Basic Build

[Litespeed]

This will be a build for the wife's parents. Their Sony desktop finally died. Her father is very smart; therefore I am going to buld it with him so he will get an idea of how things work. They are your basic pc users and most any thing will be an upgrade. They have XP and a monitor. This computer will be used for Web surfing, pictures, and music. If I can get a cheaper video card that would be great. I still have trouble understanding the specs of the video card. I am not sure about the case. Some thing simple with front USB ports. The cost is around $930 right now and I would like to get that down a few hundred if possible. Where am I going over board of this build?

Thanks, Matt



Optical: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106015

Keyboard/Mouse: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126171

Speakers: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16836121130

Hard Drive: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148144

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819115005

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131041

RAM: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145526

Case/Power Supply: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129155

[Staren]

Not too bad I have quite a few changes I'd make, but most are minor tweaks then a major redesign.

I like that video card. Perfect power match for the needs you listed. I'd keep that.

If they have an older computer, don't they have a keboard. mouse, speaker set already? If it works fine I wouldn't even bother changing it unless they want wireless. Maybe you could talk someone else in the family into giving them that for the holidays since pretty much anything would work.

I'd spend the extra $10 and get a new OEM hard drive. I can't think of any good reason why there would be an open-box hard drive worth buying.

Drop the CPU down to a 6300. I don't think they would notice a deference.

The motherboard should be ok, but I'll let someone else comment on that.

I don't think this system really needs 2 gigs of RAM. 1 should be enough to start with. You can always bump it up if their usage changes.

Case is pretty much personal prefrence. You can go with pretty much whatever you'd like. This isn't a system that you'd really need to worry about cooling for.

I'd switch to this PSU. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817189003 I have one running a pretty comparable computer, and should work just fine.

Oh ya, forgot about the O.S. What is the copy of XP from? Just to make sure that it's a retail or OEM copy from a store that you can use, and not from that Sony box.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Litespeed This will be a build for the wife's parents. Their Sony desktop finally died. Her father is very smart; therefore I am going to buld it with him so he will get an idea of how things work. They are your basic pc users and most any thing will be an upgrade. They have XP and a monitor. This computer will be used for Web surfing, pictures, and music. If I can get a cheaper video card that would be great. I still have trouble understanding the specs of the video card.

The motherboard you chose already has on-board video so you really don't need to get a video card. The on-board video will be fine for the intended use of this computer.

Originally Posted by Litespeed I am not sure about the case. Some thing simple with front USB ports.

That Cooler Master case is fine. But you could get this Antec case for $5 more but it comes with a good power supply already in it and save $65 over buying a case and power supply separately.

Originally Posted by Litespeed Where am I going over board of this build?

Like I mentioned earlier, you don't need a video card since the motherboard has on-board video. Reduces total cost by $75.

I would get the E6300 instead of the E6400...performance is virtually the same but you save $36.

Do they really need 2GB of RAM? For a basic computer 1GB is more than enough. Save $100.

Don't get a open box hard drive, get a OEM. I'd get a Seagate for the 5 year warranty.

And get the retail version of that Lite-On DVD burner...the OEM version doesn't come with software, the retail version does.

Cricket

[Litespeed]

Thank you. I have updated the list. That knocked it down to $670.

He said he would like to upgrade to a wireless mouse and key board. We have the same speakers and really like them so I thought those would work, plus I really like the volume control and headphone jack. The OS XP Pro and Office will be bought by their daughter that is still in school in Austin.

Thanks again for your help. Let me know if there is any compatablity issues.

-Matt

[newbuilder14]

Get the Antec Sonata II - amazing sale price at $50 after MIR...

[Litespeed]

Originally Posted by newbuilder14 Get the Antec Sonata II - amazing sale price at $50 after MIR...

Do you think I will need that as opposed to the 380W that comes with the case?

[Mr.Ferrari]

Swap that hard drive for this one:
Seagate 7200.10 250G

You dont need more then 380w, if you really like the sonata for other reasons than PSU then go for it.

[newbuilder14]

Originally Posted by Litespeed Do you think I will need that as opposed to the 380W that comes with the case?

The Sonata II is an outstanding steel case. Very nice looking, too. I used one in a build for someone.

And yes 450w is ALWAYS good to have.

[Litespeed]

Originally Posted by Mr.Ferrari Swap that hard drive for this one: Seagate 7200.10 250G You dont need more then 380w, if you really like the sonata for other reasons than PSU then go for it.

I compared the Seagate to the WD that I have and couldn't find much difference. What are the pros to the seagate over the wd? I have used both.

I changed to the antec that was included with the case. I have no particular reason to like the sonata over another I was just asking newbuilder why the sonata II over the antec case and power supply combo that Cricket chose.

Thanks again for the help. The main purpose is to impress the inlaws and build them a reliable computer that will out perform their previous hunk of junk.

Appreciate the help once again.

[flanzig1]

The Sonata is $20 cheaper with the mail-in rebate and it has front USB/Firewire/audio jacks. The straight Antec only has USB.

[Litespeed]

Originally Posted by flanzig1 The Sonata is $20 cheaper with the mail-in rebate and it has front USB/Firewire/audio jacks. The straight Antec only has USB.

Changed in orginal post. Thanks.

[glc]

Seagates have a 5 year warranty and the .10 is the fastest 7200 rpm drive made. If you want to really cut costs, get a 80 or 120 gig .9.