System advice

[GarlicBreath]

I could use some advice on building a system for my nieces. I've been out of touch with the latest computer trends for a year or two. I've set a $1000 budget for the whole deal, including PC, OS, monitor, keyboard, and speakers. I definitely want a video card, no onboard video. I especially need advice on the motherboard.

Any suggestions?

 

[Rukkian]

Alot of it depends on what they will be doing with it, but here goes:


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Qty Product Item # Unit Price Qty x Price

ANTEC Black Solution Series ATX Mid-Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700-BQE" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Case Type: Mid-Tower
Color: Black
Material: Steel
Drive Bays: 5.25'' x4,3.5''(External) x2,3.5''(Internal) x4
Expansion Slots: 7
Front Ports: USB2.0 x2
Power Supply: 350W
Cooling System: 120mm x1
Motherboard Compatibility: Standard ATX
Dimensions: 18.3''Hx8.25''Wx18.6''D more info-> N82E16811129140 $72.00 $72.00


ABIT nForce2 Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU, Model "NF7-S" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: AMD Duron/Athlon/Athlon XP Processors
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 SPP + MCP-T
FSB: 400/333/266MHz
RAM: 3x DIMM for DDR333/266/200 Max 3GB, 2x DIMM for DDR400 Max 2GB
IDE: 2x UltraDMA 133 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X, 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS2,2xCOM,1xLPT,SPDIF Out,6xUSB2.0(Rear 2),1xLAN,Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: nVIDIA SoundStorm APU(Dolby 5.1) + 6-Channel AC97 CODEC
Onboard LAN: 10/100Mbps
Onboard SATA/RAID: 2x Serial ATA, RAID 0/1
Onboard 1394: 2 Ports by Cable
Form Factor: ATX more info-> N82E16813127166 $100.99 $100.99


SAPPHIRE ATI RADEON 9800PRO Video Card, 128MB DDR, 256-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP -BULK
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9800PRO/380MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/680MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video Out)+DVI Connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®9, OpenGL®2.0
Cable/Accessories: 4 Cables, VGA via DVI Adapter, PowerDVD, Driver CD
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@85Hz more info-> N82E16814102268 $210.00 $210.00


AMD Athlon XP 2500+ "Barton", 333 FSB, 512K Cache Processor - Retail
Specification
Model: AMD Athlon XP 2500+
Core: Barton
Operating Frequency: 1.83GHz
FSB: 333MHz
Cache: L1/64K+64K; L2/512K
Voltage: 1.65V
Process: 0.13Micron
Socket: Socket A
Multimedia Instruction: MMX, SSE, 3DNOW!, 3DNOW!+
Packaging: Retail Box (Heatsink and Fan included) more info-> N82E16819103379 $80.00 $80.00


Corsair Value Select Dual Channel Kit 184 Pin 1G(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200 - OEM
Specification
Manufacturer: Corsair
Speed: DDR400(PC3200)
Type: 184 Pin DDR SDRAM
Error Checking: Non-ECC
Registered/Unbuffered: Unbuffered
Cas Latency: 3
Support Voltage: 2.5V
Bandwidth: 3.2GB/s
Organization: two 64M x 64 -Bit
Warranty: Lifetime more info-> N82E16820145480 $164.00 $164.00


Alps Black 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive, Model DF354H121F, OEM
Specifications:
Capacity: 1.44MB
Average Access Time:3 ms (track to track)
Interface: 34 Pin Standard Floppy Connector
Form: 3.5 inch
Media Type: All Standard 1.44MB & 720KB 3.5 Floppy Diskettes
Features: High reliability attained by the employment of a direct-drive motor
Remark: OEM more info-> N82E16821103201 $7.00 $7.00


One Day Sale, Ends 3/9/2004 4:00 PM PST
Seagate 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST380011A, OEM
Specifications:
Capacity: 80GB
Average Seek Time: 8.5 ms
Buffer: 2MB
Rotational Speed: 7200 RPM
Interface: IDE Ultra ATA100
Features: 350 Gs non-op shock, 3D Defense System
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year
Remark: OEM more info-> N82E16822148015 $69.99 $69.99


One Day Sale, Ends 3/9/2004 4:00 PM PST
CTX VL700B 17" CRT Monitor -RETAIL
Specifications:
CRT Type: 17" (16.0" viewable), Invar Shadow Mask FST
Dot Pitch: 0.27mm (0.23mm Horizontal)
Max / Optimal resolution: 1280x1024 @ 67Hz / 1024x768 @ 85Hz
Frequency / Bandwidth: fh: 30~72kHz; fv: 50~130Hz / 110MHz
Features: ARAG® Screen Treatment
Dimensions & Weight: 16.2" x 14.3" x 16.4" (WxHxD), 34.17 lbs
Manufacturer's Warranty / Phone No.: 3 year limited warranty on CRT, parts and labor / 800-266-1491 more info-> N82E16824103155 $89.00 $89.00


Samsung Black 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive, Model SW-252FENB, OEM Bulk
Specifications:
Write Speed: 52X CD-R, 32X CD-RW
Read Speed: 52X CD-ROM
Interface: Internal IDE/ATAPI
Buffer: 2MB
OS Support: Windows 98SE/2000, ME, and XP
Features: Reduces noise and vibration with DVA (Dynamic Vibration Absorber)
Remark: OEM Bulk Package (see pics for details) more info-> N82E16827151032 $34.99 $34.99


Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM Designed exclusively for home computing. From digital photos, music, and video to building a home network, Windows XP Home Edition brings you into the digital age with ease. Built on the solid foundation of Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition also sets the new standard in efficient and dependable computing.
*Must be Purchased with Hardware!!* more info-> N82E16837102141 $95.00 $95.00




Subtotal » $ 922.97



This leaves some room if you wanna upgrade the monitor, or maybe even a dvd burner. If you are gonna build, I dont think you can do much better than this.

 

[DaveSimmons]

For that price you could probably also get a decent Dell system with ati 9800 in case they want to play Barbie's 3D Pony Stables or Max Payne 2.

Dell advantages:
- pre-built
- unified warranty with them handling problems instead of you

 

[GarlicBreath]

Thank you very much guys.

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

a lot of people create the same "build me a pc in this budget" threads, you think we should make a sticky thread and update it bi weekly?

 

[Zepper]

That's the high price spread. An excellent system can be done for a few hundred less than that. e.g.

Athenatech 747CC case w/ Sparkle 300W PSU . less than $50. shipped.
Abit NV7 ~ $70.
Athlon XP 2200+ OEM ~$60.
Thermal Integration V77L HSF. ~$10.
512MB PC2700 DDR ~ $80.
17" monitor - less than $150. at most.
80GB hard drive. ~ $80. - I might go with Samsung as it is quieter and has 3yr warr.
Video card - don't spend more than $100. - only heavy gamers or serious video editors might need more. Actually integrated video has gotten a LOT better. See the new DFI based on the VIA KM400 chipset at monarchcomputer.com . Plus it has an AGP slot in case it really doesn't cut it for you. Helps keep the price WAY down and you can use a very nice smaller case like the Athenatech A100 series. (women generally like smaller and less intimidating A LOT! - at least when it comes to computers )
Floppy drive <$10.
The MSI X48, 48x24x48x16, CDRW/DVD Combo drive ~ $50. (you may have to look around for it as the 52x etc. version is about to come out). Get the blingy retail version, they'll think it's cool (and it works well too, see the recent review on either cdrinfo. or cdrlabs.com.
A4Tech RF cordless kbd mouse combo < $40. works surprisingly well.
Speakers Labtec Spin-70 ~$13. at the bottom to the Logitech Z-640 ~$65. at the high.
Add OS of choice, play with the numbers a bit and there you go.
.bh.
:moon:

 

[GarlicBreath]

Thanks, Zepper.

What do you think of the Geforce FX5200 video card? How does it compare to my Geforce Ti4200?

Edit - nevermind on the FX5200 vs. the Ti4200. I used the search. Any other options in between the two, pricewise?

And can anyone summarize the advantages of XP Pro over XP home? They'll have two PCs after I build this one.

Also, about motherboards with onbaord video: how about those with Geforce4MX built in, like the Chaintech 7NIF2, the Biostar M7NCG 400, or the Epox EP-8RGMI?

Thanks again everyone. You're very helpful.

 

[Rukkian]

I would stick witht the TI4200 unless you are goind to a 5700 or a 9600, anything less and there will be little if any differences. As far as XP home, or pro, Pro has more admin tools and adds stuff like IIS for the majority of home users, Pro is overkill, unless you can find it for just a litte more. As far as boards with onboard video, the Shuttle is the only thing I would go with.

 

[optimistic]

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/MVGSBG/article.php/3313171

 

[Zepper]

XP Home vs XP Pro Compare .
.bh.

 

[GarlicBreath]

Great stuff, Optimistic and Zepper! Thanks again.