First computer build

[adalgisa]

I've been asked to put together a complete system that will be used for word processing, internet, autoCAD, and video/movie editing (possibly), not for gaming. I haven’t put together a computer before, though I’ve replaced everything but motherboards & cpu’s.

The budget is around $1000. The only specific request was that it be upgradeable and have a lot of USB ports in the front. And a DVD writer. He has a camera that uses XD cards-- I'm not sure of the source of the video to be edited (I think that's not decided either).

The current computer is I think a PII, 350MHz or something.

I don’t know about:
1) the front ports: is that a feature of the motherboard, or an add-on component?
2) speakers - I'm thinking a inexpensive 2.1 system would be adequate – suggestions?
3) upgradeability: socket 939 would be more upgradeable, but I’m over budget as it is…
4) This is over budget by $100, and that’s without speakers. & they may want a floppy drive.
5) Given my lack of experience, would a barebones system be a better idea –?

Thanks for your help!

Here's a list of parts I've come up with at NewEgg.
case
1 Antec Solution SLK1650B Black Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply - Retail $62.99
Model #: SLK1650B

mobo
1 MSI K8N NEO3-F Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce4 4X ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: K8N Neo3-F $66.00

cpu
1 AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Newcastle 800MHz FSB Socket 754 Processor Model ADA3000BOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3000BOX $125.00

graphics card
1 eVGA 128-P2-N368-TX Geforce 6600GT 128MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail
Model #: 128-P2-N368-TX $139.00

RAM
1 CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model VS1GB400C3 - Retail
Model #: VS1GB400C3 $83.00

HDD
1 Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 ST3200822A-RK 200GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - Retail
Model #: ST3200822A-RK $122.00

OD
1 LITE-ON Black ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner Model SHW-160P6S - Retail
Model #: SHW-160P6S BK RT $42.99

flash mem reader
1 LINKSKEY LKA-CR15B 19-in-1 USB 2.0 Black Card Reader/Writer - Retail
Model #: LKA-CR15B $13.50

modem
1 Encore modems ENF656-EHW-INPR 56Kbps Internal Fax Modem - Retail
Model #: ENF656-EHW-INPR $7.50

keyboard
1 Logitech Internet Pro Desktop 967457-0403 Black PS/2 Wired Standard Keyboard Mouse Included - OEM
Model #: 967457-0403 $16.00

monitor
1 Acer AL1714CB-8 Black 17" 8ms LCD Monitor - Retail
Model #: ET.L1809.102 $209.99

OS
1 Microsoft Windows XP Home With SP2 - OEM
Model #: N09-01528 $93.95

Subtotal: $981.92, $1,104 including tax &shipping.

[freakitchen]

Some nice parts there, it's a well balanced build.

Although 939 is more upgradable as you say, going for an older socket can be a way to get higher-spec parts for your budget. It's swings and roundabouts.

Why not go for a Serial-ATA hard disc? Newer technology, and the smaller cables improve air flow around your case. No need for a retail boxed hard drive, the necessary cables will come with your motherboard.

Reducing cost is going to be a difficult one. The most obvious to me would be to downgrade the video card - if the system is not going to be used for gaming, you can effectively go for the minimum here. Does going for a non-GT version of the 6600 save you much cash?

An inexpensive 2.1 speaker set from Creative / Logitech should do the trick.

You've chosen good parts, in many ways, that's the difficult part done with. You should have no problems building the system and it's great experience. There are plenty of step-by-step guides for you to follow, including on here at PC Mech. Best of luck

Freakitchen

[Louds3]

as long as it's a new motherboard (i.e. at least nforce3 like you have listed) the motherboard will definitely have headers that you attach the front USB ports to. that case has 2 front ports, and media card reader you chose has another one. the modem you added is only necessary if connecting via dial-up. an OEM SATA drive would probably be a better option than the IDE drive you listed, that's your call though both are fine. I would agree with Freakitchen that since you aren't going to be gaming with this computer, you could definitely drop down to a regular 6600 or even lower and save about 50 dollars. I would recommend using that saved money and getting a Socket 939 because it will be much more upgradeable and it seems this is a primary concern of your friends. I have an Asus A8N-sli which I like very much but you could get an Asus A8N-e which is pretty much the same thing without Sli and is a nice and reliable board. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131530

steve

[adalgisa]

I'm taking your advice about the SATA, and cheaper vid card. He'd like to go with socket 939, said the extra expense was ok. He does need the 56k modem.

So now this mobo
ASUS A8N-E Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail $109

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail $160

Graphic card
CHAINTECH SV62TC-T2 Geforce 6200TC support up to 256MB PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail $58

SATA HD
Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 ST3250823AS 250GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM $103

Everything else the same- do I need a floppy drive to load the OS, if there's only an SATA drive?

Thanks for all your help!

[Darkkon]

You will need floppy drive for makeing diaognostics and makeing a back up copy of the bios and what not if he is in school most schools still ask for you to bring flopy disk with you so they can save work and anything else they ask for but it is all ways handy to have a floppy drive handy in my opion any ways

[jayb1234]

One thing to remember. Don't hook up that card reader to the motherboard untill after you get windows installed.

It will hijack the C drive designation and your hard drive will end up being h or i or whatever. That will lead to problems because C is the default install location for most programs.

[adalgisa]

Finally met to put the components together yesterday; I followed the assembly order instructions from the PCMech CD.
The hardest part was squeezing the ultraATX mobo into the Antec case, figuring out which screws to use where (Antec supplied about 2 dozen), and hooking up the case led's.
The only problem was that one of the fans in the power supply (there are 2), did not work. I think the case (w/psu attached) may have been damaged in shipping (had to bend a case edge back into place).
Unfortunately I didn't notice this until everything had been installed.

The CPU and case temps are good (i.e., 27C); is there any harm in running the system w/ 1 psu fan not working, at least until a replacement comes from newegg?

[jayb1234]

You should be fine as long as you keep an eye on the temps.

Also, if that PSU is the smartpower version, the 2nd fan isn't supposed to run all the time, only when the unit heats up and needs more cooling.

I think it is, because the only other 350W psu at Antec's site is fanless.

[adalgisa]

that's a relief! It is an Antec Smartpower supply--
thanks!

[freakitchen]

JayB is right about the power supply. The 350w smartpower has two fans, an intake - which runs all the time, and an exhaust, which runs only when necessary. No need to return anything!

Freakitchen