Not the "Perfect" but the "Best" System

[Jim G]

OK -- here is one for you guys. As we all know, it is generally easy to design a system in which the specs are maxed. But if you wanted to design a system with the most bang for the buck, in other words, not the perfect system where money is no object, but the best system for limited cash, what would it look like?

Let me toss out three constraints to keep things somewhat in focus. 1) Maximum amount to be spent is about $800US. 2) This is to be a system for general or across the board use. 3) We would want the system to be as upgradable as possible.

Sink your teeth into this one.

[redwudz]

Well, strart with a motherboard and processor, AMD or Intel. Check this site for some info:http://www.motherboards.org/

MB, Memory, CPU should run you about $400, Video board, case, drives, will make up the rest of the $400. None left over for software, but you didn't mention any.

[Jim G]

Nice to hear from you redwudz.

I left the software up to you guys. Figure you already own the OS. But I've been wondering, for example, regarding the hardware, if the 500 mhz fsb might not be the most efficient use of resources. Maybe an Intel board and chip just to cover oneself . . . .. Maybe Kingston Ram . . . . . What do you guys think? . . . .

[SLICK RICK]

You have not stated one thing you want to do with this system. Do you want to edit video and burn dvd's, play games or do something else.

So the million dollar question is What are you going to be doing with this new system you plan to build?

SLICK RICK

[Jim G]

Slick Rick --

Its for general across the board use.

Figure you already have your own OS and any standard peripherals (scanner, printer, mouse, keyboard, etc.) Focus on box, chip, mobo, ram, hd, ventilation, optical, and screen.

[Jim G]

And graphics card, and sound card. . . . sorry.

[SLICK RICK]

Here goes,

processor http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=19-116-161&DEPA=1

motherboard http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=13-131-450&DEPA=1

video card http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=14-102-276&DEPA=1

2 hard drives http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1

ram http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?description=20-144-305&DEPA=1

dvd burner http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=property&DEPA=1The link for the DVD burner is not working but anyway it is a NEC dual format burner for $116.

But that will put you at about $900. But you could knock down the price to about $800 if you take off one of those hard drives.

SLICK RICK

[Piccoro]

If you want to also get a monitor, you might want to think about Athlon XP to get the most for your money. 2800+ is only $144 Retail (includes fan) or a 2500+ Retail for 90$. A good Socket A motherboard can be found for <$100. And then you only need PC2700 instead of PC3200, to keep FSB and Memory in sync for best performance (fsb 333mhz: memory 333mhz vs 333mhz:400mhz).

Right now you wont be able to get any system that has a good upgrade path (except Athlon 64) as Intel's current P4 and AMD's Athlon XP are at the end.
Intel's P4 prescott coming next year won't be compatible with the current P4 motherboards.

AMD has Athlon 64 3200+ (3400+ @ Christmas) CPUs but they dont have any < $400 models just yet (they will be a lot lower around christmas). Socket 754 will be highly upgradable though and offers awesome all around performance, much better than Athlon XP and P4.
P4 is great for media/encoding with it's low InstructionsPerClock but high mhz while Athlon's are great at general apps and also AutoCAD,Premiere and Games.
Athlon 64 covers both areas. It keeps Athlon XP's qualities while doing very well in media apps gaining a lot of ground to the P4.
If you are buying now or soon don't bother. It might be beyond your price range so go for the P4 or AthlonXP. But if you are waiting then check it out at that time as prices will be a lot lower.

[808smokey]

Gotta agree with this

A good Socket A motherboard can be found for <$100. And then you only need PC2700 instead of PC3200, to keep FSB and Memory in sync for best performance (fsb 333mhz: memory 333mhz vs 333mhz:400mhz).

The RAM is going to kill you with newer processors and MOBO. I would get an AMD, there cheaper, $ wise not quality. I would get this Processor since your on a budget and whatever Mboard you want, there all around $60 the RAM is PC2100, I think. There's really no need to have a "badass" computer to send email and play solitaire That will last you a couple of years with no problems. When you want to upgrade just get a new board and processor. It will play all the DVD's, Burn, whatever you want it to. As for graphics, it depends. If all you do is email and simple stuff like that then just use the onboard video in the mobo. If your into serious graphics hogs like games and video editing then you'll need one. You can get a decent one for about $70. Same thing for audio, if you only have two small PC speakers then use the on board audio. I wouldn't get a AMD 64 bit chip. There's really no need for one and very few applications that utilize it's capabilities (YET). A case, try Here they have nice cases for under $40 and have 400-550watt power supplies in them. CD/DVD-ROMs are cheap too, just gotta know the sites to buy from. floppies are like $6 bucks. RAM from BuyAIB.com is $45 for 256MB stick

[rallynavvie]

I like games

Mobo: Asus A7N8X Deluxe - $119 @ NewEgg
- Onboard LAN, USB 2.0, FireWire, SATA, and 6-channel audio make this my favorite single CPU mobo. Also has dual-channel RAM and AGP Pro. I'm not sure what you'd do with 5 PCI slots when you've got all that onboard stuff, but there's some room for upgrades.

CPU: Athlon XP 2500+ Barton - $85 @ New Egg
- With the 333 MHz FSB and 512k L2 cache this is a great processor for the price. It's also a favorite of overclockers if you're into that. The mobo I suggested accepts up to XP 3200s if you ever want to replace this one. The price quoted is without the cooler on it which is good, the OEM one is crap.

RAM: Mushkin PC2700 dual pack (2x 256MB sticks) - $135 @ Mushkin
- I may skimp with AMD CPUs but never mess around with RAM. Use PC2700 with the 333FSB CPU. Also 2x 256MB chips are generally cheaper than a single 512MB one AND you get to utilize the dual-channel feature of your board.

HDD: Seagate 120GB SATA - $110 @ New Egg
- May as well use that new HDD interface. $110 for a 120GB drive is a good price anyway. If you want more room watch Best Buy for ATA drives with rebates.

PSU: Antec True430 430W - $70 @ New Egg
- Don't skimp on a power supply. This one will survive some upgrades and leave you with power to spare.

VGA: PNY GeForceFX 5200 128MB - $96 @ New Egg
- This is the only part I feel indifferent about. Video cards vary so much that it should be an additional expense to the computer cost. A friend of mine uses this one and plays BF1942 with some pretty high settings and it does well so it must be pretty decent.

Optical Drive: Pioneer DVR-106 - $135 @ New Egg
- This is if you want to author DVDs, drop it if not. Good price though. I'd look for a new 104 or 105 if you can still find one cheaper.

Misc: Thermalright SLK-900 - $30 @ Sidewinder Computers
- Huge copper heatsink that does wonders for heat dissipation. Throw a ball-bearing 80mm fan on top of it and you're set for CPU cooling.

Total so far: $780

Now all you need is the peripherals like a keyboard, mouse, monitor, and a case to throw this all into and you're set. If I had a say into those I prefer Logitech keyboards (no wireless keyboards) and wireless optical mice. For a monitor I like ViewSonic Pro or Graphics series. You can a 19" G90f for just over $200 if you watch for one. Cases vary by taste, though I really like the cooling efficiency of the Lian Li cases. They're a bit pricey though. For the set-up I listed above you shouldn't need that much cooling unless you overclock. Any decent case should do. It's nice to have both USB and FireWire access on the front though.[/url]

[SLICK RICK]

Maybe an Intel board and chip just to cover oneself

That's why I suggested that paticular processor and mother board, but as a few other members stated, you will get good performance and save money if you go with AMD. I would suggest the 2500+ Barton.

SLICK RICK

[Jim G]

Nice job you guys. Slick Rick -- did you know your parts are on a one-day sale at newegg? So, AMD, a do-it-all mobo, top quality ram and psu. Those are nice cases smokey808 and inexpensive. Dang if you guys didn't come in with some strong suggestions.

[SLICK RICK]

Slick Rick -- did you know your parts are on a one-day sale at newegg?

Yes, but they just put that up today, I posted that yesterday. Anyway, those one day sales at Newegg.com are only about a dollar or two less than the price that it will be tomorrow.

SLICK RICK