The Droolbox (it's actually a budget box)

[bhtooefr]

OK, I'm window shopping for crap, and wondering how well I'm doing...

A green background in a cell tells you what I'm leaning towards for a component.

<table border="1"><tr><td colspan="3"><b>Socket 754 Droolbox</b></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="4"><b>CPU Possibilities:</b></td><td>Sempron 2600+ Palermo</td><td>$76</td></tr><tr><td>Athlon 64 2800+ Newcastle</td><td>$120</td></tr><tr><td>Sempron 3300+ Palermo</td><td>$137</td></tr><tr><td>Athlon 64 3000+ Newcastle</td><td>$146</td></tr><tr><td><b>Mobo:</b></td><td>Chaintech MBAV-MK8T890</td><td>$66</td></tr></table>

<table border="1" bgcolor=#00ff00><tr><td colspan="3"><b>Socket 939 Droolbox</b></td></tr><tr><td><b>CPU:</b></td><td>Athlon 64 3000+ Venice</td><td>$146</td></tr><tr><td><b>Mobo:</b></td><td>Foxconn NF4K8MC-ERS</td><td>$87</td></tr></table>

<table border="1"><tr><td colspan="3"><b>Common components</b></td></tr><tr><td rowspan="3"><b>GPU Possibilities:</b></td><td>Rosewill R62TC-64PX (GF6200TC)</td><td>$52.99</td></tr><tr bgcolor=#00ff00><td>AOpen GF6600 DV128 PCIE</td><td>$103.99</td></tr><tr><td>Chaintech SE6600G (GF6600GT)</td><td>$158</td></tr><tr bgcolor=#00ff00><td><b>RAM:</b></td><td>Corsair ValueSelect 1GB DDR400 Dual Channel kit</td><td>$80.99</td></tr><tr bgcolor=#00ff00><td><b>HDD:</b></td><td>Seagate ST3160827AS (160GB 7200RPM SATA)</td><td>$89.50</td></tr><tr bgcolor=#00ff00><td rowspan="2"><b>Optical Drives:</b></td><td>Samsung TS-H552U/BEBN BLK (DL DVD burner)</td><td>$40.99</td></tr><tr bgcolor=#00ff00><td>Toshiba sd-m2012c (DVD-ROM drive)</td><td>$21.99</td></tr><tr bgcolor=#00ff00><td><b>Case:</b></td><td>Foxconn TLM487</td><td>$32.50</td></tr></table>

Current cost for preferred config: $602.96, not including shipping

Both mobos are on the unofficial [H] list of good mATX mobos (stumbled on it by Googling.) I can't find any reviews on the Chaintech, though... The Foxconn seems to be that "good cheap budget mobo"...

Yes, I know, I'm using a DC kit on the 754. It's cheaper and lower latency than the equivalent 1GB stick...

This involves the classic 754 vs. 939 debate. I probably won't upgrade CPUs until it's time to get another mobo, anyway, though.

If I were to build the 754 system, which of those CPUs is the sweet spot?

Which of the GPUs is the sweet spot?

Just how crappy is the PSU in the case I mentioned? (click here, and click on the seventh photo for rail ratings)

Did I turn stupid, and forget something?

[PRIME1]

From Newegg:
MB: CHAINTECH VNF4 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 $75
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6813152053

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice $146
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6819103537

OD: NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A - $40.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6827152047

Vid: GIGABYTE GV-NX66T128D Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 - $158
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6814125156

[bhtooefr]

For the optical and video, I specifically didn't pick out weekend warrior specials.

As for the mobo, I specifically wanted a Micro-ATX mobo b/c it's smaller.

I take it you suggest going with the Venice on my setup choices, anyway, though?

[derFunkenstein]

IF you go 754 (and on a budget box with a throwaway mobo, it's not a terrible idea IMO) go with the 3000+...larger cache + greater or equal clockspeed (as a 3300+ more in line wiht a Celeron of that speed, vs. a 3000+ which blows away a 3GHz P4) + x86-64 support + WinXP for x86-64 = about as good as super-cheap x86 boxes get at this point.

[drfish]

Go 939 and get the Foxconn NF4K8MC-ERS (in an Aria), I've built a system with one at it went very smoothly. I've also built four systems with NF4UK8AA-8EKRS and they are all just super.