FSB533 for a budget gaming PC?

[eKos]

I am looking to build my first PC and want to keep the cost down, even though I am a heavy games player.

I have read a lot about the the most expensive hardware available but as I stated above I am trying to spec a PC that uses slightly older and cheaper technology.

Here is my considerations so far:

Intel Pentium 4 2.4ghz 533mhz SKT478 1mg cache Retail Boxed Processor 061887 150 £76.48

Asus P4SP-MX S478 SIS651 MATX VGA Sound LAN USB 2.0 FSB533 Retail Box 061524 59 £29.14

Crucial 512 DDR266 PC2100 DIMM 042144 34 £48.25

Maxtor 6Y080L0 Plus 9 80GB 7200rpm UDMA133 - OEM 040968 887 £30.24


Now I know that I am missing components like a grahichs card/case/power source etc, however I am trying to get these core components right first.

I suppose the main point of arguement will be the FSB533, but for the price reduction is the performance loss really that great?

Does anyone have a better motherboard surgesstion, I would like to stay with an Intel build (sorry AMD lovers).

Thanks for any help or comments you have!

 

[ChristopherP]

all the places i visit, the 800MHz version of the northie is actually cheaper!

I dont know if you can class that kind of PC as a "Gaming machine" though... it will lack that oomph.

 

[eKos]

I am based in the UK and If you have any suggestions as to where I can find better prices than those I have found on Ebuyer or a better P4 800mhz for under £76 that would be a help on its own.

I do take your point about the "oomph", however 6mths down the line a better system will lose its oomph too. I was thinking about building a system cheap, then selling it on fairly soon to build a better one, hence keeping me fairly up to date without much cost.

 

[GONNA-GET-U]

cheapest i found was http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/prod...m9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=61887&_LOC=UK
and it 533

 

[ChristopherP]

Go for the 800MHz and some DDR400 memory. Increase in price will be negligable and performance increase = major.

 

[eKos]

I was trying to keep the cost down, but as much as I try you guys are saying get option2:

Option1
2.4 533mhz £88.91 inc VAT
ASUS P4SP-MX £33.92 inc VAT
=122.83

Option2
2.8 800mhz £150.50 inc VAT
Asus P4P800SE £67.40 inc VAT
=217.90

I suppose the other components will be the same which ever I get, except maybe a more powerful power supply.

Thanks for the opinions

 

[ChristopherP]

Option 2 is the way forward.

The P4P800 is an amazing board. Its performance is actually identical to the P4C800 which is a canterwood...

get DDR400 ram though! you need it!

 

[eKos]

There seem to be a variety of ASUS P4P800 boards the Asus P4P800SE uses Dual DDR 400 memory. Again cost being a factor and from some opinions I have read on these forums should I stay clear of this? Is a board with Dual DDR 400 memory support compatible with DDR 400 or am I just missing the point?

Sorry for the questions

 

[Reefsmoka]

There seem to be a variety of ASUS P4P800 boards the Asus P4P800SE uses Dual DDR 400 memory. Again cost being a factor and from some opinions I have read on these forums should I stay clear of this? Is a board with Dual DDR 400 memory support compatible with DDR 400 or am I just missing the point?

Sorry for the questions

What ever the board said it supports, it will support! If it says is will support 266/333/400, it will support 266/333/400 memory.

DDR memory is usually listed like PC2700 (333) PC3200 (400) like that, i dont know why, its pretty pointless, but they still do it!

 

[ChristopherP]

with an 800fsb processor, you use 400mhz memory.