Computer Build - Home School Computer

[ScottW Broncos]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.
Dad and 14 year old son wanting to build a computer together. Never have done it before. He is home schooled. Would use it for basic DVD learning classes. Some light gaming.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread. Under 700

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from. US

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture. Intel

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.
will keep old monitor and keyboard mouse

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads. found website through newegg.com

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds. Don't know how to overclock


Not sure what I am missing and really looking for something basic but will be powerfull enough to run vista 64bit?

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-WW Black/Silver Aluminum Bezel, SECC Chassis ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

Thermaltake TR2 W0070RUC ATX 430W Power Supply 115/ 230 V

GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard

XFX PVT84JUDD3 GeForce 8600GT XXX 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card

Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 Allendale 2.2GHz 2M shared L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor

G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory

Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS 250GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive

ASUS Black 20X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 20X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 14X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe l


Total cost is just under 500 to keep wife happy.... We currently have a dell dimension 8200 with xp home and 256k memory

Let me know what I missed or what you would change. Thanks

 

[jackschmittusa]

Well, your Dell needs more ram, lol.

Why Win64? You may find drivers unavailable for existing hardware (printers, cameras, etc.).

The hardware should suit your needs. You could actually spend less if you wanted to, since little seems to be "futureproof" anymore.

 

[batuchka]

If you would consider AMD option:

5200 Windsor = $109
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103056
Biostar T770 = $82
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813138102
HD 2600 Pro = $58
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102103
Earthwatts 430W = $25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817371006
CM5 = $45
DVD Burner = $28
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16827151153
Kingston DDR2 800 RAM 2 x 1GB = $45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820134488
Seagate Bara 250gb/16mb cache HDD = $70

Total = $462

 

[Roguestar]

Vista x64 doesn't take any more resources to run than vanilla x86 (32-bit).

RAM: 2x2GB for $55
Consider the Intel E2160 CPU instead of the E4500 (it overclocks really easily too)
because
then you can use the $$$ saved to get:
AMD HD3850 instead of the XFX 8600GT XXX - firstly don't pay them to factory overclock it when you can do that for free, and secondly the difference in ability to run games is huge between the 8600 (mediocre) and the HD3850 (good).

If you get this all up and running, you could consider reading some threads in the CPU & Overclocking forum on how to gently overclock your CPU - I think that'd be a great learning experience!

 

[MegaVovaN]

I agree with Roguestar.
8600GT is a weak card, try to get ATI HD 3850 (cheapest card that will run games with no sweat).


Also, to make your Dell faster, upgrade RAM to 512mb or even 1GB. (Not sure which type of RAM it takes)

 

[Roguestar]

Alternative memory (the previous link offer has apparently expired!):
Corsair 2GB $29 shipped
http://forums.anandtech.com/me...id=40&threadid=2145717

Get two sets.

 

[dmb60614]

Originally posted by: ScottW Broncos


Not sure what I am missing and really looking for something basic but will be powerfull enough to run vista 64bit?

i think any system with at least dual core 2ghz cpu, 2gb of ram, decent vid card will handle vista just fine. i have an e2180 (2.0ghz), 2gb of ram and a 3870 vid card. i didnt have any problems running vista at stock speeds. i have since overclocked it to 2.8ghz. it was the first time i've overclocked, and it was quite easy. like everyone else is saying, the 8600 is a decent card but the 3850 would be better, if you can find a way to squeeze it into your budget. as you can see from the benchmarks here http://www.anandtech.com/showdoc.aspx?i=3151&p=8 , the 3850 really outclasses the 8600.

 

[ScottW Broncos]

Thanks Jack

The more memory on the Dell is true. I looked at Dell's website and it looked expensive for the type of memory it takes.

I thought the Win64 sounds cool in that it will handle more than 4G of memory if needed. That was the only real reason.

 

[ScottW Broncos]

Thanks for the post batuchka, now I am leaning toward AMD and sounds like others like their GPU better then the 8600GT

 

[MegaVovaN]

Find out what type of memory Dell takes and buy it on Newegg for cheap.

 

[ScottW Broncos]

Thanks Rogustar for the advice on the Video card. On the overclocking do I need to by any extra stuff (fans?)

 

[ScottW Broncos]

Thanks dmb60614, can you run the intel processor with the AMD card? or should I go with the AMD process. That link for 3850 was nice. Easy to understand when you see a graph.

 

[ScottW Broncos]

this is what scared me.

2 x 256 MB PC800 RDRAM 184-pin RIMM Memory Kit Dell Dimension 8100/ 8200 Desktops
Usually Ships 1-2 weeks
Manufacturer Part# STD9405/512
Dell Part# A0606985
Storage Capacity: 512 MB ( 2 x 256 MB )
Technology: RDRAM (RAMBUS)
Memory Speed: 800 MHz Starting Price $299.99

Instant Savings $45.00


Subtotal $254.99

 

[MegaVovaN]

Originally posted by: ScottW Broncos
Thanks dmb60614, can you run the intel processor with the AMD card? or should I go with the AMD process. That link for 3850 was nice. Easy to understand when you see a graph.

Yes you can.


RDRAM?!? Talk about exotics...damn!

 

[jackschmittusa]

RDram is a bummer. Not worth upgrading the ram.

For $250 you can buy a new mb, cpu, and 2 gig of ram that will perform much better.

Recent example: I got a Gigabyte mb for $60, AMD64x2 3800 for $54, 2gb DDR2-667 ram for $6AR (the HP deal), and even if you need a new psu, I got an Antec 380w for $20AR.

 

[BlueAcolyte]

On topic, that build up there looks good, except you want the cheaper E2XXX series and a stronger video cards, as already mentioned.

 

[PolymerTim]

I think there's nothing wrong with going 64-bit since its been out for a year and the first service pack is about ready. But if your only reason is for the ability to expand beyond ~3.2 GB of RAM, I would be willing to bet you won't need to before you upgrade your whole system (based on the usage you mentioned). So you should be pretty safe either way.

For light overclocking you probably don't need any extra stuff, but its generally considered better if you can keep the temperature down by getting an after market heatsink and fan. You can get a decent one starting in the $40 range if you want to go this route and sometimes much cheaper on sale.

 

[chuckm]

I'm waitng for these video cards to be released.
http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3205