advice for first-timer

[RobG64]

I am trying to build a good gaming system on a budget. However, I really want to do the best that I can to have a system that can be upgraded and used for several years to come. (Don't we all!) So far, I am heading towards the following components:

Pentium II 400, PIII 400, or Celeron 450 (depends on performace vs. price)
Aopen bx63pro 133 motherboard (via apollo chipset)
64MB PC100 Ram
Seagate Medalist 10.2GB HD (looking for quiet drive)
Enlight 7237 Case (what wattage do you recommend? want quiet case/pwr supply, easy access)

To save money initally, I will use my 17" monitor, Viper330 (4MB 3D) Video Card, Sound Blaster 16 Audio, 8x CD-Rom drive, and USR 56k modem.

Please give any suggestions, or alternatives that you have. Especially on the motherboard and CPU. I really want to go PIII, but if Celeron or PII will run 3D games decently, I might go with one of them.

Thank you for your time,
Robbie George

[deep_sky]

if you want a good gaming system the quality of your video card(and how much memory is on it), and the amount of system memory are critical. of your cpu choices, get the cheapest. the 50mhz difference between the pentiums and the celeron is not going to give you a huge performance gain. you are going to want to spend the most money on the video card because that is what makes or breaks a good gaming system. i would focus on the video card and system memory if the systems primary use is gaming.

[Ygor]

That looks like a good start!
You're aware that the pentium 3 starts at 450 mhz and if you go with the celerons, you'll need a slocket?
There are some slot one celerons, but they don't overclock as well. Many prefer the 366 celerons for overclocking.
The pentium 3 450's overclock well according to what I've seen here too. I want one of those myself, but the prices are going up.
As for the rest, same as what deep sky said. Video & ram. If you can afford it, may be worthwhile to jump into pc133 speed ram. Figure on getting another stick when you can afford it anyway.
Sound makes a difference too. The sound blaster live value card and good speakers will add to the total experience, but can wait. I got my value card for about $45 plus shipping. Now they have X-Gamer & more. Speakers, well... that's another story...
As for the case, there is a newer improved version of that case that is much easier and should be the same price. I have it and appreciate the changes!
You might check User Reviews here at SysOpt.

Enjoy and congrats on deciding to build your own! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Ygor (edited 12-05-1999).]

[felix726]

If your buildong this system for the purpose of gaming I would definitly get a better quality video card. Not that you have to go and spend $200.00 or anything, but you can get some good cards for a pretty good price right now, may I suggest.

1. voodoo3 2000; around $90.00
2. voodoo3 3000; around $115.00
3. CL 3d blaster 32MB(non-ultra); around $100.00
4. diamond viper v770 32MB(non-ultra); around $100.00

all of these cards are very nice and none of them will put you in the poor house either.

As for cpu and mobo selection I would suggest 1 of 2 combinations.

1.(the on a budget combo)
Abit BE6II + PIII450; about $310.00

2.(the REALLY on a budget combo)
Abit BH6 + celeron 366ppga; about $160.00

both of these mobo's will be pretty easy to upgrade on and when you overclock them they both have a good shot @ 550mhz.

beyond that I don't have many other suggestions , but I will say that springing for 128MB of system memory would be well worth the little extra cost. Memory prices are also starting to slowly creep back down right now also.
-felix

[AuraEdge]

I agree with all the above posts. The video card is CRITICAL and so is 128 Ram
That Should be the basis for your system, no question.

Better get the memory before they all of a sudden decide to double or triple the price (I hate when they do that!)

So lets see
The AOpen board is a fine choice for a mainboard.
tack on 64 more ram to that to make it 128.
Next get a 100 Dollar 32MB CL TNT2 or V770.

Are you planning to overclock the system?
Im suspecting your not, cuz if ya do, its general procedure to strap several huge loud fans to the CPU, which is not what your looking for.

If your not looking to overclock, Take a good look at the PIII 500.
Its just a few more dollars than the 450, and its a pretty sweet choice.
If your not looking to spend that much, scope outany of the Celerons 400 or over.

If you are planning to clock, You can't go wrong with the PIII 450, or the Celeron 366.

As always, check out [ur;]www.pricewatch.com[/url] for best prices on online ordering of hardware.

By The Way I wouldnt get an Abit board unless your planning to overclock. (Although they are great boards, they arent considered the most stable in the industry..while AOpen is known for top tier stability)

The Via Apollo Pro 133 chipset is a fine chipset to have on your board, and also comes alot cheaper then the BX of most other boards.