Building a computer for my grandson

[larry38]

When I built the computer listed in my signature below, I gave my old computer (8 years old now) to my grandson. Unfortunately it has developed some serious problems and I don’t think it is worth trying to fix. I want to build a new computer with my grandson (6 years old) that he can use now and be able to expand in the future to meet new needs. By having him help with the build, I believe he will take “ownership” of the computer as well as it being an educational experience. I am asking help with parts suggestions ( case, CPU, mobo (with integrated sound?), HDD, RAM, video card , FDD, and optical drive(s).) The budget is $6 - $700) without monitor, keyboard or mouse. Regarding the OS, the old computer has XP home. I believe the HDD has failed, so can I use that XP or do I have to buy a new version (if so, the OS would be in the budget)? If I can use the existing XP home CD, are there any special “hoops” that one has to use to install it on a new HDD? Possible future expansion would include a wireless network with the other computer (like mine) to facilitate printing and connection to the web through DSL. I hope I have given you enough information that you can help with this request. Thanks for your help.

[piasabird]

One thing to look at is what version of XP Home edition you have. There are at least 3 different versions. Since microsoft came out with Windows XP Home Edition they have had 2 Support Packs or updates for it.

You use to be able to go to Microsoft and order the updates. If you can get that ahead of time it will save you a lot of hassle. You can download or you can order it over then Internet and MS will send you a CDROM:

SP2 on CDROM
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/d...s/default.mspx

I like having the support packs on a disk, but you can download it also if you have broadband. No sense in getting a newer version if MS will mail it to you for free. I think mine took 2 weeks to get to me.

So on the parts do you prefer AMD or INTEL?

I was thinking AMD would get you the best quality for the money. The new Athlon 64 Processors is what most people seem to be using. Someone else probably has some idea what kind of motherboard and processor you can use for that price range. I would recommend a new case, but maybe your grandchild would like to have some say about the color and type of case. You can get lots of them in Black or White or Aluminum or steel or with a metalic paint like Silver, grey, green, red, yellow, or whatever. They also come with windows or just some kind of flat side panel. I have searched for weeks sometimes trying to decide on a case design I like.

I would approach this slowly and carefully. You could take him to a library and look at some computer designs or just buy a few magazines. CPU or "Computer Power User" is a nice magazine that has lots of interesting articles in it. Sometimes a public library has some magazines you can look at.

Try this website to look at all the different kinds of computer cases they sell:

www.newegg.com

[larry38]

Thanks for the reply and suggestions, piasabird. I forgot to say I wanted to go with AMD as I have very good luck with them. I like your idea of taking him to the library and do some research into various designs, unfortunately he is about 400 miles from here and that isn't practical for me. As for the case, I was thinking about one of the cases with a window but hadn't given any thought about color possibilities (I thought they came in the standard black, silver or tan colors.) I'll have to consult with him on this item. I plan to order all of the parts and have them delivered to his house so we can put it together over his Spring break. As for the version of XP in question, it is with SP1. I had updated it to SP2, but had conflict issues with the Zone Alarm firewall I was using so after working with Microsoft I disabled the SP2.

[freakitchen]

How about these parts for a starting point?

AMD Athlon 64 3200+
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103535

ASUS A8N-E
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131530

Corsair VS 512MB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145026

EVGA Geforce 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130214

Seagate 160GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148105

Lite-on DVD-RW
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106019

Antec Case + 450w PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

Total $672.

Obviously these are merely suggestions, put together with upgradability in mind. The 6600GT graphics card can be reduced if your grandson isn't going to want the latest games, which will reduce the cost accordingly.

As long as your old system is being retired, you can re-use the old copy of Windows XP.

Freakitchen

[tomster2300]

No need for magazines, just look at the different computer dealer websites that sell cases.

(Links go directly to cases)

Newegg: Link goes to current deals on cases, click the type of case at the top to view all listings

http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/Ca...asp?Category=9

ZipZoomFly: Same as newegg, but click on the left side.

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ThirdC...egoryCode=0101

TigerDirect: I wouldn't recommend buying from tiger due to their ridiculous prices (for the same products you can find at the other listed sites), but you can still browse their selection.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...c.asp?CatId=32


Freakitchen's parts list would definately allow your grandson to be able to play all current games and those in the immediate future (though not at maximum detail). The only concern for gaming is that you really need 1 gig of ram (for serious gaming). 512 mb doesn't really cut it for the latest and greatest. Another 512 mb stick could always be a cheap upgrade down the road though.

But of course, this is for educational use, right?

[larry38]

Thanks for the suggestions, Freakitchen. This is the sort of information I was looking for. Regarding the re-use of the old copy of Windows XP, can I just install it like I did on the original computer?

[jfk]

I might consider dropping the 160 gig hard drive to a 120 gig hard drive and using the money saved to bump up to a 6800GS, which will be even better for gaming and will be able to handle future games at more playable settings than the 6600GT. It's around $50 more for the 6800GS, but there is no comparison in performance between the two. This will alleviate the need to upgrade the vid card in a year or so when games become more demanding. Then again, I'm thinking like a gamer that plays high end games. Perhaps his games aren't nearly as demanding. Just something to think about.

[FireByyrd]

I would probably go with a 6800GS also. Good pick jfk.

[freakitchen]

The suggestions about upping the RAM and Video Card that I suggested are certainly valid, and you should consider them depending on what the computer will be used for now and in the future.

I just read that you were considering a case with a window? This is fine - check out Tomster's links for those...just make sure you choose one without a power supply (apart from Antec & Enlight) and add a quality unit seperately. A quality 24-pin 450w unit - such as the XCLIO 450w - will do if you decide on this route.

Re: XP. Having the original XP disc allows you to install it by setting the BIOS to boot from CD and partitioning the Hard drive, exactly as you did with the previous computer. You'll then have to activate it, which may or may not require calling Microsoft (you'll be promted to do so). As long as the copy is installed only on one computer, this is perfectly legal.

FK

[larry38]

Thanks everyone for all of the suggestions and information. I don't know what case I will use just yet, but had planned on using the XCLIO 450W psu as I have used it before and have had great results with it. When I make my final selection of the parts, I'll post them and get everyone's comments. Again, Thanks for all of the helpl

[larry38]

Originally Posted by Freakitchen How about these parts for a starting point? AMD Athlon 64 3200+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103535 ASUS A8N-E http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131530 Corsair VS 512MB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145026 EVGA Geforce 6600GT http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130214 Seagate 160GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148105 Lite-on DVD-RW http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106019 Antec Case + 450w PSU http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155 Total $672. Obviously these are merely suggestions, put together with upgradability in mind. The 6600GT graphics card can be reduced if your grandson isn't going to want the latest games, which will reduce the cost accordingly. As long as your old system is being retired, you can re-use the old copy of Windows XP. Freakitchen

I am thinking about the following substitutions and would like comments -

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440

Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 ST3808110AS 80GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache SATA
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148107

Thanks for all your help with this project.

[Alaron]

Looks like a fine list to me, including your changes.

[kodmaster]

I don't think you need to go with the 6600 xfx viedo card. He peobably won't be playing any serious games for a few years in which he will have 2 upgrade the mobo anyways probably I think you should go with onboard video which should be good for the games the little kids play

This one I think is a good idea:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131558

It's got onboard video but he'll probably upgrade to a new socket before he needs an actual video card. Also it's MATX so it will fit into a smaller case but you should go with a bigger case to allow for future expandibility.

[tomster2300]

I wouldn't be so sure. My brother is 10 and he plays AOE III and Star Wars: Empire at War (demo) among other new games. While they originated as my games (I'm 18) and were passed to him, you have to remember that the kids do grow up fast, and their tastes and preferences even quicker. The 6600GT is a good modest end card which can handle anything thrown at it on modest settings. At that age it's not all about graphics but playability.

[kodmaster]

Yah but that's still 4 years away for him... but I do agree that he might play games but with no1 handing them down to him it will take him a while to be aquantited with computers and spend his time fooling around between once every month reformats(if he's go internet) my 7 year old brother has never played anygames like that(he barely even goes on the computer)

[tomster2300]

Originally Posted by kodmaster Yah but that's still 4 years away for him... but I do agree that he might play games but with no1 handing them down to him it will take him a while to be aquantited with computers and spend his time fooling around between once every month reformats(if he's go internet) my 7 year old brother has never played anygames like that(he barely even goes on the computer)

I worded that wrong I think. I haven't passed on the newer ones, he just says "Can I play" then plays them until he's better than I am . Now the old DOS and Win 98 games of mine are all his. (Reader Rabbit, Oregon Trail, etc.)

You're right though. Larry, just choose what you believe is best for your grandson. Actually, the onboard graphics in my laptop easily runs older games and can even run the original Call of Duty pretty well (and it's not any special kind of graphics setup - it's just a Compaq with the ATI mobile graphics - can't think of the name right now). Onboard is fine and will also save you some money - you can always add a new card later on down the road if the board has a slot for it.

[glc]

In 4 years, even a high end video card is going to be outdated - just buy for today.

[larry38]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, etc. What if I decided to downgrade the video card from

EVGA Geforce 6600GT
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130214

to this one

GIGABYTE GV-RX55256D Radeon X550 256MB 128-bit DDR PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125004

This might be good enough for now and the next couple of years and then after that who knows???

[tomster2300]

Originally Posted by larry38 and the next couple of years and then after that who knows???

You'll probably be building a whole new computer by then, so it's not a concern .

[Alfie]

Considering this is for a 6 yr. old,buying a high end computer may not be the solution.
AMD has divided the camp into 2 sections,high end and budget minded.
It was assumed support for Socket 754 was being discontinued and it would shift over soley to Socket 939.
At this juncture,it appears that isn't true.
We always consider upgradeability,but if we face reality what's new today is old today!
Socket 754 boards now have pci express support and the Sempron 64 bit cpus are quite affordable and offer enough power for any application available.
By going this route a pretty penny is saved,we have a pretty powerful computer with an upgrade path available,there would be enough money left over to toss in a flat screen monitor and the aforementioned 600gt.
If you plan on using a motherboard with Nvidia chipsets,it tends to play nicer with a Nvidia video card,the 600gt is a very good choice.
Here are a couple links for you to consider.
I have linked the Epox board,but other manufacturers to consider would be Abit,Asus,Soltek.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813123257
Here's a cpu
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819104233
As far as cases, I like this company,
http://www.directron.com/index.html
The advantage being that you can order a case without a power supply,selection is good,support is good and if the case arrives with a dented side panel,cracked bezel,etc.
Call them and they'll send you the replacement part,without having to ship the whole case back.
When that happened to me,broken bezel,they shipped me a new one and told me to keep the broken one.