Building a PC for customer

[mbiggs]

How does this sound?

All she wants to do is surf the internet, download music, and e-Mail. Your everyday computing.

I've got the OS to put on it and all.

Here are the specs -

Antec NSK3300 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case 300W Power Supply - Retail
Model #: NSK3300
Item #: N82E16811129016

BIOSTAR K8M800 Micro AM2 Socket AM2 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #: K8M800 Micro AM2
Item #: N82E16813138038

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Orleans 2.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA3200CWBOX - Retail
Model #: ADA3200CWBOX
Item #: N82E16819103031

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 533 (PC2 4200) Desktop Memory Model VS512MB533D2 - Retail
Model #: VS512MB533D2
Item #: N82E16820145529

NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM
Model #: FD1231H-302
Item #: N82E16821152005

Western Digital Caviar SE WD1600JS 160GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
Model #: WD1600JS
Item #: N82E16822144415

LG CD Burner Black E-IDE / ATAPI Model GCE-8527B BLK - OEM
Model #: GCE-8527B BLK
Item #: N82E16827136059

LG 18X DVD±R Super-Multi DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black IDE Model GSAH22N-BK - OEM
Model #: GSAH22N-BK
Item #: N82E16827136103

Sounds like a pretty sweet little setup for 400.21 shipped. Her budget is ~350-400... no more then 400. Firm.

Thanks in Advance!

[newbuilder14]

You're not going to do this for under $400.

If you are on a budget, why did you get two optical drives? Just get one. The DVD burner only.

Also, 300w is not much, go for the NSK4400 or the SLK1650B.

You also must change that motherboard to something partially decent such as the Abit NF-M2 or an Asus GeForce Integ. Video motherboard.

[mbiggs]

How much power would she need. It's not like she's running a monster computer. And I would like a reason as to why the motherboard is bad instead of just saying I need to get a different one.

Thanks

And why a DVD burner. She can't play dvd's in her car. Wait nevermind... lol that's the all in one.

12.42 dollars over isnt too bad. I think I can sway it.

[flanzig1]

The 300w should do OK. If she doesn't use floppies, could drop the FDD. Would go with a retail Lite-on for the burning software:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106043

[newbuilder14]

And I would like a reason as to why the motherboard is bad instead of just saying I need to get a different one.

No disrespect, but I would kind of like a respectful response as I was nice enough to respond to your thread. This is a community and you shouldn't post here with the attitude that everyone owes you their response. Thank you.

You have been here long enough to know for yourself that we discourage most motherboards for AM2 and VIA chipsets are basically horrid from what I hear from experienced members here.

[windsleeper]

I'd drop the floppy and maybe add in a multi-format flash card reader. I'd also go with just one DVD/CD burner. If you need to save a few $'s, 160GB HDD might not be necessary for this type of usage.

[glc]

You can save 30 bucks with a Foxconn TS-1 case. That's my standard case for a budget build, it has a 300 watt Fortron ATX 2.0 power supply. It's fine for onboard video and low end PCI-E cards. It's a compact quality built case that will accept a full 7 slot ATX board, getting a micro case is too limiting.

One DVD burner, retail box, is what you need, a second optical is a needless expense.

If you really want to do an AM2, I'd go for a Nvidia chipset board. See if you can get an Asus M2N-MX into the budget - I bet you can if you go with the cheaper case. You can also save $25 by going with the Sempron 64 3200+. Being that you are using slow ram, the faster HTT on the A64 is somewhat wasted here.

Note that I didn't try to talk you into Intel - but if you want an alternate suggestion there, just holler. Dual core may be doable.

[mbiggs]

This lady is nuts. I dipped out on the deal. I told her about everything and had all the specs jotted down for her at work. Give it to her and explain to her in full detail what everything was and how it operated. She has the nerve to ask me... okay, so yeah... it seems expensive and I told her.. it may seem like the same price as a regular computer, and it may seem like your paying a bit for the comp.. but you also have to figure in the upgradability factor into all this and she was understanding of it. Well, then she continues on with, "So how are we going to go about doing this?" And politely explained to her that all she had to do was give me the money and I would build it for her and have it ready 4 days after it was ordered. Her response, "Oh RIGHT, how do I know you're not going to run off out of state with my money, never to be seen again... you talk all this stuff and I don't even trust you!"... and my obvious response comes out to, "OK, so you expect me to pay for all of this out of pocket, and then risk you turning around on me and deciding you don't want the stupid thing and fuss with either taking it all apart and sending it all back, or being stuck with a computer I don't want." This woman is CRACKED out. =S So, forget this build. Lol

[newbuilder14]

Lol, some people are like that, and those are the people you stay away from. I've always had people pay me after I build it - just the ones I really know well - if I don't know someone that would be a difficult situation. What does everyone else do here, require pre-payment or get payed after the job is done?

[hitchface]

As far as your own business goes, you should only get paid after services have been rendered. Yeah, it is a little shady when someone wants you to build a system and has that kind of attitude, but once you build the PC, they come in, pay for it, done deal.

[hobey19]

if i know the person, i just take payment upon delivery. if i do not know the person (or a regular customer did not recommend them) i ask for a deposit - normally 50%. i have been doing it that way for about 4 years now and i have never once gotten stiffed. i realize that it does happen, but i am willing to take the risk for my customers and i think my customers appreciate that.

craig

[glc]

When I do a custom build, I have the customer order the components from Newegg on THEIR credit card and have them shipped to THEIR place. I then go build it and bill them for my labor.

If they don't want to do this, I point them to Dell and assist them with a configuration or pick them out a suitable eMachine at Best Buy and bill them for consulting time. (Yes, not all eMachines are garbage......)

Going through all that crap for a $400 build is just ridiculous.