Have $300 to spend on a system, whats the best I can build?

[creatine28]

Ok, I have around $300 to spend on a new Maming computer  system,  any idea's of what Mother board hard drive cpu etc etc I should get?  I want to piece it together if possible for around $300 and get all the basic parts needed.

So, is this what I would need?
Motherboard/CPU
Power supply
hard drive
sound and video card(maybe)
Memory (at least 256ram)
I already have a cd and floppy drive.

Thanks!

[str1der]

I haven't gotten my system yet but you might want to check out this guys auctions. I think this is a hell of a deal. Could have built it myself but why?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31497&item=3403938409&rd=1

[creatine28]

GReat!  Thanks!  That might actually be worth it and save me some headaches!

[str1der]

I just went and looked and noticed a few NEGATIVE ratings poped up there in the last few days. Some seem to be exagerating though. One guy left 2 different feed backs that say 3 months but it hasn't even been 3 months since the auction ended not counting time to pay. From most of the comments the product is great but a little slow on the delivery. As with anything Buyer Beware. I don't have any ties I just bought a system from him.

[creatine28]

I noticed that also,  Can you keep me/us posted on your shipping status?  It seems like a very good deal and I'm very interested.


Thanks!

[romid]

You might also want to check deal sites for good computer deals.  I recently purchased two Compaq 1.67ghz PCs w/ 128mb ram and cdrw for $150 each!  Of course, deals like that dont come around too often, but there are good computer deals every once in a while.

check out the fatwallet hot deals forum at http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/categories.cfm?catid=18

Good luck!

[str1der]

Yeah, there are lots of good deals out there nowadays. What really stood out on this one for me was 512 MB DDR and a 64 MB Geforce4.

[PCC]

I have had good luck with Computer Geeks
http://www.compgeeks.com/products.asp?cat=SYS

[CitznFish]

You might also want to check deal sites for good computer deals.  I recently purchased two Compaq 1.67ghz PCs w/ 128mb ram and cdrw for $150 each!  Of course, deals like that dont come around too often, but there are good computer deals every once in a while.

check out the fatwallet hot deals forum at http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/categories.cfm?catid=18

Good luck!

I never understand what they are talking about at fatwallet.com  CSR? PM? z560's??    

[str1der]

CSR Customer Service Rep
PM Price Match
z560 wasn't that an old Texas Instruments calculator  

[shmokes]

Isn't Z560 a model of Logitech Speakers?

Anyway, I would highly recommend looking at Shuttle barebones systems.  They've got everything you need.  They're inexpensive.  They look great.  Get one with an NForce2 Motherboard and you're really set, with great audio (digital 5.1 if you want...not even the Audigy 2 can bost that) and respectable video, certainly for a Mame system.  If you want to upgrade there is one PCI and one AGP port so you're not necessarily stuck with the onboard components.  They come with just about everything under the sun on board, though: firewire, USB 2.0, Ethernet (I think there are two ethernet ports on board), Decent video chipset with S-Video out (again, great for MAME), great sound hardware.

Check it out:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=56-101-217&refer=bizrate

(you might have to copy the above link and paste it into your browser's address bar, sorry)

Heres a Tom's Hardware review of the Shuttle kits:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20030131/

[CitznFish]

Isn't Z560 a model of Logitech Speakers?

Anyway, I would highly recommend looking at Shuttle barebones systems.  They've got everything you need.  They're inexpensive.  They look great.  Get one with an NForce2 Motherboard and you're really set, with great audio (digital 5.1 if you want...not even the Audigy 2 can bost that) and respectable video, certainly for a Mame system.  If you want to upgrade there is one PCI and one AGP port so you're not necessarily stuck with the onboard components.  They come with just about everything under the sun on board, though: firewire, USB 2.0, Ethernet (I think there are two ethernet ports on board), Decent video chipset with S-Video out (again, great for MAME), great sound hardware.

Check it out:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=56-101-217&refer=bizrate

(you might have to copy the above link and paste it into your browser's address bar, sorry)

Heres a Tom's Hardware review of the Shuttle kits:

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20030131/

that's without a processor??  

[Ghoul]

Here's my advice, and this is how I very succesfully built my mame comp. Go to a hardware forum, not byoac. People will know more about building their own computers, it's where I did a lot of my research. Also, in general they will rate your system (i.e. you list out the components you want to buy) and give you advice. Make SURE that you mention this computer is for a specific purpose. Mame needs processor speed and ram, video card is the third on the list. If you are going only for mame then don't waste your money on a top of the line video card unless you find a really good deal.

I'm assuming you have at least some knowledge of a computer's innards, and if you do then it's not that hard to build one. Especially considering if something goes wrong, you've already got your current computer to look on the net for troubleshooting tips.

www.sharkyforums.com
www.hardforums.com

Those are some good places to start.

If you want reviews of hardware check out www.tomshardware.com www.sharkyextreme.com www.anandtech.com

anandtech has GREAT forums for finding deals on hardware. so does www.fatwallet.com

If you are looking to save as much money as possible then be patient. Decide at least vaguely what you want in your computer, for example what kind of motherboard and processor (amd or intel?), what kind of ram and how much (pc2100, pc2700, rdram, 256megs, 512 megs?), and then look for deals to pop up on those forums and in your local ads. Chances are once you start buying there will be at least one good deal a week for something you want to buy. Over time your comp falls into place!

[Wienerdog]

You might also want to check deal sites for good computer deals.  I recently purchased two Compaq 1.67ghz PCs w/ 128mb ram and cdrw for $150 each!  Of course, deals like that dont come around too often, but there are good computer deals every once in a while.

check out the fatwallet hot deals forum at http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/categories.cfm?catid=18

Good luck!

At least it wasn't me this time (like these folks don't have a big enough addiction already).  Be warned, Fatwallet is an addiction.  Soon you will also be talking about picking up your e740 from CC for $50 after MSN $, PM, MIR, and AMEX BVG.  I'm still waiting on about $1500 in rebates.

Over the past two months, I've slowly been aquiring stuff for my cab system:
ATP3 speakers with sub-ruffer - 44 cents
256MB PC2700 RAM - $6 with shipping/tax
80 GB Wester digital Hard Drive w/8mb Cache - $20
48x CDRW - $5
15 iBall Trackballs (remember the addiction part?) - $55
ATI All-In-Wonder 8500 128mb Video card - $100

It's not all fun and games though, I'm still waiting on about $350 in rebates and price matches for that hardware.

[Magnet_Eye]

check out this deal!  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3014124527&category=3544


Looks like a rad computer, dude!

totally.

[creatine28]

check out this deal!  

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3014124527&category=3544


Looks like a rad computer, dude!

totally.

HAHAHAHA  I already have 2 C-64's and 1 C-128 from back in 80's !   I even have one of those SFD1001 drives, these were the ones that were a whopping 1MB drive WHoo Hooo!   Thanks for the memory though!

[Wienerdog]

52x CDRW + stuff for Free After Rebate or 48X CDRW + stuff for negative $10 After Rebates (make $10).
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=18&threadid=166334

[creatine28]

Ok, I found a system that's an AMD XP2000+ (Bare bone) for $179.  Quick question,  to my understanding the XP means the systems it made to perform better with WIN XP, but is it possible to run WIN 98, or am I going to have problem?


Thanks!

[DeathMonk]

 

That's just the name of the processor..  You can run anything you want!

[Magnet_Eye]

have you looked for barebones on www.pricewatch.com yet? Lots of deals there.

 

PS- I miss my C64  

[Justin]

Definitely use PriceWatch.com

Also check dealsonic.com  ...    I just bought an Athlon XP 1800+ system, with 256MB Ram, Case, Fans, PowerSupply, ASUS KT266A based mobo, CD, and several other goodies for $260 shipped.    (I got dealsonic.com link through pricewatch)

An Athlon XP 1800+ runs everything at 100% comfortably.  The exception is all modern 3D games like Cruisin World etc.  But frankly, I can't imagine any computer running those at 100% just yet.  (or prove me wrong).

[creatine28]

Ok, I found a system that's an AMD XP2000+ (Bare bone) for $179.  Quick question,  to my understanding the XP means the systems it made to perform better with WIN XP, but is it possible to run WIN 98, or am I going to have problem?


Thanks!

Ok, my next question is...  How large of a hard drive can you install with WIN 98?   I understand that partitioning might be needed if the drive is too large?

Thanks again!  

[rampy]

oligatory reference to http://www.resellerratings.com  

i strongly advise you check out any vendor/url that you consider buying from via pricewatch.com's listings (especially the cheapest ones) for other peoples experience.... it's not a perfect way to find out a companies business practices but can be an interesting barometer...

[Fat-Johnny]

I haven't gotten my system yet but you might want to check out this guys auctions. I think this is a hell of a deal. Could have built it myself but why?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31497&item=3403938409&rd=1

WARNING!!!

This guy's prices looked REALLY good the other day, so I checked out his other auctions.  He had like 100 systems up for auction.  AMD 1700's, AMD 1800's, and AMD 1900's for like $150, $175, and $200 respectively.  I chose to "watch this auction" to see where it went.

Now, on my watch page, it says "Item no longer available" and if you look at this guys other auctions, suddenly there are ZERO other auctions.  Just the other day, he had about 100 or more!!

Watch out!
Fat Johnny

[Chris]

Ok, my next question is...  How large of a hard drive can you install with WIN 98?   I understand that partitioning might be needed if the drive is too large?

I have a 60 GB drive running on Windows 98SE as a single partition.  Note that partitions larger than 32 GB on Windows 98 will tend to waste up to 40% of the disk space in "slack", especially if lots of small files (like, say, ROMS, NVRAM files, CFG files, etc.) are present on the drive.

The theoretical maximum size of a partition in Windows 98's FAT32 file system is 2 Terabytes, but the practical limit will depend on the LBA implementation in your BIOS.  

--Chris



--Chris

[Chris]

Oh, and for cheap parts, I buy everything at http://www.newegg.com.  You can probably find parts slightly cheaper, but NewEgg is a reliable outfit with great service.

--Chris

[str1der]

I haven't gotten my system yet but you might want to check out this guys auctions. I think this is a hell of a deal. Could have built it myself but why?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31497&item=3403938409&rd=1

WARNING!!!

This guy's prices looked REALLY good the other day, so I checked out his other auctions.  He had like 100 systems up for auction.  AMD 1700's, AMD 1800's, and AMD 1900's for like $150, $175, and $200 respectively.  I chose to "watch this auction" to see where it went.

Now, on my watch page, it says "Item no longer available" and if you look at this guys other auctions, suddenly there are ZERO other auctions.  Just the other day, he had about 100 or more!!

Watch out!
Fat Johnny

Just to be fair I emailed him the other day and he said mine will ship in about a week. I also emailed him today about the pulled auctions. He said that he's dealing with a complaint from an Ebay newbie. I'l keep you guys posted as to how this turns out. His prices are hard to beat and so far he has been real good about emails.

[Nervous]

Newegg.com is the way to go for hardware stuff.  Fast shipping too.