Need to know If I should buy this tomorrow

[Mustaine]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3930690&sku=B450-2230%20A&cm_mmc=Email-_-Main-_-WEM1637-_-Components&SRCCODE=WEM1637BY


current rig:
athlon xp1800 (1.53ghz)
768mb
70gb IDE


That bare Bones worth the build? I'll get a SATA HD, seagate probably, use current DVDrom and stuff...

I doubt I can go wrong for $150 but I am so out of touch with processors and memory and what are "low end"

[Fulmar]

God I hate recommending 'upgrades' using out-dated products.  My personal opinion is it's better to save up your money and spend it in a larger chunk down the road, then make smaller more abundant upgrades.

Here's the problems I see with that rig, now remember this is my personal opinion and I'm sure others will come along as well.

- It's a Pentium D, non dual core processor.  It's about 2 1/2+ years old (since the processor was launched.
- Biostar?  Pretty low-end motherboard manufacturer.
- Micro ATX motherboard, yuck.
- Onboard worthless video.  I'm not sure what card you have now, but I'm sure it's AGP.
- Low end PSU, I never recommend cheap power supplies.  Too many bad PSU's in my experience frying more expensive equipment.  You generally find these in kits most of the time.
- $30 mail-in rebate
- Old motherboard northbridge chipset

What is good about it?
- Cheap
- Motherboard can suport newer Intel Dual Core chips
- Ram seems to be quality

Your Althon XP is what, 6 years old?  I don't recommend upgrading to a processor that almost 3 years old.  Save your money.  $400-$500 can do a nice rig these days.  If you're willing to plop $180+S/H (before rebate) for this system, why not put that money in a bank and wait a little longer).

[Skuzzy]

The Pentium D is also a very, very poor performer and runs very, very hot, which means it consumes more power than most third world countries use.

The Prescott family of CPU's were the worst CPU's every foisted on the market.  Due to the power requirements and heat dissipation, they earned the neck, "motherboard killers" as they literally will destroy components on the motherboards due to the incredible amount of heat they generate.

[Getback]

As I reading the specs I was thinking Skuzzy had said something about the Pentium D poor performance.

Fulmar is correct. I can't add to that.

[Mustaine]

crap

I got only about $200 spare, Money is tight, was looking from something new(er). You are right my rig is 6+ years old. I can play AH and keep decent frame rates (20's with 10 cons or more otherwise 45+) but thats about it.

I'll keep looking. Thanks for the heads up. <S>


<BTW Fulmar, the ad says it IS a dual core, are they lying??>

[Fulmar]

crap

I got only about $200 spare, Money is tight, was looking from something new(er). You are right my rig is 6+ years old. I can play AH and keep decent frame rates (20's with 10 cons or more otherwise 45+) but thats about it.

I'll keep looking. Thanks for the heads up. <S>


<BTW Fulmar, the ad says it IS a dual core, are they lying??>

I guess it is a dual core, but its still not work it.  Did you see this disclaimer?
"Note: A CPU cooling fan is not included with this CPU. In order to safeguard your warranty and achieve optimum performance we recommend purchasing a new compatible cooling fan."

[Mustaine]

Oh I saw that... personally I have a coolermaster solid copper heat sync with a 90mm ball bearing fan on top I know overheat.

My guess is like Skuzzy said about them running hot they didn't add a fan because A: a good enough fan would raise the price $50+ B: a cheap fan and the CPU would die fast lending to costly returns for warranty.

[Getback]

Mustaine,

My guess is to save about $300 more and you could get a very decent machine. Gigabyte mb 90 bucks, e2200 $80, case $70, ps $45, hd $70, vid card $125 and 22 gigs of ram $50. Oops I guess that is over $500. Still though if you could use your current os and case you could squeeze it. If that is the scenario then you can deduct 140 bucks from the 530 to get a system for $390. The duo core e2200 is not a bad chip at all.

[BaldEagl]

While it's not something I would buy, if you were like me before I built my new machine and were running a PIII 600 with 512 megs PC 100 memory and a 64 meg video card I'd be tempted to do it.  Regardless of the quality of the components, it would be a big step up and for the price you don't have much to lose if it doesn't work out.

If you want a decent machine, plan on $600-800.  If you want great then plan on $1200-1500.

[DREDIOCK]

Dont forget to add an OS to that price too

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Try to search Asrock code 2CORE1066-2.13G it's a motherboard and core2duo combo with the cpu factory overclocked to 2.13 Ghz.

It costs only 123€ here which translates to about $190. But since your prices tend to be lower I wouldn't be surprised if you could get it $150 or so.

With this motherboard you can build a killer price/performance box for $400 from scratch.

[Ghosth]

I agree with MrRipley, my last 2 boards have both be Asrock and I'm tickled pink with them.

The system I built for 600 back in December I'm sure you could build for less than 500$ now.
Squirrel away that 200 till you can get a couple more to go with it.

If you need help with OS shoot me a email.

[Mustaine]

I'd just use my current XP OS, thats no biggie, I'll take the current rig and make it a linux box.

I'll hold off I guess.

[68Wooley]

The Pentium D is indeed dual core - it was Intel's first attempt at a dual core processor for the desktop market, hence the 'D' in the name. It was, as others have pointed out, absolutely cack.

This was back in the days when Athlon 64's and X2's ruled the roost and before the Israelis rescued Intel's buts. Funny how quickly things changed.

[NOT]

i have a pent D940 in my other comp, while it does run hotter then my 6550 c2d, it always handled AH very well. but i do agree with the others, it is outdated.




NOT