Motherboard - video - processor for a modest game machine

[David Kistner]

I haven't built a computer in about a year now, and never one for
gaming. I'd like to build my son a computer for games but I'm on a
limited budget. He likes to play Age of Empires-III, Star Wars
Battlefront II, Madden 2006 Football. I've always built AMD machines and
would like to continue.

What motherboard and video card combination would be worth considering?
Thanks in advance for your help.

- David Kistner

 

[ToolPackinMama]

I haven't built a computer in about a year now, and never one for
gaming. I'd like to build my son a computer for games but I'm on a
limited budget. He likes to play Age of Empires-III, Star Wars
Battlefront II, Madden 2006 Football. I've always built AMD machines and
would like to continue.

What motherboard and video card combination would be worth considering?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Please be specific about your budget.

 

[David Kistner]

Please be specific about your budget.

I'd like to spend less than $500 total for the motherboard, processor
and video card.

 

[Jami]

Check www.newegg.com

I just bought upgrade from them.

AMD 3200
AS Rock Mobo
GeForce 6600 GT

for about 300 bucks.

I'm sure the folks here will give you a better idea what else you can look
for.

 

[Bob Knowlden]

Here's one example system:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,1822644,00.asp

It's getting to be a bit old (dated June 1, 2005), so I'm not sure how
available the 3000+ may be.

At www.newegg.com (and probably www.monarchcomputer.com), $500 would get you
a PCI-E 6600GT graphics card, the K8N Neo4-F mainboard, and a 3500+ A64
("Venice") CPU, with some money left over.

If you can wait a week or two, the graphics card I'd recommend is the new
6800GS. Combined with the above CPU and mainboard, the total would be close
to $500 (not much over, if at all). If you're prepared to risk getting a new
product, that would probably be the performance champion in your range. (The
6800GS is supposed to be nearly as good as a 6800GT, although the GS costs
significantly less.)

There may be competitive ATI graphics card choices, but I've lost track over
the past year. I doubt that any of them would beat the 6800GS at its price
point.


Address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.