MoBo NoBie

[Cabanaboy]

Hello all!

This is post #1, and it is important (to me atleast ).

I am in search of parts for a computer. My current setup is:

Asus MoBo with AMD 2400 plopped on it (2.0 mghz)
512 RAM DDR400 (PC3200)
128 Vid card and some other various crap.

This is getting old and slow, and I want a new computer. What I am looking for is a computer that is fast, smooth, easy to upgrade and a value buy. I'm researching my purchases and looking for best price

My biggest concern is I can't decipher what a good MoBo is, and if it is a good deal.

I want something AMD compatible and built by ASUS, as this is what I have, and the thing is bullet proof.

I will add:
2 dvd-r burner/reader drives
2 x 1 gigs RAM
512 vid card
2 x 80 gig HD's
multi card reading port
10/100/1000 ethernet
some decent sound card.

Another thing is do all ASUS boards have the same connecting holes for attaching them to the tower? I have an ASUS A7 series, and I'd like to save money by reusing the tower and power unit.

Thanks for any help

 

[Bobo]

Just because what you have is bulletproof doesn't mean that going Asus will mean it will never fail.

Another thing is do all ASUS boards have the same connecting holes for attaching them to the tower? I have an ASUS A7 series, and I'd like to save money by reusing the tower and power unit.

Nope, the brand has nothing to do with the motherboard/power supply mountings. However, you should be able to reuse the case. You technically *could* reuse the power supply, but I could almost guarantee you that it would be too weak.

What is your budget? Looking at your parts list, you would need a mobo, CPU, case, and PSU.

 

[Cabanaboy]

My price range is about 1k or less.

how does this MoBo sound to you for the budget buyer?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

I believe my powercore is 500 watts. not quite sure. That or 350. As for HD's I'll try to salvage my old one (still works fine) and I can get another for dirt cheap. I can also salvage one of my disc drives, it's a DVD burner. I have 2 extra fans so cooling wouldn't be an issue. Heck, I can save my ethernet card too.

I also was looking at a really nice tower for 120 bux: http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...=N82E16811144128&MainItemList=N82E16811144128

I'd have some fans to add to it.

 

[Cabanaboy]

Wow haha, I'm goign to Pittsburgh for the weekend.... I live in Allentown... Just found that funny.

 

[Bobo]

My price range is about 1k or less.

for the whole thing, or just mobo, case, psu, and cpu?

how does this MoBo sound to you for the budget buyer?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

That's a fine motherboard, but for a new system, I would recommend going AM2, with something like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131013
but do you really need something that expensive? Will you be doing SLI?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131568

I believe my powercore is 500 watts. not quite sure. That or 350.

There's a big difference there I would recommend replacing it anyway.

As for HD's I'll try to salvage my old one (still works fine) and I can get another for dirt cheap. I can also salvage one of my disc drives, it's DVD burner. I have 2 extra fans so cooling wouldn't be an issue.

Yep, that's all fine

I also was looking at a really nice tower for 120 bux: http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...=N82E16811144128&MainItemList=N82E16811144128

Apevias are good cases (I own one) for the lower end of the spectrum. For $120, I might suggest looking into Lian Li, which is generally regarded as one of the best case manufacturers.
http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...=N82E16811144128&MainItemList=N82E16811144128

Wow haha, I'm goign to Pittsburgh for the weekend....

You should come visit me!

 

[Cabanaboy]

For the powercore, I'm not sure. If it's 500 I'll keep it (I'm not near my comp, i am posting from work)

As for the suggested board, is that better for gaming and graphics?

And, What's SLI?

And the tower is only gonna be bought if I manage to keep budget low enough. My current tower would do fine.

 

[Cabanaboy]

Ok, do i have to match the memory type on my vid card to the memory type on my board?

And does more pixelpipelines = better performance?

 

[Bobo]

As for the suggested board, is that better for gaming and graphics?

It isn't really better or worse for games, just newer.

And, What's SLI?

SLI means using 2 video cards to get better performance.

Ok, do i have to match the memory type on my vid card to the memory type on my board?

Nope, the types are completely irrelevant.

And does more pixelpipelines = better performance?

Pretty much, yes, but that isn't the only factor.

Here is what I would build if I were you:

Motherboard: Asus P5B--$160
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131030

CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E6300--$183
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819115005

Case: Apevia Pleasure--$115
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811144128
(this wouldn't be my first choice, but it is good, and if you like it, then that is fine)

PSU: Hiper 580W Modular Black--$100
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817128002
I would recommend getting a new one anyway. You are building a nice system here, you don't want a crappy power supply crashing it all the time.

GPU: Albatron 7900GT--$283
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814170100

RAM: OCZ Gold 2GB--$225
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227124

Now that would be a killer system, but it is a little over budget ($1060) To stay under, you might want to consider just 1GB of RAM for now:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820227126

or going with a different case.

But how does this look to you?

 

[Cabanaboy]

That my friend, sounds sick.

Especially the vid card. 24 instead of my goal of 12 pipelines, nice!

I'll do my shopping around to see if i can't find cheaper, but otherwise, thanks a million (or 1,060 )

 

[Bobo]

I'll do my shopping around to see if i can't find cheaper, but otherwise, thanks a million (or 1,060 )

For the same exact parts, you won't find anything cheaper and as good as Newegg.

But like I said in my previous post, that case might be overkill.