Advice on CPU Combo

[sstterry]

I am building my 10 year old son a computer for his birthday (my first build). He plays games like Age of Mythology and Rise of Nations. What type of budget Motherboard /Cpu would you reccomend. I really want to keep this within reason, but I want it to be able to last him a couple of years also. I already have a video card from one of my old systems. but I can't decide on how much I should spend on the CPU & Motherboard.

Any suggestions?

 

[nick1985]

Well, I am not really sure what kind of budget you are looking at, but this is a solid $200 budget combo. If this is to cheap, or you wanted to spend more let me know and I can help you from there.

PRICES INCLUDE SHIPPING

Motherboard $79

CPU $120

Grand Total: $199

This gives you a quality motherboard and CPU for under $200. Keep in mind, I suggest having at least 512Megs of PC-2700 or higher for this combo. Also, can I ask what kind of video card he will be using?

 

[Ike0069]

I agree with Nick, great deal there.
There are better S754 boards, but of course they cost more.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
There are better S754 boards, but of course they cost more.

"We are extremely pleased to award our Silver Editors Choice to the Chaintech VNF-250 motherboard. As the first in a new Zenith Value Series, we think Chaintech has a great idea - build an overclocker's dream board with all the performance and none of the frills for the lowest possible price. Chaintech also managed to do it without giving up really important features, which is even more commendable. The fact that Chaintech was a top performer in our overclocking tests at a price of less than $100 deserves our award. The VNF-250 proves that you can build a board any enthusiast will want without breaking the bank. Well done, Chaintech." --Anandtech

By better, I hope you mean that they have more bells and whistles. For raw performance at low cost, the chaintech board is tough to beat, and I dont think his son needs all the extra features of a more expensive board.

 

[Appledrop]

another vote for chaintech vnf250 with a 2800+, however, i think you would really to get a 512mb stick of DDR400 ram too, which would push the price further...

another option would be a good quality cheap nforce 2 motherboard with a 2500+ barton and 512mb ddr 400... although you would get noticeably better performance with the athlon64...

total: $192, with ram.

 

[justly]

The CPU nick1985 linked to would, correction should, be the first choice to look at. If you want to spend more, or less then provide a budget to work with.

Motherboards tend to be recommended a bit more on personal taste, so nick1985s recomendation may not fit your needs to a tee, but it is a good choice. My taste differs from nick1985 but again his recomendation is a good place to start. All in all if your budget fits what nick1985 recommended your son should be quite happy with it.

 

[imported_Computer MAn]

Originally posted by: Azzy64
another vote for chaintech vnf250 with a 2800+, however, i think you would really to get a 512mb stick of DDR400 ram too, which would push the price further...

another option would be a cheap nforce2 motherboard with a 2500+ barton and 512mb ddr400... although you would get noticeably better performance with the athlon64...

 

[sstterry]

Thanks alot. I have an Nvidia TI 4200 card that I kept when I upgraded my video card . I thought I would use that for now. Bear in mind he won't be playing Half Life2 or anything like that for quite some time. Is there a place other than Newegg that would build and test the combo for me. I don't think Monarch carries these Motherboards.

 

[nick1985]

Text

not sure if this link will work, but it is from mwave.com and its the same combo as above. the price is still $199, but that does not include shipping. however, that price does include the testing you wanted.

 

[nick1985]

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