Is it possible to build a dual-core system for under $500?

[Crackles McFarly]

Is it possible to build a dual-core system for under $500?

I already have the following that I would not need to purchase.

1. Hard Drive
2. DVD drive
3. keyboard, mouse and OS

What I'd need is
1. Motherboard + CPU + RAM + CASE + Video Card

I'm wanting to go dual-core, as hardcore as possible with the system.
I'm a light gamer, mainly enjoy RAR'ing files, SETI, watching videos
etc.
So far I cannot seem to come up with a decent system for under $1,200
which is way too much money for ME.

Any help on all or even some of these components would be great.
thanks,

 

[Bill]

Is it possible to build a dual-core system for under $500?

I already have the following that I would not need to purchase.

1. Hard Drive
2. DVD drive
3. keyboard, mouse and OS

What I'd need is
1. Motherboard + CPU + RAM + CASE + Video Card

I'm wanting to go dual-core, as hardcore as possible with the system.
I'm a light gamer, mainly enjoy RAR'ing files, SETI, watching videos
etc.
So far I cannot seem to come up with a decent system for under $1,200
which is way too much money for ME.

Any help on all or even some of these components would be great.
thanks,

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus/msg/eb5
870ce33df689c

There's a start. Mind the wrap.

Bill

 

[Paul]

Is it possible to build a dual-core system for under $500?

I already have the following that I would not need to purchase.

1. Hard Drive
2. DVD drive
3. keyboard, mouse and OS

What I'd need is
1. Motherboard + CPU + RAM + CASE + Video Card

I'm wanting to go dual-core, as hardcore as possible with the system.
I'm a light gamer, mainly enjoy RAR'ing files, SETI, watching videos
etc.
So far I cannot seem to come up with a decent system for under $1,200
which is way too much money for ME.

Any help on all or even some of these components would be great.
thanks,

Half the fun, is shopping for the stuff yourself.

And by "light gamer", define what a light game might be.
A motherboard with integrated video, provides a cheap way of
driving your monitor, but it won't be much of a gamer. Once
you start looking at video cards, that'll take a serious
chunk of your budget.

Just tossing out some numbers.

$47 - cheapest motherboard you can find. May end up returning it or using
the warranty in early days. GIGABYTE GA-M61SME-S2 AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 uATX
$54 - cheapest AMD dual core AM2 processor (3800+)
$50 - a couple sticks of 1GB DDR2 RAM for a total of 2GB.
$50 - some computer case
$50 - some power supply - there are some older 20 pin supplies that are nice.

That leaves about $250 for video. An 8600GTS is under the limit.
An ATI HD3850 is under the limit. You can compare the cards here.
The 3850 doesn't do too bad, and doesn't use too much electricity.

http://www23.tomshardware.com/graphics_2007.html?modelx=33&model1=1061&model2=854&chart=294

Have fun,
Paul

 

[Frank McCoy]

In alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt Crackles McFarly

Is it possible to build a dual-core system for under $500?

I picked up such (all exept the case) down at MicrExpress for less than
that. It helped that they had a good special on memory.

 

[KlausK]

Is it possible to build a dual-core system for under $500?

I already have the following that I would not need to purchase.

1. Hard Drive
2. DVD drive
3. keyboard, mouse and OS

What I'd need is
1. Motherboard + CPU + RAM + CASE + Video Card

Get a used Dell dual core system or buy used parts on eBay.

 

[Fitz]

ASUS M3A motherboard $99
AMD BE-2350 processor $89
Corsair 2GB TwinX 6400C4 $87 ($47 after $40 rebate)
BFG86256FTOC2FE Video Card $169 ($109 after $60 rebate)
Antec Sonata III case w/500W SmartPwr Supply ($130)

Total $474 after rebates + shipping from Newegg
Motherboard is quadcore compatible, so system is upgradable. Only one
PATA connector (2 devices), rest are SATA

Fitz

 

[Bob Fry]

Fitz> ASUS M3A motherboard $99 AMD BE-2350 processor $89 Corsair
Fitz> 2GB TwinX 6400C4 $87 ($47 after $40 rebate) BFG86256FTOC2FE
Fitz> Video Card $169 ($109 after $60 rebate) Antec Sonata III
Fitz> case w/500W SmartPwr Supply ($130)

Fitz> Total $474 after rebates + shipping from Newegg Motherboard
Fitz> is quadcore compatible, so system is upgradable. Only one
Fitz> PATA connector (2 devices), rest are SATA

Seems the OP also needs a monitor.

 

[ohaya]

Is it possible to build a dual-core system for under $500?

I already have the following that I would not need to purchase.

1. Hard Drive
2. DVD drive
3. keyboard, mouse and OS

What I'd need is
1. Motherboard + CPU + RAM + CASE + Video Card

I'm wanting to go dual-core, as hardcore as possible with the system.
I'm a light gamer, mainly enjoy RAR'ing files, SETI, watching videos
etc.
So far I cannot seem to come up with a decent system for under $1,200
which is way too much money for ME.

Any help on all or even some of these components would be great.
thanks,

Hi,

I built a new system just before Christmas, for less:

- MSI K9NBPM2-FID AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard -
Retail $74.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130065

- AMD Athlon 64 X2 5200+ Windsor 2.6GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket AM2 65W
Dual-Core Processor - Retail $109.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103767

- G.SKILL 4GB(2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual
Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail
Special savings on AMD quad-core CPU combo, ends 12/31 $99.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231122


- For a case, I like to buy local, and we have a MicroCenter near us, so
I went with this:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0256825

but, you can find something else to suit.


I actually got another 2GB (2 x 1GB) of G.SKILL memory from Newegg:

- G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual
Channel Kit Desktop Memory - Retail $46.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231098


The K9NBPM2-FID has onboard video, 1GBps LAN, firewire, USB2, and (for
me, most importantly) supports up to 8GB DDR2 memory. It also has 2 IDE
slots, plus SATA 3G. It's highly rated on Newegg (including my review ).

$74.99
$109.99
$99.99
=======
$284.97 (that's actually less than I paid - some of this is on sale)


Jim

 

[Timothy Daniels]

- For a case, I like to buy local, and we have a MicroCenter near us, so I
went with this:

http://www.microcenter.com/single_product_results.phtml?product_id=0256825

What is the brand of the power supply in that case?

*TimDaniels*

 

[ohaya]

What is the brand of the power supply in that case?

*TimDaniels*

Hi,

It says "Cool Power" on it. There's also
"http://www.eagle-techusa.com/" on the label, though the PSU doesn't
look like any of the ones they have on their website as separate units.

Rather it looks like this:

http://www.eagle-techusa.com/product/Chassis/Mid/ET-CA4500-BK/Galleries/6b.jpg

I currently have:

- The MSI mobo + AMD Athlon X2 5200+
- 6GB RAM
- Seagate 80GB PATA drive
- Seagate 200GB PATA drive
- Seagate 500GB PATA drive
- 3 USB2 external hard drives (80GB Hitachi, WD Passport 120GB, and
Simpletech 160GB) powered from USB2 ports
- Sony DVD burner in a powered external USB2 enclosure
- Seagate 500GB SATA drive in a powered external USB2/e-SATA enclosure
(Antec MX-1)

The case/PSU seems to be doing ok so far (about 1/2 month). Metal's a
little thin, but it's nice because of the tool-less side panels and PCI
bracket things on the back. Plus, it came with an additional 120mm fan.

Jim

 

[Crackles McFarly]

Fitz> ASUS M3A motherboard $99 AMD BE-2350 processor $89 Corsair
Fitz> 2GB TwinX 6400C4 $87 ($47 after $40 rebate) BFG86256FTOC2FE
Fitz> Video Card $169 ($109 after $60 rebate) Antec Sonata III
Fitz> case w/500W SmartPwr Supply ($130)

Fitz> Total $474 after rebates + shipping from Newegg Motherboard
Fitz> is quadcore compatible, so system is upgradable. Only one
Fitz> PATA connector (2 devices), rest are SATA

Seems the OP also needs a monitor.

No, sorry, no monitor is needed.

 

[Fitz]

For gaming and video as the OP posted, why would you want 6MB of RAM,
but no video card (onboard graphics)? Since he already has an OS, we'll
assume it's XP (6MB RAM is overkill), and onboard graphics is where your
performance bottleneck will be created. I don't know of any games that
are going to make use of 6 MB of RAM, but most modern games require
better than onboard graphics with shared memory to run well. A good
quality power supply is a must, and even at that, the Antec Smartpower I
indicated isn't top quality, but is adequate. The BE series processor is
a high efficiency, low wattage processor that will use less energy and
create less heat- a good thing for a budget system where your not
spending a lot of money on a case/heatsink-fan with above average
cooling capabilities.

Fitz

 

[Crackles McFarly]

For gaming and video as the OP posted, why would you want 6MB of RAM,
but no video card (onboard graphics)? Since he already has an OS, we'll
assume it's XP (6MB RAM is overkill), and onboard graphics is where your
performance bottleneck will be created. I don't know of any games that
are going to make use of 6 MB of RAM, but most modern games require
better than onboard graphics with shared memory to run well. A good
quality power supply is a must, and even at that, the Antec Smartpower I
indicated isn't top quality, but is adequate. The BE series processor is
a high efficiency, low wattage processor that will use less energy and
create less heat- a good thing for a budget system where your not
spending a lot of money on a case/heatsink-fan with above average
cooling capabilities.

Fitz

I was really wanting a video card, not built-in motherboard video.

I know it adds to the cost but I've had bad experiences with those
on-board video jobs.

 

[ohaya]

For gaming and video as the OP posted, why would you want 6MB of RAM,
but no video card (onboard graphics)? Since he already has an OS, we'll
assume it's XP (6MB RAM is overkill), and onboard graphics is where your
performance bottleneck will be created. I don't know of any games that
are going to make use of 6 MB of RAM, but most modern games require
better than onboard graphics with shared memory to run well. A good
quality power supply is a must, and even at that, the Antec Smartpower I
indicated isn't top quality, but is adequate. The BE series processor is
a high efficiency, low wattage processor that will use less energy and
create less heat- a good thing for a budget system where your not
spending a lot of money on a case/heatsink-fan with above average
cooling capabilities.

Fitz

Hi,

I wasn't suggesting that the OP get 6GB (we are talking GIGABYTES, not
MEGABYTES, BTW), but only mentioned it to indicate that he'd have some
headroom wrt memory.

He'd also have some headroom with the price with the components I had
listed... almost enough for one of those (IMO) over-priced 8800GTs, if
he wanted.

Jim

 

[Fitz]

Sorry- I did mean GB, not MB when referencing the memory.

I actually didn't research the components for just this posting- I
bought this setup to replace my wife's AMD 2500 system, and ended up
buying another to put together for her father. When I saw this thread, I
just cut and pasted what I'd already purchased. With the rebates, it's a
good price for a modern (though not cutting edge) system, and with the
AM2+ motherboard, it's upgradeable in the future. I did add a SATA
harddrive, and didn't need a case- I did get a newer power supply, a
Corsair HX520.

And yeah, the 8800GT's are pricey. I'm running a 8800 (640MB) GTS OC in
mine, and really like it.

Fitz

 

[frodo]

sure, as others have said. A good place to start is anand's site:

www.anandtech.com

click the "Guides" tab. the Nov Budget guide includes a budget gamer's
rig, the holiday guides have good tips too. There are MANY other "System
Builder's" site too, google around. The only real problem is info
overload!

if cost is a real issue, look at his older guides (about 1 year ago), many
of those system parts are still avail at real low prices. It won't be
Core Duo, but it'll be MUCH cheaper w/ very good bang for the buck. As a
gamer, you know that the one thing that makes a huge diff is the video
card, everything else is pretty much the same. Going w/ a less expensive
MoBo+CPU and putting the savings into a better GPU may be best for you.

Many choices, enjoy the research and have fun.

 

[Crackles McFarly]

sure, as others have said. A good place to start is anand's site:

www.anandtech.com

Damn what a great site. I can see clearly how $700-$1,000 is possible
now.

thanks!!!!