Want to build a ~$900 system, help wanted

[Gherkin]

Can you guys push me in the right direction?

I had this made up the other day:

RAM: Corsair 2 GB (2 x 1 GB) DDR 400, PC3200 <b>$237</b>
MOBO: Asus K8N4-# Deluxe Socket 754 <b>$106</b>
PROC: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ <b>$146</b>
VIDEO:
SOUND:
HD: 200 GB Maxtor, 8 MB Cache, 7200 rpm <b>$94</b>
DVD/CD: NEC DVD/CD Burner <b>$45</b>
CASE:
POWER: Antec 450W Power Supply <b>$69</b>

Some of it I was clueless on, like the motherboard. I'm mainly looking to use this system with Photoshop and other multimedia apps, so that's why I put so much RAM in. Games aren't that important. If I can get away with a cheaper video card, I would like to funnel some of that money into other components. Or do you need a good graphics card for stuff like Photoshop and movie editing?

I also want a smaller, quiet case.

Also, I can get Windows XP Pro at my university for free, so that doesn't have to be figured in.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[shawnlizzle =]]

don't get corsair, go for something cheaper and better like patriot. and you do you know that you can't run dual channel w/ s754.. so a bump on that end could help. its not just the ram, i don't think s754 has pcie? so there's another reason to go s939. now, cpu looks good. i would say a 6600GT for the graphics card. and the onboard sound of the mobo will do just fine. cases are up to you.

<font color=red>gforce mx100/200 @ 230/440 =]</font color=red>

 

[Gherkin]

Will a 939 work with that processor though?

 

[shawnlizzle =]]

yes, but make sure the 3000+ is a s939 too

<font color=red>gforce mx100/200 @ 230/440 =]</font color=red>

 

[liquidpaper007]

If your getting a 3200+ or 3000+ go with 939. Your a motherboard is 754 so choose another one. I would get a 9800 pro since your not going into gaming that much.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by liquidpaper007 on 07/20/05 06:58 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

 

[dunklegend]

For the S939 mobo go with the Epox nforce 4 ultra.
CPU Athlon 64 3000+ or 3200+ (Venice core)

<b><font color=orange>Beauty is only skin deep, ugly goes to the bone.<font color=orange></b>

 

[Rugger]

You can go cheaper with the vid card. You'd probably be happy with an X600 or vanilla 6600 - something sub-$100.

For you primary applications, pure processing power will give you the best performance. I recommend a good s939 system, so you can put in a dual core CPU as a future upgrade. Should be a straight CPU swap - no need to change mobo, RAM, etc...

Try this on for size:
1. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-123-236&depa=1" target="_new">Epox Ep-9NPA+ Ultra</A> for $107
2. Memory Options
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146970" target="_new">OCZ Performance (2X1024MB)</A> for $225
or
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820146840" target="_new">OCZ Premier Value</A> is $195
3. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103533" target="_new">3500+ Venice</A> for $267.
4. Onboard sound
5. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102401R" target="_new"><b>Refurb</b>Sapphire X600XT VIVO</A> for $62
6. Go with your HDD and DVDRW.
7. <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129127" target="_new">Antec Sonata with 380W True power PSU</A> for $69 after $30 mail-in rebate.
or
<A HREF="http://" target="_new">Sonata II with 450W PSU</A> for $109

Total with the OCZ Performance and the Sonata II is $909.

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[Starfishy]

If you went with the OCZ Premier Value RAM and the Antec Sonata 380W True Power you could upgrade the vid to a <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214" target="_new">eVGA 6600GT</A> which will chew the REFURBISHED X600XL rig and will only cost an extra $40

Of course that would bring the total to $449.

 

[liquidpaper007]

He does not need a 6600GT because he is not going to game that much. maybe the 6600 would be better.

hmmm I do not really know about video editing. Might need a better video ccard

That corsair ram is really expensive. You could get 2gb for that much money

 

[Starfishy]

Yes... after reviewing his post you are right, the 6600GT is overkill. If he isn't going to game then Rugger had a pretty good system speced out. Sorry Rugger.

 

[Rugger]

That was 2GB of memory...

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[Rugger]

Thanks! BTW that was an X600XT.

__________________________________________________
<font color=red>You're a boil on the arse of progress - don't make me squeeze you!</font color=red>

 

[Starfishy]

I think I missed this reference... you calling him a n00b why??

 

[Gherkin]

Wusy, what was noob talk? Are you saying they gave me bad advice?

What would your advice be?

 

[Starfishy]

The system that Rugger suggested for you is a good rig. Wusy won't disagree with that I don't think. He is referring to what was said after it I think... in fact he might even be referring to my post in which I suggested the 6600GT for a non-gamer... but mostly he is referring to other posts I think.

 

[liquidpaper007]

I was just suggesting 939 for 3000+ and 3200+ becuase it is the same price as 764 so you might as well go with the 939 if your going with those.

sorry if we say something wrong. We do not have the money to experiment with parts like you do.