CPU advice needed.

[Freiwillige]

Just getting my tax returns back and decided to look online for a decent gaming computer. I have about 200 to spend but I am so out of the loop since I built my last one a few years back. So I want opinions on if this is a decent deal or not.

First one 200 OBO

Athlon X2 250 running at 3.0 ghz
Gigabyte GA-M68m-s2 Motherboard
2 Gig of 800mhz DDR2 Ram
Sound Blaster Audigy sound card
Geforce 6800 512MB DDR3
300G sata hard drive
Antec case and powersupply
Also included but not installed is an Nvidia 9800GT 1g memory

Windows XP w/sp3 installed w/valid license
Firefox and avast anti-virus installed
Includes World in Conflict, Crysis, Dirt and Office XP Professional

I figured I would offer $170
Good deal?

Second is similiar to my old gaming PC $130

I am selling a 100% working and great Gateway GT4022
includes an upgraded Nvidi GeForce 9400Gt Video Card and a wireless card
has a few front slots removed for better airflow and a few minor cosmetic cracks on case is all
Call or text me at 602 616 3693 for info,
im ALSO selling a 22" widescreen lcd for an additional ammount
Computer Specs are as follows

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Processor AMD Anthlon™ 64 4000+ processor

* Operates at 2.4 GHz
* 2,000 MHz system bus
* 512 K L2 cache
* 64-bit processor with AMD64 Technology

# Memory Installed: 1.5 BG RAM 400 MHz (PC3200) DDR2 memory
# Expandable to: 4 GB
# Video upgraded Nvidi GeForce 9400Gt Video
Audio Integrated 8-Channel (7.1) High Definition Audio
Hard Drive 200 GB 7200 RPM Ultra ATA hard drive
Optical Drive DVD +/- RW, 16X Multi-Format Double Layer drive

* Up to 8.5 GB with Double Layer media
* Write max: 16X DVD +/-R, 6X DVD-RW, 8X DVD+RW, 4X DVD+R DL, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW
* Reads max: 16X DVD-ROM, 40X CD-ROM discs

Media Reader 9-in-1 Digital Media Manager supporting the following:

* CompactFlash Card
* IBM MicroDrive
* Memory Stick
* Memory Stick Pro
* SmartMedia Card
* Secure Digital(SD)/MMC
* Compact Flash
* Multimedia Card
* xD Picture card
* USB 1.1 or later

Modem 56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem
Network Support Integrated 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN
Wireless Aswell
# Interfaces PS/2 keyboard port
# PS/2 mouse port
# Seven USB 2.0 ports (four on rear panel, two on front panel, one in media reader)
# Three IEEE-1394a ports (one on rear panel, two on front-panel)
# One serial port
# One parallel port
# One RJ-45 LAN port
# Seven audio jacks (five on rear panel, two on front panel)
# One S/PDIF digital audio out
# Add-In Card Slots One PCI-Express ×16
# One PCI-E ×1
# Two PCI conventional
# Drive Bays Two external 3.5-inch
# Two external 5.25-inch
# Two internal 3.5-inch
# Input Devices Premium multimedia keyboard
# USB optical mouse
Speakers Amplified, USB powered stereo speakers
Power Supply 300 watt

Your wisdom on such matters is appreciated!

[the_tyrant]

get the Gateway GT4022

sooo much better than the 200 OBO

[JSLTIGER]

The first machine is a much more modern (and powerful) machine than the second (especially with the 9800GT)...given your extremely limited budget, that'd be my vote.

[Penguin]

wouldn't this belong into the hardware forum?

The first CPU is actually 2 generations ahead of the 2nd one and a dual core.
The rest of the specs also sound good, licensed xp + office, 3 games, good soundcard.
The only thing which is better in the second comp is the gfx card, but only if the 9800GT is in no working condition.

Can't say anything to the price however, have no clue of the US prices for used hardware.

[JSLTIGER]

Actually, while the 9400 is newer in the second machine, the 6800 should actually be able to keep pace with it in most DX9 games...of course, the 9400 CAN do DX10 (albeit not well) and the 6800 can't (as in, at all).

[MaddogK]

Im tempted to go with the athlon 64 but I'd need to know if it's socket 939, or am2. I run a nvidia 6800 myself so I know it's rather stable when not pushed too hard, but only in my experience with xp. I definitely want to stay away from that SATA drive as our commercial machines tend to be flaky with the WD drives.

The gateway is prolly a proprietary MB, and needs 'gateway' drivers.


Hmmm, given the 2 choices I'm still leaning toward the gateway, but only slightly. Is there a 3rd option ?

[Freiwillige]

So far not yet on 3rd choice.

The Athlon 64 4000+ is a socket 939

The other is a socket AM2 or AM2+

[MaddogK]

Go with option 1:
The board has some nice features especially the SS caps, the AM3 processor is respectable, the audigy is a good card. I wouldn't recommend updating to Win 7 just yet as the 6800 isn't a top of the line card and likely has some DX10 limitations. Sounds like a decent starter PC.