Spec Check for Budget PC!

[iamskew]

Welp, it's been asked 999,999 times before, so I'll ask it again. Please tell me what you think about the parts that I have chosen for a budget PC for my two younger sisters.

I'll say it here first, before someone does: I've decided against a mac mini. As cool as it looks (and i'm sure my sisters will like it's looks better), I just don't think it will snappy enough for long enough to justify buying it...and I don't know enough about OSX to do tech support over the phone while I'm off at college.

So anyway, here's the parts:

SOLTEK "SL-K8AN2E-GR" NVIDIA nForce3 250Gb Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL - $88.74/shipped
Justification: As far as I know, this is the best socket 754 budget mobo. If I'm wrong, tell me.

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor Socket 754 Retail - $186.00/shipped
Justification: This computer will likely need to be used for nearly 4 years (at least 2 for sure) without any upgrades, just so my youngest sister can use it throughout high school. That's why I picked a faster processor, so the slowdown with age won't seem as bad. It's possible that you might convince me to go down to a 3000+, but it's also possible you all might convice me to get a 3400+ (Which I might end up switching out for my 3200+ )


ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" - Retail $75.98/shipped
Justification: This looked like a solid budget case, with a solid 350w Antec PSU. Is there a cheaper option out there? I'm not convinced I would need more than 350w, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with less.

NEC ND-3520A 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Bare Drive (Black) - $59.99/shipped
Justification: I'll actually be taking this from their computer and putting it in mine, so that I can have 2 DVD burners I'll give them my 52x lite-on cd burner/dvd combo drive instead.

Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select Memory Retail - $108/shipped
Justification: What can I say? I like the idea of 1 gig of RAM, and at $108 I can hardly turn it down. If you can convince me that they only need 512mb, then please show me a better way to spend the money.

Asus V9400-X/TD nVidia MX4000 AGP 8X 64MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI Retail - $33.99 shipped
Justification: They won't be gaming, and I happen to have 2 CRTs sitting around. This will give them the option to watch a dvd on one screen and still chat away on AIM on the other. Is there a better/cheaper option out there?

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Single Full Version OEM - $87.99/shipped
Is there a cheaper place to get windows xp home? I don't want to have to wait extra days to get it while the rest of the parts are sitting there, that will drive me nuts.

edit: NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM - $11.00/shipped
What's to say, it's a floppy drive.

Link Depot 10" FLOPPY UV CABLE 2 CONNECTOR SILVER, Model UV-FLP10-SL -RETAIL - $7.98/shipped
Do I even need a floppy cable, or will one come with my motherboard? I'm pretty sure I don't have any laying around at home, but I might...is $7.98 a ripoff?

Masscool 120mm Case Fan, Model "FD12025B1M3/4" -RETAIL x 2 - $19.96/shipped
Justification: The antec case doesn't come with a 120mm fan for intake up front, so I need one. I got a second fan because I plan to cut a hole in the side of the case and add another outlet fan to keep things cool, as the computer will spend most of it's time inside of a desk, as opposed to in the completely open air. Do you think this is necessary to do, or will 2 fans cut it? I know these things are loud (47 dB) but I don't think my sisters will even notice.

Why no hard drive you ask? I alread have this WD at home for them to use.

Total cost: $686.77/shipped Budget: $700.00

Well, did I miss anything? Would you change anything? Thanks, skew

 

[slots]

Looks like you went for the cheap over quality.

 

[slots]

$ 108 for RAM, bad idea, look for quality components.

 

[iamskew]

Please don't make broad comments like that, if you feel I should change something, please tell me what part you would pick instead. Thank you for your comments though.

 

[ribbon13]

nix the floppy cable...

heres a really nifty 120mm fan.
http://store.yahoo.com/directron/fanal12025b.html

That ram is good. Ignore the above poster.

 

[iamskew]

Thanks ribbon, I wasn't sure about the floppy cable. Cool fan, looks like it might cut my finger off though I may choose that one for the fan I cut into the side of the case, because that will look cooler.

 

[Melchior]

Corsair VS is very quality RAM.

Anyhow, I dont think you need 1 gb of it though. There is almost no way to go past 512 unless your sister likes to multitask like crazy.

 

[imported_itr]

if you don't game, then there really isn't a need for 1gb of ram, 512mb will do just fine. spend the extra money on something else.

 

[iamskew]

Good points...that's two votes for 512mb or RAM. I think 5 votes will change my mind.

skew

 

[ribbon13]

If you sisters have The Sims 2, or are the types that would get it, do NOT get just 512MB RAM.

 

[iamskew]

Hmm...I do own the Sims 1, and they probably would play it if I installed it. Point: ribbon.

 

[Ike0069]

If it's not gonna be a gaming maching, 512 MB is plenty.
And you can always back the CPU down to 3000+ or 2800+.

 

[iamskew]

512mb doesn't sound like a terrible idea...it would give me $54 to buy them a keyboard/mouse...heck, if i threw in another $15 or so of my own, I could get a wireless mx duo and give them my keyboard and mouse...hmmm....i like the sound of that

 

[Ike0069]

Originally posted by: iamskew
512mb doesn't sound like a terrible idea...it would give me $54 to buy them a keyboard/mouse...heck, if i threw in another $15 or so of my own, I could get a wireless mx duo and give them my keyboard and mouse...hmmm....i like the sound of that

Good idea.

 

[ribbon13]

http://store.yahoo.com/justdeals/9673000403.html

You can always add another stick of ram later, but I wouldn't cut down on the cpu. Hell, if you can get the 3400+ by going with 512mb, that would be even better, as a RAM upgrade is easy.

 

[iamskew]

Wow, awesome deal on the mx duo ribbon Especially with free shipping For that price, I'll just buy the mx duo for myself and donate my keyboard and mouse to the cause. 3400+ w/ 512 ram...I like the way you all think

 

[Melchior]

mm on the mx duo, i might have to pick that one up as well

 

[Ike0069]

Just realize that's a refurbished Duo. But I have bough from Justdeals in the past, and they seem to be a good etailer.

Edit: Rechargable battiries not included.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: slots
$ 108 for RAM, bad idea, look for quality components.

good advice. :thumbsdown:

 

[qbackin]

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: slots
$ 108 for RAM, bad idea, look for quality components.

good advice. :thumbsdown:

 

[iamskew]

Originally posted by: Ike0069
Just realize that's a refurbished Duo. But I have bough from Justdeals in the past, and they seem to be a good etailer.

Edit: Rechargable battiries not included.

Refurbished isn't a big deal and I bet I can pick up some cheap rechargable batteries on ebay. Thanks for pointing that out though

skew

On topic:
Just talked to my mom, she was actually up for 1 gig RAM and a 3400+ as it only boosts the price to $713.45. My sister's are going to happy campers.

 

[illskills719]

Hey,
You want a cheaper Windows XP
http://www.webcommunitysoftware.com/onl...S&Product_Code=oswxph&Category_Code=OS
It will cost a total of 82.00$ (Including the shipping 74.99$ + 7.00$[shipping] = 82.00$)
Hope this helps you

 

[DanDaMan315]

Originally posted by: qbackin

Originally posted by: nick1985

Originally posted by: slots
$ 108 for RAM, bad idea, look for quality components.

good advice. :thumbsdown:

AMD's benefit very little from high quality ram.

Good choice on not getting a Mac Mini.

 

[iamskew]

illskills, Dan, thanks to both of you