Help with budget build for sister

[Dave21]

Hey guys,

I need help, I'm trying to build a budget computer for my sister asap. The thing is, I haven't been keeping up with technology since my last build with e8400, and Asus P5K mobo.

I have a budget of 500-600 dollars. I would like a push in the right direction. I'm doing research as of now, but some insight would be grateful.

This build will just be strictly for word processing, viewing movies, and listening to music. I don't mind either AMD or Intel, but I prefer Intel.

Questions:

1) Should I look into the "e" series again or look at the i3 series?

2) As of now, whats a good quality motherboard with decent onboard sound that I could look at? Back a few years ago, the Asus P5K was really popular and reliable, is there a mobo that is comparable to that but in todays standards?

3) I think DDR2 will suffice, but should I make the leap for DDR3 yet?

4) What kind of power supply should I look at? Would a http://ncix.com/products/index.php?s...acture=Corsair suffice?

Yea so I think my main concern is the processor and motherboard. I'm just not sure what to do. So some insight would be great. Thank you!

David

[glc]

If you prefer to buy from NCIX, here's my suggestion:

NCIX.com - Buy ASUS P7H55-M Pro mATX H55 LGA1156 DDR3 PCI-16 PCI-E1 2PCI SATA2 HDMI DVI VGA GBLAN Motherboard - P7H55-M PRO In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Intel Core i3 540 Dual Core Processor Clarkdale LGA1156 3.06GHZ Hyperthreading 4MB Cache Retail Box - BX80616I3540 In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Corsair XMS3 TW3X4G1333C9A 4GB 2X2GB PC3-10666 DDR3-1333 CL9-9-9-24 240PIN Memory Kit - TW3X4G1333C9A In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Seasonic SS-350ET 350W ATX12V 20/24PIN ATX Power Supply Active PFC 80PLUS 120MM Fan OEM - SS-350ET In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy Western Digital Caviar Black 500GB 7200RPM 32MB Dual Proc SATA 3.5IN Hard Drive OEM 5YR MFR Warranty - WD5001AALS In Canada.

NCIX.com - Buy LG GH22NS50 Black 22X SATA DVD Writer OEM - GH22NS50 In Canada.

Add a case of your choice, operating system, and peripherals.

[Dave21]

Thank you glc for your quick reply.

You have always been helpful.

Two quick questions:

1. I have never used on-board video before. How would that be compared to a low-end video card? She wouldn't have any problems with the on-board with basic DVD viewing and picture editing right?

2. Since we're on a budget, I know that I can not use my Win Vista key on her newly built computer. Are there third party vendors that would sell just the product key for Vista?

Thanks again! :d

[glc]

The new Intel onboard video is plenty good for that. It even has DVI and HDMI. I would NOT use Vista - use XP or 7. Budget 100 bucks for that unless you can get an educational discount or something. The other option is Linux.

[Dave21]

Alright looks like its time to upgrade to windows7. With this build, should I go x86 or the 64 bit version? Or doesn't matter at all?

[glc]

Get 64 bit Home Premium. That will fully utilize the 4 gigs of ram.

[Dave21]

Update:

So I got all the parts today and assembled it.

1. I thought that the LG drive was defective so I swapped another drive in and it worked. The LG drive I bought was found in BIOS however, when I tried to boot windows 7, it would not run. Afterwards I plugged it back in and it worked. Is there a tool I could run to see if its working normally?

2. Do I have to change anything manually in BIOS for the system to run optimally or just let the BIOS read the settings automatically?

3. The case I got only has a big 140mm fan. Would this be sufficient in cooling the system? Or should I add more fans?

Thanks

[David M]

1. I thought that the LG drive was defective so I swapped another drive in and it worked. The LG drive I bought was found in BIOS however, when I tried to boot windows 7, it would not run. Afterwards I plugged it back in and it worked. Is there a tool I could run to see if its working normally?

See if it will play a CD or Movie. See if it will burn a disk.

2. Do I have to change anything manually in BIOS for the system to run optimally or just let the BIOS read the settings automatically?

Usually no tweaking is necessary to make a computer run optimally. The default settings in the BIOS are usually good enough for most people

3. The case I got only has a big 140mm fan. Would this be sufficient in cooling the system? Or should I add more fans?

At minimum there is usually an intake fan in the front and an exhaust fan out the back. You have a 350 watt PSU, therefore you will not be needing a bunch of cooling fans. Are you certain there is only one fan?...where is it? Case temperatures determine if you need more fans, not the number of fans you currently have.

[Dave21]

This is the case I bought: NCIX.com - Buy Cooler Master Elite 335 Black ATX Mid Tower Case 4X5.25 1X3.25 6X3.25INT Front USB Audio No PSU - RC-335-KKN1 In Canada.

So its actually a 120 mm rear fan. That's all it has. I will monitor the temperatures with the case closed to see how it runs.

Thanks.

[rwest]

Dave, I'd bet that one fan is all you'll need for that build.

As far as BIOS goes, I'd look for a setting that says optimal or something of that sort after you set it up with defaults. And I like to always make sure the hdd is the first boot device.

[David M]

Dave,
I went looking at the pictures of your case in Newegg. It actually has an inlet fan in the front which from the inside is behind a bulkhead with holes towards the bottom. The front panel of your case might swing open exposing the fan either that or it comes out the side. Zoom in on the side view and you can see the side of the fan.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ImageG...omputer%20Case

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by David M Dave, I went looking at the pictures of your case in Newegg. It actually has an inlet fan in the front which from the inside is behind a bulkhead with holes towards the bottom. The front panel of your case might swing open exposing the fan either that or it comes out the side. Zoom in on the side view and you can see the side of the fan. Newegg.com - Computer Parts, PC Components, Laptop Computers, LED LCD TV, Digital Cameras and more!

Hey David,

I was looking at that and I did some reading on some comments from various vendors and that picture is apparently "deceiving". Those blue led lights on the front looks like a fan but there is in fact no fan. Its false advertisement But I like the idea of that funnel for the processor fan Other than that its a pretty solid case and the temperatures have been good for what my sister uses it for.