Work computer build

[kirab]

Hey all, a client asked me to build him a computer for work, and he gave me some requirements. I'll list them here and I will post a non-final build later.

Requirements:

$1000 - 1100
2GB RAM
~100 GB HDD
DVD Burner
TV Tuner card
Slim case

My thoughts:

The budget is good and I'm thinking Intel for the CPU since their dual-cores are pretty cheap ATM. The other stuff won't be a problem, but I kinda don't have experience with TV tuner cards. Which option would be better - a seperate TV tuner card or a video card with TV-out (this is assuming that TV-out means TV tuner - can someone please confirm this)? So is dual-core a good idea? And if so how is the Pentium D 805?

Will post my build later.

[jayb1234]

TV-out isn't a tuner. Hauppage is a pretty good brand of tuner card. One of the ATI all in wonder cards would work too. If you can fit it in the budget, a 9xx processor would be a little better than an 8xx. For a business build using an Intel motherboard with an Intel chipset would be best, 2nd choice ASUS with an Intel chipset.

[kirab]

Ah, so is TV-out a feature on a video card that lets you connect a cable from the computer to the TV? The TV also needs an S-video jack as well right?

[kram 2.0]

Ah, so is TV-out a feature on a video card that lets you connect a cable from the computer to the TV? The TV also needs an S-video jack as well right?
Yes. Depending on what exact card you have in mind, you should be able to connect the computer to the TV using a S-Video cable or a normal RCA cable. The Intel Pentium D 805 is a very good overclocking processor but not the best on stock speeds. Do not forget the operating system. Does the system need a monitor?

kram

[kirab]

No monitor needed but I am asking him whether or not he needs an OS CD.

Edit: He doesnt need an OS CD, but I have a question about the RAM...

The mobo I was looking into (the Asus P5L2D) says it requires RAM with 667MHz (PC2 5400) but the problem is is that this RAM is expensive (especially since he wants 2GB) and is not readily available at the store I want to buy all my parts from. So my question is - whether or not I can use RAM that's lower clocked? Such as the 533MHz (PC2 4200)? And if so, will there be a drastic performance decline?

Thanks for the help.

[glc]

533 ram is ALL you need with either a 533 or 800 FSB processor. In that price range, it's really hard to beat the 805 processor - it can *always* be upgraded later. The motherboard does not *require* 667 - you are misinterpreting what you are reading, it *supports* 667.

Look at an ATI All-in-Wonder video card if you need a TV tuner.

You probably cannot get a full size ATX case that's slim - you may want to look at the micro-ATX equivalent of that motherboard. Be mindful of power supply watts and quality - not too many micro-ATX power supplies are up to the task of feeing a decent PCI-E video card.

[kirab]

So that means there is little performance to be gained with 667MHz as opposed to 533MHz in my case? Also the FSB processor is 1066MHz.

Does this mean that when a mobo says "supported RAM: x" that 'x' is the highest speed RAM it will accept and that you can buy RAM with lower speeds as long as it has the same # of pins?

[glc]

If you buy a 1066 FSB processor, there's your $1200 right there just for the processor. The board *supports* 1066 FSB processors. Again, you are misinterpreting.

There is NO performance gain with 667 in your case. 533 is capable of supplying full bandwidth on a 800 FSB.

The 805 is a 533 FSB processor. The 930 is a 800 FSB. Those are the 2 I'd be looking at.

[kirab]

Thanks for the help glc. Here is the build I have set up ATM (all prices from ncix.com and in CAD):

CPU: Pentium D 930 Dual core ($230)

MOBO: Asus P5LD2 ($150)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB SATA2 ($85)

RAM: Crucial Rendition 1GB PC2-4200 DDR2-533 240PIN DIMM Memory (x2) ($200)

CD/DVD: Samsung SH-W162 16X DVD+-RW 5X Dual Layer DVD Writer Black /W SW OEM ($50)

PSU: ANTEC TRUE POWER 2.0 TPII-480 480W ATX12V V2.0 24PIN 120MM FAN SILVER POWER SUPPLY ($90)

OS: Windows XP Pro OEM ($150)

CASE: ANTEC SLK3000B ATX MID TOWER CASE Black 6X5.25 5X3.5 NO PS ($60)

VID: ASUS Extreme AX300SE-X Radeon X300SE PCI-E 128MB 64BIT DDR VGA DVI-D TV-OUT Video Card ($65)

TV-T: MSI Theater 550PRO PCI TV Tuner MPEG-2 Encoder /W Remote ($100)

TOTAL: $1180 (before taxes and shipping)
~$1300 (after)

Problem; his budget is around $1100 and I don't see a way to shave $200 or so off without getting rid of the dual core which leads me to my next question. I configured a AMD build with a 3800+ CPU and everything else he wanted and kept it around ~$1100 after tax. However, this is S939 and with Conroe coming and all, I'm not sure how upgradable it will be if I go with AMD?

[Alaron]

You could save a bit of money with a couple changes.

Instead of the Case and PSU seperate, go with the Antec Sonata II, with a 450w PSU included. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15422&vpn=SONATA%20II&manufacture=ANTEC That saves $30.

Instead of the Pentium 930, go with the 805. A tad slower, but still dual core and its a savings of $70. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17710&vpn=BX80551PE2666FN%20&manufacture=Intel

Lastly is to start with just 1GB of ram and add the second gig later. 1GB is plenty for office machines, unless he knows for sure that some program he uses needs more. Thats another $100, which brings the savings to $200.

I would also switch the Samsung for a LiteOn, better quality, same price.

[glc]

How about a P5LD2-VM with onboard video? That way you don't have to buy a video card. It has a slot if you need to add one later. The 945G onboard video is actually quite good for anything but heavy gaming.

If the AMD build is using a quality motherboard such as an Asus A8N5X or A8N-E, I'd consider it. However, compare apples to apples - the 3800+ is single core - a fast one, but single core nonetheless.

[kirab]

You could save a bit of money with a couple changes.

Instead of the Case and PSU seperate, go with the Antec Sonata II, with a 450w PSU included. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15422&vpn=SONATA%20II&manufacture=ANTEC That saves $30.

Instead of the Pentium 930, go with the 805. A tad slower, but still dual core and its a savings of $70. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17710&vpn=BX80551PE2666FN%20&manufacture=Intel

Lastly is to start with just 1GB of ram and add the second gig later. 1GB is plenty for office machines, unless he knows for sure that some program he uses needs more. Thats another $100, which brings the savings to $200.

I would also switch the Samsung for a LiteOn, better quality, same price.

I don't think I want to risk a PSU that came with a case for a build (seeing as how they're not always very reliable) and the person in question requested 2GB of RAM so I will keep that. But I will think about switching from 930 to 805 and will get a LiteOn as opposed to a Samsung.

How about a P5LD2-VM with onboard video? That way you don't have to buy a video card. It has a slot if you need to add one later. The 945G onboard video is actually quite good for anything but heavy gaming.

If the AMD build is using a quality motherboard such as an Asus A8N5X or A8N-E, I'd consider it. However, compare apples to apples - the 3800+ is single core - a fast one, but single core nonetheless.

I'll look into the P5LD2-VM w/ onboard video. But I'm a little bit confused as to what you said about the AMD build. Could you please clarify? Thanks.

Edit: As far as I can see the ASUS P5LD2-VM board only comes in a micro ATX flavour? If so, what are some other mobos with onboard sound as well? Thanks again.

[Alaron]

The PSU that is included in the Antec Sonata is an Antec 450w power supply, very high quality. It is one of the few brands of cases that come with good power supplies.

If you are considering an AMD build, the boards glc suggested are the best bang for the buck.

Onboard video will be fine for an office machine. You won't find many boards with video that are full atx size. When motherboard builders include video, its almost always on a microATX board. But I wouldn't worry about the size. You still have free PCI slots for your Tuner and a PCI-E slot if you need a video upgrade later on. The P5LD2-VM would be a great choice.

[kirab]

The PSU that is included in the Antec Sonata is an Antec 450w power supply, very high quality. It is one of the few brands of cases that come with good power supplies.

If you are considering an AMD build, the boards glc suggested are the best bang for the buck.

Onboard video will be fine for an office machine. You won't find many boards with video that are full atx size. When motherboard builders include video, its almost always on a microATX board. But I wouldn't worry about the size. You still have free PCI slots for your Tuner and a PCI-E slot if you need a video upgrade later on. The P5LD2-VM would be a great choice.

Ah, sorry about the misunderstanding regarding the PSU/Case. I will definetely consider the Sonata now that I know that it comes with a SmartPower PSU.

Regarding the mATX P5LD2-VM... since it is micro-ATX won't I need a mATX case and a mATX PSU (which are hard to find)? And if not, how will the mobo fit in a standard ATX case? Thanks.

[Alaron]

You don't need a microATX case for the board. Almost all full ATX cases have screw holes for both full ATX and microATX. And mATX boards still connect to regular PSUs.

Short answer, no worries, a mATX board will fit into the Sonata.

[kirab]

That's great news! And on the topic of the P5LD2-VM, which one of these is better? (The only difference I see is in the title with the Viiv and extra $20)

ASUS P5LD2-VM mATX LGA775: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15285&vpn=P5LD2-VM&manufacture=ASUS&promoid=1064

ASUS P5LD2-VM Viiv mATX LGA775: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18372&vpn=NC-AS-P5LD2-VM/DH&manufacture=ASUS

Also the non-Viiv is the one with the reviews. I guess I should go with that one then? Thanks.

[glc]

ViiV boards are for Windows XP Media Center and are remote control capable. Don't waste your money.

[kirab]

OK, so for the final build:

CPU: Pentium D 930 Dual Core

Mobo: Asus P5LD2-VM (w/ onboard vid)

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE 160GB

RAM: 2 sticks Crucial Rendition 1GB PC2-4200 DDR2-533 240PIN DIMM

CD/DVD: LG GSA-H10N DVD+RW 16X8X16 DVD-RW 16X6X16 Dual Layer

Floppy: Sony Black 3.25 inch

OS: Win XP Pro

Case w/ PSU: Antec Sonata II Black ATX

TV-Tuner: Theater 550PRO PCI TV Tuner MPEG-2 Encoder /W Remote

How does this look?

Edit: How will the Intel GMA 950 card be able to handle apps like Photoshop?

[kirab]

Do these parts look OK? I have to order these soon so I need to know - thanks.

[Alaron]

That looks fine. Onboard graphics will be fine for Photoshop. It is driven more by the CPU then the video card.

[glc]

The GMA 950 is pretty good. You can always add a video card later if needed, the board has a PCI-Ex16 slot.