***New "family" Computer***

[imported_Xtreme]

Hey guys. The computer in my sig is our "family" computer and after 7 years of use, it is starting to die. I run CS 1.6 because its basically the only game I can run (and it doesn't run CS that well either). I suggested to my parents many times that we need a new computer, but they would never listen... until now. Which is why I came to the only place where I knew I could get good advice, the anandtech forums. Here is what we basically want:
- Pentium 4 processor
- at least 512 mb ram
- 80gb hard drive or larger
- DVD and CD R/W combo drive
- $500-$700 price range
Thats basically the only things that they specifically pointed out. This computer will be used for basic use (e-mail, internet). If at all possible, I would like to play CS:S and Half-Life 2 on it. Thanks in advance for the help!

EDIT: We already have a moniter, keyboard, and a mouse.

 

[thecrecarc]

well more multitasking go p4 but for gaming go amd64. so go amd64. cause amd 64 rulz. go amd

 

[KoolDrew]

For a budget system I would go AMD.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

I'll have to try to convince my parents to go AMD. I would choose AMD over Intel for most situations, but the idea for this computer is for my family, not just for me.

 

[PurdueRy]

Gotta love the power of the men running around in exaggerated clean room suits on TV.....our parents tend to love what they hear is good, and the news is always on intel....

 

[UsandThem]

AMD Athlon XP 2500+ Barton $75.00

GIGABYTE "GA-7N400-L" nForce2 Ultra 400 $64.00

Mushkin 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 Basic Green X 2 $69.00

Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive $62.49

AOpen Black 52X32X52X16X Combo Drive, Model COM5232 $33.50

ATI 9800Pro from the FS/FT forums for $150.00sh (best gaming card for the buck right now. Outside of that you go to a 6600GT card for around $205.00

You will need a new case, and that least a new power supply as well.

ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply $69.00

Total $530.00. To get to $700 if you want, get a bigger hard drive, a faster CPU, a better power supply.

There you go.

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: Xtreme
I'll have to try to convince my parents to go AMD. I would choose AMD over Intel for most situations, but the idea for this computer is for my family, not just for me.

Just show them some reviews from here and every other hardware site out there.

 

[siyan]

*deleted for misreading something*

 

[ts3433]

Originally posted by: UsandThem
Mushkin 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 Basic Green X 2 $69.00

I hope you meant two 512MB sticks, because two 256MB sticks isn't a good option these days (one 512MB stick leaves room for later), and that's an expensive price per stick.

In any event, though, that setup is good, though your options will open up a bit more with all $700.

 

[HannibalTheCannibal]

Another vote for any AMD based system

 

[UsandThem]

Originally posted by: ts3433

Originally posted by: UsandThem
Mushkin 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 Basic Green X 2 $69.00

I hope you meant two 512MB sticks, because two 256MB sticks isn't a good option these days (one 512MB stick leaves room for later), and that's an expensive price per stick.

In any event, though, that setup is good, though your options will open up a bit more with all $700.

2 X 256 MB to get 512mb is fine for most of todays games. 1 Gig is really not necessary if you have a tight budget.

As far of the price, of course he could 2 X 512mb sticks for $64.85 each for $130.00.

 

[ts3433]

I know 1GB isn't necessary for a tight budget, and I probably wasn't sure if you meant the $69 was for one stick or both. In any event, though, for 512MB you can get just one stick for about the same price, have more room to upgrade (for later, 1GB is indeed useful for gaming), and notice no performance difference (due to dual channel) because this is an AXP system.

 

[mpmdpz]

Though I would go AMD as well, if you really wanted an Intel Processor, I would not recommend getting one higher than 3.2GHz.

The Price to Performance ratio drops from there.

I would really recommend the A64 2800+ since it is the best Price to Performance processor out there right now.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

Wow, Thanks for all the input. I am now going AMD (finally convinced them). Hopefully I can get this sorted out and get to building it asap. Thanks again!

 

[Ken90630]

Not to insult your intelligence, but don't forget software. You mention your existing system is about 7 years old, so is it running Windows 95 or 98 or something? (You didn't mention in your original post if you've upgraded the O.S. during these last 7 years.)

You really don't want to run anything older than Windows 2000 Pro, and even that wouldn't make sense in terms of buying it intentionally over Windows XP with SP2 right now. But if you already have Windows 2000 Pro or something, you don't necessarily need to upgrade unless ongoing tech support is gonna be needed by your family.

Good decision on going with an Athlon-based system. It will outperform Intel on most consumer applications except for video encoding and serious multi-tasking. You might wanna go with an A64 chip, 'cuz if the next version of Windows (Longhorn) has any 64-bit capabilities (like with the rumoured Avalon 3-D graphics interface, maybe?), you'd already be set and wouldn't have to upgrade again. Even without its 64-bit capability, however, the A64 is still a great chip. That's just icing on the cake.

Seagate makes the best consumer hard drives going right now, BTW: whisper quiet, five-year warranties, great reputation for performance & reliability. Just be sure to get one with an 8MB cache. And rebate deals from the likes of Best Buy, et al., make them all the more appealing.

Don't forget firewall/anti-virus/anti-spyware software too. You want your family's awesome new computer to stay that way!

I don't mean to insult your intelligence, by the way, if you already knew some of this. Good luck with the build.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

Hey thanks Ken for posting. We have Windows XP home with SP2 on our computer right now so I just plan to use that on the new computer. We have norton internet security and lots of spyware programs already so we are fine on software I think.
I was considering buying myself a computer ($1300 budget) and had everything picked out, but my parents decided on getting a new computer so I will just use the new one for a year and then buy my computer for college then. Heres what I had picked out for my computer:
Case: ASPIRE X-Navigator with 500W Power Supply
Mobo: CHAINTECH NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Video Card: SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X850 XT Video Card
Ram: Corsair Value Select 1 GB (512X2)
Hard Drive: Seagate 80 GB Barracuda SATA
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive (model 3520A)
$1350

 

[Markfw]

Looks good for yours. Whats the budget on the parents ? An nforce3 939 pin, and an x800pro video card and an Athlon64 3200+ with your other choices would be great for the parents. Just one step down on those items would help the budget, and it would do ANYTHING they needed, games included. You could even go down in the memory if need be.

 

[imported_Xtreme]

parents budget is $500-$700. Im just going to play on my parents computer for a year and then buy my computer for college.

 

[Markfw]

well, they just change the video to a 9800pro, and I think you could still go with the Athlon64 route for the Parents.

Motherboard $140 (MSI neo2 pat)
CPU $150 (3000+)
Memory $140
Video $200
HD $80
total $710

 

[MisterChief]

Originally posted by: thecrecarc
well more multitasking go p4 but for gaming go amd64. so go amd64. cause amd 64 rulz. go amd

AMEN:beer:

 

[w00t]

i would get a epox nf3 socket 939, a a64 3200 s939, 6600gt, 1 stick of 512mb ( good overclocking ram), antec case http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-127&depa=0

 

[Patrick Wolf]

e-mail, internet, games, AMD for sure.

 

[kitkat22]

Smart choice on the AMD platform. If this is for your parents eventually you probably could save a bit more with just using 512 MB of RAM and if you have PCIx use a ATI X300. I know it's not great, but if you work it all out in the end where it's cheaper than your parents expected, they would be quite appreciative I'm sure. (Wouldn't hurt for the college bit either to have a few extra points on your side.) I would also try to stick with the 939pin A64 from MSI like the one mentioned above. Anyhoo, happy building.

 

[Appledrop]

for new games - farcry, hl2..., etc, 512mb is just too low for smooth non-stutter performance, get 1gb corsair value select

 

[Ken90630]

Originally posted by: Xtreme
Hey thanks Ken for posting. We have Windows XP home with SP2 on our computer right now so I just plan to use that on the new computer. We have norton internet security and lots of spyware programs already so we are fine on software I think.
I was considering buying myself a computer ($1300 budget) and had everything picked out, but my parents decided on getting a new computer so I will just use the new one for a year and then buy my computer for college then. Heres what I had picked out for my computer:
Case: ASPIRE X-Navigator with 500W Power Supply
Mobo: CHAINTECH NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3500+
Video Card: SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON X850 XT Video Card
Ram: Corsair Value Select 1 GB (512X2)
Hard Drive: Seagate 80 GB Barracuda SATA
NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive (model 3520A)
$1350

You're welcome. Glad to see you have your bases covered with the O.S. and security software.

Re the components for the computer you plan to build for yourself a year from now, it looks okay except for the power supply. For one thing, 500 watts is WAY overkill (and I challenge anyone who disagrees with me to post a wattage calculation showing otherwise), and if that PSU comes with that Aspire case, it will almost certainly be of relatively poor quality. You want solid rails and stability on your system, so I'd figure on spending another $70--$90ish on a high quality 400W-or-so power supply from PC Power & Cooling or Enermax or something. You don't want all those nice parts running on a junky PSU that was a 'throw-in' with the case you bought.

Great choice on the RAM. Corsiar Value Select can't be beat for price/performance/reliability.

You might also do a bit of research over the next year before buying an SATA hard drive. There's nothing wrong with 'em, but you're paying more for theoretical performance you probably won't see yet in real-world applications. A Raptor is a different story, but I personally don't see any big benefit with 7200-rpm SATA drives right now. Unless you just like the smaller cables. But whatever ... it's no big deal either way.

Good luck.