you guys have been awesome with helping me choose a new AGP video card, but after much thinking I have decided to upgrade to pci-e, and thus a new system instead of wasting my cash on antiquated agp technology! I'm not trying to go all out right now as my funds are limited, but I want to build a system that is as "future proof" as possible. I have 500 dollars maximum, but there are a few things I don't need. MOBO: I prefer ati so I need a mobo that uses crossfire (so I assume, I cannot use an SLI mobo)... any recommendations? I prefer one that is compatible with pentium D up to quad core. RAM: I've seen 4GB (2x 2GB) ram on newegg for sub 100.00 The type will depend on the mobo. VID Card: Just one PCI-e that I can expand on later... I prefer ATI unless you guys convince me otherwise CPU: I intend to use my current Pentium D 3.06 to temporarily save money. Case/PSU: I have a very crappy case with included PSU rated at 400W. I know you guys highly recommend good PSU's but I think just for a couple months this will do. HDD: Seagate Barracuda 500GB Sata 3.0 7200RPM 32MB buffer for 119.00 on newegg. Floppy/DVD/etcetc I already have in an older computer. Soooo what mobo, ram, and vid card can I buy for less then 400 dollars?????? while trying to future proof it as much as possible...
still no response yet? man you guys are slow these days! ok forget all other concerns listed above... I want to figure out which motherboard to buy... That is my only concern.. Which chipset do you think is the best? G35 seems interesting for future use since it has HDMI .. but with newer video cards, do I really need it?? There ARE video cards available with HDMI correct (without using DVI as an adapter)? Also, assuming I do NOT get the G35 chipset, which chipset is recommended? I would prefer one with onboard video to allow me more time for the purchase of a separate card, but if the motherboard is cheap enough, maybe I can buy both! PLEASE RESPOND
Keep your hair on, you have to allow at least a day for a response to a forum post. With regard to brand favouritism, it's always wise to consider all options, as there's almost always something good to be had from the "opposition" to your favourite brand. Mobo: On this budget there's no point in even considering crossfire, so you'll only be running a single card. For that reason it doesn't matter which board you use. You can run an ATi card in an SLI board, and I did for quite a long period of time. I usually recommend a board from Gigabyte's GA-P35 series, on a budget, I'd say the GA-P35-DS3L. RAM: It's usually best to buy quality RAM, not amount. If you won't use more than 2GB, then why buy 4? Typically go for two sticks, so in this case, I'd say 2x1GB of Corsair XMS2, PC6400 Speed, CAS4 GPU: On a strict budget, it's a tough one. I'd usually recommend an HD2600XT. CPU: That's fine, the board I've chosen allows you to install a Core 2 Duo or even a Core 2 Quad later if you like. Case/PSU: Not so. Cheap power supplies can destroy entire PCs the instant they're powered up, even if they use nowhere near the rating of the PSU. Buy something like a Thermaltake Purepower 500W or Corsair VX450W as a matter of urgency. DO NOT overlook the power supply. HDD: Sounds like a good deal. I assume you already have: Optical Drive, Mouse, Keyboard, Monitor? In response to the second post, you will not find a decent motherboard with onboard video.
@sammorris, I was just kidding man relax! I'm getting old so keeping my hair on is unfortunately no longer a voluntary option LOL! As far as patience, I love you guys and I know it takes time, I just decided to repost because I was reading up on some newer chipsets and didn't know what to get, but wanted to tell you guys what was going through my semi-bald head! anyway, my budget is marginal right now but in about 8 months (after summer) I graduate and will be working so I will be able to purchase newer parts. With that said, I was hoping to spend like 150 or so on a motherboard that can handle SLI/crossfire so I can add to it later. (150, or 100 if I go with your original recommendation) GPU: Yea I was thinking about the HD2600XT (only reason I wanted ATI is because in 10 years I have always had them and never had problems, but I certainly have no problems making the switch to nvidia if I can find something equally good for a cheaper price!) I mean if overall performance/price is similar, why change what has always worked for me? Is there a significant difference between the 2600 and the 2900 series? Price is only about 30 dollars off...(120-160 dollars) PSU: Fine fine fine I decided to throw in an extra 70 bucks on that corsair vx450 you suggested! RAM: Corsair XMS 2 GB as you suggested. (approx 40 dollars after rebate) as far as optical drives, monitor, keyboard and all that, yes I have everything else. Most important question in making the final decision for a motherboard is video card support. Seems like I will get the HD2000 series card for now... Assuming I get one of those... in the future what will show me more of an improvement, adding a second one of those cards, or adding a single card that is more powerful? Basically, if the improvements won't be that different, then I would rather get a crossfire mobo, and just add another 2000 series card... but if the difference can be HUGE, then maybe I'll stick with your mobo recommendation, and just buy a new card in the future. I know it's hard to see the future, but your best guess would be appreciated! Thanks, and sorry for such a long post!
I've owned six graphics cards in my time, and been fortunate enough not to have problems with any of them. As it happens 5 of them were ATis, but I didn't have any problems with the nvidia card I owned either. Some people I know have had big problems with both. Unfortunate, but uncommon IMO. The 2600XT is a pretty decent value card, it offers midrange performance for low range bucks. The 2900 is much faster, but is an absolute monster with regard to power consumption and also noise. It's cheap for how fast it is, but there are plenty of other cards out there that aren't much more expensive and are as fast. If you have your PC on for an average of 6 hours a day and play games for only one of them, the average cost in the UK of running a card like a 2600XT (this is electricity cost of the graphics card alone, not the rest of the PC) is around £15 for a year. With a high performance card like an HD3870 or 8800GT (nearly the fastest cards on the market), it's about £25. For an HD2900XT, it's a whopping £50, and not even as fast as the two cards I've just mentioned. The Pro may be better, but will still be unpleasant. The best value cards out there at the moment, and the ones I recommend (this is from my perspective, not considering that you prefer ATI cards) are the 2600XT, HD3850 and HD3870. The latter two are blazing fast, quite cheap, quiet, and power-efficient. In short, forget the 2900. Either buy an HD3850 or if you can't afford one, get a 2600XT.
Sam, i just bought a new E2160 cpu it's great and cool but on a cheap mobo tho, cause Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R they don't have stock in SA how rediculous! so i've bought a GA-945-GCMX S2 rev 6.6 Gigabyte motherboard for now, you must be wondering why don't i wait when there is stock? reason: i have a lan this week and i need to practise games etc, so far i haven't have any major problems BUT it can't detect my 2.5" portable HDD, but it detects every other USB hardwares, why? and sometimes when i play games my keyboard + mouse stopped working, although it only happen once so far, but it's still a problem. btw all my softwares/applications are in the HDD and i need it urgent! last problem, the CPU fan sometimes stops spinning, is that normal?
As for the USB, check your chipset drivers and update if necessary, and make sure you have at least got SP2, if not SP3. On the cpu cooler front, yes, that's normal. When the CPU is at a low temperature, the fan doesn't need to be running, so it'll get turned off.
You can get a decent system on newegg for $450 The gigabyte ds3l is a great board for $100 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059 You need a new cpu imo,the pentium D will bottleneck a good card The Intel Pentium E2160 1.8GHz is a great cpu,you can overclock it well past 2.5ghz on air alone..great value for $82 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116036 You dont need 4gb of ram at the moment,better off spending extra on the graphics... OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820227089 VisionTek 900203 Radeon HD 3850 256MB $169.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129101 $398 for a decent gaming system.... If you can stretch your budget to $500 then you could get a good case and power supply,which should allow you to reach $200 performance on your cpu (2.7ghz) and room to overclock the graphics a bit.... COOLER MASTER Centurion 534 Case $39.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119104 HIPER HPU-4M480-PS ATX12V v2.2 480W Power Supply $46 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817128005 Power supply isnt the greatest in the world,but im betting its 10 times better than the one you have in now.... Dont know what neweggs shipping rates are like but everything adds up to $485 ex shipping,maybe just over $500 for a complete new system... CPU Ram Video Card Case Psu Mobo
what's your take on these alternate motherboards? They stretch my budget a little bit more but include crossfire support. abit motherboard asus motherboard Another question is, what's the difference between the pci express versions? I know they double the bandwidth or something, but is it worth buying a motherboard with pci express 2.0 instead of 1.0?? I don't want to, but if I HAVE to, in order to have a significantly better system then I don't mind shellin' out another bill... As it stands, and thanks for all the input but I have decided to stick with sam's recs on everything, except maaaybe not the mobo... I'm still steering towards crossfire. so please check out the other mobo's and let me know if they're worth the extra 40 or 50 dollars. vid card, I might change out for the HD3850 depending on how much money I have exactly once I sort out the detailed purchase. CPU, I'm still gonna stick with the pentium D until summer time, because I'm not a very experienced over clocker, and other cpus are a bit too pricey for me right now. PSU: I think I'm still going with corsair since sam has so much faith in them (every thread he's in has corsair mentioned!) but I'll check on that HIPER model... it's a good 30 or so dollars cheaper... case: I'll tolerate my ugly case that I have for now... upgrade that along with the CPU over the summer. RAM: Corsair XMS2 has been good to my roommate, so I will go with that. I think everything included I should still be under 600 dollars... thanks guys!
As I say before, there's no point in Crossfire on a budget. Crossfire is such a waste of money you shouldn't look into it unless you're using 3870s. Stick with the Gigabyte board, it's better than the two you posted. I use a Hiper PSU currently in my server and it's quiet and delivers solid power. However, they haven't proved quite as reliable as the Corsairs. They're good, but not perfect.
ok I'll stop being so stubborn then. I will go with that gigabyte mobo (why complain, saves me 50 dollars!)... that should make it easier for me to buy the HD3850. that IS a good card for crysis right? thats the whole reason I'm taking on this endeavor!!!! think it'll be tolerable with my pentium D? K anyway... final products: MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard 99.99 CPU: Pentium D 3.06 FREE! lol GPU: GECUBE GC-HD3850PG3-D3R Radeon HD 3850 256MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card 164.99 RAM: CORSAIR XMS2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM Desktop Memory 37.00 HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 500GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s HDD 119.99 PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-450VX ATX12V V2.2 450W Power Supply 69.99 grand total: 491.96!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH! just under my original budget. (prices are before shipping, and AFTER mail in rebates) couple of final questions though. Gecube brand is ok? should I get the 256 or 512MB version? It's only like a 30 dollar difference.... Also does the case matter THAT much? I'm getting everything else, I might as well buy a case as well... any reasonably priced cases that won't break the bank?? I wanted antec 900, but I think it's a little too pricey...
The 512mb HD3850 is a nice bit faster,especially at high resolutions,for $30 dollars you should go with that....Doesnt really matter what make they are all based on nvidia's reference board,the only difference between xfx,sapphire etc is the coolers....They are all good lol... Your intel pentium D should be ok,its a shame you dont want to overclock the ds3l is a great board and the pentium d is a great overclocker,you could get real performance out of that chip.... Coolermaster make great case's imo,I have used them in my last 2 builds....very cheap
ok thanks, I will get the 512MB version, and since you're saying brand doesnt matter I'll get the cheapest available.... I will also go with your centurion recommendation although I wish it was more slick looking! As far as cpu goes, yea I wish I could get a new one, but for at least the next few months this one should serve my purpose... and I have one that has never been used, so I might as well! thanks guys! I'll still take slick case recommendations though until I officially order (probably tomorrow)
Yeah the HD3850 is a fast card. Of course it can't run Crysis at max, nothing can, but it's a pointless endeavour considering how bad Crysis looks anyway. It's plenty fast enough to run it to a degree. IMPORTANTAvoid the Gecube brand, they don't make good cards. Although they're all based on the reference design, they do actually have to build the PCB. Gecube, Connect3D and Powercolor usually mess that up on a regular basis. Asus, Gigabyte, HIS and Sapphire are the more reliable brand. Dos1986: Erm, nvidia's reference board? Surely you mean ATI?
wow good thing I checked the thread again... I was gonna order Gecube or powercolor tonight!!! They were the cheapest on newegg... I would much rather pay the slightly higher price for reliability!
ok I ordered everything we discussed! But I did change my mind, and expanded my budget by a couple hundred (thanks to a bonus from work I wasn't expecting!)... anyway, so instead of my pentium D, I want a new core 2 duo CPU... not sure which is the best value... any recommendations? I definitely want to spend less then 200, but cheaper is better, especially if performance is negligible. Is this the proper course of action, or would my extra couple hundred be better spent on a more expensive video card, or mobo??
