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| Thread ID: 49632 | 2004-09-26 00:19:00 | Best buy for under $1000 | Lizard (2409) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 275650 | 2004-09-26 00:19:00 | I know some people might get sick of a thread like this - if you're like that, look away now.. For the others, come on everyone, help me build my next computer! :) I have a budget of $900 I'm performing an upgrade/replacement of core components It will be used mainly for FPS LAN gaming (head to head mostly), Internet, dvd movie watching, and MP3s... I'm looking at AMD for the processor... Components needed: CPU MoBo RAM Hard Drive Graphics card Sound Card Recommendations on spec arrangements, prices, stores? Cheers Lizard |
Lizard (2409) | ||
| 275651 | 2004-09-26 01:43:00 | hey there, im thinking for 1000 bucks you should easily get a amd 2800xp,512mb ram,120 gb HDD, a good mobo and a average graphics card, most of you cash will go into the graphics card if you want a decent one,AGP or PCI-e? for AGP and FPS im thinking a Radeon 9800XT 256mb ?? if you can wait a while you can get a card that has 512mb and that will play doom 3 maxed out in its graphical settings.im not too sure on which brands are the best for components but be sure you do get a brand that is well known because they are mostly likely better quality and last longer, be sure to check out pricespy.co.nz for the cheapest and latest prices in nz. HTH :D patrick |
Patrick 2003 (277) | ||
| 275652 | 2004-09-26 01:47:00 | You'd be pushing it for under $1000. What sort of games would you be wanting to play? A system well under 1Ghz can use the internet, watch DVDs and play MP3s, the games you want to play will be the deciding factor. You're probably looking at an Athlon XP system for that price and you wouldn't be able to factor in many of the best graphics cards on that budget, but you could get something reasonable. More info? :) |
alphazulusixeightniner (185) | ||
| 275653 | 2004-09-26 02:24:00 | Its a stupid idea to buy a 9800XT its one of the worst bang for your buck cards. They're still retailing for around $600, you better off considering a 9800PRO but for $1000 its highly unlikely you'll be able to fit it into your budget. Its getting harder to source AthlonXP's now that the Sempron has been released so you can probably scratch the 2800+ idea. Your going to have to increase your budget unless all you want to play is Quake3. |
Pete O'Neil (250) | ||
| 275654 | 2004-09-26 02:49:00 | If your making your own computer: 2600xp (150 dollars approx) 512mb ram (130 dollars approx) 150 dollars on mobo radeon 9200 (100 dollars approx) 120gb (140 dollars approx) 670 dollars, plus mayb 200 dollars for monitor and 130 or so for case. under 1000, i have a friend running this setup, runs doom 3, farcry etc. fine. I kid you not, he runs that exact setup, i think he has a gigabyte motherboard. It runs farcry 1024x768 with details at reasonble levels. Doom 3 is easily playable at 800x600. You say you're a lan FPS, would this mean CS and BF1492 etc? This computer would run them sweet. I am running a 1.3Ghz pentium 4, 384mb RD ram, geforce mx400 32mb 120gb HD and it runs farcry, bf1942, nfsu, nfshp2, cod all fine. You dont need to spend much anymore to get a decent machine You could always go with bigger HD if you wanted the extra space for leeching etc @ lans |
dirtbag (6060) | ||
| 275655 | 2004-09-26 02:51:00 | Oh yea by the way, for soundcard just get a mobo with inbuilt sound, they work fine unless you are wanting special features that only certain soundcards have | dirtbag (6060) | ||
| 275656 | 2004-09-26 03:04:00 | > radeon 9200 (100 dollars approx) dont be silly, the minimum you wanna go for desent graphics is a Radeon 9600. |
Patrick 2003 (277) | ||
| 275657 | 2004-09-26 05:09:00 | Thanks for the comments, guys Won't be needing monitor/case - am using those from present system (already upgraded in anticiaption of this upgrade . . . ) Dirtbag - I was thinking along those lines myself, except perhaps a 160gb SATA HDD . As for gfx, I've been looking at the ATI 9600XT 128MB . There are plenty who will dismiss any attempt to play FPS on anything less than the best . Personally, I've squeezed pretty satisying FPS games out of my Athlon 500 (original Slot 1 Processor), so even an AMD 2600 or 2800 Xp processor will be a paradigm jump in terms of performance . Games like Doom 3 I'm not expecting to run at 1024x768 at max settings and achieve 60fps on the kind of system I'm planning, but so long as it runs and looks better than the original doom, I'd be happy . How do the Semprons comapre with the existing XP range? It's looking like the XPs are fading away, so a Sempron may be the only option soon (won't be getting a Duron) I'm happy with onboard sound, can always change that later . Gfx is kind of important, but can't really blow more than $300 . Also, stores to buy from . Would prefer to buy in one place . Currently in PN, but making a trip to Auckland soon, so any suggestions? Cheers, Lizard |
Lizard (2409) | ||
| 275658 | 2004-09-26 05:10:00 | PCI-express is probably out of my range, but haven't seen any motherboards in NZ that have it yet. Have heard about the gfx cards, but not the mobos? Any one else heard of one? | Lizard (2409) | ||
| 275659 | 2004-09-26 05:31:00 | >>Also, stores to buy from. Would prefer to buy in one place. Currently in PN I would suggest asking Computer Medic in Wanganui for a quote,but thats me,and if i done so it would be using the forum to promote my company so i won't bother to mention it. |
metla (154) | ||
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