This is my final setup, each piece of hardware is followed by my reason for choosing it over its closest competitors. If you see flaws in this reasoning or compatibility issues, please point them out. In a few hours, I will be ordering these components from Newegg.
Processor: AMD 2500+ Barton Core @ 1.83 Ghz, 333mhz FSB ($90)
While the P4 2.4C?s 800mhz FSB ($166) was very appealing, I found that it did not justify a $76 price increase. I think that by the time games are actually straining the limits of a 333mhz FSB, 800mhz and higher FSBs will be the norm and a processor like the 2.4C will be priced around $50. Regardless, both are highly OCable, so the Barton should hold me over for quite some time.
Motherboard: Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 ($116)
This was possibly my most difficult choice. I ended up going with the Abit due to its user-friendly setup, stable BIOS, and AMD Forums? representative support. This board has just enough features and OCability to keep me happy without being overwhelmed.
Hard Drive: Western Digital Special Edition 80GB
This was a tough choice as well. When it came to performance and noise levels, I probably disliked WD most, but the 3-year warranty is too outstanding to pass up. I?ve heard stories about Maxtor and Seagate getting loud after a few months, but if I bought one, it?d probably be perfect for 366 days and I?d be out of luck. Maxtor?s 3-year warranty only applies to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa? go figure.
RAM: 1024MB Corsair XMS PC3200 ($246)
Good, reputable brand with nice OCability and great performance for gaming. I was going to buy the twin-pack of 512MB modules from Newegg, but oddly, it cost less to order two individual modules, and the only issues I?ve heard have been with the twin packs.
Video Card: ATI OEM Sapphire Radeon 9800 Non-Pro 128mb ($249)
The 8 pixel pipelines (and other great specs of course) coupled with high OCability sold me on this card. It was an easy choice to upgrade from the 9500 Pro/FX 5600 arena. Looked at the SE, but it only had 4 pipelines.
Sound: Onboard ($0)
I?ve heard Abit has done a good job on this. Might get a TBSC in the future if I feel the need.
Network Card: Onboard LAN
Optical Drive: Lite On 48x24x48 CD-RW / 16x DVD Combo Drive ($57)
Fast, stable, good reviews, inexpensive.
Case: Chieftec Aluminum Dragon
Great construction, nice look, good airflow.
Power Supply: Fortron FSP400-60PFN 400w
Won top award from both Tom?s Hardware and Anandtech for quality and efficiency.
Speakers: Logitech Z-340 3-Piece Speakers ($35)
Nice quality, reasonable price, Logitech.
Floppy Drive: Samsung 1.44? Floppy Drive ($7)
Quieter, faster than usual.
Keyboard: Logitech Access Keyboard ($14)
Nice, ergonomic design. Reputable manufacturer. Anytime I?m looking for peripherals, I head to Logitech.
Mouse: Logitech MX 300 ($25)
Accurate, not too expensive.
Mouse Pad: Everglide Giganta V-3 ($11)
Big, good for optical mice, doesn?t wear down mouse feet like Ratpadz GS.
Operating System: XP Home ($93 OEM)
I don?t need the feature set of Pro and games are running fine on Home.
Thanks for your consideration.
Processor: AMD 2500+ Barton Core @ 1.83 Ghz, 333mhz FSB ($90)
While the P4 2.4C?s 800mhz FSB ($166) was very appealing, I found that it did not justify a $76 price increase. I think that by the time games are actually straining the limits of a 333mhz FSB, 800mhz and higher FSBs will be the norm and a processor like the 2.4C will be priced around $50. Regardless, both are highly OCable, so the Barton should hold me over for quite some time.
Motherboard: Abit NF7-S Rev 2.0 ($116)
This was possibly my most difficult choice. I ended up going with the Abit due to its user-friendly setup, stable BIOS, and AMD Forums? representative support. This board has just enough features and OCability to keep me happy without being overwhelmed.
Hard Drive: Western Digital Special Edition 80GB
This was a tough choice as well. When it came to performance and noise levels, I probably disliked WD most, but the 3-year warranty is too outstanding to pass up. I?ve heard stories about Maxtor and Seagate getting loud after a few months, but if I bought one, it?d probably be perfect for 366 days and I?d be out of luck. Maxtor?s 3-year warranty only applies to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa? go figure.
RAM: 1024MB Corsair XMS PC3200 ($246)
Good, reputable brand with nice OCability and great performance for gaming. I was going to buy the twin-pack of 512MB modules from Newegg, but oddly, it cost less to order two individual modules, and the only issues I?ve heard have been with the twin packs.
Video Card: ATI OEM Sapphire Radeon 9800 Non-Pro 128mb ($249)
The 8 pixel pipelines (and other great specs of course) coupled with high OCability sold me on this card. It was an easy choice to upgrade from the 9500 Pro/FX 5600 arena. Looked at the SE, but it only had 4 pipelines.
Sound: Onboard ($0)
I?ve heard Abit has done a good job on this. Might get a TBSC in the future if I feel the need.
Network Card: Onboard LAN
Optical Drive: Lite On 48x24x48 CD-RW / 16x DVD Combo Drive ($57)
Fast, stable, good reviews, inexpensive.
Case: Chieftec Aluminum Dragon
Great construction, nice look, good airflow.
Power Supply: Fortron FSP400-60PFN 400w
Won top award from both Tom?s Hardware and Anandtech for quality and efficiency.
Speakers: Logitech Z-340 3-Piece Speakers ($35)
Nice quality, reasonable price, Logitech.
Floppy Drive: Samsung 1.44? Floppy Drive ($7)
Quieter, faster than usual.
Keyboard: Logitech Access Keyboard ($14)
Nice, ergonomic design. Reputable manufacturer. Anytime I?m looking for peripherals, I head to Logitech.
Mouse: Logitech MX 300 ($25)
Accurate, not too expensive.
Mouse Pad: Everglide Giganta V-3 ($11)
Big, good for optical mice, doesn?t wear down mouse feet like Ratpadz GS.
Operating System: XP Home ($93 OEM)
I don?t need the feature set of Pro and games are running fine on Home.
Thanks for your consideration.