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  • Thread starter Thread starter Frank_G
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Frank_G

I need to build a low cost system and would like to get best bang for the
buck that I can. The machine should have approx. a Celeron 2.4mhz (or the
equivalent) and I will need about 256mb ram (DDR) and a medium HD (about
40GB). My central question is how to choose a MoBo - in this case, I dont
mind video/audio/ethernet built in (preferably able to disable them if I
need a separate card later). I'd also like a few PCI slots. Any suggestions
? And a case/power supply (about 300w should be good enough)?
thanks
 
Frank_G said:
I need to build a low cost system and would like to get best bang for the
buck that I can. The machine should have approx. a Celeron 2.4mhz (or the
equivalent) and I will need about 256mb ram (DDR) and a medium HD (about
40GB). My central question is how to choose a MoBo - in this case, I dont
mind video/audio/ethernet built in (preferably able to disable them if I
need a separate card later). I'd also like a few PCI slots. Any suggestions
? And a case/power supply (about 300w should be good enough)?
thanks
Click to expand...

OK, from www.mwave.com, here is a really low cost system for you. Be sure
to add something that will read CD-Rom (I'd suggest DVD-Rom drive or CDR/W
drive). But the mainboard has video, audio, ethernet and an AGP slot as
well as a few PCI slots. Oh, and the processor will kick the crap out of a
2.4 Celeron. -Dave

SKU Qty Item Unit Price Ext. Price
MB02-BA19534-BA03057-BA13301-BA02586- ATHLON XP - 266Mhz (OEM) BUNDLES
(MSI KM4M-L-MB; AMD XP 2000+(266Mhz); MWAVE 256MB DDR266; NO TESTING)
$152.04 $152.04

BA19896- ($10.00 MWave Instant Rebate) (*Regular $32 - $10 Instant
Rebate = $22)
AHANIX INTEGRA (BLACK) MID TOWER W/ 350W POWER SUPPLY 4x5.25" 1x3.5"
6x3.5"(hidden) W/ 80mm CASE FAN x 2 Detail Specs (NO EXTRA FAN) $22.00
$22.00

AA25720- HITACHI 60GB 14R9210 UATA-100 7200RPM 2MB (Bare drive) Detail
Specs (NO DATA CABLE) $59.00 $59.00
Sub Total $233.04
 
I need to build a low cost system and would like to get best bang for the
buck that I can. The machine should have approx. a Celeron 2.4mhz (or the
equivalent) and I will need about 256mb ram (DDR) and a medium HD (about
40GB). My central question is how to choose a MoBo - in this case, I dont
mind video/audio/ethernet built in (preferably able to disable them if I
need a separate card later). I'd also like a few PCI slots. Any suggestions
? And a case/power supply (about 300w should be good enough)?
thanks
Click to expand...

What tasks are you planning to do with the system?
If you plan to do graphic intensive tasks you'll need more than 256mb
ram. 512 at least and 1 gig is ideal for a minumim.
40gig for a Hd is good for most needs but you'll want to consider the
speed of the drive and it's cache size etc...
300W for a power supply is just on the weak side. I use at least a 400
in most of my boxes and prefer a 500w.
Others here are better versed in the facts on mobo's but if I were
looking to upgrade mine I'd be looking hard at FSB speeds and ATA133
or SATA compatibilty.
 
OK, from www.mwave.com, here is a really low cost system for you. Be sure
to add something that will read CD-Rom (I'd suggest DVD-Rom drive or CDR/W
drive). But the mainboard has video, audio, ethernet and an AGP slot as
well as a few PCI slots. Oh, and the processor will kick the crap out of a
2.4 Celeron. -Dave

SKU Qty Item Unit Price Ext. Price
MB02-BA19534-BA03057-BA13301-BA02586- ATHLON XP - 266Mhz (OEM) BUNDLES
(MSI KM4M-L-MB; AMD XP 2000+(266Mhz); MWAVE 256MB DDR266; NO TESTING)
$152.04 $152.04

BA19896- ($10.00 MWave Instant Rebate) (*Regular $32 - $10 Instant
Rebate = $22)
AHANIX INTEGRA (BLACK) MID TOWER W/ 350W POWER SUPPLY 4x5.25" 1x3.5"
6x3.5"(hidden) W/ 80mm CASE FAN x 2 Detail Specs (NO EXTRA FAN) $22.00
$22.00

AA25720- HITACHI 60GB 14R9210 UATA-100 7200RPM 2MB (Bare drive) Detail
Specs (NO DATA CABLE) $59.00 $59.00
Sub Total $233.04
Click to expand...
thanks for the link/info - I've written to them to find out about shipping
to canada (whwere I am located). Because of that, it may not work out to buy
from the US - so I had been thinking of buying components from local stores.
 
What tasks are you planning to do with the system?
If you plan to do graphic intensive tasks you'll need more than 256mb
ram. 512 at least and 1 gig is ideal for a minumim.
40gig for a Hd is good for most needs but you'll want to consider the
speed of the drive and it's cache size etc...
300W for a power supply is just on the weak side. I use at least a 400
in most of my boxes and prefer a 500w.
Others here are better versed in the facts on mobo's but if I were
looking to upgrade mine I'd be looking hard at FSB speeds and ATA133
or SATA compatibilty.
Click to expand...

The tasks for this machine will be manageable, I think, choosing lower
powered components. Mainly Office applications and IE research, some
teaching (school) and basic programming (Dev Pascal) , and Quicken
bookkeeping etc.

Because of budgetary constraints I must put together a " budget" system
without (hopefully) buying crap.
 
The tasks for this machine will be manageable, I think, choosing lower
powered components. Mainly Office applications and IE research, some
teaching (school) and basic programming (Dev Pascal) , and Quicken
bookkeeping etc.

Because of budgetary constraints I must put together a " budget" system
without (hopefully) buying crap.
Click to expand...
Well, given that info I'd say that oyou'd do fime with standard
hardrives nad FSB speed isn't going to be that major a factor.
As long as you don't have plans to take the system into graphics
intensive apps you might sqeek by with that 300 watt.
However 400 watt units are going for really low prices, I get them on
e-bay all the time for as little as 15-19 bucks. I've found that
having good reserve power really keeps the locks and blue screens
away.
If you stick with a OS like win2k then 256 will do in ram, I'd
recommend 512 or more if you plan to go XP or later tho'.
 
hadn't really considered ebay as a source - probably because i dont "know"
the product i'm buying well enough.
But thanks.....
 
Well, given that info I'd say that oyou'd do fime with standard
hardrives nad FSB speed isn't going to be that major a factor.
As long as you don't have plans to take the system into graphics
intensive apps you might sqeek by with that 300 watt.
However 400 watt units are going for really low prices, I get them on
e-bay all the time for as little as 15-19 bucks. I've found that
Click to expand...


just another thought question - I thought (perhaps incorrectly) that the
only job of the power supply is to do just that for the mobo and all the
drives - so if you have enough wattage for the said purpose, how can/does it
cause windows or apps to crash ?
 
thanks for the link/info - I've written to them to find out about shipping
to canada (whwere I am located). Because of that, it may not work out to buy
from the US - so I had been thinking of buying components from local stores.
Click to expand...

Try really hard to find a computer show in your area, unless you don't have
much time. If you are lucky, you can find a computer show in the next
couple of weeks. Buy there. -Dave
 
just another thought question - I thought (perhaps incorrectly) that the
only job of the power supply is to do just that for the mobo and all the
drives - so if you have enough wattage for the said purpose, how can/does it
cause windows or apps to crash ?
Click to expand...

The wattage is affected by voltage (volts times amps equals watts). Voltage
will fluctuate enough in a poor quality, overloaded or defective power
supply to cause certain other components to malfunction. It doesn't cause
WINDOWS or APPLICATIONS to crash. It is the components that "crash" and the
OS or applications are just innocent bystanders. But then there are lots of
problems that can "crash" windows or applications, even if your power supply
is in perfect condition. -Dave
 
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