New Gaming Machine - Request Comments

[fufiter9246]

Hey guys,

I'm about to start buildling a new machine, b/c my current gateway cannot handle the new Sapphire 9500 Pro i just got. The video card clicks when it gets too hot I think, i'm not overclocking but I have a 240watt power supply and the computer is about 5 years old, so it's ready for an upgrade.

Here's what I got and then i'll tell ya what I need:

CD Drive
Floppy Drive
Zip Drive
Sapphire 9500 Pro Video Card
Lan Card
Mouse/Keyboard
Decent Speakers
2 HD's, one 30GB, and one 120GB Western Digital Special Edition
Decent Monitor, not an issue
Modem Card, hahaha never used....

What I need!

-New Motherboard for AMD Athlon with nVidia chipset or whatever it is...
-Suggested Cheap AMD Athlon Processor
-Memory Sticks, preferably 512MB
-New Power Supply
-Decent Sound Card, nothing fancy, don't have 5.1 speakers
-Most importantly a new cheap case with fans included!!!

Any suggestions welcome, actually they are welcomed, as I do not want to buy a piece of junk, that and I hate buying things that are not compatible. This is my first time building a machine and I want to do it right so thanks again, and I use NewEgg, so any direction pointed there would be great.

Thanks!

[jerrygarcia]

Here's a start, Crucial memory 512mb PC2700 for $43.00. Follow the link with the coupon code and match up your mobo in 'other manufacturers' when you decide.


Mobo's choices w/ NForce2 chipset;

Asus A7N8X series
Epox 8RDA+
Abit NF7-S

XP2500+ Barton core, retail w/ hs/f - $92.00, $87.00 OEM @
Newegg

Sound card - Santa Cruz Turtle Beach - $59.00?

You'll need a minimum of a 350w power supply.

[fufiter9246]

how bout cases? Do I need a specific case or can I just get a mobo and a case and put them together no matter what?

[jerrygarcia]

Do you have a specific budget? I would imagine you would want a case with front media support(USB, firewire and/or headphone/mic).

[fufiter9246]

Sure why not, I heard that the Asus had some problems with the 9500 Pro cards somewhere, can't remember where so Im going to go with the Epox 8RDA+ with the XP2500+ Barton core, retail w/ hs/f so I don't screw it up, lol. So a case that can hold that mobo would be great.

Because what I'm planning on doing is transferring all of my old hardware that is working perfectly, and the new stuff from my old gateway to this mobo, like memory and drives and the video and stuff, which is all been upgraded and is new.

Also, can I just plug in my harddrive runing XP onto a mobo and still work? Or do i have to reinstall the entire OC?

[VHockey86]

You should be able to use any case, however if you get a cheap case I suggest buying a quality power supply seperate to replace the cheapy one that comes with it (if it does). I made this mistake b4 and the crappy one has really unstable voltages, currently have a new one on order.

Although you could probably sort your way through the mess of putting the new harddrive in and "fixing" the installation, you'll save yourself ALOT of time and frustration by just doing a clean install, so backup first =)

[fufiter9246]

Ok here is what i'm going to get:

ANTEC ALUMINUM SERIES LAN BOY MINI TOWER CASE Model# LANBOY w/ Antec 350W SmartBLUE POWER SUPPLY, Clear Side Acrylic Window and FREE Case Carrying Strap - RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=11-129-126

Epox Motherboard for AMD Athlon/Athlon XP/Duron Processors, Model# EP-8RDA+
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=13-123-191

AMD ATHLON XP 2500+ "Barton" 333 FSB PROCESSOR CPU- RETAIL
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ion=19-103-379

How's that for about 293 FedEx Overnight?

[jerrygarcia]

I do like that LAN-Boy case, but look at this one too.

CHIEFTEC Server Chasis (Aluminum Workstation Tower with Plastic Front Cover) Blue w/acrylic window - 450Watt Foxconn Power Supply **Now with 2 x Front USB2.0 and 1 x Firewire IEEE1394 ports**

http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage....125-200-09.jpg $89.00 with free shipping.

Austin power supply, AMD approved.

[rockpile]

Thats the case I have and I love it plus that is a great price.

[fufiter9246]

is Foxconn a good power supply???