Lock this thread please

[nick1985]

Locked at OP's request.
Anandtech Moderator - bsobel

Sorry, Im just used to people being helpful in GH...


lock it up, Ill head over somewhere else.



*edit*

Sorry If im a little pissed off, but I helped hundreds of people pick out parts over the years and I came to get some advice after being out of the loop for a bit and get snubbed.

 

[bsobel]

Every DVD burner you're going to get will burn CD's as well.

 

[LightningRider]

Yeah just get one DVD-RW.

You can also get an E6550 for $175 or so. I've seen them.

Also... are you missing an OS?

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: LightningRider
Yeah just get one DVD-RW.

You can also get an E6550 for $175 or so. I've seen them.

Also... are you missing an OS?

$175 would be out of budget...


No she has XP

 

[Twsmit]

I have always been cautious when it comes to building computers for friends, or friends of friends. In my experience you become their tech support slave. While I personally build my systems, sometimes getting a Dell isn't such a bad deal, because of their warranty and tech support options.

I just checked and for $800 you can get basically the exact same setup except the graphics card (adding a 8600GT pushed it over budget), with Vista, monitor, 2GB ram, 320GB HDD, same CPU... in a case that is probably quieter and is definitely better looking for the same price as what you have. All that would need to be done would be upgrading the graphics card down the road if integrated isn't fast enough. I know this inst the response you want, but just my $.02.

If you're still going with a custom job, definitely just get a single DVD+/-RW and you will be fine. Other than that, looks like a great casual gamer build.

 

[nick1985]

Not having the 8600GT is a big negative. Kinda defeats the purpose. Also did you factor in shipping with the dell? Was it a 19" LCD?


*edit*

Text

Would getting that board be a good way to save $10, or should I stick with the gigabyte?


Text

Would that RAM be a good way to save another $15? I mean, she probably doesnt need any sort of "hard core" RAM anyways. I figure if I can shave off a few bucks on a few items she might be able to get a conroe. What do you guys think?

 

[Twsmit]

I didn't look at shipping but it was a 19" LCD. I'm not saying this is the most economical option, because it rarely is when you are pricing vs a custom build, however IMO it's the smarter option.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Twsmit
I didn't look at shipping but it was a 19" LCD. I'm not saying this is the most economical option, because it rarely is when you are pricing vs a custom build, however IMO it's the smarter option.

Link to the dell build? Im looking but all I see for about 800 bones has integrated graphics, 160gb HDD, slower RAM, yadda yadda....


*edit*

Shipping a system from dell to me would cost $60....OUCH. Seems like that option is all but out the window. And that didnt include tax...

 

[bamacre]

I'd keep the motherboard. But ditch that ram and get two of these...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...ed47e5f20e97640e80b6d4

 

[0roo0roo]

mirror raid
last chance backup for the n00b user...she probably won't backup very religiously
for non gamer pc build for others ...stability and redundancy is good
hardcore memory if you aren't overclocking is a waste of money

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: Twsmit
I have always been cautious when it comes to building computers for friends, or friends of friends. In my experience you become their tech support slave. While I personally build my systems, sometimes getting a Dell isn't such a bad deal, because of their warranty and tech support options.

I agree wholeheartedly.
but it seems like nick has already argeed and obligated to build her one, so I guess it's too late now.

 

[andylawcc]

Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd keep the motherboard. But ditch that ram and get two of these...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...ed47e5f20e97640e80b6d4

why so? isn't DDR2-800 a more approiate choice over the 667?

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: bamacre
I'd keep the motherboard. But ditch that ram and get two of these...
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php...ed47e5f20e97640e80b6d4

why so? isn't DDR2-800 a more approiate choice over the 667?

The cpu the OP is looking at has an 800mhz front side bus, and at stock speeds, it would only need DDR2 400mhz memory. So, the 667mhz memory is still overkill, but it is $26 for a 1GB module.

I recommended it because it is cheap, good stuff, and works well with Intel chipsets. I've bought, well, I'm sure at least 50GB, worth of that memory. The OP looked like he was trying to shave off some of the cost, and this is a great way of doing so without decreasing the system's performance.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: andylawcc

Originally posted by: Twsmit
I have always been cautious when it comes to building computers for friends, or friends of friends. In my experience you become their tech support slave. While I personally build my systems, sometimes getting a Dell isn't such a bad deal, because of their warranty and tech support options.

I agree wholeheartedly.
but it seems like nick has already argeed and obligated to build her one, so I guess it's too late now.

Look at it this way, if she got a dell who would be tech support? Me. So if a custom box is a better deal then it would seem logical that I would pick the parts out. I made my GF's computer and it has been rock stable (old socket 754 athlon64) and since she likes hers she asked me to do her sister a favor. They both live in the same house so its not like I have to be driving to a different city if something goes wrong. If worst comes to worst and she has to reformat, Id pop in XP, tell her to keep hitting "next" and fill in appropriate boxes, then have myself a quickie in the room next door. :thumbsup: Aint to bad really.

 

[ethugholla]

Save her even more money.

Intel E2140 - $76

Abit IP-35 E - $69 AR

Minimum OC could bring that combo to E4x00 speeds. Not a problem at all, really.



Other notes:

You could probably find memory at a cheaper price than that.

I'd recommend a different video card unless she plans on running Vista. The ATi x1950xt runs at a nice $150 at some venues.

 

[Blain]

Originally posted by: nick1985
Making my GF's sister a computer

That's getting a little distant... Dell

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Blain

Originally posted by: nick1985
Making my GF's sister a computer

That's getting a little distant... Dell

Ok thanks anyway guys, Ill do this solo. Ive already explained why Im not getting a dell in this case, but if Im just going to get robot answers then lock this thread. ive gotten people dells DOZENS of times, I know how much a pain building a computer for someone can be. But this is a case where getting a dell just doesnt make sense. Scroll up and read why.


:roll:

 

[jsalpha2]

"No she has XP" XP means no DX10 so you don't need a 8600.
EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT saves a few dollars.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130062
I like your choice on RAM and Mobo.
I'd recommend going with the Intel E6750 proc. Tell her to keep using her old monitor now and pick up a LCD display later locally. Its always nice to look at the display in real life.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: jsalpha2
"No she has XP" XP means no DX10 so you don't need a 8600.
EVGA 256-P2-N615-TX GeForce 7600GT saves a few dollars.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814130062
I like your choice on RAM and Mobo.
I'd recommend going with the Intel E6750 proc. Tell her to keep using her old monitor now and pick up a LCD display later locally. Its always nice to look at the display in real life.

The LCD is the same one as her sister has, so she knows what shes getting. Once again, the E6750 bumps her over the limit. Also, from I have seen the 8600GT outperforms the 7600GT in all games, so it would make sense to me to keep the 8600. Nice to have that incase she gets vista in a couple years if it stops sucking

 

[LOUISSSSS]

get a dell

 

[jfall]

Another vote for Dell