Low Cost build successful!

[Wolverdick]

Succesfully completed a new low cost computer for my best friend.

Heres the Parts, all purchased thru NewEgg:

--Foxconn TS001-V-A300A Black/ Silver Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 300W Power Supply - $44.99
--ASUS P5PE-VM LGA 775 Intel 865G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - $54.99
--Intel Celeron D 336 Prescott 2.8GHz LGA 775 64-Bit Processor $45.00
--CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 - $74.99
--Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM - $42.99
--LITE-ON 18X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write IDE Model LH-18A1P-185 - $27.99
-----Total: $290.95

The case was nicer than I expected, a little flimsy, but spacious and well ventilated. The single 80mm fan in the back is relatively quiet.

Mobo fit without any problems, I did have to remove some unneeded standoffs and position a new one for the Micro-ATX board.

The included PSU was ample for my needs, and featured good quality Molex plugs, as well as a single SATA connector which was nice. Voltages have been steady so far.

Drives installed via plastic 'tool-free' locks. Im not a fan of these, but they worked OK. With the exception of the floppy drive, I had to put that in the lowest position because it would not hold firmly. Seems to work fine on the bottom.

ASUS mobo came with a bios rev 11/2006 so that was very current. Did not require any CMOS reset, booted up on the first try. Windows loaded flawlessly as did all the ASUS drivers. Ran Windows Update for a while to get current and now its all good.

Thanks to everyone for their help with product choices.

Oh... and Super Pi count to 1 mil --59 secs. Not bad for $300 bucks.

[Alaron]

Congrats on the new build!

I've got a system on that same case/PSU, it is a great buy for a budget setup.

Edited for the correction. But Congrats all the same!

[Wolverdick]

Not my first build, that ones below...but thanks.

[LeftyAce]

Thanks for posting. Have been trying to get my parents to upgrade their machine, but they're not interested in the $$ associated with C2D, lots of ram, etc. Glad to see an inexpensive, decent performance build.

[ibuild]

Hi guys, may I ask why this build is better suited with an Intel Celeron Processor other than a Pentium D or C2D?

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ibuild Hi guys, may I ask why this build is better suited with an Intel Celeron Processor other than a Pentium D or C2D?

The Intel Celeron is intended to be used in budget computers that don't need a lot of power...it handles simple things like word processing and cruising the net okay.

If the intended use was gaming and multimedia work, then a Pentium D or C2D would have been better.

It really depends on what the computer will be used for and the budget you're working with.

Cricket

[ibuild]

Originally Posted by Cricket The Intel Celeron is intended to be used in budget computers that don't need a lot of power...it handles simple things like word processing and cruising the net okay. If the intended use was gaming and multimedia work, then a Pentium D or C2D would have been better. It really depends on what the computer will be used for and the budget you're working with. Cricket

What if I was to go with this build and went with a Pentium D or C2D, would that work? or will I be getting less out of this than an already built PC? ...

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by ibuild What if I was to go with this build and went with a Pentium D or C2D, would that work?

Yes, it would work. But what are you planning to use the computer for?

Originally Posted by ibuild or will I be getting less out of this than an already built PC? ...

You almost never get less from a home built computer than a pre-built. Put a home built computer up against a similarily spec'd pre-built costly roughly the same and the home built will almost always perform better.

You might want to start your own thread on this subject...don't want to hijack Wolverdick's thread.

Cricket