Compare these setups . . .

[Ryanrs1]

Hi everyone. I'm a beginner in the computer hardware area. I am currently trying to design a budget gaming rig for myself. I have nee around to the local small computer stores and have received these two quotes. I really have no knowledge of how to compare these two to see what the better system is.

Any advice or feedback you could give would be much appreciated.

First Machine

Processor: AMD Athlon64 2800+ 1.8ghz 512k s754 - 165.00

Motherboard: MSI K8t Neo-FSR VIA k8t800 800mhz-FSB DDR400 AGP8x USB 1394 5.1ch-aud GB-LAN - 95.00

Hard Drive: Western Digital 160gb 8mb 7200rpm - 115.00

Memory: 2 sticks - 512 mb pc3200 DDR 400 Mhz Kingston - 73.00 x 2 = 146.00

Graphics: Connect 3D Radeon 9550 256mb DDR TV DVI-I - 108.00

OS - Windows XP Home - 113.00

Case - 2628-313X 17in ATX Case w/ Window and Fan 400W (silver) - 48.00

Optical Drive: LG Combo Drive 52x32x52 CDRW 16x DVD - 53.00

Total Cost: 843.00


Second System

SKT 939 AMD Athlon 3000+ 64 bit - 195.00

PC3200 512 MB Ram (only 1 it seems) - 71.00

MSI K8T NEO2 SKT 939 MOBO (motherboard) - 132.00

128 mb AGP 9600xt - 189.00

CDRW 52x32x52 - 30.00

IDE80GB hdd 7200rpm 8mb cache - 81.00

1.4' Floppy Drive - 9.00 (I thought these were done)

MID Tower OEM White - 42.00

Windows - 112.00

Build Fee - 20.00

Total without tax - 881.00

Please keep in mind I'm not going for Doom III capable machine. All I really want it for is MMORPG like Wow, or EQII etc.

Prices are in Canadian Dollars.

Thanks very much.

 

[mighty_chick]

second system pwns the first, go with the second one, if you got a little extra cash the 6600gt is only $305.00 taxes in, which will pwn the 9600xt for fun.

 

[winterfreshpwnz]

I dunno they're kinda even. I mean sure the second has a slightly better CPU and a much better video card, but the first has more RAM, more HDD space, and the combo drive can play DVD's. Really, I would tell you to go with the second, but it depends on what you are gonna be doing. I mean if you need A LOT of HDD space, your gonna need the first setup's hdd, if you wanna play DVD's then you'll need the first, and the RAM is kinda hard to decide, I mean the 1GB is a lot better especially when playing games, but the good thing with ram is you can always upgrade and it's super easy to install, plus 512 I think would be good enough for the stuff your doing. I dunno it's kinda hard to decide, but I guess I'd go with the second.

 

[Ryanrs1]

Ok thanks for the reply.

One last question then. Should I upgrade to dual 512K RAM (as it is right now I think its only 1 stick). Or would that be considered a luxury within the budget I have to work with?

 

[winterfreshpwnz]

What do you mean? Are you asking if you should have dual-channel 512MB sticks instead of just one 1GB stick? If so, then yes.

 

[Dishdog]

i think he means on the second system if he should put another 512mb in

 

[winterfreshpwnz]

Well if that's what he means (and has the money for it) then of course.

 

[Ryanrs1]

Yes thanks Dishdog, that's what I meant.

 

[winterfreshpwnz]

You should definitely do it. I was gonna just recommend you upgrade to a gig later when you had the money, but if you have enough to do it now, then of course.