
If you don't use onboard sound, I'd recommend the AN35N-Ultra, otherwise the NF-7 (non-S) for average sound.

What's the complaint with the sound on the AN35N? I've setup several and it seemed decent to me, especially for the price. Just curious.

Tom

I've made a few, including my own PC here, and they got noise from the video card, not bad, but terrible noise from activity on the 2nd IDE channel or when there's alot of CPU use. Solid so far, part of why I gfot it was my last board was a Shuttle (AK35GT2), and it has similar sound issues (not near as bad, though, mostly just blitting), but like this one, was just a solid, good performing board with no frills, and no major setup problems.

 

[tomstevens26]

Originally posted by: Cerb
've made a few, including my own PC here, and they got noise from the video card, not bad, but terrible noise from activity on the 2nd IDE channel or when there's alot of CPU use. Solid so far, part of why I gfot it was my last board was a Shuttle (AK35GT2), and it has similar sound issues (not near as bad, though, mostly just blitting), but like this one, was just a solid, good performing board with no frills, and no major setup problems.

Luckily I haven't ran into that problem! It is something to consider seeing as how I about to build 2 additional low budget PCs for friends. Since I've had such great luck in the past I'm planning on putting AN35N's in those systems. I'm guessing if I run into that problem after the build then I'll have to resort to a sound card. Hopefully not.

Tom

 

[Cerb]

One thing I don't know if it affects the Ultras only, but I have found at AMDMB and a few other places, while I seem to have drawn the a bad hand, it's a somewhat common issue.
But it's everything but Soundstorm for $53!

 

[ja83]

Hi

I noticed you wanted to build a PC. I don't know if you found anything yet, but I have something to offer. I have an AMD 2000+(1.66Ghz) with an ECS K7S5A Pro and a stick of 512 MB pc2700 PNY RAM. It all works perfectly, and is a pretty quick setup. I would of kept the motherboard, but it doesn't support the faster processors that I wanted. I am willing to sell you the CPU+MB+RAM all for $150 shipped. Let me know if your interested.

Thanks

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Barton 2500+ (mobile if possible), Abit NF7, 512MB PC3200 RAM.

Dunno exactly how much that will be, because I'm from the UK, but it might be about there, and you can overclock the 2500+.

That's going to be waaaay more then $250.

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: AMDHardcoreFan
Hi Guys

I recently blew my AMD T-Bird 1200 up...along with my motherboard.

Looking for the best bang for the buck right now

new motherboard
new processor
new ram (prefer 512MB)

What do you think

If you can scrounge up another $50, you can get a very significant upgrade. If you cannot, your pretty much relegated to FS/FT. I would try VERY hard to find that extra $50. With that you can get:

Shuttle AN35N Pro ($65 nForce2 board)
Mobile Athlon XP
Good DDR400 Memory.

 

[Cerb]

Way more than $250? More like $234, all free shipping w/ Abit NF7. I just slapped a combo together at Newegg for light OCing, replacing the Abit w/ AOpen, as the Abit is currently non-refundable (just one of those rules I use selecting parts ), and it was $236. Both prices are assuming retail desktop 2500+.
If he already has a SK-7 or better for a heatsink, that price could include a mobile barton instead of normal desktop one.

Abit NF7 $67
AOpen Model-I-Forgot: $69 (I wonder why I alwasy forget AOpen and Gigabyte model #s?)
TwinMos 512MB PC3200 $87
Retail Barton 2500+ $80
Mobile Barton 2400+ $77 (no HS/F included)
Mobile Barton 2500+ $88 (no HS/F included)

Also, it's AN35N-Ultra, and $55, not $65. I bought it when it was $63

 

[jacktesterson]

thanks for all the help guys

Sorry I am not interested in the 2000 XP and K7S5A...I want a mobo with 333fsb support

What do you think of the Asus A78NX-X board?

Nforce 2 Board, but without dual channel ram....


Im not looking for a power PC...like i said I can buy a 2600+, a Nforce 2 board and 512MB Samsung ram for under $250 here

Ram speeds dont really matter to me as well, since there will be no o/c'ing

 

[syzygy]

244.99

2 A-DATA 184 Pin 256M DDR PC-4000, Model ADBJC1808 - OEM
Shuttle "AN35N-Ultra" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL - 54.99
AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail

 

[RS3RS]

Shuttle Retail nForce2 Ultra 400 - Retail - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-150-045&depa=0

Mobile Athlon XP 2400+ CPU, OEM- $77
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-400&depa=0

A stick of Geil Value Series 512mb PC3200 - $93
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-305&depa=0

Thermaltake Volcano 12 Heatsink (OEM processors don't come with heatsink) - 31.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-106-035&depa=0

Total: $256.98

That's what I'd do anyway

 

[jacktesterson]

sounds good....i think ill get the 2500 Barton + (not mobile) since no o/c'ing

 

[Chu]

Originally posted by: RS3RS
Shuttle Retail nForce2 Ultra 400 - Retail - $54.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-150-045&depa=0

Mobile Athlon XP 2400+ CPU, OEM- $77
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-400&depa=0

A stick of Geil Value Series 512mb PC3200 - $93
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-144-305&depa=0

Thermaltake Volcano 12 Heatsink (OEM processors don't come with heatsink) - 31.99
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-106-035&depa=0

Total: $256.98

That's what I'd do anyway

Geez, that combo has dropped $50 in the last month. I'm tempted to order pretty much exact that + an Aria box at those prices. Always wanted a sff.