Low budget PC card?

[DKlein]

I'm looking at the 6100 integrated. Can't go 6150, because that means I have to go 939, which more than doubles the cost of the processor.

Currently I'm looking at:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminumm MicroATX Mini Tower
BIOSTAR GEFORCE 6100-M7 Socket 754 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
FSP Group (Fortron Source) FSP350-60BN-S ATX12V 350W Power Supply
AMD Sempron 64 2600+ Palermo 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor
CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive
SAMSUNG SpinPoint P80 Series SP1614N 160GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive
ViewSonic E55 Beige 15" CRT Monitor 15-pin mini D-sub (probably not)
Edit: LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SHW-160P6S
CHAINTECH AV-710 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Subtotal: $529.95

This seems fairly rounded: low-end graphics, low-end processor, decent but low-end motherboard, low-end sound card, low-end RAM, with a decent case (good cooling, 120mm, 80mm, 80mm) and adequate hard drive. The price is good, but the monitor is killing me. I will be looking into a used one probably.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: DKlein
I'm looking at the 6100 integrated. Can't go 6150, because that means I have to go 939, which more than doubles the cost of the processor.

Currently I'm looking at:
COOLER MASTER Centurion 541 RC-541-SKN1 Black Aluminumm MicroATX Mini Tower
BIOSTAR GEFORCE 6100-M7 Socket 754 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
FSP Group (Fortron Source) FSP350-60BN-S ATX12V 350W Power Supply
AMD Sempron 64 2600+ Palermo 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor
CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered
SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive
SAMSUNG SpinPoint P80 Series SP1614N 160GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard Drive
ViewSonic E55 Beige 15" CRT Monitor 15-pin mini D-sub (probably not)
Edit: LITE-ON Black IDE DVD Burner Model SHW-160P6S
CHAINTECH AV-710 8 (7.1) Channels PCI Interface Sound Card

Subtotal: $529.95

This seems fairly rounded: low-end graphics, low-end processor, decent but low-end motherboard, low-end sound card, low-end RAM, with a decent case (good cooling, 120mm, 80mm, 80mm) and adequate hard drive. The price is good, but the monitor is killing me. I will be looking into a used one probably.

I think your priorities are mixed up. $500 and no LCD?!? Wow That's a pretty poor effort on her brothers part.

Find a cheaper case, a Newegg PSU (rosewill), elimiate sound card and get a 17" LCD. Chicks dig em'.

$145 17" LCD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16824218002

Rest looks like you done HW.:thumbsup:

 

[selfbuilt]

Originally posted by: DKlein
I'm looking at the 6100 integrated. Can't go 6150, because that means I have to go 939, which more than doubles the cost of the processor.

The 6100 is fine ... but I agree with Zebo on nixing the sound card a dropping down on the case (maybe the PSU - depends on price diff - I don't like to skimp here). Should save you enough to help for a 17" LCD upgrade. That Viewsonic 15" is definitely past it's prime - I have one as the "backup" monitor for my house, and it's defintely not fun to look at for too long.

 

[L00PY]

I haven't used the 6100, but I've heard good things about the 6150. I use the XPress 200 IGP and I'm very happy with it. I know that she'd definately be able to play most 3D games on it, especially at lower resolutions. Definately ditch the soundcard. I'd ask her the last time she used a floppy, and probably ditch the floppy too.

Personally if you can swing it, I'd go with onboard with DVI and a LCD with DVI too. Get her input and ask her to chip in if she think she'd like a nice LCD. I'd consult on the case too. Those two things are what most people actually see and that's what makes a lot of people happy with their computer, regardless of what's actually inside.

 

[DKlein]

I've got a 19" ViewSonic. I'm not getting her something I wouldn't use myself. Granted, I'd like something bigger than 15", BUT she DID break the last monitor by spilling water on it (how, don't ask). This is her punishment. You have to teach them somehow, else how would I be considered a good brother? Besides, $120 is already too much to spend on the monitor; I need to cut it in half at least. Find me a LCD for $60, and you've got a deal. If I can't get a decent price for this, she'll be getting a Compaq, which doesn't have as good features, and comes with a turd monitor anyway. At least this way she gets a better computer.

Is there a 19" LCD on sale like that... she might just be getting a 19" ViewSonic...

P.S. She has no money. College freshmen...

 

[Zebo]

You can't set a glass of water on a LCD since panel is too thin.:light:

There is no reason to get a low end crummy CRT. I could build systems all day with 17" LCD's for $550. (much less actually but that's the price you got with crummy CRT)


NEC Black IDE/ATAPI DVD Burner Model ND-3550A -
Rosewill Value R103A Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case ATX12V 350W
NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive
SAMSUNG SpinPoint P Series SP2514N 250GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA133 Hard
171B Black 17" 16ms LCD Monitor
pqi POWER Series 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200)
AMD Sempron 64 2600+ Palermo 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor Model
BIOSTAR TForce6100 Socket 754 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard -

$572.54 -$90 monitor rebate - $10 case rebate = $474.54

Bigger HDD, Better monitor, better DVD.

 

[DKlein]

A. What kind of PSU does that case have (I know it's 350W, but is it quality)?
B. Forgot what B was.
C. I suppose I could cut costs on the case and maybe just use the old SB Live! card from the dead computer, since my mom won't need it. I still want a good PSU, though.