Maximum PC

Im upgrading my moms comp which is an AMD XP 1600, 256mb of ram, a 64mb TI 4200 20gb hd, and a SB Audigy Gamer sound card. I'm trying to spend under 400 bucks. What I need a new case w/psu, processor, motherboard and ram. Can some one help me keep the price under $400.

Antec Sonata w/ 380w PSU - $99
A64 2800+ Retail s754 - $121
Chaintech SK8T800 Motherboard - $64
G.Skill PC3200 2-3-3-6 512mb (2x256) - $77

TOTAL = $361

With having to add a case and PSU into the mix, I was actually fairly surprised an A64 rig could be had. That would be quite an upgrade over an aging 1600+ XP system. Couple of comments regarding the specs:

- You have enough left in the budget to browse better motherboards, namely the ones utilizing the nForce3 chipset. I chose the Chaintech above because it was the cheapest s754 mobo I would feel comfortable purchasing.

- The G.Skill RAM was attractive due to the timings at that price. In addition, they warranty a somewhat higher voltage than the other value solutions.

sorry I forget that I needed to add a hd to that also, perferably 80gb.

You may want to wait on some deals for HDD's then. Bestbuy and Fry's generally have Maxtor or WD 120G drives available for $50 after rebates. Watching newegg's frontpage may get ya one of these as well.

I'd stick with the above myself. I just tried, and I went right to $500 without the HDD, so I suck at this

do u think that a an AMD64 is ok for my mom? Or should I go with XP?

the athlon 64 will definitely have a longer life span than any athlon xp system you buy her. what chumly showed you is a great setup, youd be hard pressed to beat it.

You can go XP, but I don't really see the point in spending $400 to 'upgrade' within the same dated platform.

As for adding a hard drive, it can be done by substituting an Enermax case/PSU combo instead of the Sonata. I'll link an ordinary case below, but there are others to choose from if you want to browse Newegg. Otherwise, you're looking at a completely generic case/PSU combo. While I hate to recommend it, there are time and places for such a config, and this could be one of those times. Here's one example of revised specs:

Enermax Case w/ 350w PSU - $48
A64 2800+ Retail s754 - $121
Chaintech SK8T800 Motherboard - $64
G.Skill PC3200 2-3-3-6 512mb (2x256) - $77
Western Digital 80gb 8mb WD800JB - $59

TOTAL = $369

I continually amaze myself - that's a lot of PC for under 400 clams!

it's for your mom - what does she need that power for?

And just so it's included, here's some socket A based upgrade options:

Enermax Case w/ 350w PSU - $48
MSI K7N2 Delta2-LSR nForce2 Ultra 400 Motherboard - $60
G.Skill PC3200 2-3-3-6 512mb (2x256) - $77
Western Digital 80gb 8mb WD800JB - $59

and add one of the following processors:

Retail Sempron 2500+ (1.75GHz) - $75 ($319 total)
Retail Sempron 2600+ (1.833GHz) - $86 ($330 total)
Retail Sempron 2800+ (2.0GHz) - $97 ($341 total)
Retail Sempron 3000+ (2.0GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, Barton Core) - $110 ($354 total)

$30 Cheaper, better than the Sonata overall

It only has a 350wt included but that's within the AMD recommendations for the Athlon 64's (they want at least a 350wt for the 3000).

Other than that everyone elses ideas look fine, but be warned if you are using an OEM edition of MS Windows XP, the motherboard can only be upgraded if the only motherboard is "defective."

Not a bad alternative. Correction however - after shipping ($15.99), it comes to $15 cheaper overall than the Sonata.

Sonata = $99 shipped
SLK3700AMB = $85 shipped

Didn't even look at the shipping, I buy them from a distributor in bulk (though now I am moving over to the SLK3000-B).

I do that a lot with Newegg, overlook the shipping. On this particular budget however, $15 saved is a nice little chunk!

thanks guys, I'll probably go with the AMD64 set up, my moms computers is pretty slow and I guess it would hurt to much to future proof it a little. I jstr want her to have something thats alot faster than what she has now with out breaking my wallett, but I was wondering what you guys thought about this set here @ Tigerdirect.

That barebone at tiger looks decent. Just avoid soyo boards like the plauge.

Go to Monarch and check out their Barebones config thingy.

Follow THIS link

This this CHAINTECH "S1689" ALi M1689 any good? I have never heard of the chipset it is using (Still working on the last upgrade for my mom). Also should I go 754 or 939? Also there is a motherboard Ackrock "K8 COMBO-Z" that takes both 754 and 939. Also being that this is my mother I'm talking about here do u think it s possible if I just go with the Sempron since it is a socket 754 and upgrade to an Amd64 if needed? I can get a Sempron +3100 for about $120.

*Update*

This is what I decided to get:

GIGABYTE GA-K8NS
AMD 64 |3000+ ATHLON 64
120GB|SAMSUNG SATA
DVD+/-RW LITEON SOHW-1633S
ANTEC|SLK1650 350W
Total= $459.80 shipped to Hawaii (that was 50 bucks!! Damn HAWAII)

I will add in a 64mb TI 4200, 2x256 DDR 400 Kingston Value Ram, and a Audigy Soundcard.
My Mom Better love me!