New BUild for my Daughter

[irmo123]

Hi:
I am replacing a 400 MHz P2 Dell that has been left to my 10 yr old daughter. It is pretty slow and struggling with some of the games she plays. I want to build something that can be upgraded later as her applications grow, and I am keeping an eye on economy too. Right now she uses the computer for internet, school work and some games. Not heavy duty graphics games (no doom or HL2) she plays the SIMS and Rollercoaster Tycoon, Zoo Tycoon etc. So here is the system I put together with one eye towards the future and the other on my wallet. I went with socket 775 because that is where Intel appears to he headed. (By the way, thanks for the checklist Panama Red!)

Processor: intel Pentium 4 530J Prescott 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail $175

Mobo: ASUS P5RD1-V Socket T (LGA 775) ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $102

HDD: Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $58

DVD Burner: NEC Black 16X DVD+/-R DVD Burner support Dual Layer, Model ND-3520A BK, OEM $50

Memory: Kingmax SuperRAM Series Dual Channel Kit 184-Pin 1GB(512MBx2) DDR PC-3200, Model MPXD42D-2 - Retail $75

Case: Antec SLK1650B w/350 PSU $68

Monitor: Polyview V17 D (already ordered) $211

Total: $741

I have no video card because I selected a mobo with on board video and I think that will serve my daughter's purposes right now. We can add a PCIe later if necessary. Let me know if I've got that wrong. The monitor I selected has built in speakers (she's not an audiophile) so I can add better speakers later too. So, have I made any goofy errors?

Thanks in advance for your comments.

JB

[Hi Ho]

That looks good to me. I don't see anything wrong with it. You didn't skimp on the power supply and all of your other parts are good quality. Hope she has fun with it.

[irmo123]

Thanks Hi Ho. I thought I'd leave avaiable power for whatever expansion comes along in the future.

JB

[glc]

Onboard video, no matter how advanced, is not gonna handle the Tycoon games very well. The jury is still out on the Radeon Express chipset anyway, I'd much prefer an Intel with a separate graphics card. I'd get a P5GD1 board, and a Radeon X300SE PCI-E card to begin with, it can handle those games fine. Replace that ram kit with a Corsair value select, only a couple bucks more. Replace that WD drive with a Seagate (quieter, better warranty, and WD's are having reliability issues again), the NEC with a Lite-On (better software), and you will need a case with a 24 pin ATX 2.0 power supply.

[irmo123]

Thanks GLC:

Is the 24 pin ATX 2.0 power supply necessary because I decided to go with socket 775? I am looking at case spoecs and I don't see that noted anywhere. Do you have a recommendation for case w/PSU or a PSU? Thanks.

JB

[glc]

If the power supply in that Antec case is a Smartpower 2.0, it will work fine. To find a suitable power supply if you go separate, use the advanced search at Newegg for dual +12v, theres several reasonably priced ones that are good brands.

[Hi Ho]

Have you already ordered irmo? I thought you did. Otherwise I would have changed to Seagate. I was thinking of the older Roller Coaster Tycoon game. That certainly doesn't need anything more than integrated video. RCT 3, however, does.

[Antistupid]

Originally Posted by glc Onboard video, no matter how advanced, is not gonna handle the Tycoon games very well. The jury is still out on the Radeon Express chipset anyway, I'd much prefer an Intel with a separate graphics card. I'd get a P5GD1 board, and a Radeon X300SE PCI-E card to begin with, it can handle those games fine. Replace that ram kit with a Corsair value select, only a couple bucks more. Replace that WD drive with a Seagate (quieter, better warranty, and WD's are having reliability issues again), the NEC with a Lite-On (better software), and you will need a case with a 24 pin ATX 2.0 power supply.

Doesn't that motherboard that he first suggested have the X300 GPU onboard?

[irmo123]

[QUOTE]Originally Posted by Antistupid: Doesn't that motherboard that he first suggested have the X300 GPU onboard?[/QUOTE]

Looks like I need to learn how to insert a quote..

It looks like it does and maybe doesn't. It uses Northridge Xpress 200 which I think is what GLC says the jury is still out on. Here's what the ASUS description says:

The ATI RADEON® XPRESS 200 Northbridge integrates the Radeon® X300 graphics processing unit (GPU) supporting DirectX 9 for enhanced 3D, 2D, and video capabilities

Do you think that is sufficient or do I need a separate card?

On the PSU, it is an SL350 Smartpower 12V. No "2". It looks like I need the SP350.

Hi Ho: I have only ordered the monitor so far. I needed to replace a 10 year old 15 inch monitor for my daughter, and well one thing leads to another. Now I am building a computer.

[glc]

If it is the X300 GPU, it's going to be okay, but being that it uses shared system memory, it will not be as fast as a standalone X300 card with its own onboard video ram.

The jury is not out on whether the graphics are okay - it's out on whether the main ATI chipset is stable, reliable, and performs well. I personally do not trust any chipset except Intel for Intel processors. The previous generation ATI chipset was a poor performer. That board uses a ULi southbridge - which used to be ALi - I've never been impressed with their chipsets.

I just want to see some decent reviews before I'll accept ATI as a serious player in the motherboard chipset game. I'll recommend their graphics cards in a heartbeat.

[irmo123]

Is the 24 pin connector on the PSU for the PCIe card?

JB

[irmo123]

Just a few more questions:

I've learned alot about PSU and PIN 24 connectors over th last few days. I understand that the 24 PIN connector is used on new motherboards sporting the PCIe 16 slots due to the high wattage demands of these cards.

It is very hard when shopping around for cases w/PSU to determine if they have dual+12v, and no one seems to use the term ATX 2. So, can you recommend a good separate case and PSU?

What about the 20 to 24 pin adapters, any limitations or concerns with using one of those? http://http://www.newegg.com/Product...82E16812183045
JB

[Staren]

If you have a solid PSU to begin with on that set-up one of the 20 to 24 pin adapters would probobly do the trick, but you want a good brand name supply and at least 400watts to make sure it can handle the power needs.

As far as the on-board video on the Radeon XPRESS goes, from what I've heard it's quite good for these sort of needs. A lot of guys I know in the HTPC / home built DVR community love them. If you have a gig of RAM in the system and you arn't a videophile it should be fine. You can always upgrade later.

[irmo123]

Thank you Staren. I think I'll go with my original set up, with the changes recommended by GLC. And maybe look for a case with 400W. I think for my intial set up though, 350W is nmore than enough. I look around and see what comes up.

I also think I'll give the on board video a whirl. If I'm not happy, I'll add a card like you suggest.

JB

[Hi Ho]

And maybe look for a case with 400W

Keep in mind that most cases come with crap power supplies. If you stay with cases from Antec, Enlight, Thermaltake, etc. you should be fine but you wouldn't want to use the power supply that comes with most cases. You don't have to buy a case based on the power supply. Find one that you like and if it has a good PSU then great. If it doesn't just buy a good one seperately. Just don't skimp on the power supply. You'll be glad you didn't.

[irmo123]

Originally Posted by Hi Ho Just don't skimp on the power supply. You'll be glad you didn't.

Thanks Hi Ho. In an earlier post you indicated that 350W was enough for this build. Do you still think so? This assumes I stick with an antec case so I have a decent PSU.

JB

[Hi Ho]

I meant don't skimp on the quality. 350w would be fine if it's a good brand. Don't limit yourself to one brand of case. Find one you want, PSU included or not, and run it by us. If it has a poor quality PSU it's very simple to switch it out.

[irmo123]

Thanks Hi Ho. I shopped other cases, but since I have little experience with cases other than the 1 Antec I've purchased before, I didn't really see anything that made me want to change my mind. Ignorance is bliss.

So without further ado, here is the final build:

Processor: intel Pentium 4 530J Prescott 800MHz FSB 1MB L2 Cache LGA 775 Processor - Retail $173

mobo: ASUS P5RD1-V Socket T (LGA 775) ATI Radeon XPRESS 200 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail $99.67

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 SATA NCQ ST380817AS 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $64.50

DVD Burner: NEC Black 16X DVD+/-R DVD Burner support Dual Layer, Model ND-3520A BK, OEM - $51.40

Memory: CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered Dual Channel Kit System Memory Model VS1GBKIT400 - Retail $78

PSU Adapter: 20 to 24-pin Power Supply Adapter $6.75

Case: Antec SLK1650B w/350 WPSU $68

Monitor:Polyview V17 D $213

Total build including shipping $755 but without OS

Widows XP Pro - wierd pricing, can anybody recommend where I get an additional license for my current copy of XP Pro? About how much should that cost?

I plan to give the on-board graphics a shot and if they don't cut it, I will add a video card.

Thanks for all the help everyone!

JB

[hobey19]

instead of going with xp pro (unless you have a domain in your house) go with xp home oem, and it comes with sp2

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837102151

licenses run almost as much as buying the OS itself, so you might as well get the cd with it

craig

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by hobey19 instead of going with xp pro (unless you have a domain in your house) go with xp home oem, and it comes with sp2 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16837102151 licenses run almost as much as buying the OS itself, so you might as well get the cd with it craig

I agree but buy it here and save a few bucks.

[irmo123]

Great. I assume XP home will network with other macines running XP pro. True?

JB

[Antistupid]

Originally Posted by Panama Red I agree but buy it here and save a few bucks.

but, then don't you hvae to buy some parts there too? or is that only buying OEM in Japan?

[irmo123]

Originally Posted by Antistupid but, then don't you hvae to buy some parts there too? or is that only buying OEM in Japan?

I don't know about Japan, but no harware purchase was required.

JB

[Antistupid]

Originally Posted by irmo123 I don't know about Japan, but no harware purchase was required. JB

Oh, then I guess it's only here in Japan that requires you to buy a major computer part to get the OEM version.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by irmo123 Great. I assume XP home will network with other macines running XP pro. True? JB

Yup, it will network just fine. Most times you are required to purchase hardware with oem software but many sites don't enforce that rule. Viosoftware is one of those non-enforcers.

[Antistupid]

Originally Posted by Panama Red Most times you are required to purchase hardware with oem software but many sites don't enforce that rule. Viosoftware is one of those non-enforcers.

Oh, I see. You lucky guys in the US, lol.