Another New Build

[clambake212]

A friend asked me to build a new computer for him. He wants a "near" top of the line machine, insists on using Windows XP and cost is not really a concern. He uses his computer for web browsing, email, research and general MS Office functions. I know what I am proposing below is overkill for his needs but it is generally the "fast" machine he wants. His present computer has a 250GB hard drive with @215GB free so I think a 80GB SSD will be enough. If not will go to 120GB or add a WD Black as a second drive. Here is the build I am proposing. He already has a monitor, keyboard, mouse and OS.

I would appreciate any and all comments and suggestions. Thanks in advance.

ASUS P8Z68-V LE LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS

Intel Core i5-2500 Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz (3.7GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor BX80623I52500

CORSAIR Vengeance 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 Desktop Memory Model CMZ4GX3M2A1600C9

Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW080G3K5 2.5" 80GB SATA II MLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD)

Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX12V V2.2 80 PLUS Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply

Antec One Hundred Black ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

[johnkon32]

First of all, I wouldn't use Windows XP (a 8+ years old OS) with such good hardware. Windows XP shouldn't be very SSD-friendly either. Windows 7 Home Premium is a very nice choice, If your friend is working only with Microsoft products.

And yes, If I were you, I would add an additional HDD (Possibly a WD Caviar Green), just in case.

[glc]

If he wants XP, give him XP. Asus has XP drivers available for everything on that motherboard. If you DO get Win 7, get Pro so you would have XP Mode.

Replace the 2500 with a 2500K to get the stronger onboard video. I also would not depend on ONLY a SSD, I would highly recommend a standard hard drive for backup, even if it's in an external housing. I'd also get the 120gb Intel 510.

[clambake212]

Thanks for the advice GLC, I will change to 2500K and 120GB SSD. Also I have tried to get him to go with Win 7 Pro but he will not budge. Two other questions:first, is there any problem with XP and an SSD. You seem to indicate there may be and a backup is needed? Second, is the modular power supply okay or would you recommend a different one?

[glc]

XP should work fine with a SSD. A backup is recommended for reliability reasons - SSD's are only good for so many read/write cycles.

You will need to have a FLOPPY DRIVE to install XP in AHCI mode - to install the required drivers. I use a USB floppy for this. You will also have to install and use the Intel SSD Toolbox to enable TRIM, align the drive, and to properly maintain the SSD. You *NEVER* should attempt to defrag a SSD.

[clambake212]

Still no luck in getting friend to change to Win 7 so XP it is. Will not go with SSD so I will use a WD Black 750, 64MB Cache, 5 yr warranty. I assume this is okay? Should I even mess with ACHI and if so is a floppy drive necessary or can a flash drive be used? Where can I get instructions for installing ACHI?
(Sorry if these are stupid questions.) Lastly, is the Antec BP550 Plus 550W Continuous Power ATX 12 V V2.2 80 Plus Modular Power Supply okay or is something else recommended, Thanks for all help.

[David M]

Another option is to have both XP and Win7, so that when he needs Win7 he has it. This could be done either by partitioning a hard drive or by having two separate boot drives for each operating system.

It's a waste of money to buy XP when Win7 has an XP emulation mode....but he will just have to learn that the more expensive way by eventually having to buy a copy of Win7 as well when he finds out that some of what he needs to do won't work with XP.

[glc]

If you use AHCI, you WILL need a floppy drive. A flash drive won't cut it. If you set the controller to AHCI in the bios, then boot with the XP CD, press F6 when prompted to install a 3rd party storage driver and put the floppy with the AHCI driver in the floppy drive, follow the prompts.

The BP550 Plus will be fine, if you want a modular. If you can do without a modular, there are some slightly less expensive choices that would be good. You certainly don't need 550 watts.