Build review please

[JCKC]

Would you folks mind taking a look at this build? I plan on ordering today in order to have everything ship this week. This will be replacing a 3-year old Dell XPS 400. The only item I plan on using from the old system is a Dell analog LCD monitor. This system will be used for nothing more than internet access and word-processing. No gaming, no over-clocking, no high-end graphics, no SLI, etc.

I'm pretty confident that all the components will "play nicely" with each other. But the only question I have, which may be a dumb one, is whether or not the micro-ATX motherboard will go in the case. If anyone can confirm that for me, please let me know.

All item numbers are NewEgg numbers. So here goes:

LIAN LI PC-A05B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Model #C-A05B
Item #:N82E16811112130

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Model #:GA-G31M-S2L
Item #:N82E16813128078

ECS N8400GS-256DZL GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #:N8400GS-256DZL
Item #:N82E16814134030

SeaSonic SS-400ES 400W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.91 Power Supply - OEM
Model #:SS-400ES
Item #:N82E16817151039

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7200 - Retail
Model #:BX80571E7200
Item #:N82E16819115052

Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN - Retail
Model #:KHX6400D2LLK2/2GN
Item #:N82E16820134125

Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD2500YS
Item #:N82E16822136055

Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 V2 - OEM
Model #:69A-00001 OEM
Item #:N82E16823109031

Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-216DBK - OEM
Model #VR-216DBK
Item #:N82E16827129032

ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
Model #:ACFZ7-PRO
Item #:N82E16835186134

XIGMATEK PTI-G3801 Thermal Compound - Retail
Model #TI-G3801
Item #:N82E16835233006

Thanks in advance everyone.
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JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[DSF]

If you're not overclocking, why spend the money on an aftermarket cooler?

Save yourself some money on the RAM too, and get something rated to run at 1.8V. Something like this is only $20:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820227060

You don't need flashy RAM for an internet box being run at stock speeds.

 

[JCKC]

Thanks for the feedback, DSF.

I've never heard of OCZ RAM. Would you consider it reliable? I was sticking to brand names I recognized, hence the Kingston RAM selection.

About the CPU cooler. I do not know if the CPU itself comes with a cooler or not. I just assumed you needed to have one regardless. The Arctic Cooling is on sale for $31.00 so it's not that big an expense.

Thanks for any additional feedback.
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JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[DSF]

Any Intel CPU marked as "Retail" comes with a heatsink that has thermal material already applied to the base of the heatsink.

OCZ is a good brand. The only reason I don't recommend a lot of their memory is that it's not rated for 1.8V operation, but that module is.

 

[Ike0069]

Why are you not going with another pre-built PC? With deals you can find out there, it is normally much cheaper to buy a Dell or similar PC than to build one yourself. Especially if you need an OS.

To answere your questions, yes the MB will be fine and OCZ is a well known brand. If you buy a retail processor, it will always come with a HSF and TIM. You do not need the Freezer 7 or thermal compund.

 

[JCKC]

Cool (no pun intended). I dropped the Arctic Cooler from the build sheet and will use the stock heat sink that comes with the CPU.

I did change the RAM out as well but didn't go with the OCZ. I took a look at the RAM you recommended and it is rated at DDR2-667. The motherboard calls for DDR2-800. So I went with this RAM instead:

Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/2G - Retail

Can you make any recommendations on the motherboard and case fitment? Should I assume the Micro-ATX board will mount correctly within the Lian-Li case?
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JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[JCKC]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Why are you not going with another pre-built PC? With deals you can find out there, it is normally much cheaper to buy a Dell or similar PC than to build one yourself. Especially if you need an OS.

To answere your questions, yes the MB will be fine and OCZ is a well known brand. If you buy a retail processor, it will always come with a HSF and TIM. You do not need the Freezer 7 or thermal compund.

Thanks Ike. Although I could go with another Dell (or other brand), I get much more enjoyment out of the build process and feel I have a lot more control over the selection of components. Besides, I've had some bad luck with Dell and have no intentions of giving them any more money, even if the money is coming from someone else. This particular build is for my sister, whose Dell just gave up the ghost. She is using a laptop until I can deliver this PC to her. I already have an extra XP-Pro license and will use that for installing the OS.

And I've already dropped the Arctic Cooler and thermal compound off the build sheet.

Can you think of anything else I may have overlooked?
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JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[Ike0069]

Personally, I would change the case/PSU to the Sonata III.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024

It's a very nice case with a solid PSU and it is only $100 which is an very good price. Add to that the free shipping it has right now, and this is an excellent deal IMO that would save you around $60.

Everything else looks good to me.

 

[JCKC]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Personally, I would change the case/PSU to the Sonata III.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811129024

It's a very nice case with a solid PSU and it is only $100 which is an very good price. Add to that the free shipping it has right now, and this is an excellent deal IMO that would save you around $60.

Everything else looks good to me.

Thanks again, Ike. I personally don't like doors on a CPU case but I'll run it past my sister.

I couldn't tell from the pics/specs, but do you know if the power suppy has at least two SATA connectors? I would hate to just assume it does.
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JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[DSF]

A couple things.

Your motherboard will take DDR2-667 just fine. There technically isn't any consumer CPU out there that requires DDR2-800. Even if you want to go with DDR2-800 for your own peace of mind, which I can understand, it should still cost you less than $40 shipped.
Something like this for example:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820146118
Mushkin is a great brand, I believe they're based in the USA if that matters to you.

This PSU is built by Seasonic and is $35 with free shipping after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...E16817371006&Tpk=EA430

The PSU included with the Sonata III is the next model up, the Earthwatts 500. Both units have four SATA connectors.

 

[JCKC]

Thanks for your help folks. With your advice, I made a few changes to my build sheet and got everything ordered last night.

I'll be back again in a month or so when I put together a build sheet for another PC, this time one for ME! This one will be based on an E8400 with a budget of about $1200-$1400.

Until next next time.....
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JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[DSF]

What was your final parts list, out of curiosity?

 

[JCKC]

Here's what I went with:

LIAN LI PC-A05B Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811112130

GIGABYTE GA-G31M-S2L LGA 775 Intel G31 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128078

Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Wolfdale 2.53GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E7200 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819115052

mushkin 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model 996527 - Retail
Item #: N82E16820146118

ECS N8400GS-256DZL GeForce 8400 GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814134030

Antec earthwatts EA430 430W ATX12V v2.0 Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817371006

Western Digital Caviar RE WD2500YS 250GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822136055

Pioneer 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model DVR-216DBK - OEM
Item #: N82E16827129032

Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 V2 - OEM
Item #: N82E16823109031
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JohnC - Kechi, KS

 

[Denithor]

Dang it--saw this thread too late.

For a basic build like this I would have suggested a 780G motherboard ($70) + X2 4850e processor ($80) to replace the e7200 ($125) + G31 mobo ($70) + 8400GS ($40) for a savings of $85 on a system with equal (in the tasks listed) performance and much lower power consumption/heat generation.

 

[JCKC]

Bummer. Oh well, I'm sure she won't be dissappointed in this setup.
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JohnC - Kechi, KS