Please look over before I order

[Kaptain_Insano]

Hi everyone, I'm building this rig for my mom. Pretty straight forward build. I'm in Canada.

Case: Antec Minuet with 300 w PSU (Purchased)

Mobo: MSI K8NGM2-FID mAtx that has onboard video with DVi out

CPU: amd 3500+ (should i consider x2 for her at this new price point) 939 build

HDD: Seagate 7200.10 320GB sata2 for all her pictures and never worry about running out

RAM: Corsair Value Select 512 x 2 PC3200 DDr400

Optical: Recommend a Lite On that comes with software please

FDD: Whatever a sony maybe

Keyboard: Logitech ultra x keyboard

Mouse: Logitech optical wheel mouse

Monitor: Dell 1907 FP (Purchased)

Speakers: Logitech X230 2.1

OS: MS Windows XP Home OEM

Total is around $1350 after taxes (bloody taxes)

I think this is a decent setup that should do my mom well for years and years and years lol.


Cheers K

[minsonngo]

Pretty nice looking build.

For you setup you will need more than a 300w PSU. Go with a ATX 2.x PSU, Antec is a good brand to stick with.


Here is a good Lite-On dvd writer:

LITE-ON 16X DVD±R DVD Burner W/ LightScribe and 5X DVD-RAM Write Black ATAPI/E-IDE Model SHM-165H6S - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?DEPA=0&type=&Description=light+scribe&Submit=ENE&Ntk=all&N=0&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=0&Go.y=0


For a FDD, go with either Sony, Mitsumi, or Samsung:

Here are a few good ones:

SONY Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model MPF920 Black - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821103116

SAMSUNG Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive Model SFD321B/LBL1 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16821103203

[blue60007]

I think the PSU would be OK if you are using onboard video and don't go with an X2 (oh, and if it's ATX 2.x; not sure if it is).

minsonngo, Newegg doesn't ship to Canada - unless you're just giving links as reference.

[glc]

I believe you are stuck with that PSU in that case. It should be fine for anything that only has onboard video - even with a dual core - Asus uses decent quality PSU's.

To make *sure* you get software, get a retail boxed Lite-On - the OEM packages from Newegg come with software, but that does not mean than an OEM from YOUR vendor will.

I'd advise you possibly look at a 775 Intel build with a Cedar Mill processor - those run pretty cool and don't guzzle power. A board such as an Asus P5LD2-VM would be the best bet there. Not trying to talk you out of your choices - just offering an alternative.

[minsonngo]

minsonngo, Newegg doesn't ship to Canada - unless you're just giving links as reference.

Yeah, I just use links from Newegg as references and out of convenience for me.

I think Directron does ship to Canada though and they are a good company.

[Kaptain_Insano]

I'm just looking into some of the suggestions made, thank you. Any particular reason you suggest the intel build glc? Would it perform better? How do its onboard graphics compare to nvidea 6150?

From what i have read the 300 watt psu supplied with the case should serve this setup well. Not overkill but should be fine. Nice piano black finish on this case too. Nice looking case. I received my black thermaltake armor jr as well which i will use for my build in September. :)

Cheers K

edit: upon closer inspection the intel is noticeably more when it comes to purchasing the processor; should I go for the cheaper choice in this case or is it worth the money?

edit: They also mention that this particular cpu runs hot and consumes a lot of power (Intel Pentium 4 630 3.0GHZ LGA775 800FSB Prescott 2MB Cache 90NM EM64T HT Processor) which I believe is cedar mill (there are no 631s so this must be it)

[blue60007]

The Cedar Mill's are 6x1, like the 631. The 630 is a Prescott. Dual core versions are Preslers, they are 9xx. The Cedar Mills and Preslers are built on a 65nm process where as Prescott is 90nm. It consums less power than the Prescott's.

Either AMD or Intel will work - I doubt you'll notice the difference between the two. glc was just offering another suggestion.

[Kaptain_Insano]

Ordered the parts above along with my WRT54GL Linksys wireless router with G PCI card. Went with a Benq 1655 DVD burner as the lite on that was recommended was out of stock. Should be here this time next week I guess maybe some sooner. I purchased some from NCIX and some from Canada Computers depending on price and availability. Thank you for your help and I will keep you updated. Hopefully everything will go smooth.

Cheers K