New Budget Build: AM2 or Conroe?

[RobDMB]

I'm making a new budget build for a relative and would like to keep the rpice around 600 dollars or so, maybe a little more. I'm wondering if my best option would be to build a Conroe based system or one based on AM2. They are casual computer users so they will never notice the difference but I do want the system to be dual core. I'm thinking of possibly going witha motherboard with intergrated graphics though such as the Nforce 6150 chips on the Am2 side. Also what speed ddr2 ram is recommended for both of those platforms. Thanks, Rob

 

[athfbum]

AM2 system. It's cheaper.
DDR2-667 is a good budget DDR2 ram

 

[acegazda]

a $600 c2d budget is tough... i'd go w/ am2.
X2 3800+ $150
Asus M2NPV-VM $90
2x512mb corsiar valueselect ddr2-677 $83
antec slk3000 $45
seasonic s12 330w $60
seagate 250gb 7200.10 $86
logitech wireless mouse/kb combo $50
total: $564 + monitor

ddr2-800 is where you're going to see serious performance with those choices, but 667mhz is enough... more than enough. 800mhz is primarily for gamers and those who want to overclock.

 

[RobDMB]

How much of a difference will the ddr2 800 make, by searching newegg it seems you can get that speed for about 100 which isnt much more than the ddr2 667 ram.

 

[acegazda]

not much for their uses... negligable.

 

[Trey22]

Originally posted by: acegazda
a $600 c2d budget is tough... i'd go w/ am2.
X2 3800+ $150
Asus M2NPV-VM $90
2x512mb corsiar valueselect ddr2-677 $83
antec slk3000 $45
seasonic s12 330w $60
seagate 250gb 7200.10 $86
logitech wireless mouse/kb combo $50
total: $564 + monitor

ddr2-800 is where you're going to see serious performance with those choices, but 667mhz is enough... more than enough. 800mhz is primarily for gamers and those who want to overclock.

Good build... that mobo will not overclock well though, if you have any intention of doing that.

Otherwise, for the money... :thumbsup: .

 

[RobDMB]

I was thinking of a very similiar build. I'm considering etiher that mobo or the one made by msi based on the same chip. The goal is to keep the system around 800 with the monitor included.

 

[RobDMB]

Here is the system I'm looking at so far:

AM2 X2 3800+ = $150
120 GB Seagate 16mb cache HDD = $63
MSI K9NGM2-FID = $90
Windows Media Center = 109
NEC DVD Drive = $30
Floppy Drive = $10
Cooler Master Centurion 5 = $50
FSP Group (Fortron) AX450 450 Watt = $50
2x512mb corsiar valueselect ddr2-677 = $83

That is $635 and then I just have to find a decent lcd for them. What does everyone think. I'm particularly open to new cases or power supplies. THanks, Rob

 

[FreedomGUNDAM]

The build looks good. YOu should be able to pick up a 17" or 19" LCD for under $200.

I just picked up the Samsung 931B 19" LCD for $200 from Best Buy. They had the Samsung 731B (I think) for $170.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: RobDMB
Here is the system I'm looking at so far:

AM2 X2 3800+ = $150
120 GB Seagate 16mb cache HDD = $63I'm not sure seagate sells a 120gb drive with a 16buffer...
MSI K9NGM2-FID = $90
Windows Media Center = 109o yeah... 4got about the OS... just get a OEM copy of XP home, it's still great for photos, music and videos.
NEC DVD Drive = $30
Floppy Drive = $10
Cooler Master Centurion 5 = $50
FSP Group (Fortron) AX450 450 Watt = $50This is an OK psu, but not as reputable as fortron's "fsp" series (the ones with fsp in fron of it instead of ax such as the fsp400-60thn) which can be found for a similar price. A seasonic 330w would be your BEST choice in this situation, but it is $10 more.
2x512mb corsiar valueselect ddr2-677 = $83

That is $635 and then I just have to find a decent lcd for them. What does everyone think. I'm particularly open to new cases or power supplies. THanks, Rob

EDIT: my comments are in italics

 

[rudder]

Conroe with Intel motherboad. The Intel DP965LTCK is around $110-$120. Very little you can mess up in the BIOS. Great for relatives that think you are 24/7 tech support.