second build, here we go

[peekaboo]

i've decided to build the computer for my parents now and test it out until they arrive (in two months).
i need help getting it together.

the budget is around $1100 CAD (more or less).

my parents are not gamers (except for bridge, which doesn't count).
the computer will be used for surfing the web, downloading stuff, burning videos (will probably require some encoding), skype, msn messenger, bridge, office applications, etc. (regular stuff).

my mom likes to do all of the above at the same time and she likes the computer to be silent. she also wants a fast computer (big fan of overkill).

i need recommendations for parts, please.

thanks.

[newbuilder14]

Do you need a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc.?

You should be able to fit a Core 2 Duo system into that budget. I will know once I find out what you need.

[peekaboo]

thanks for reminding me, i forgot to mention:
no need for monitor/os/keyboard/mouse.

[newbuilder14]

Awesome, that leaves us more room for the good stuff. Here is an ideal recommendation. I just remembered that you are talking about Canadian money, and that budget may limit us but we shall see.

CPU: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=666672956
MEM: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18585
GPU: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=666672956
CASE: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15422
HDD: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18729
MOBO: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19355
OS: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=21354

That is just under budget. There are some workarounds, but honestly, I've put together a quality components list there and it would be a very good performer for their needs. You could add another gigabyte of memory down the road.

[peekaboo]

thanks.

the cpu link takes me to to a gpu.
the gpu is a 7600gs. isn't that way overkill?
they don't do any graphics work/design, but i would like to be able to connect the computer to the tv so they can watch movies on the tv (a simple tv-out of some sort should do, no?).
there are quite a few messages about the 7200.10 being loud/faulty here (at the bottom of the page). any experience with it?
i don't need an operating system.

[Jimmy0]

I am presuming for the CPU newbuilder was recommending this one:
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19143

The Seagate 7200.10s are quality drives, you shouldn't have a problem with them, they are highly recommended by PCMech members.

[glc]

Based on NB14's list but modified.

Case: Sonata II http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=15422 $131.85
CPU: E4300 http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22149 $229.99
Motherboard: P5B http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=19355 $166.75
Memory: 2 sets Corsair: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18585 $287.50 (the 2gb kits are out of stock, if you find them elsewhere go for it)
Hard drive: Seagate http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18729 $111.67
Optical: Lite-On SATA DVD burner http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22148 $51.73
Video card: X300SE http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=14640 $55.47

Bottom line $1034.96 - I dunno about tax and shipping though. They are in Vancouver so you can will call the stuff.

I would have recommended a E6300, but all they have is OEM, no warranty or heatsink. Add about 100 bucks to get a E6400. Note that this price is with 2 gigs of ram, and that video card does have a TV-out. I think a multitasker will notice more difference with double the ram than with a faster processor.

You could probably stay in budget if you can find the 2gb ram kit and a retail boxed E6300 from another vendor.

[newbuilder14]

My apologies, I did mean the E6300: http://www.ncix.com/products/index.p...ufacture=Intel

It looks like it is retail to me.

[glc]

Good deal - I didn't see that when I was looking - go with it. All I saw was the OEM.

[peekaboo]

thanks again guys.
i will aim for the e6400.
i hope they remember to bring a keyboard with them. ncix does not sell keyboards with hebrew fonts (strange).
i'm considering buying them a mouse too but i think it would be better if my mom chooses what's most comfortable for her. they have a tendency to put the keyboard and mouse on a little pull-out platter under the desk which leaves no room to move the mouse around (i hate that).

is this the same ram as suggested, only in a 1gb stick?

[glc]

You want a dual channel kit, not a single stick.

I'd get the E6300 with 2 gigs ram before I'd get a E6400 with 1 gig.

[peekaboo]

i meant get the e6400 with two of those 1gig sticks.

[glc]

You could wait till the 2gb kits are back in stock. Getting a kit matched pair ensures dual channel operation - 2 single sticks might be from different lots.

[peekaboo]

ok, so i've searched around ncix for deals.
here are the parts that i've found.
please have a look and make sure they are the same as the ones you suggested (only cheaper):
case
cpu
motherboard
ram when back in stock.
hard drive 320gig instead of 250 gig.
optical
graphics card as suggested by glc.
am i missing anything (other than out of stock ram, monitor, keyboard, mouse and os)?

[glc]

Perfect.

[peekaboo]

just spoke to my mom and she said not to worry about a few dollars here and there if she can get a powerful computer that would last for years.
so i'm thinking of just spending another 100 of her canadian dollars and getting an e6600.

there's no problem with the setup, right?

[Jimmy0]

There is no problem with the parts you have picked, it is a solid setup.

[peekaboo]

i mean there's no problem with using a e6600 instead of the originally suggested e4300 (which i then upgraded to an e6400).
just making sure that the psu in the case is ok for it.

[Jimmy0]

Yes, that power supply will handle the E6600 fine.

[peekaboo]

thanks.

[flanzig1]

The 450w Antec will handle the E6600. The concern comes when going up in video card power and/or adding lots of HDs.

[glc]

If you are gonna get a E6600 and she doesn't mind spending even more hoser bucks, you can always get this ram, it's in stock:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18581

Tough call - an extra 80 bucks for faster ram, which really won't benefit you at stock processor speeds. You can sure as heck overclock with it though.

[peekaboo]

no overclocking for me (and my mom definitely won't).

so is using the suggested (slower???) ram with the e6600 not a good combo?

btw, is that video card ok for vista (in case my mom decides she wants the latest and greatest os too)?

[glc]

Using the slower ram is fine as long as you don't overclock.

For true Vista readiness, I'd get a better video card. This one is in stock:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=18194

If you can wait, I'd prefer this one:

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16743

[peekaboo]

the guy at ncix suggested two of these (@ $99.99 each) and mentioned getting them from the same batch so they will run dual channel.
can he make sure that both sticks are from the same batch or is he banking on me not knowing the difference (which i actually might not)?

[Cricket]

The sticks don't necessarily have to be from the same batch, just have matching specs.

You could always get a 2GB kit (2 X 1 GB) like this one.

Cricket

[glc]

Been there, Cricket - out of stock.

100 bucks apiece for single sticks? I'd go for it! Will call the stuff so you can read the stickers on the 2 modules.

[peekaboo]

Originally Posted by glc Will call the stuff so you can read the stickers on the 2 modules.

not sure what that means but i'm guessing it can be done.

so except for the video card, which glc prefers but is out of stock, i'm good to go and will purchase the parts tomorrow.

[glc]

You can get that Nvidia card - there really isn't anything wrong with it.

Will call means go over to NCIX and pick it up, not have it shipped.

[peekaboo]

i always pick stuff up from ncix.
it's pretty close to where i live.

what am i looking for on the ram stickers?