Need budget rig advice for g/f's computer

[LethalWolfe]

I'm building my g/f a computer for Xmas, but I haven't looked at hardware for a while so I'm out in the cold. Here are my needs:

1. Stability- I travel a lot so I need something that will work w/o needing tweaking or TLC.
2. Moderate gaming
3. Part recommendations for:
Case (any "cool" looking, but not too expensive case recommendations are welcome)
Proc
Mobo
RAM
Video card
Sound Card
4. Budget is $300-$400 USD


I'm gonna use the HDDs, optical drives, NIC, KB/M, speakers, and Monitor from her current rig.

I was thinking about going nForce to kill a few birds w/one stone (although I'd still want more video than what's onboard).

Thanx,

Lethal

 

[Wolfsraider]

i would get the nforce and a 1700+ or 1800+ and either an ati 8500 or a ti4200 for video
i got my case local for 54.00 with a 320 watt ps and saved on shipping
i have a gf2mx200 64mb in the 1.5 and it plays all the games although at lower res but it is ok to game on just in case you have to wait on video

hope this helps
mike

 

[thorin]

Case: Antec Solution Series or Performance II Series and Cheap (price wise) and nice to work with
Proc: Athlon (whatever fits your price point) ... the faster the better .... remember Thoroughbred is cooler
Mobo: ECS K7S5A (I've used this in 4 system recently including 2200+s)
RAM: 256 or 512 PC2100 (Generic is fine for the use(s) you've outlined)
Video card: GF 2 MX (Asus, MSI, whatever) or something cheap'ish
Sound Card: MB Integrated (Can be disabled if you decide later she wants/needs better audio but the integrated sound isn't bad on this baord)

Thorin

 

[Adul]

asus nforce 220
with some of the other stuff. i dont trust ecs

 

[halkebul]

I just built a computer using the Asus A7N266-VM nForce motherboard for my younger brother. It has very good integrated audio and also an integrated Geforce2. Added two Kingston 128MB DDR266 SDRAM memory modules to take advantage of the dual memory controllers. AMD XP 1700+ processor. ENLIGHT Model# EN-7101AX (includes 300W power supply). Let me tell you, he loves that computer.

 

[Mavrick007]

I would also get the nforce 220 mobo. The Asus A7M266-VM at newegg for $72 is a great deal. It is a stable mobo that comes with lan, gf2 mx video, and sound. Pair it up with a 1600+/1700+ cpu and you have a great stable and fast rig. Then all you basically have to get is some decent ram and the rest of the guts (hd, psu, cd, dvd, etc). I would probably go with just basic PC2100 ram on this mobo cause the nforce isn't such a great overclocker and you can probably save some bucks too.

 

[LethalWolfe]

Sweet, thanx for all the suggestions so far!


Lethal

 

[grimreaper19]

Check out this case. My sister has this case. Its pretty cool. Link..

 

[LethalWolfe]

Originally posted by: grimreaper19
Check out this case. My sister has this case. Its pretty cool. Link..

Thanx for the link, there are some pretty cool looking cases on the site. All though the doggie case isn't quite her style (she's got more of a goth/industrial vibe goin' ).


Lethal

 

[rudder]

Originally posted by: halkebul
I just built a computer using the Asus A7N266-VM nForce motherboard for my younger brother. It has very good integrated audio and also an integrated Geforce2. Added two Kingston 128MB DDR266 SDRAM memory modules to take advantage of the dual memory controllers. AMD XP 1700+ processor. ENLIGHT Model# EN-7101AX (includes 300W power supply). Let me tell you, he loves that computer.

Plus that motherboard has an AGP slot for when the onboard gf2mx gets too slow.

 

[LethalWolfe]

bump for afternoon crowd.


Lethal

 

[l33t]

http://www.overclockers.com/articles648/

Fun read if anything

 

[piasabird]

Cant go wrong with a black Antec Case. I think Black is easier on the eyes in the monitor department too.