[WTB][US] Parts for my sons first rig

[blkhogan]

Looking for something on the "cheap" side. My 9 year old is asking for his first system.

I need some decent DDR2 (2x1GB) 667 or possibly 800MHz would be good. In the $20 to $30 range. Also a low power gfx (no external power) in the $30+ range. Maybe a mid range 4xxx or low end 5xxx card. It will be going with a 7850 Kuma BE, board, case, monitor, psu and HDD I already have. Used for mostly web surfing, kids games, movies and music. The key to this is "cheap".
My son will thank you. Also I will thank you. This will keep him off my rigs.
Edit: Also looking for a keyboard. My back up one I was going to use bit the dust.

 

[GSquadron]

I must ask you: What are these "kids games"?
Anyway, i recommend asrock mobo, cheap and good performance. There is no low end 5xxx card lower than 60$ (and this is just a perspective)
As keyboard, just buy a cheap one, with lowered buttons.

 

[t_ski]

I have a Radeon 2400 for less than what you are looking for and have a spare Dell USB keyboard. I can probably get ahold of 2x1GB for you, for a package deal of $45 including shipping for all three.

 

[cganesh75]

i have 2x1Gb ddr2-667.. $25 shipped. heatware under cganesh75. PM me if you are interested

 

[blkhogan]

I must ask you: What are these "kids games"?
Anyway, i recommend asrock mobo, cheap and good performance. There is no low end 5xxx card lower than 60$ (and this is just a perspective)
As keyboard, just buy a cheap one, with lowered buttons.

Mostly disney games. Also he really likes the games you get with the Kid Rocket browser http://kidrocket.org/ Hes really into movies and music. I guess the Onboard would do the job but is strained pretty hard playing HD or Blue Ray.
Parts I already have:
MSI K9N6PGM2-V2 board (6150SE & 430 chipset)
AMD X2 7850 Kuma BE
WD 250GB IDE HDD
XIGGY low profile cooler
Antec HTPC case
400w Cooler Master psu
Linksys wireless card
Asus 19" monitor
Mx518 mouse
Onboard sound will be used
Altec Lansing headphones

Parts lacking:
Memory
gfx (if I need one)
KB

 

[GSquadron]

Still, that rig is not intended for blue-ray. If so, buy a 7600GS like mine cuz i really have a very good time watching films. 1GB is a must and from your system i totally agree that it would play films much better than mine. So go for an old generation, but one of the best cards of that generation. I have been told in the forum that my 7600GS sells for 20$ nowdays. You can get a 8600GS and with that your kid would be happy. I play split second (disney game ) perfectly and cannot think of what would happen if i change the card.
I can mention a lot of other games i play (even all setting are low) like:
Singularity (completed)
Assasin's Creed 1, 2 (completed)
Crisis
Dragon Age Origins (completed) :Awakening
Spore (completed)
Street fighter 4
Pro evolution 2010
Fifa 2010
Split Second (I really like it and i have completed it)
There are a lot of other games and seriously i really think my card is capable to play them all
Even the latest games like singularity (2010 game) are playable at higher settings
So go for a card like 8600GS
I have heard someone played GTA 4 with very good fps with that card.
The only game my card is not capable of giving more than 5fps is GTA IV
Considering disney games, 8600GS is going to be the best shot for performance/price ratio

 

[blkhogan]

I think he plays Spore. Its on my htpc that he is using off and on now. He also plays a couple "matchbox" racing games. He likes L4D, but I limit his exposure to that one by keeping it loaded on my game rig. He has nightmares if he plays it very often. So thats a once or twice a week thing at most.
Do you think a 9500 GT 512 or a 5450 512 would cut it? They seem to be pretty cheap. He can watch HD and Blue Ray movies on the HTPC we currently have running.

 

[1nf3rn0x]

A 4670 is pretty powerful and cheap (only $60). Its more powerful than the two you have stated.
Comparing 4670 to 5450 to a 9500gt.

 

[theonedub]

^ 4670 was exactly what I was thinking. I believe they make them without the 6pin too.

 

[blkhogan]

The 4670 might be the way I go.

 

[GSquadron]

Looks like 9500GT 512 is better than 8600GTS in this review:
http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-9500-gt-review/8

And look at the prices!
http://www.google.com/products/cata...log_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCAQ8wIwAg
http://www.google.com/products/cata...og_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CCoQ8wIwBA#

Also, reading this is a must, really!
http://www.insidehw.com/Reviews/Graphics-cards/ATi-Radeon-HD-4670-vs-nVIDIA-GeForce-9500GT.html

Finally, here are my specs just to show off

Don't forget that ATI 4670 at infernos post, is overclocked by 50mhz for core, memory and 9500GT is 256, not like the others with 512mb

 

[blkhogan]

Here is the 9500GT I was looking at. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814500155

 

[theonedub]

I think the 9500GT is too under powered.

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

4650 or 4670 are your best bet especially if the 4650 is a GDDR3 version those are your 2 best bets that or try finding a used 9600gso

 

[GSquadron]

The cheapest 4670 i found is this one
BIOSTAR VA4673NH51-B Radeon HD 4670 512MB 128-bit ...

 

[blkhogan]

What about this 9600GSO? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130543

 

[GSquadron]

If you go up there, than this one is remarkably much better:
ZOTAC ZT-20202-10L GeForce GT 220 512MB 128-bit DD...

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

ouch man only get the DDR3 9600gso like i said search around the forums someone must have one folding etc somewhere

also ur looking for the 96sp gso model

 

[blkhogan]

ouch man only get the DDR3 9600gso like i said search around the forums someone must have one folding etc somewhere

I dont know squat about Nvidia. :shadedshu What would be a fair used price for a 9600 GSO?

 

[theonedub]

What about this 9600GSO? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130543

No, 48 shaders and DDR2 makes that the bad GSO. You want the 96 shader DDR3 version. I would take a 9600GT before I took that cut down GSO.

Someone was selling one for $45. I have bought 3 or 4 of them from here on the forums from $35 to $45 One of my fav cards (used to be the best bang for buck PPD wise GPU )

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

as theonedub said

96sp card is what ur looking for they came in 384 mb and 768mb flavors

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-9600-gso-386-mb-review-point-of-view/2

if heavily overclocked its about 9600gt /8800gt at stock clocks non overclocked the 9600gso is really a renamed 8800gs if memory serves me right just better power consumption and clocked a bit better

 

[theonedub]

Link to the GSO for sale: http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=124957

Looks like he will take $40. I had a similar card, should be a DDR3 model. If its available I say pick it up.

Bah, its sold according to his Heatware

 

[crazyeyesreaper]

well a 9600gso 96sp is basically the competition for a 4670 DDR3 so there ya go

 

[BUCK NASTY]

This is what your looking for. I have not dealt with Ascendtech, so tread carefully.

http://www.ascendtech.us/Itemdesc.asp?ic=VC384PLG9600GSO&eq=&Tp=

 

[zithe]

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/AscendTech_Inc

Seems to be a good store.