Need help on buying new motherboard. PLEASE!!

[Spaceheater]

I am the rookie of all rookies.

I know next to nothing about computers, but have been educating myself for the past 3 days. I must have read 300 pages worth of material trying to learn.

This site--I stumbled upon it (THANK THE SWEET LORD)--has helped me more than everything else I've read.

So I am going to rely upon you gentlemen (and ladies?) to educate me.

I have an old CPU--Athlon K7 630 Mhz, 320 RAM 100 MHz FSB--that isn't cutting it with the new hard drive I have.

Being the ***** I am, I bought a 160 gigabyte hard drive not knowing the CPU isn't powerful enough to operate it and the software I have.

I'm in the process of getting more software that I need for my profession in addition to my lust for WarcraftIII battle.net. I love the custom games.

So, please, please, please help me. I would like to buy a Pentium IV CPU 2.8 GHz and the appropriate motherboard for about $200.00. I found the CPU for about $160.00. If what I want is not practical than I am willing to settle for the Athlon XP 3200+ and the corresponding motherboard. I found that CPU for about $150.00.

HELP HELP HELP HELP!!!!!!!!

 

[mdkoh]

I think you might be asking more of your $200 than is possible. After buying the CPU you will only have $40 left over. You will not get a good complimenting motherboard for the processor with that much left over. Plus you need to remember that you will most probably need to update the memory, and possibly the power supply in the case. You will more than likely need to expand your budget or go to a more discounted processor. Look at www.computergate.com and the Celeron socket 478 processors. A drop below the P4 but a better buy at the same speed. With money left over !! YOu could get a nice motherboard and processor and stay below $200 maybe have enough left over for memory. As far as M/B go I reccommend either ASUS, Gigabyte, or Soyo. They have done well for me in the past, stay away from ECS have never seen M/B with more problems than those seem to have.

 

[tbrunt3]

Hello Bud and Welcome to Techspot

Well i would suggest a few options one you are basically new to computers relax we all were at one time. Here are a few suggestions I have to get your self a pretty good gamming machine . I would not use anything you have now reason the cpu is to strong enough and the ram is old..

Here what I recommend

This is a great computer

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=65

this one is pretty good for the money

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=135

 

[Spaceheater]

I think you might be asking more of your $200 than is possible. After buying the CPU you will only have $40 left over. You will not get a good complimenting motherboard for the processor with that much left over. Plus you need to remember that you will most probably need to update the memory, and possibly the power supply in the case. You will more than likely need to expand your budget or go to a more discounted processor. Look at www.computergate.com and the Celeron socket 478 processors. A drop below the P4 but a better buy at the same speed. With money left over !! YOu could get a nice motherboard and processor and stay below $200 maybe have enough left over for memory. As far as M/B go I reccommend either ASUS, Gigabyte, or Soyo. They have done well for me in the past, stay away from ECS have never seen M/B with more problems than those seem to have.

Thank you for the input. Presuming I still get the CPU I want--Pentium IV 2.8 GHz--what motherboard do you suggest I get to go along with it? That is including the gaming and video requirements I would like to have?

Again, I thank you for your help.

 

[Spaceheater]

Hello Bud and Welcome to Techspot

Well i would suggest a few options one you are basically new to computers relax we all were at one time. Here are a few suggestions I have to get your self a pretty good gamming machine . I would not use anything you have now reason the cpu is to strong enough and the ram is old..

Here what I recommend

This is a great computer

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=65

this one is pretty good for the money

http://www.ibuypower.com/ibp/store/configurator.aspx?mid=135

Maybe its just my computer or the website server, but those links take me to blank pages . . .

Also, could you tell me--even if its against your better judgment (call me hard-headed)--what motherboards and memory cards you recommend to go along with a pentium IV 2.8 GHz CPU?

Thank you very much for your help.

 

[tbrunt3]

the two i posted are AMD based cpu but they also have intel there .. AMDs are very good and those two are very good computer form and very good place they get a high rating in Maximum PC..

ALSO type www.ibuypower.com in your web browser now if you like to try to build your own i can give you some links but it going to be real hard to beat those prices...

 

[Spaceheater]

the two i posted are AMD based cpu but they also have intel there .. AMDs are very good and those two are very good computer form and very good place they get a high rating in Maximum PC..

ALSO type www.ibuypower.com in your web browser now if oyu like to try to build your own i can give you some links but it going to be real hard to beat those prices...

I don't think you understand what I'm asking.

I have the case, harddrive, power supply, video card, memory card, etc.

I want to get a new motherboard and a new CPU.

Can I do this for about $200.00 and still get a comp that is relatively fast?

I have no intention of getting a top of the line CPU when the damn thing will merely be second tier in about a year as Intel and AMD keep making faster and faster models.

Thank you.

 

[tbrunt3]

Ok I got it but 200$ not going to touch a CPU good motherboard combo Now maybe lets say 400$ .. The key important thing here is a good motherboard to go with the cpu and what type for ram do you have now you will need DDR ram.The reason I suggested Ibuypower is you said you know nothing about computers and I did not think you wanted to put one together but since it is ovbious you do here you go..

This one here is in the 400$ range

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1205350&CatId=191

Here is one that is 234.99

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1209284&CatId=191

Both are very good theChaintech will do the job for you. But remember you will have to get a heatsink fan combo for a socket 478 that alone is about 25.00$

So basically 200.00$ range will not touch anything

hope this helped you

 

[olefarte]

I've been looking at some of those at TigerDirect also. I've been looking at AMD 64, 3200+ board and cpu combos, about the same as tbrunt linked. The ones that I"m looking at are all around $250 more or less. But you have to get ram also, and 1 gig of pc3200 ram is going to be around $100/$150. Also have to have a cooling fan for the cpu.

So, what I'm looking at is going to run a total of around $400, and that's lower than I ever thought I could get these parts for. Below is what I'm looking at.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1213194&CatId=1734

 

[tbrunt3]

Hey olefarte if it was me i go with a 939 chip that way you will have dual ram.. Just a suggestion..

 

[olefarte]

Hey olefarte if it was me i go with a 939 chip that way you will have dual ram.. Just a suggestion..

Ok, I'll go along with that. I hadn't looked at 939's because I thought they would be way out of my price range. Not as far out as I thought though.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1204265&CatId=1619

Now I'm looking at the above, but by the time I buy ram and cpu cooler, a little out of what I want to spend. So, I looking more so at this one.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1226599&CatId=1619

Might be able to stay in the right price range with that, although I really want the faster processor. And I really don't have a clue what is the best motherboard brand, I guess I'm really looking at prices more so.

At any rate, you've changed my train of thought. Thanks.