very cheap PC, have case, help!

[darksideleader]

As crazy as it may sound...the cheapest cores are actually the newest motherboard Socket becuase they dont make the oldr motherboards anymore. I HIGHLY suggest getting something like this instead for only 20 bucks more.

Newegg.com - Rosewill RV300 ATX 300W Power Supply 115/230 V CE, cUL, CSA, CB, TUV, FCC, NEMKO, DEMKO, SEMKO, TC - Retail
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR K8M800 Micro AM2 Socket AM2 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Newegg.com - AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ Brisbane 1.9GHz 2 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail
Newegg.com - WINTEC AMPO 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory - Retail


Now I know it is way overkill but understand how much more power is in that cpu than an old sempron. Just think more in terms of how eventually the sempron would even get slow for tasks like that in a year or two while this for only 40 more or so will last years for basic tasks.

$161.97

Like I said it would be overkill but understand for not much more you are getting something FAR FAR more future proof...This is just what I would do. The CPU is lterally probably 4 times more powerful for 20 bucks more...

your motherboard doesn't even support Athlon 64 x2

and wow the other guy's comp costed 3000 USD?

 

[Sora]

Wow your right...i just figured it was AM2 and since AM2 was MADE for X2's that it would support it lmao.

regardless this one is a buck more and does support X2

Newegg.com - MSI K9MM-V Socket AM2 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

 

[darksideleader]

err but no onboard video

 

[Sora]

lol your right about that one to..bah I dont know much about the cheapest of X2 boards but this one DOES and its only 3 bucks more than the first one I posted lol and supports X2

Newegg.com - BIOSTAR NF61S Micro AM2 SE Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 uATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

 

[patnshan]

I want to thank everyone for all the suggestions. Here is what I think I am going to get:

BIOSTAR K8M800 Micro AM2 Socket AM2 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $47.99
Newegg.com - BIOSTAR K8M800 Micro AM2 Socket AM2 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail

WINTEC AMPO 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory - Retail $27.99
Newegg.com - WINTEC AMPO 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory - Retail

AMD Sempron 64 3000+ Manila 1.6GHz 256KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail $32.99
Newegg.com - AMD Sempron 64 3000+ Manila 1.6GHz 256KB L2 Cache Socket AM2 Processor - Retail

All of that for $108.97. I will use the PSU from the old HP box if I can. Does this look OK? It looks like I can move up to a 64 chip in the future if needed.

I do have another question. For my HTPC (from the old Athlon 3000+), I was thinking about replacing my video card with something better than the FX5200 128MB I have now. I want to do just use it for audio server duty and surfing for now, but would upgrade if it would make me better capable for DVR functionality in the future with OTA HD. Also, do I need an HDCP card to do HDTV DVR or is that just for Blu-Ray or HD-DVD?

Thanks again,

Pat

 

[patnshan]

I ended up going with the low end processor you recommended, but got the higher end full ATX gigabyte MB. That way I can get an X2 chip down the line if I need to and can add more RAM and peripherals. Thanks much for all your help.

Pat