New Computer Suggestions??

[squirrellydw]

I am going to be ordering my computer in February and I would like some suggestions.  I am going to order everything from NEWEGG.  So anyone have any suggestions, feel free to pick out parts, MB, CPU, HD, RAM etc.  I would like to stay around $500.  I am also going to have the AVGA card, not sure what one.

I would like an Intel CPU but AMD is fine.  I need a lot of USB ports.

Feel free to design me one, no biggie if you don't.

[leapinlew]

Well... what are you planning on doing with this computer.

Some video cards cost more than $500.

[squirrellydw]

Just MAME and maybe some PC games, MAYBE.  I don't need a video card, I am going to use the Arcade VGA from Ultimarc.

[JustMichael]

I need a lot of USB ports.

You can always use USB hubs.

[squirrellydw]

I need a lot of USB ports.

You can always use USB hubs.

Yeah, I thought of this which is fine

[FrizzleFried]

First off,  for a sub-$500 computer,  you are going to get more bang for the buck with an AMD processor.  Do you have a FRY's near by?   They sell cheap barebones computers that you can expand on.

I would suggest you look at Nforce 4 motherboards...BIOSTAR puts out pretty inexpensive ones...i'd look at an AMD 3200+ with 512MB of RAM minimum (1GB preferred).  Go with the largest HD you can go with with what you have left...the nforce4 MB will have 4 on board USB ports and usually another add on slot adapter with 2 more...it has decent enough sound and in some cases 2 built-in network cards.   The 3200+ runs at 2GHZ I do believe and you are pretty much guaranteed 2.4ghz with 2.5ghz overclock very common. 

Hell...for $500 I will send you the extra rig I have sitting in the garage collecting dust...

Gigabyte Nforce 3 w/AMD3200+ 768MB of RAM, 120GB HD (or 160...cant remember), decent case,  good powersupply and I would throw in a GeForce Ti4200 video card on the side...

[xmenxmen]

If you have a frys near by, I would use this:

http://www.netaffilia.com/ad/electronics/frys/i/2007/01/12/22422.html


Otherwise, newegg can be your friend:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103605
scroll down to see combo.

[ark_ader]

Nah,

Go to: http://shop2.outpost.com/product/5095015

That should be enough and get a better graphics card like a ATI 9800 and a USB PCI card. 

Its CHEAP!

[leapinlew]

First off,  for a sub-$500 computer,  you are going to get more bang for the buck with an AMD processor. 

But then you'd be stuck with an AMD machine. 

I'd say that you should buy yourself a Dell with a LCD. $450 delivered and you get a year warranty. It'll do everything you want it to do. $499 for a machine with a LCD.

Celeron 2.8
512 memory
XP Home
80gb hd
DVD rom

I'm all for as much DIY as you want, I just don't see the point in spending time building machines anymore. I can't build'em cheaper than I can buy them for mid-range systems.

[squirrellydw]

I don't need a LCD and I don't like the cheap Dells.  What would you pick Intel wise?  remember I don't need a video card

[leapinlew]

I don't need a LCD and I don't like the cheap Dells.  What would you pick Intel wise?  remember I don't need a video card

Yeah, but for the price - it's like getting a free LCD. If you don't want it - I'll take it! 

The cheap dells are good machines - I've built 6 boxes with them. If you feel like building a computer you can just pickup the cheapest name brand mobo, processor, ram, and hd - cross your fingers and hope for the best. Maybe something like this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138262

[squirrellydw]

Well looks like I will be going with an AMD, Intel  is just to dam expensive.  What do you guys think of the

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego 2.2GHz 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939 Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103622

ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe Socket 939 ATI CrossFire Radeon Xpress 3200 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131004

Can someone recommend a power supply for me to use with the MOBO above?

[ahofle]

There was an Athlon 3400 complete system at Best Buy the other day for around $350.  When it comes to getting a cheap computer for MAME, I don't think it's worth it to build your own personally.  If you are looking for a current PC gaming machine, that's a different story of course.

[ChadTower]

Try as I might, I never seem to see the f in that guy's username.

[ahofle]

Try as I might, I never seem to see the f in that guy's username.

Hah.  Wouldn't be the first time I've been called that.   

[leapinlew]

Can someone recommend a power supply for me to use with the MOBO above?

no.



ha! I never been a AMD fan. I got burned on a K6 and never looked back.

[ChadTower]

Hah.  Wouldn't be the first time I've been called that.   

No worries.  I think some dictionaries have my picture next to that word.  The rest have my address.

[FrizzleFried]

I'd personally avoid anything crossfire...

[squirrellydw]

I'd personally avoid anything crossfire...

Why, you don't like ATI?

You like nvida better
ASUS A8N32-SLI Deluxe Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce SPP 100 ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813131568

I am just afraid of the bug that made with nvida with the LEDwiz

[Derf00]

I've always had AMD after I replaced my PII back in early 2000. More bang for your buck. The old AMD K6 and K6-2 were never fully supported by software vendors which is why there were such dogs.
Go to outpost and check out plu# 5095015 open PCI-e slot for whatever graphics you want to run.

I built my last system in 2004 (AMD 2200+) and stopped building my own since then. Too expensive. My kids all have AMD based refurbished Compaq's (3) and I bought my parents one last summer like the one above and they are bullet-proof. Just have to delete all the preloaded garbage that comes with them when you first set them up.