recommend cheap build ?

[Parangles]

I 'm thinking of building a replacement for my 5 year old HP Pavillion only because I want to add another HDD for back up, and there is no space in that mini size case.
AMD Duron 1.2 Socket A seems like more than I need for about $50. What do you recommend for a good board? and where can I order it ? Got a used one for sale ?
Whats the story with USB ports? I would like 2 in front and two out back. Is it difficult to add two more to a board that has only 2 listed in the specs?
Onboard sound and video will be good enough. All I need is
a NIC for the cable. Thanks !

[Fastfly]

Go with a AMD +1600 for about $54

Any good board is ABIT SOYO that I know personnally


www.mwave.com
www.newegg.com

Well if it only allows 2 off the main board you can get a USB PCI card for about 20-30 dollars.

I would reccamend that you find a Board with NIC and Sound intergraded.

and just buy a ATi 7500. or Geforce 3 ti 200 or something simular.

[DrZaius]

Hi Parangles,

For a board with everything built in check out the Asus A7N266-VM, it's only $75 @ NewEgg and would be great paired up with the Athlon XP 1600+ FastFly suggested.

[Parangles]

Thanks- Yes the ASUS A7N266-VM $75 and the AthlonXP1600+ $53.99 look good and reliable- good reviews for both on newegg.
Am I going to have any compatability problems with using the old
existing hard drive, and CD ROM ? I will check the RAM type & pins when I shut down later, but assume I'll have to buy new RAM.
More important will my old Win98FE run on the new mobo/chip ?
This is looking like a $400+ project with case and power, new OS etc. Maybe a USB connector/adapter for a second HDD might achieve the back up that I want until I'm ready to do a complete and proper build. I'm checking out the USB idea. Thanks.

Chris

[DrZaius]

The old HDD and CD-ROM should work fine in the new system, and you can install Win98. Yes, the new board uses DDR so you'll need new RAM as well.

[glc]

I don't know about Win98FE compatibility - XP is recommended for the NForce boards. Our builder is offering that board with XP only - all their other offerings they give us a choice of 98se, ME, 2K, or XP both flavors.

If you want a cheap micro integrated board, you might want to look at an Asus TUSI-M with a Celeron 800 or higher - and that board DOES accept SDRAM.