What's the best CPU/Motherboard/PSU+case combo

[astronomer02]

Hello Motherboard Forum,

I have been getting advice on the best cpu/motherboard/PSU+case combo but I have yet to find a combo that is less than around $175 to $150. I don't want a combo that will last for a short time.....but a quality one that is a great deal.

Thanks

[Paco103]

The best combo/value really depends on what you want/what you like. I got an Athlon XP 1800+ with a BioStar DDR Mobo (M7VIB) for $169 off of tigerdirect.com. They even threw in a heatsink, although the product description didn't say that, so I ordered one too. It's not the best board you can get, but it is quite stable and keeps my benchmarks on par. As far as a case, I bought one locally for $60, but you can get one with a 300Watt PSU and 4/2/1 bays (ext 5.25/ext3.5/int3.5) for $25 shipped if you're not worried about fancy name brands. Check out pricewatch.com, but be sure to check review of the product AND the dealer

[astronomer02]

hello,

i went researching on tigerdirect.com and found several motherboard and/or cpu combos. Biostar, Chaintech, FIC, Pine Technology, Shuttle, Soyo Tek, Tyan, MSI Computer Corp., ECS Elitegroup Computer, and Via Technologies. However, Asus Tek was not on their list. Anyway, so I don't have to research every single one of those brands, could someone recommend the best brand above for around $150.

thanx

[Paco103]

"Biostar, Chaintech, FIC, Pine Technology, Shuttle, Soyo Tek, Tyan, MSI Computer Corp., ECS Elitegroup Computer, and Via Technologies"


Tyan, MSI, Shuttle, Soyo are generally good names. Biostar is the one I have, and I'm happy with it. As for the rest, I don't really know the names (Via makes some of the best chipsets - so I would imagine they would have good mobo's). I would stay away from FIC at all costs though. They're offered everywhere in these bundles because they are cheap. I had a friend who had one, and it kept dying after about 2 months. He doesn't overclock or do anything like that, but it's been replaced like 3 times. Atleast they have a good warranty - I guess it's all how you look at it:P

[tricktx]

im not a motherboard expert but my Ecs k7s5a is a superb budget motherbaord costing £45 ($60 ish) but it will probably be cheaper in the US.

As for the rest. The Athlon Xp1600 - 1800 is by far the best cpu for price performance it depends how much price difference there is between the 1600 and 1800 depending on there you get it from. ( i think theres only 100MHZ between them so getting a 1600 isnt a cutback)

As for case+PSU. Cheap and cheerful if you arnt a seriuos pc fiddler. a good 300W PSU and a large case with good upgrade capacity. Ie min 3x5.25 2x3.5 2x2.5 bays should be suficient.

As stated above im from the uk and cant really give the best prices for the us. But i got my
Ecs K7s5a motherboard
Heatsink+Fan
Athlon Xp1800
300W PSU + Large 4/3/3 atsx case

for £150, and thats in the expensive uk


Richard

[Paco103]

actually, there's 66Mhz between each 100 on the XP rating, and you can follow that rule all the way through the series, so 133 between 1600-1800. Basically, just look for where the big price gap is, and that's where your economy price/performance gap usually is too. When you go above that gap you're paying for top of the line that you really don't need (unless that's just what you want). Where do you find 2.5 bays?!?! I thought that was just laptop drives, I've never seen a desktop with them?

[BobyJo]

None of us can tell you which is the best for you. We are not you, I could give you some site addresses and you could go there and research these combo's yourself. One site that has the most variations of products is I-BuyPower. I will give you the link to them.

www.ibuypower.com/mall/lobby.htm

Here you pick the case and then add the motherboard, cpu, memory and all the components. It will give you a price as you add the components. These are good people to deal with.