Processor For Under $200

[Onizuka]

Im currently getting my parts list together for my new computer Ill be building next month. I was wondering what processor you would recommend for around $200 or less. I was almost certain Id go with a 2100+ but now that P4 800MHz FSB processors are out I dont know what to do.
Please help, Im scared =X.


Might need to mention Ill be playing games like Battlefield,UT2k3,and Doom III >=D.

[c627627]

News just in: newegg seems to have new code 2000+, better than anything previously seen, details here:
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=222158
Originally posted by Gautam
Well, one of my friends just ordered one a week ago, and got the best code I've ever seen in my life- a DUT3C AIXHB 03xx xPAW. I haven't seen DKT3C's in a while, but yes, if you get one, you won't get far.

You know it's the same old story. You may be better off a little with Intel but the CPU in question is $62 free second day shipping so.... you want that extra $100 bill in your pocket or to upgrade something else or do you want the Intel chip? :)

EDIT: 2100+ is still a safer bet than 2000+.

[Onizuka]

I read that thread, but Im like an overclocker newbie. What does it all mean? I should get a 2000+ from Newegg and overclock it?

And no I dont need Intel, I think I like AMD better >=D.

[01_VTEC SE]

what's your total budget? and what parts have you decided on already?

[c627627]

If you want to spend $ go Intel; If you want to overclock on the cheap, and I mean really cheap spending nowhere near Intel $ and getting really decent results, then:
Originally posted by c627627

If you want to spend $ for a killer rig, there are many options to choose from, including Intel.
If you want the cheapest replacement for what you have, Intel is not even close to an option.

1. CPU: Best cheapest overclocker 1700+ T-bred B

How can you tell which one's which? Codes:
http://www.overclockers.com/tips00173/

Cheapest guaranteed T-Bred B? $49 free shipping
http://www.gameve.com/store/gameve_viewitem.asp?idproduct=267

Cheapest guaranteed DLT3C T-Bred B is $63 + $5
http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_186&products_id=1925

But I wouldn't spend $68, I would go with 2100+ instead for a dollar less $67 + $0
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=AXDA2100DUT3C

2. Heatsink: all copper Thermalright $10-$15 SK6+ or $20-$30 SK-7, shipping extra.

http://www.svcompucycle.com/thersk7socco.html

You will not find a better value than $15.99 SK-7, look no further.

3. Don't forget a fan, nothing too loud, but pretty much any 80x25mm will do with SK-7.
http://www.svc.com/thersmarcasf.html
Look for directions on how to apply thermal paste (it comes with sk-7) but this is a good one:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_alumina_instructions.htm
http://www.arcticsilver.com/ceramique_instructions.htm

4. Mobo:
Increasing the FSB changes the speed of the whole motherboard and everything connected to it unless the mobo has a PCI lock.
The following nForce2 boards have a confirmed PCI lock:
Epox, Abit, Asus, Chaintech, Soltek, MSI, Gigabyte

It is unclear whether Leadtek nForce2 has a PCI lock.

Best is Abit
http://www.excaliberpc.com/product_info.php?cPath=181_220&products_id=867
but cheapest nForce2 used to be 8RDA+ it's $83 here:
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=8rda+

I would also look into Soltek, + check this out
http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=10384
and this
http://www.overclockers.com/tips00427/

5. Memory: Best is twinmos/ch-5 winbond pc3200
http://www.memoryx.net/gn256pc3200.html
It will allow you to go to 220 FSB which is more important than MHz.

Why? Here’s why:
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=176698

6. Case cooling: make sure you have those case fans blowing in from the front and out from the back.

7. Do not spend less than $32 on a power supply (exclamation point):
http://www.newegg.com/app/Viewproduct.asp?DEPA=1&submit=manufactory&catalog=58&manufactory=1919&description=&srchFor=FSP350-60BN

The number of Watts don’t mean s**t, brands do.
Power Supply Unit can take out all your other components.
Many PSU manufacturers list specs that do not reflect true capabilities of their products so all info on the PSU label doesn't mean much except for the brand, just look for the brand: All Antecs (Channel Well) are good (Antec True Power is better), Fortron (Sparkle), Sirtec (Enlight, Vantec, Thermaltake), or more expensive Herolchi (Heroichi), PC Power and Cooling, or not as good but not dangerous HEC, TTGI, Zalman (Aopen).

8. Here's what's up:
http://www.c627627.com/AMD/AthlonXP/


:thup:

_____________________
2100+ AIUHB 0248 MPMW
256MB Crucial PC2100 + 2x 256MB Kingston (Hynix chip) PC2100 @ 6 3 3 2
[152] FSB x 15 = 2280 MHz @ 1.8 Vcore with memory frequency at 100% [152] @ 2.77 Vdimm
37(min) C to 46(max) C Winter ; 42(min) C to 50(max) C Summer
Epox 8RDA+
Thermalright SK-7 with variable speed 80x25mm YS-Tech FD1281259B-2F
BFG GeForce4 Ti4200 8X 128MB; Antec SX-835II case ; 350W Antec SmartPower SL350
Five 80x25mm Ultra Quiet 18CFM Case Fans (NMB C3110KL-04W-B19)


Expect sky high FSB and clock speeds of 2800+ to 3200+ or more with this.

[Onizuka]

Thanks for that info c627627, lot of useful info =D.

Well 01_VTEC SE here is my part list if I go with AMD, I havent got it all set out yet just now working on it. The budget, Im not to sure Id say around $1,000.

Either an Abit NF7 or Asus A7N8X Deluxe Mobo
Thermalright SK-7,SK-8,or SK-9 (Which One?)
Antec True 430 Power Supply (Is This Enough?)
(2) 512MB PC3200 Corsair Memory
Western Digital 8MB Cache 80Gig Hdd

Thats about it for now heeh.

[Gautam]

All looks very very good. The Abit NF7's are superior to the Asus' in several ways; I'd go with it. The Thermalright SLK800 for $29 at svc.com would be your best bet for a heatsink. You can get an SK7 for only $16, and it provides similar performance. The SLK800, however, will outperform it slightly.

[Onizuka]

Alrighty Ill go with the Abit NF7, I was wondering on that link to the NF7, it says
"ABIT NF7 V2.0 Motherboard; Please do not mistake this model as NF7-S!"
Are all the NF7's v2.0 or just from there? Id like to order all my stuff from newegg.

Thanks.

[c627627]

Careful there are two versions of Abit boards: with and without onboard audio and serial ATA. Model of the one with extras ends with S and is of course more expensive.

[MooMasster716]

What about a p4 2.4c from New egg isnt it like $163 and overclocks goog.

[Onizuka]

The NF7-S is the one Im looking at right now. Is it good?

Forgot something important, can the NF7-S handle Bartons? I want to be able to upgrade to faster processor later on if I decide to.

Thanks

[c627627]

Yes it will handle the entire present and future Athlon XP line.

[c627627]

Originally posted by MooMasster716
What about a p4 2.4c from New egg isnt it like $163 and overclocks goog.
Yes, it is a better overclocker for a cool $100 extra not counting more expensive heatsink & mobo.

[Onizuka]

Im just afraid that when I try overclocking it something bad will happen =X.

Is corsair the memory you would recommend? I have heard alot about it so thats what Im going with. Is there a cheaper alternative thats just as good?

[c627627]

5. Memory: Best is twinmos/ch-5 winbond pc3200
http://www.memoryx.net/gn256pc3200.html
It will allow you to get higher FSB which is more important than MHz.

Read your mobos manual.
Read this
http://forum.oc-forums.com/vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=207088

and nothing bad will happen.

Bad things tend to happen to people whe refuse to spend a few minutes reading before OCing. There are no stupid questions. Poste them here and there will be plenty of people more than ready to answer them and help you.

[Onizuka]

Alrighty Sounds Good =D

[BlkEnig]

I would go for the 2.4c over an amd anyday, but thats just me ;)

[c627627]

I'm genuinely interested but none of the Intel boys ever reply:
instead of saying "...but that's just me", list the whole lot, like the 5th post did above for AMD so people can take a look and make they're decision based on cost vs. what you get for it.

No one is saying 2.4c wouldn't be "better". Of course it would.
But where's the deal for Intel heatsink, mobo, ram, etc.
I'm genuinely interested.