$750 burning my pockets

[VoXie]

Howdy:

I haven't built an Intel system since Pentium 100 CPUs were in style, so I need some help. A friend asked me to build him a system for $750. He'd like a Pentium 4 CPU (2.8Ghz or better), a motherboard with lots of PCI slots that can hyperthread and do 800Mhz FSB, an 80-120GB hard drive, separate CD-RW and DVD drives, a case with lots of drive bays and at least a 350 watt power supply, at least 256MB of PC3200 memory, Sound Blaster Audigy level sound, a decent video card, and a modem and floppy drive. He DOES NOT need a monitor, keyboard/mouse, or speakers. Since I've built lots of AMD-based systems, I know most of what should go into the system (i.e., Lite On optical drives, a Western Digital Special Edition hard drive, a Radeon 9500/9600 Pro video card, etc.). But I need lots of advice about the other components, especially the CPU, motherboard and memory. Please, please let your expertise rain down on me! Thanks in advance for any/all help.

[Techmasta]

Whats your budget on the motherboard/cpu/ram alone?

[VoXie]

It's not broken up that way, but I figure $300 for the CPU and motherboard and another $55-$80 for RAM.

[Soulburner]

$55-80 for RAM?

Is that some kind of sick joke?

I guess that's fine if you only want one 256mb stick...

[Kanavit]

let's start out with a 2.4c. it's the cheapest and can be overclocked to 2.8ghz easily on stock with ram/cpu divider. Then I recommend Asus P4P800 mainboard which is probably just as good as P4C800 without extra lan, sata, and raid features.
Next, go for generic PC3200 ram with normal timings(cheap). The asus has onboard sound, so u save money on it. Throw in a small 40gb hard drive maxtor brand IDE. Buy an Nvidia Geforce FX5200 ultra. saw one today @walmart 650mhz ddr ram!

modem and floppy just get the cheapest ones they are all the same. lol

[VoXie]

What's the problem with spending say $84 on Newegg and getting a 512MB stick of PC3200 Value Select Corsair memory or for that matter a 512MB stick of Kingston, Mushkin, Geil, or OCZ premier RAM???

[Soulburner]

Originally posted by VoXie
What's the problem with spending say $84 on Newegg and getting a 512MB stick of PC3200 Value Select Corsair memory or for that matter a 512MB stick of Kingston, Mushkin, Geil, or OCZ premier RAM???

You want 2 sticks to run dual channel.

Originally posted by Kanavit
Buy an Nvidia Geforce FX5200 ultra.

*shudders*

[VoXie]

I could still get 2x256MB sticks of Kingston ValueRam, Buffalo, or Kingmax memory for $88 on Newegg. Considering the overall low cost of the system, do I need to spend more??

[Soulburner]

I was not aware you could get a 256mb stick of PC3200 from one of the good brands for $44...

[thirdeye]

Originally posted by VoXie
It's not broken up that way, but I figure $300 for the CPU and motherboard and another $55-$80 for RAM.

if you can go from 300 to maybe 260 (2.4 & AI7?), that could be another $40 for vga, I figure that FX is what, $150? 190 could get you a 9800..

[SPQQKY]

P4 2.4 $150
Abit VT7 $65
2 x 256MB pc3200 $100
GeForce FX 5700 Ultra or Radeon 9600 XT $170
Maxtor 80 Gig $90

Total is $575 for these, leaves you $175 for a case and the ROMs.

[Maxprime]

Looks like a good system to me.

[enzoR]

wow!!! kanavit is recomending a 2.4c!! wasnt a higher multiplier better??

[Soulburner]

Maybe he saw the light?

[Reflex1]

im assuming he doesnt overclock (since he isnt building his own rig). so i'd just get the cheapo'est p4 800 fsb board u can ...and get like a 3.0c

[Tedinde]

Originally posted by VoXie
What's the problem with spending say $84 on Newegg and getting a 512MB stick of PC3200 Value Select Corsair memory or for that matter a 512MB stick of Kingston, Mushkin, Geil, or OCZ premier RAM???

I use geil pc3500's for customers rigs mostly. Last time i bought some it was $43 per stick, Or i'll get buffalo 3200's for around the same.

They clock just fine 2.5 cas or course. Not bleeding edge, But good memory.


Kinda strange when one good stick of memory costs more than Motherboards. Going by just comparing all the parts on a motherboard.??

[skate2snow]

2.4C(can be OC very easyly)
P4P800(dlx if needed)
9600PRO(its the same performance as the 9600XT, almost)
the tedinde geils
JB800WD
and the rest you know

[Iridium192_217]

for that much money, I would get the new fx53 chip, its looks veerrry nice

[skate2snow]

not 750$ for the chip!!!! Its for the whole rig

[VoXie]

I'm tempted to get a 9800SE video card (L-shaped memory) and softmod it. If it works, my friend has a 9800 pro for about $150. If it doesn't, he still has a decent card. Comments??

BTW, thanks for the advice up to this point.

[3rd-Dimension]

make sure 256 bit interface not 128.

[VoXie]

That's covered by the L-shaped memory, no? Looks like Sapphire and PowerColor make a card that fits the bill.

[lalPOOO]

It depends on how serious your friend is about gaming, but for the most part the 9800se doesn't really seem like a decent card. I think your friend should settle for a 2.4c or somthing like that, because it doesn't really look like you can accomplish what you are attempting to without cutting some corners.

[quicksilver98]

personally id go AMD for that kinda money!
athlon 2600+ mobile 108
Slk900A W panflow 55
DFI infinity ultraII 90
2X256mb Mush kin lvl 1 119
80Gb WD se 80
X dreamer w 350W psu case 60
9600XT 170
Generic CDrw 35
generic DVD 25
floppy 12
Modem 15

738 here shipped....

will oc to 2.5 easily and STOMP THAT INTEL SETUP!!! hehe srry intel guys i get giddy on these questions... but its only an opinion...

[VoXie]

I would too quicksilver98, but it's not my money...
Ended up going with the following:
P4 2.8c (my friend didn't want an overclocked 2.4c)
P4P800
512MB Corsair Value Select Ram
Black Antec Case w/ 350w power supply
Radeon 9800SE
Black Floppy, Black Lite On DVD/CD-RW drives
Western Digital 80GB Hard Drive
Encore Modem
Thanks again for all the excellent advice!!