Need Mobo Advice

[Banti]

I am looking to throw a good comp together for cheap. More than likely I will throw in a oc'ed celeron.

I am looking at the Asus P3WE comes with video, audio, and e-net builtin.

My other option is the Asus P3V4X, but I would need to get cheap video and audio cards.(I think I have a cheap e-net card in the junk closet).

I started looking at the P3WE after the review here on Sysopt. I do not play frame-rate eaters (Quake or UT, etc...). The most graphics intensive game I will play on this system will be Diablo 2 when and if it comes out. I have been eyeing the Asus P3V4X for a while now.

If I get the P3WE it will be a spare system board that I would replace after a while (unless I found a killer PCI video card). The P3V4X would see new video/audio cards after a while.

So, if you have any experience with these boards, or now of good (cheap) video cards please LMK.


Banti

Also if you have similar boards to suggest...please do.

~~EDIT~~ See details below

[This message has been edited by Banti (edited 04-10-2000).]

[Haervii]

Hi. Well I am replying because no one else did, and also to give you advice. buy from Asus, because they have top notch boards. Also, don't let sound/video become a factor in your choice, because they probably suck, built in. and Diablo II, while available only on 640x480 res (RRGGH!) does have good graphics and lighting, or so they say, so just buy a decent vid card. ANd yes it will come out, beta testing is currently underway.

[Axel]

what's your budget limit and what will the system be used for - with that info, we can steer you in the right direction -

Otherwise, I'd say look for a used system in a resale shop that has a mini ATX form factor so you could reuse the case and most of the components when the funds become available to upgrade the system. - You could probably walk away with a P-200 used system for about $400 that would be worth upgrading later - just stay away from HP, Compaq, DEL, or IBM as you won't be able to upgrade them much from non-OEM components. And DON'T buy a sony - you'll never find parts for it....

[This message has been edited by Axel (edited 04-10-2000).]

[ajf]

I agree. You may be able to get one cheap on Ebay or something like that. I was able to find a little Pentium 133 for my daughter for $75 bucks and it runs like a charm.

[ajf]

Oh yeah. I just saw a review for Diablo II at firingsquad.com I didn't read it but it looks like it is out on the market or at least very soon.

[Banti]

I already have the basics...

ATX case
17" monitor
8 gig drive
Floppy
e-net card
64 pc133 (trade pending)
cdrom (trade pending)

I need...
CPU thinking celeron
Sloket (if Celery) Asus 133 b/c temp diode support
Mobo thinking Asus (possibly w/FCPGA support)
Video thinking xpert 99 AGP 8mb
Audio thinking xgamer or s16pnp
Modem external (not to buy now, but suggestions please... download speeds instead games)


I will use the system for surfing (56k at first, cable or ADSL maybe by X-mas or summer next year). I also will use this system for my games (Diablo II and the like, no frame hogs). Later on this system will be my design computer (BASIC Stamp 2 design and testing). Running Pspice and Altera...

My budget is around $500...
for CPU/Mobo, Video, Audio (modem later)


Currenlty I am using a p120 laptop, so I am in no hurry. If something good is on the horizon, please LMK.

The biggest help I will need is with the mobo/CPU and secondly the video. I am not sure about what mobo makers make (other than Asus). I am also unsure whether to invest in the Celermines. I know from you guys http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif what to look for if I want a high end card (G400, Geo, etc...) but I am not sure about midrange cards...


Thanks,
Banti

[This message has been edited by Banti (edited 04-10-2000).]

[Banti]

How about this celeron and vid card

a 466 celery, and a xpert 128 16mb

Banti

[This message has been edited by Banti (edited 04-12-2000).]

[jad1097]

How about a 550-600MHZ Athlon, A board plus cpu should run around $300.
Then a Creative Live value for about $60.
This will leave you about $140 for a video card. You could get a AGP 32 MB TNT2 based card for around $100 or less.