Need help building friends computer

[hellfreeze]

Well, my firend has finally decided to get a better computer. He has $450 (no more, sorry)...all I will be taking over will be his HD and case. He'll probably need RAM and a new power supply....and he wants a DVD burner (I can get those for $60 here)

I was looking at these combo's....

http://pcclub.com/systems_conf...mbo&bomid=UPG01028

http://pcclub.com/systems_conf...mbo&bomid=UPG01029

Or, I was thinking of taking this route....

http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1906505

http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A4802941

For the power supply, which should I get?

http://pcclub.com/product_list...Supply&subcat2=ATX

I kinda had my eyes on this one....

http://pcclub.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A6226402

I did some searching on the forums, so I spared you of another "AMD or P4" question. lol. I just need help with the last steps. Thanks

 

[cirthix]

first of all, look at the hot deals section to find good deals, secondly, use newegg. i'd give him something like this...

biostar m7ncg400 60 http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=13-138-234&depa=0
2400+ 35w mobile - 90 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-439&depa=0
512mb ram 90 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=20-156-010&depa=0
dvdrw 60 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=27-151-202&depa=0
160gb drive 90 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=22-152-014&depa=0
zalman 3100 20 http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=35-118-102&depa=0
case 25 http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=11-145-032&depa=0
add shipping and that should fit right into ur budjet
that took me 5 mins to price out

 

[cirthix]

that system shoudl overclock peratty well too, in the range of 2.4 ghz with coolign being the limit

 

[hellfreeze]

oh chit, thank you. i'm really loving newegg right about now

thanks cirthix

 

[hellfreeze]

hmmm...just noticed that the tower doesn't have any room for fans...that could be a concern. lol

 

[Ammocyte]

hellfreeze you have room for 2x80mm in the front of that case and 2x80mm in the rear of that case

 

[hellfreeze]

Ammocyte: Oh thanks, I didn't see that

 

[hellfreeze]

Heh, alright, this should be my last rig-verification post. I've browsed Newegg, considered cirthix's rig, but have come up with my own. Please let me know what you guys think...and whether or not there will be compatability issues:

http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=19-103-378&DEPA=1 - $88 (I wasn't quite sure as to which AMD to pick, but from the reviews I picked this one)

ASUS "A7N8X" nForce2 Ultra 400...board for AMD Socket A - $72

Kingston 184 Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 - $78

NEC 8X Black Dual Layer DVD+/...ve, Model ND-2510A BLK - $64

Total: $302.00

** Note: He already has a HD...he may or may not want a new one **

So what do you guys think of this rig? Keep in mind he's just the average user...but may get into gaming (actually, I know he will...once he gets a video card) in the near future. I didn't pick a case, cuz I'm gonna leave that up to him. But I wanted to know...would a 400watt power supply be enough? Or should I go for a 450watt?

Thanks for the help guys. I will hopefully be ordering all of these parts today and setting it up tomorrow (his current computer keeps restarting, so he's willing to overnight)

 

[Tiamat]

Get a namebrand PSU. Something like a Antec, OCZ, Seasonic, etc. If he gets a 500$ gpu, get 400W+ just to be sure. If he isnt getting the 500$ gpu, then 400W maximum with namebrand psu is needed.

 

[igblack]

a 400 would be good. thermaltake has really nice one for 62 dollars here http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=370555

that is the one i got and it is dead silent.


that is better than the first one u picked out and thermaltake is a reliable company


good luck

 

[hellfreeze]

Originally posted by: Tiamat
Get a namebrand PSU. Something like a Antec, OCZ, Seasonic, etc. If he gets a 500$ gpu, get 400W+ just to be sure. If he isnt getting the 500$ gpu, then 400W maximum with namebrand psu is needed.

haha. i'm a n00b. wats a gpu? i'm guessing gaming processing unit?

And I second your advice on the PSU. I've always been a fan of Antec. Never had any problems with them.

** Note: Part of me is tempted to keep this rig for myself and give him my P4. hahaha **

 

[AnonymouseUser]

hellfreeze, cirthix recommended the Biostar mobo for the IGP (integrated graphics). The Asus you chose doesn't have that, so you will need an add-in card for graphics, which adds $$ to the system. If he is wanting a gaming machine, then the IGP isn't going to cut it but for older games. He can always add a graphics card later when he has the money for it.

As for PSUs, I recommend the Vantec Ion2. I have the original Ion, and it is dead silent, so this should be also. It should have no problem with basic overclocking if interested, with plenty of power for additional components. Sparkle has some good PSUs also (very stable rails), but they aren't the quietest.

You chose a black DVD drive. Is the case it will be going in black also?

Also, don't forget that if you get an OEM processor, you will also need a heatsink/fan kit. The one cirthix recommended is a good choice.

Finally, I recommend the Mobile Athlon XP 2400+. It's $9 cheaper than the 2500+ you chose above, and will easily hit 3200+ (200x11) speeds or better on stock voltage. It's multiplier is unlocked, unlike the 2500+, but it is also a Barton core and will run cooler overall.

 

[Concillian]

What is the intended use of the system you're building?

 

[hellfreeze]

for now it's mainly a replacement for a family comp...well a comp used by 2 brothers and the homies. i'm sure though that with the new added power they will be quick to ask me about games...

 

[hellfreeze]

Alright, so based upon the replies here, i've decided to go along with AnonymouseUser's suggestion and get this CPU:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=19-103-400&depa=1

Now I'm a bit concerned as to the motherboard. The one cirthix recommended has 4 stars...but I then saw this one that's slightly more expensive:

http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=13-152-020&amp;depa=1 <-- I like this one because of the TV encoder. However, I don't know anything about motherboards. So please point me to the proper motherboard for the above CPU

Now about the RAM...I linked to a Kingston RAM chip...cirthix pointed to generic RAM...is there really any difference? I'm asking because my friend "informed" me that Kingston is the best (I know nothing can be classified as "the best")...so I was wondering

And lastly...how is this video card for a budget user?: http://www.newegg.com/app/view...=14-102-354&amp;DEPA=1

I apologize for all the trouble I'm giving you guys. I'm a n00b at picking out the parts. To date I have put stuff together, but never picked out the parts. And I haven't had time to sufficiently research it due to the fact that my friend told me that he wants the comp right now at the last minute.

And cirthix, I'm not trying to pick on you or diss you or anything. I'm just using what you posted as examples. Please don't take offense

 

[hellfreeze]

oh, and one last question...i don't know how hot the AMD gets...how many fans should I have in the case? I'm gonna get him a new case that comes with a power supply instead of just a power supply

 

[hellfreeze]

^^bump^^

not to be rude but i want to order the parts tonight

 

[cmdrmoocow]

one or two fans in the case will be quite sufficient, esp with a less heat-producing vidcard. You MIGHT be able to get away with none, but it depends on the case.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

That Kingmax is no generic RAM. I have a 512MB stick of PC3200 and have had the FSB up to 220 stable on my Shuttle AN35N-Ultra. If you plan to overclock the FSB beyond 200, go for the Kingmax, otherwise stick with the lower cost Kingston.

Your choice in mobo is fine.

That video card will not be much better than the onboard video (if it is better at all). An Nvidia 5200 would be a better choice, but not by much. If your friend really wants to game he will need an Nvidia 5700, Radeon 9600, or better as a minimum.

The Mobile Athlons do not get excessively hot, even overclocked. I have mine @ 2.266GHz and it idles @ 44C, with 54C max load after a couple of hours of Doom3 (a little warm due the the extra heat from the GF 6800 video card). I say two case fans, one front, one rear, should be plenty.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Just read something about that Chaintech mobo here. You may have a problem getting a decent speed off of a Mobile Athlon if this is still true:

there is no CPU multiplier support in this board

FSB adjustments seemed fine up to 200MHz, but unless a BIOS update has added the multiplier, you will want to stay away from this board.

 

[hellfreeze]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
That Kingmax is no generic RAM. I have a 512MB stick of PC3200 and have had the FSB up to 220 stable on my Shuttle AN35N-Ultra. If you plan to overclock the FSB beyond 200, go for the Kingmax, otherwise stick with the lower cost Kingston.

I apologize for that wording. before postining initially i requested my friends opinion on RAM, and at that time i was looking at some generic RAM over at PC Club. the image of that RAM was lodged into my memory apparantly. I apologize.

 

[hellfreeze]

AnonymouseUser,

I think I'm going to stick with the Biostar motherboard and the CPU you suggested. Additionally, I will be going with the Kingmax RAM also suggsted by cirthix. But I do have one question. Suppose I got my friend to want better gaming, so I convinced him for the Asus. Would the CPU operate as well on this motherboard?

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Yes, the cpu would work fine. One thing that usually is better with non-IGP boards is BIOS config options, so I highly recommend that route if you can keep it within budget. I personally recommend the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra ($55), but it is out of stock at the moment. If you were interested in the AN35N-Ultra, you could find one from another retailer or wait for Newegg to restock it (it is highly popular so it should be in soon).

 

[hellfreeze]

Originally posted by: AnonymouseUser
Yes, the cpu would work fine. One thing that usually is better with non-IGP boards is BIOS config options, so I highly recommend that route if you can keep it within budget. I personally recommend the Shuttle AN35N-Ultra ($55), but it is out of stock at the moment. If you were interested in the AN35N-Ultra, you could find one from another retailer or wait for Newegg to restock it (it is highly popular so it should be in soon).

oh yeah. i'm loving that. i'm gonna check how much it is at PC Club

Edit: PC Club sucks. But Fry's has it for $56. w00t

about the wattage...350watts or 400watts? i'm looking at cases right now

 

[AnonymouseUser]

A 350 Watt quality PSU should be more than enough. Some Antec cases come with 350W Antec PSUs.