Complete system $1000

[crydee]

This is for my GF who has no computer right now. She was using school provided laptop so she is going to need everything. This is what I have put together so far ~ approx budget of 1000.00 of course the less is better. Lots of surfing, videos (downloading shows ect), some gaming (like source).

Rosewill R5604
44.99
Gigabyte GA-965-DS3(rev1.3)
99.99
FSP Group AX400-PN 400W PSU
43.99
E6320
168.00
WINTEC AMPX 2GB DDR2800 2GB
92.99
7200.10 320GB
79.99
ACER AL2016WBbd 20" WS LCD
199.99
SONY DVD+/-R AW-Q170A-BE OEM
29.99
BENQ 4.99 Keyboard
MS Optical 1.1 3 Button w/ wheel Mouse 10.99
Windows XP MCE 109.99

Total not including shipping so far is 885.90. (all from newegg right now I will spend a few days shopping for deals and better places though too to save a few dollars).

I know I haven't picked out the video card. I'm currently using a Powercooler X1950PRO with the accerlo x2. I was thinking of selling it to her at a very reasonable price and upgrading myself to an 8800GTS since I'm a heavy gamer. What would be a reasonable price to transfer that x1950pro? While I'm creating a new thread if you use dual monitors 22" 1680x1050 for gaming and always have your secondary on doing stuff @ 1280x1024 would I benefit more from a 8800GTS 640MB over the 320MB?

The monitor is still an iffy I still need to do some looking around and I could probably save some dollars there. I think WS is so much better but I know I could get her a nice 19" for 20-30$ cheaper like a BenQ.

Any places to cut on the system without to much of a hint in performance?

 

[Nnyan]

If you're looking to cut costs in a reasonable fashion I would look at this case/ps combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119118 the PS is very basic but its decent enough to use on your system. You can also consider going to the E4300, with some modest overclock (this thing is very OC friendly) you'll be back to E6320 levels). Only other thing I can think of is get a single stick of 1GB ram and then get the other stick later.

 

[EvanAdams]

If my girlfriend was geting a new computer for that much cash I would send her to dell.com. I would fear something going wrong when a paper or something being due and it being 'all my fault'

Same thing goes for my dad's buisness computers... but that is a whole nother can of worms.

 

[crydee]

Well you can't get the gaming and video card that she wants to do for $1000 from dell.com. I've built a lot of computers not really worried. Was looking for opinions about the video card and stuff. If I do cut costs on the processor to OC the E4300 I would have to drop the same 30$ on a hs though so not sure of the tradeoff. Thanks in advance though

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

That looks good.... mostly.

Bad case. Very bad. I highly doubt your gf wants a door in front of her optical drives. I would suggest instead the RAIDMAX APEX ATX-802BP with 450W PSU. It's only $5 more than the Rosewill you picked out, but it will be a lot more practical (per no front door). It looks very nice (IMO), and includes a 450W PSU which you can keep as a spare or sell on Ebay for a few bucks.

Other than that, I'd suggest only minor changes: It might be a good idea to get a retail DVD burner which comes with Nero (Lite-on has a good one for $31+ship). Supergooddeal has surprisingly good optical mice for $6 shipped (of which I have bought several). I'd get her a basic 7100GS with TV-out, unless you're willing to sell her your old card for less than $40 (by the way, selling her computer gear may not be the healthiest thing for a romantic relationship). Also, the E4300 should be plenty for her needs; I don't see any reason to spend an extra $50 or more for a larger L2 cache. But these are all minor issues.

 

[Hakuryu]

NewEgg lists the DS3 as rev 1.3, but I just bought one about a month ago and it's rev3.3. From old reviews, you don't want the 1.3 revision (problems).

It looks like you've done your homework, and list some pretty decent specs for the prices. You could get a lower capacity HDD, but $80 for a 320GB is quite good and saving $20-$30 on a lower capacity drive might not be worth it.

Scrounge up a used keyboard and mouse from your geek friends, and buy XP on Ebay to save $20-$40.

 

[RayvinAzn]

Here's what I'd do for a budget rig like that one:

1: Pick up a doorless case like the Cooler Master Centurion 5 - the door isn't going to do much for her, and I doubt she's too concerned about how her computer looks compared to how easy it is to open/close her CD tray.

2: Save $30 on the monitor, and pick up the 19" Hanns-G JW-199DPB monitor instead. My mother uses this monitor (non-widescreen version), and it looks very good - certainly worth saving $30 over that Acer anyway.

3: Cut "back" to an E4400 processor - the extra clock speed still proves better than the higher FSB and cache of the E6320 processor, and it does this while being cheaper. Another $30 saved right there as well, and she'll actually be gaining performance in most instances.

4: Pick up a SATA DVD/RW drive - it'll only cost $3 more for a SONY drive, and while the speed really isn't any different, at least the interior of the case will be cleaner. Hell, give her your old IDE drive and pick one up for yourself if you want.

As for selling the X1950Pro, I'd say $75 or so would be a good price for your girlfriend (or free, depending on how serious the relationship is - you don't want your being stingy coming back to you in an argument five years down the road). You can buy one new for twice that, and since she is your girlfriend and all, half-off seems about right.

For the 320MB vs. 640MB issue, considering your 16x10 resolution and that games are becoming a lot more texture-heavy, the 640MB seems like a more future-proof choice. Might be worth waiting until May 14th just in case though.

 

[Evacide]

Originally posted by: RayvinAzn
For the 320MB vs. 640MB issue, considering your 16x10 resolution and that games are becoming a lot more texture-heavy, the 640MB seems like a more future-proof choice. Might be worth waiting until May 14th just in case though.

sorry to threadjack but what exactly is on may 14th?

 

[RayvinAzn]

Originally posted by: Evacide

Originally posted by: RayvinAzn
For the 320MB vs. 640MB issue, considering your 16x10 resolution and that games are becoming a lot more texture-heavy, the 640MB seems like a more future-proof choice. Might be worth waiting until May 14th just in case though.

sorry to threadjack but what exactly is on may 14th?

My fault, I should have clarified - ATI is supposed to be releasing its new graphics cards on May 14th (seems a bit too late to push this date back again), which includes the HD2900XT that is supposed to cost ~$400, and beat the 640MB 8800GTS. It's worth waiting a half a week to make sure, in any case.

 

[crydee]

I changed the Rosewill Case to a Coolermaster Centurion 5 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119077.
The E6320 to a E4300.
The Sony DVD burner to a lite on sata retail version http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827106046
The Acer 20" to a http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16824254009 the Hanns·G JC-199DPB Black 19" (the DVI version one) 175.00 ... 135.00 after 40 MIR.

showing 800 on newegg right now sans keyboard/mouse 760 if you count the MIR. Not bad. I didn't see much E-bay had on XP over the 110 XP MCE though.

thanks, didn't know about may 14th

edit: thinking about the http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824254001 since she might like the widescreen look better

2nd edit: it's 937.00 with an ASUS 8600GT and the Widescreen. Under 1000 with shipping. I'll just have to talk to her to work out how cheap she wants to go. Thanks for the advice.

 

[RayvinAzn]

Now all you need is a graphics card under $200 (or to sell yours) - but if you're not building in the next 4 days, I'd hold off before making any firm decisions in that department. I'm not one to advise waiting months like some people, but four days is definitely within my regular "few weeks till the build" bracket.

 

[GZeus]

Save a few bucks on the case and get this one....

Cooler Master Centurion @ Chief Value

$36 delivered beats $60!

Don't forget to pickup a PSU for either one. The FSP model you picked is a good one but a modular one, or at least sleeved cables, will make the build easier.

 

[crydee]

Yeah, I was definitely going to wait the weekend while I could scour the net but I'll have no problem waiting till probably Wednesday to see some prices change.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Nnyan
If you're looking to cut costs in a reasonable fashion I would look at this case/ps combo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811119118 the PS is very basic but its decent enough to use on your system. You can also consider going to the E4300, with some modest overclock (this thing is very OC friendly) you'll be back to E6320 levels). Only other thing I can think of is get a single stick of 1GB ram and then get the other stick later.

I just did a build with that case and it's pretty nice. It cost me $35 at CompUSA at 30% off of $50. It did not include a PSU however.

The current build in that case has a minor problem - it vibrates. I don't know whether it's the PSU fan, the CPU fan, or the VGA fan, but something is making the case sides vibrate and it's annoying.

Microcenter has the -331 version for $50. Same insides, slightly different front panel with the Power and Reset buttons down the side. I like the -330 model better myself.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: Hakuryu
NewEgg lists the DS3 as rev 1.3, but I just bought one about a month ago and it's rev3.3. From old reviews, you don't want the 1.3 revision (problems).

It looks like you've done your homework, and list some pretty decent specs for the prices. You could get a lower capacity HDD, but $80 for a 320GB is quite good and saving $20-$30 on a lower capacity drive might not be worth it.

Scrounge up a used keyboard and mouse from your geek friends, and buy XP on Ebay to save $20-$40.

Actually, the DS3 rev 1.3 is relatively new, it was an update to the 1.x series to match the 3.3. It has one component that's not as advanced as on the 3.3, but I forget which. It might be the sound. But there's nothing per-se wrong with the 1.3, at least no more wrong than the 3.3.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: GZeus
Save a few bucks on the case and get this one....

Cooler Master Centurion @ Chief Value

$36 delivered beats $60!

That's a totally different case than the one at NewEgg. It looks much "cheaper", if you know what I mean.

 

[Evacide]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: Hakuryu
NewEgg lists the DS3 as rev 1.3, but I just bought one about a month ago and it's rev3.3. From old reviews, you don't want the 1.3 revision (problems).

It looks like you've done your homework, and list some pretty decent specs for the prices. You could get a lower capacity HDD, but $80 for a 320GB is quite good and saving $20-$30 on a lower capacity drive might not be worth it.

Scrounge up a used keyboard and mouse from your geek friends, and buy XP on Ebay to save $20-$40.

Actually, the DS3 rev 1.3 is relatively new, it was an update to the 1.x series to match the 3.3. It has one component that's not as advanced as on the 3.3, but I forget which. It might be the sound. But there's nothing per-se wrong with the 1.3, at least no more wrong than the 3.3.

The sound chip is the only difference. Google'd it right now

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe...ce+between+1.3+and+3.3+ds3&btnG=Search
First link gave me this:
"You can see the only real difference is a newer sound chip. You won't notice. The only thing about that will be in vista. The ALC883 sound chip from the rev1.3 board is vista capable and the new ALC888 from rev2.0 and 3.3 is vista premium certified (tested)."

 

[GZeus]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: GZeus
Save a few bucks on the case and get this one....

Cooler Master Centurion @ Chief Value

$36 delivered beats $60!

That's a totally different case than the one at NewEgg. It looks much "cheaper", if you know what I mean.

I thought he was going to build a computer in it... not bring it home to mom's for dinner?!?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Did I see someone recommend Windows XP? If he's going to buy a new OS, he should most certainly get Vista! XP is six years old; it's not going to be supported in the near future, I don't think.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: VirtualLarry

Originally posted by: GZeus
Save a few bucks on the case and get this one....

Cooler Master Centurion @ Chief Value

$36 delivered beats $60!

That's a totally different case than the one at NewEgg. It looks much "cheaper", if you know what I mean.

Agreed. It looks crappy, and it will probably cut him up when he tries to build around it. He should spend the extra $15-$20 and get something decent.

 

[Roguestar]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
Did I see someone recommend Windows XP? If he's going to buy a new OS, he should most certainly get Vista! XP is six years old; it's not going to be supported in the near future, I don't think.

Updates and security patches until 2010 IIRC.

Edit: OP, if it's for someone else who doesn't know too much about PCs, get her a $800 Dell and buy more RAM and a better graphics card for it yourself. Comes with windows, a monitor and a warranty, which most people leave out of their custom builds.

 

[GZeus]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou

Agreed. It looks crappy, and it will probably cut him up when he tries to build around it. He should spend the extra $15-$20 and get something decent.

Cutting... Huh?!
Try looking at the case shots from each case side by side - the internals are the same, except for the number of slots.
They are likely off the exact same assembly line! He won't get anymore cuts from this model than the other.

The price difference is for the exterior and the 'improved' ventilation, not a difference in the interior construction. That Cooler Master ventilation is also known for letting in a lot more dust over time too so its value is open to question.

I'll grant you that its not as 'pretty' to me either, but most people - with lots of exceptions at AT - don't put their case on display. They build it and stick it under the desk.
You want pretty, get a Lian-Li but be prepared to pay. If you are going to stick it under your desk, save a few bucks you can put towards something that counts - performance.
How come your case isn't in your sig??? Maybe because you don't consider it that important??

Jeez... it was a suggestion on how to trim a few bucks on a BIY - I'm not like I'm trying to set him up with your ugly cousin.

 

[crydee]

The cases at ~50 range are all going to have their faults. What matters more at this price level is the stuff inside . For those recommending retail. There is no way you're getting what I'm picking out for close to 1000.

What do you guys think about http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145167 if I'm not going to OC this system? DDR2-675 instead of the DDR2-800 I have picked out + the 675 is corsair.

Also should I really consider vista over a 110$ MCE?

 

[crydee]

bump