hey guys

I've made the decision to upgrade my computer for the new games coming up (and the ones already released)

Currently, my 801mhz cpu and 368mb of ram just arn't cutting it...

 

So, I've looked around all over the place and learned some stuff. Of course, Celeron are crap, and that over 1.9ghz cpus are way too costly for my tastes.

 

I looked for 2 days straight, and found some stuff that is cost effective and to me, look good enough.

 

I'm just wondering if they ARE good.

 

here is a motherboard I was looking at:

Motherboard

 

and here was a processor I was looking at:

Top Processor, the AMD Duron

 

I'm also lookign at this, a bit more costly, but alot better

Second CPU

 

are these any good?

can anyone make some good suggestions to get instead of these? I'm looking for a price that is below 200 or just under it. I would only consider buying a 250+ product if it was a motherboard/cpu bundle.

I need some extra money leftover to buy new ram. I'm currently on PC133 ram, and these new motherboards take DDR.

So, can you guys help me out?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=495333&Sku=CP2-XP25003BC&CatId=256

 

Get this processor.

 

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=634806&sku=S451-2034

 

Get this motherboard.

 

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=155

 

Get this ram.

 

 

80 + 100 + 62* = $242 plus shipping.

 

* = after rebate

 

I have this motherboard and processor. Best inexpensive combo out their.

 

Read this....... http://secure.newegg.com/app/CustratingReview.asp?DEPA=0&item=13-150-045

 

You will need a decent videocard of course.

 

Let me know what you have right now for your whole system.

I got a GforceFX5200...hope that's good enough :DSystem Specs:802mhz Processor384mb of Ramas I said before, GforceFX5200...that's all I can bring to mind now.thanks A TON Mac, this should really help!!!EDIT:Hmmm, these prices are in American arn't they?curses, gonna have to pay more cause I'm in Canada

unwanted.. the processor he listed is excellent... but the board and ram... if you can go a bit higher ive got something that will def push through the games

 

Mobo

http://www.compuplus.com/insidepage.php3?refer=bizrate&id=1000485

 

Ram

http://www.mushkin.com/epages/Mushkin.storefront/40e8908001552ad22740c0a801020640/Product/View/991088

 

the ram is the second fastest out there... speed and size isnt everything... the cas latency co8nts... my ram is the same except one level higher... cas lat 2-2-2

 

muskin is fastest and best quality but yo uwill pay for it

oh when yo uget that CPU ill give yo uthe multipliers and voltage to make it a 3200+.... i really recommend that board

I agree but he stated that he wanted to spend no more than.......Faster ram will only overclock better so no need to spend more there.......Mobos.......I have benchedmarked a lot of them.The ONLY way the Asus or Abit or whateever is faster is when the Mobo comes with Soundstorm Audio. It is very efficient and the CPU is freed up to do more videoprocessing.The Shuttle is almost as fast it and overclocks just as well.It just costs less.As far as the prices.They were linked from your Tiger direct so I assume they are Canadian.FYI. I have had or still have Asus, Epox, Abit, Shuttle, MSI, Soltek Nforce2 Mobo's.The fastest ones are the ones with Soundstorm.

http://www.icct.ca <-- check these guys out. that where i got all my stuff.

i have the asus o ne but running with a soundblaster audigy 2 platinum and the soundstorm is turned off... maybe it is worth something =O

check mac's http://www.newegg.com

 

and my http://www.pricewatch.com

 

hope this helps!

oh yes, I see nowthe two last ones are canadian, the processor is american.I'm not too big into overclocking, heard that stuff was dangerous for your system unless you're an expert, and that I am not.

If you live in toronto i can give you the adress of a store that has prices cheaper than tiger direct and new egg combined. www.canadacomputers.com

PS: Prices are in canadian dollars

The motherboard you should get is the one Mac suggested. It has the Nforce 400 ultra chipset.If not overclocking get the one mac suggested although it would overclock too but what it does have is a 333mhz fsb. This will allow memory you run at PC2700(333mhz) speeds at stock. I would get PC3200 which would still run at 333mhz will but will allow higher speed if you ever upgrade the processor to one that has a 400mhz fsb. Do not get a duron. Those are AMDs low end cpu's kinda like the celeron is Intels. If you were wanting to overclock you could get a mobile 2400+ which can overclock very high, but you would need a very good cooler, heatsink. It would also allow you to overclock the memory to higher speeds. If not overlocking do not get the mobile as the 2500 barton will perform better at stock speeds.I would not waste money on high dollar memory and I would stick with value memory as there would be about 5% difference even when overclocking. For newer games you will need at least 512mb of ram. 256mb will not cut it. I usually recommend 1gb for these games, but with your budget 512mb will do.As far as your fx5200 video card goes, it will get you by. Some of the newer games it will run but will look bad. The fx5200 cards are probably one of the worst cards ever produced. Actually your video card might bottleneck your system.Just how much do you have to spend. Remember to get a Heatsink/fan rated for the cpu you buy as your existing one will not work. If you buy the oem version of the cpu it will not come with a fan. I would recommend buying the retail version if not overclocking as it will be more cost effective since they include the heatsink/fan.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=617037

I was just looking at that

same chip, but comes with fan and stuff.

bit more costly though, but it IS in Canadian...

so it'd be like:

100+61+128=289.00+shipping...

Tigerdirect has low prices BUT they rip you a new one on shipping. I suggest NewEgg becuase they usually come real close or beat tigerdirect AND have free shipping. I notice you are looking at spending about 300 right? If so let me see what I can put together in your price range.Give me the most you can spend.

I just noticed newegg doenst ship to Canada...what a jip.

Here is a good system that just needs a decent case you can pick up for about 30...I didnt add HDs or ROMS.

 

One note this setup is for 1024 MB of low latency qaulity ram AND a 256MB video card. You could always put less ram in there and reduce the price around $85 or so.

 

 

$58.00 (free shipping)

Shuttle "AN35N-Ultra" nForce2 Ultra 400 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU?RETAIL

Model# AN35N-ULTRA

Item # N82E16813150045

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-150-045&depa=1

 

 

 

$90.00 (free shipping)

AMD Athlon XP 2600+ "Barton", 333MHz FSB, 512K Cache Processor? Retail

Model# AXDA2600BBOX (DKV4D)

Item # N82E16819103418

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-418&depa=1

 

 

$89.99 (free shipping)

CHAINTECH nVIDIA GeForce FX5500 Video Card, 256MB DDR, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "SA5500T2"? RETAIL

Model# SA5500T2

Item # N82E16814145076

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=14-145-076&DEPA=1

 

 

$85.00 (free shipping)

Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200? OEM

Model# VS512MB400

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&depa=0

 

$85.00 (free shipping)

Corsair Value Select 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200? OEM

Model# VS512MB400

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=20-145-026&depa=0

I'm looking to spend close to $300. Either over or under that price a tad...newegg doesn't ship to Canada eh...grr.

That is why I spec'd the system I did. Tiger Direct has decent prices but shipping is bleh. You had only so much to spend and it will do the best for you with that money. If anyone can find a Better Mobo, CPU and Memory, shipped to Cananda please post here. I really do not know many good Canadian retailers.If you can find the same equipment else where. Get it for less. Just get that equipment.Later when the New Nvidia cards drive the prices down of the current ones. Get a different card at a lower price. Like a 5900XT.

i live down the street from tiger direct so no ripping here

i live down the street from tiger direct so no ripping here

You lucky... guy.

Newegg will not do for him as he lives in canada. Unless he can find a company in canada that could save him some money, Tigerdirect will probably be his best option as far as I know.When finding products for him he will be paying with canadian money which will be a different cost for him as it would for us is the US. So you must view the components on Tiger directs canadian site to get prices in canadian money.