Car Audio Central - Ultimate Car Audio Forum and Community

Ok. With all the possibilities out there now days Im just lost...

Heres what I do know.

I want to get a motherboard, processor, fan and a graphics cards for around under $400. Hey if I can get memory thats cool also!

The computer Im on now is just starting to hit limitations especially with games, but with general software even. Its server 6 long years however, so its due time.

I need a computer that can hang with todays programs, not break any records, and be good enough for about 3 years. I would like to be able to play a few PC games, like Hitman Blood Money.

Now some may say this cant be done... I know Best BUy has a tower with the dual core and 512 memory for $400. Walmart has a few offerings for towers in this area also...

So lets see what anyone can come up with... Im going to dive into this also.

I would get the fastest processor you can afford. I would also get a new power supply. Do not get a cheap power supply.

------------------------------
This power supply is good:
Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817153023

------------------------------

eVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814130062


CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820145440


ASUS A8V-VM SE Socket 939 VIA K8T890 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813131069
Model #: A8V-VM SE


AMD Athlon 64 3400+ Venice 2.2GHz Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3400DAA4BY - OEM
Item #: N82E16819103023

=================================\\\
Total: $335.96 before shipping and rebate at http://www.newegg.com

Ryan from Ohio wrote:Ok. With all the possibilities out there now days Im just lost...
Heres what I do know.
I want to get a motherboard, processor, fan and a graphics cards for around under $400. Hey if I can get memory thats cool also!
The computer Im on now is just starting to hit limitations especially with games, but with general software even. Its server 6 long years however, so its due time.
I need a computer that can hang with todays programs, not break any records, and be good enough for about 3 years. I would like to be able to play a few PC games, like Hitman Blood Money.
Now some may say this cant be done... I know Best BUy has a tower with the dual core and 512 memory for $400. Walmart has a few offerings for towers in this area also...
So lets see what anyone can come up with... Im going to dive into this also.

The 400 dollar computers from Best Buy and Walmart will definately NOT last you 3 years. They have shoddy chipsets, a lack of ports, more than likely SLOW front side buses, CHEAP no-name ram, an integrated video card (with no PCIe16 or AGP slot, so you cant upgrade later), etc. I think you get the point. Those computers are utter dead ends, and you will GREATLY regret buying one if you ever plan on doing anything more than browsing the web and using Instant Messengers.

If you are on such a limited budget, you should spend as much of it as you can on the motherboard, because it is a pain in the ass to replace, and when you DO go to upgrade it, you will have to wipe windows (if you are using vista, you might even have to buy a new copy because of the new licensing restrictions.

The new quad-core intels will be using Socket T (LGA755). I would suggest buying a motherboard with socket 775, because it will be easy to buy a cheap CPU now, and upgrade a year from now to a conroe or quad core when you have the money.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813131142
I would go with this, because it will support Quad core intels, as well as core 2 duos. ATM, it will run with a Pentium/Celeron D, which is what you should use if you are on a budget.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819116213
This should run on that motherboard. Right now, you are at about 240 dollars.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814186008
There is NO point in spending any more than this on a video card right now, because in a year, you will need DX10 support, and you will need at least a geforce 8800. This puts you at about 320 dollars, leaving enough for ram and a new heatsink. Hope this helps.

thats one of my best friends from above and believe me he knows what he is talking about..(Help me build mine) he is a great person..listein to him

you want a new PC?

I just went to tigerdirect.com and bought a refurbished Gateway system for a customer of mine.
$400 ($450 now without the sale) for everything but the monitor.
AMD Athlon64 3500+
1GB DDR400 memory
200GB HDD
nVidia 6100 graphics
100Mbit LAN
56k modem
dual DVD drives (one ROM, one /RW)
Flash media reader
front USB, IEEE1394, Audio ports
Keyboard, mouse, speakers
Windows XP MCE

it's a pretty sweet system for that price. I threw in a 19" LCD for another $130.