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02-02-2010, 08:17 PM
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#1 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Posts: 27
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New Non-Gaming Build - Please Advise
Hello everyone:
I remember several years ago posting for my first time with help on my new computer, and you all helped me tremendously. After that, I built maybe 8 or so computers for other friends/family as a hobby, then took a break. That was 2006-07. Fast forward to 2010, and I'm trying to help a good friend build his first computer. I know the process of building a computer fairly well by this point. My problem is, I'm out of the loop as far as parts go now. When I was building, the e6300/e6600/Pentium D processes were the thing. What's new with the computer parts market now? I suppose that's not the exact question to ask, since we are building a relatively inexpensive, not-too-powerful, basic needs computer. It will run a few programs, be used for internet, etc. -- no gaming. Would anyone be so kind as to recommend a few parts to get me an idea of what I could be looking at today (cpu, mobo, RAM)? Would a cheaper AMD build work just fine? Are there any mid-tier Intel processors worth looking at - and, are they pretty much all dual core now? Any comments are appreciated. Thanks. Last edited by ryanh126; 02-02-2010 at 08:22 PM. |
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02-02-2010, 09:48 PM
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#2 |
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Give us a budget for the case and its hardware contents, and tell us his expectations. There are several ways to go.
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02-03-2010, 02:22 PM
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#3 |
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Member (5 bit)
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This computer is pretty much just for basic needs. Web surfing, run a few apps, word processing, etc. Nothing that to me would seem to CPU/memory intensive. An initial budget would be around $500, give or take a bit.
No real preference for processor brand though I do believe in getting high quality motherboards, RAM, hard drives, etc. Thank you. Hopefully this info will allow you to recommend a processor, some memory, a motherboard, etc. I will likely be going to my Microcenter store to get the parts but have use Newegg before. |
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02-03-2010, 03:23 PM
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#4 |
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$500 is just a bit light to do an Intel socket 1156. You would be looking at a 775 or an AMD rig.
Intel suggestion, prices from Newegg including shipping: Case: Antec NSK6580 Black/ Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel construction ATX Mid Tower Computer Case 430W Power Supply - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811129033 $90 Motherboard: ASUS P5G41-M LE/CSM LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131399 $68 CPU: Intel Pentium E6300 Wolfdale 2.8GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E6300 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116091 $80 Ram: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model TWIN2X4096-6400C5 - Retail http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 $89 Hard drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136320 $70 DVD burner: LG DVD Burner - Bulk Black SATA Model GH24NS50 - OEM http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827136177 $25 This actually puts you around $425. With an operating system and peripherals you will be considerably over $500. |
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02-03-2010, 06:44 PM
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#5 |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 35
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The system glc describes is similar to what I built. If you're interested to see the parts-list I started and ended up with, the thread is here:
$450 Ubuntu/Win7, Intel, Photo + db + Web With tax and shipping and rebates, the final price was $502, with Ubuntu (linux) as my (free) OS. With Win7-64 Pro, add $160. If $500 is your ceiling, and you want Windows, you might save a little bit on your build by going with the dual-core E5200 at $65 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-072-_-Product and only 2GB memory at $45 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-201-_-Product (I think that's the right RAM as a 2GB kit , but you should definitely check and confirm). There is a Rosewill case that has been mentioned a couple of times recently on this forum as a budget choice, at $20. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-116-_-Product But you would still need a power-supply, and by comparison, I think the Antec case-combo glc listed looks like a very good value. By the way, if you are a Bank of America credit-card or banking customer, Newegg is (at least, was) participating in BofA's "Add It Up" program. Participating in the program is free, and gets you 3% cash-back on purchases at Newegg. It worked fine for me. I do not work for BofA or Newegg. |
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02-03-2010, 07:58 PM
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#6 |
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Thanks very much for the helpful responses. This gives me an idea of which direction I need to look at. It looks like for budget/performance together, Intel offers the best solutions, but I could be mistaken. Here is what I have in mind at the moment, though I haven't officially put together a "list" yet - which I plan to do sometime toward the end of the week.
As far as the operating system goes, I know and am partial to Windows XP. I never bought into Vista, and I'm not that informed about Windows 7. Does it still make sense to build an XP machine? CPU: E3200, E5300, or E6300 (bearing in mind that this computer won't do much more than run a few apps and be used for internet, etc.) MEM: Likely 2GB if we end up installing XP. [I can't believe I spent what I did for my 2GB a few years back.] MOBO: Likely Asus with onboard video, since a video card can always be added later if needed for some reason, and I've always been moderately impressed with onboard video. PSU/CASE: Probably one of the Antec cases with the included PSU. Of the 8 or so Antec PSU's I've installed several years ago, I've only had one go bad on me, so I guess that's pretty good. HDD: I don't know what's "standard" now, but it would seem to me 200 GB is plenty for this machine. OPT: DVD burner for sure, since that seems to be the standard today. If anyone has any further comments they would be more than appreciated--especially on the CPU selection. I also have to see what Microcenter has available soon, if we go there over using NewEgg. |
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02-03-2010, 08:39 PM
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#7 |
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Avanzato Tecnico
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glc's recomendation is great but you also have the option of going with AMD. With the same parts as glc recomended you replace the motherboard and processor with the following:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131608 Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103724 Triple Core 2.9Ghz Processor Either system will work real well for you, the triple core will give a little more advantage when multi-tasking.
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02-03-2010, 10:13 PM
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#8 |
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200 gb is way below standard now, the sweet spot is 500 or more. Most low end motherboards only have 2 ram slots, hence my recommendation to go for 4gb now.
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02-08-2010, 10:34 PM
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#9 |
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Member (11 bit)
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I built a system over a year ago with an Intel Integrated motherboard. Still works great. I used a E7200 processor. I think the E7500 or E7600 processor would work great depending how much money you want to spend. For the money, they run pretty good with a 3 meg cache. Maybe you cant overclock Intel Motherboards but they run pretty good and pretty steady. I put a system together with the motherboard and all the parts plus Vista home premium for around $450. Then I added a 20 inch dell HD (720p)Widescreen monitor for another hundred. The trick is to buy the latest and greatest Motherboard with the best integrated Video and Audio.
I think for an MATX motherboard Intel is a good way to go. Never did go for overclocking. I like this site: www.directron.com/ http://www.directron.com/boxdg43gt.html Intel Desktop Board DG43GT LGA775 mATX Motherboard, Intel G43 Chipset, Supports Intel Core2 Quad CPUs, DDR2 Dual 800, PCI-E 2.0 $86.99 *Add Core2 CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E7500 2.93GHz 1066FSB 45nm(+116.99) *Add Dual Channel Memory: One Crucial 2x1GB DDR2 800 Memory CT2KIT12864AA800(+42.99) *Add SATA Hard Drive: one 500GB SATA 3.5in OEM Seagate ST3500410SV (+56.99) *Choose Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit(+99.99)Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-Bit(+99.99)Microsoft SATA Optical drive $29.00? Still need a Case, A monitor, or whatever. |
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02-09-2010, 09:07 AM
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#10 |
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Avanzato Tecnico
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Location: Illinois
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Intel motherboards are not recomended, they are foxconn and in the last couple of years have taken a dive in quality, regardless of what CPU you decide on I highly recomend you stay with an Asus motherboard.
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02-09-2010, 04:54 PM
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#11 |
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 27
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I do greatly appreciate all the responses thus far, and I apologize for the delay in getting back into this (needed a few days to recuperate before jumping back into this after losing my dog to cancer).
I take it Windows 7 is what most computers are being built around, although I'm so used to XP by now that I hadn't thought of using anything else. I usually wouldn't buy from a retail store and would prefer Newegg, but this system is actually pretty time sensitive and will be built this coming Friday. So, with that said, I will be buying the parts from my local Microcenter store. Below is a list of parts I have put together based on the helpful suggestions here and from a Microcenter catalog. Motherboard: between either ASUS P5QPL-AM LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard OR GIGABYTE GA-G41M-ES2L LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131394 OR http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128388 Processor: Intel Pentium E5300 Wolfdale 2.6GHz 2MB L2 Cache LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Desktop Processor http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819116074 Memory: CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145184 Hard Drive: Need some help here - I typically used Western Digital drives, but not sure what's considered good now as far as specs go Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832116752 Optical Drive: SAMSUNG Black 22X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 22X DVD-R 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA DVD Burner http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151188 Case, monitor, keyboard, etc. will be purchased as well. I believe Microcenter stocks Antec cases and if that's the case that's what we'll go for. Any comments/suggestions on the above would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Last edited by ryanh126; 02-09-2010 at 04:56 PM. |
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02-09-2010, 05:26 PM
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#12 | |
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Member (6 bit)
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Quote:
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02-09-2010, 08:03 PM
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#13 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Thanks, I agree - I'm trying to be as modern as possible while at the same time being as budget-friendly as possible for this build (somewhere in the $500 range for the tower itself).
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02-09-2010, 08:21 PM
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#14 |
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Go for a WD Black hard drive if you can. They start at 500gb and go up from there.
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02-10-2010, 08:04 AM
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#15 |
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Member (5 bit)
Join Date: Sep 2008
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Looking at this case here http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0306168, is the 380 W power supply included enough power for the list I have above? Thanks
Last edited by ryanh126; 02-10-2010 at 08:10 AM. |
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02-10-2010, 08:15 AM
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#16 |
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Join Date: Sep 2008
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I'm pretty close to the final list of components thanks to the help of you all. And further comments on compatibility, etc. would be great. Regarding the hard drive, I may decide to go with the Black hard drive as GLC suggested--it all depends on what room my friend has to upgrade budget wise (we're both 18 year old high school seniors).
Processor: Intel Corporation Pentium® Dual-Core Processor E5300 Boxed ($59.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0304778 Memory: Corsair Memory XMS2 4GB DDR2-800 (PC-6400) Memory Kit ($99.99 - $30 rebate = $69.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0274412 Hard Drive: Western Digital-OEM WD Caviar Blue 500GB 7,200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive OEM ($59.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0252592 Motherboard: Asus Computer International P5QPL-AM Socket 775 G41 mATX Motherboard ($51.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0316811 Optical Drive: Sony Bulk Optiarc 24X SATA DVD Burner - OEM ($24.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0308559 Case/PSU: Antec NSK4480BII ATX Mini Tower Case with 380W Power Supply ($83.99) I'm wondering if the 380W power supply is sufficient. I suspect it is. http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0306168 Operating System: Microsoft OEM Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit OEM ($109.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0318879 Monitor: Acer America Corporation X193Wbd 19" Widescreen LCD ($119.99 - $20 rebate = $99.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0294221 Peripherals: Microsoft OEM Wireless Optical Desktop 3000 ($34.99) http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0256473 This brings the total to $679.36 not including rebates, so around $630. Microcenter has in-store pick-up, which is nice and saves time. Thanks again! |
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02-10-2010, 11:28 AM
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#17 |
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Avanzato Tecnico
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I stopped using that AM motherboard, something buggy about it and we had to send back many of them. Save yourself the headache and get this one here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813131399 it is the corporate stable model.
Also I would not touch Acer monitors with a 50 foot pole anymore, I used to sell a ton of them but dropped them like a bad habbit due to their very poor RMA and customer support. Here is an Asus mointor for the same price http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...1317&name=ASUS and don't forget the video card. Everything else you listed looks gerat! 
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02-10-2010, 12:54 PM
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#18 |
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380 watts is adequate for a system without a video card and will support a modest upgrade.
Microcenter doesn't carry the CSM board. This Gigabyte may be a decent alternative: http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0314926 Microcenter doesn't carry Asus monitors, but here's a Samsung: http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0306542 |
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02-11-2010, 07:37 PM
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#19 |
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There are two options I am considering, one AMD and one INTEL. Would anyone offer some comments on either setup? In order to put a little more money into the computer, for now my friend will reuse his current monitor/peripherals.
AMD Processor: AMD Athlon X2 250 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16819103681) Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H with onboard video (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128394) Hard Drive: Western Digital Black 500gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16822136320) PSU: Antec BP550 550w modular design (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16817371016) Case: Antec Three Hundred Steel ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16811129042) Optical Drive: Sony DVD+/-RW (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16827118030) Memory: Corsair XMS2 2x2gb kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16820145184) Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16832116754) INTEL Processor: Intel Pentium E5300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16819116074) Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2H with onboard video(http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16813128396) Hard Drive: Western Digital Black 500gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16822136320) PSU: Antec BP550 550w modular design (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16817371016) Case: Antec Three Hundred Steel ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16811129042) Optical Drive: Sony DVD+/-RW (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16827118030) Memory: Corsair XMS2 2x2gb kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16820145184) Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16832116754) Thanks for any comments and/or suggestions as to which you'd pick for a fairly basic needs machine. Both setups are nearly identical in price with the AMD setup costing a little more. I am going to need to make the decision by tomorrow morning. I'm fairly confident either setup would be just fine, but I would greatly appreciate some reassurance from you all. Is the Corsair memory fine for either setup? Last edited by ryanh126; 02-12-2010 at 07:22 AM. |
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02-12-2010, 07:39 AM
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#20 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Final Compatibility Check - Components listed
Hello all and thank you for your previous assistance in determining parts. There are two options I am considering, one AMD and one INTEL. Would anyone offer some comments on either setup? Which one you would learn toward and why? My main concern at this point is whether the memory is compatible/acceptable with each motherboard. I have checked both QVL lists and they list one type of Corsair memory but not this particular type. I also have the option of going with OCZ memory, but again not all models are listed as "qualified."
AMD Processor: AMD Athlon X2 250 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16819103681) Motherboard: GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H with onboard video (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128394) Hard Drive: Western Digital Black 500gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16822136320) PSU: Antec BP550 550w modular design (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16817371016) Case: Antec Three Hundred Steel ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16811129042) Optical Drive: Sony DVD+/-RW (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16827118030) Memory: Corsair XMS2 2x2gb kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16820145184) Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16832116754) INTEL Processor: Intel Pentium E5300 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16819116074) Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-G41M-ES2H with onboard video(http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16813128396) Hard Drive: Western Digital Black 500gb (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16822136320) PSU: Antec BP550 550w modular design (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16817371016) Case: Antec Three Hundred Steel ATX (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16811129042) Optical Drive: Sony DVD+/-RW (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16827118030) Memory: Corsair XMS2 2x2gb kit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16820145184) Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewPro...82E16832116754) Thanks!! Last edited by ryanh126; 02-12-2010 at 07:45 AM. |
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02-12-2010, 07:44 AM
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#21 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Thanks. I think I've got the parts down to two lists, one option including AMD and the other Intel. I'm going to post these in a new thread. I need to order them today.
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02-12-2010, 11:19 AM
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#22 |
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I merged your threads - please keep everything in one thread. Thank you.
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02-12-2010, 03:20 PM
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#23 |
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Member (5 bit)
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Thank you everyone for the advice. We chose the Intel setup and it is up and running right now on Windows 7.
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