Looking to buy new mobo/processor/RAM

[Naem]

I'm currently using an iWill KK266 motherboard and a 1GHZ amd duron, with 256MB of sdram. Ever since I got the mobo and processor it's been giving me nothing but problems, and I figure I need to upgrade anyway since the specs here are dated.

So, basically, I have no income and want to get the most bang for my buck. I want to get a new motherboard, processor, and 512MB DDR RAM for somewhere _around_ $200. The processor should be an Athlon XP 2600 or lower since that's the highest model my fan, Volcano 9, supports.

Any suggestions for a good motherboard or processor? Even cheap RAM? Thanks,

Naem


edit: I have a pretty decent sound card and video card (sb live / ti4200) as well as a NIC so onboard stuff does not matter at all for the motherboard.
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Naem on 07/23/03 06:31 AM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[ChipDeath]

You happy with overclocking? buying a XP1700+ for like 40 bucks and ocing it to 2Ghz+ would certainly help your budget problems.

Ok, from newegg.com: (I'm actually in the UK, so I don't know many US sites, but I've seen this one mentioned repeatedly)

XP1700+ (oem) - $44 [think it's a t-bred 'b'?)
Epox 8RDA+ - $83
CRUCIAL 256MB PC2700 DDR RAM - OEM - 47.99x2 = $95.98
Total : $222.98

that's not too bad, and hopefully the crucial stuff will run happily in Dual channel mode and the CPU will do 166FSB @ stock voltage easily.

If you could find some more cash then maybe get some nice low latency Corsair RAM, but crucial's not been bad in my experience.



---
$hit Happens. I just wish it would happen to someone else for a change.

 

[ChipDeath]

Damn, just noticed the sound card bit - you could get a 8RDA(NON +) version for a little less.
There are other Nforce2 mobos out there, but the Epox is excellent value for money. I'm sure others will post opinions.

---
$hit Happens. I just wish it would happen to someone else for a change.

 

[novice]

is this board stabled? i thought it failed the 3d mark & data explorer benchmark tests...i'm considering to build a system using this board for my bud

I try to smile everyday but I can't...

 

[stanleyding]

Sorry, just test !!

CPU Pentium VI 2.66GHz
Mainboard MSI 865PE Neo2 - LS
Video Card Leadtek A280 Le TD DDR 256MB
Hard Disk Maxtor DiamandMax9 80GB Buffer 8MB W.D. 40GB Buffer 8MB

 

[pat]

I would suggest the SOLTEK SL-NV400-64. It a single channel nforce2 board which is very fast, almost as fast as dual channel nforce2 board. I myself has a soltek board sl75frn2-rl and it is rock stable and fast. It is at 76$ at newegg right now. just get a good cpu and memory and youll have a nice system

-Always put the blame on you first, then on the hardware !!!