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09-09-2004, 09:01 PM
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#1 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: southern cal
Posts: 644
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Cheap but decent build
Hey guys
Since my first successful build last month, I've been looking for an excuse to build another computer. As much as I'd like to build another one for myself, it's just not necessary yet. So, I'm going to build a computer for my sister and her husband. Most of my family will contribute some money, so it'll be ready around Christmas for them. I've already got an idea of the basic build. This is what I have so far, let me know what you all think, and I'll let you know my questions. AMD Althon XP 2000+ Abit VA-10 KM400 MOBO Kingston DDR RAM 256MB PC2100 Enlight case w/ 300W PSU Sony CDRW/DVDROM Maxtor 60GB 7200RPM 8MB cache WinXP OEM They'll really only be using this for email, word processing and internet. Questions: -Should I stick with the XP, or go to Sempron or Duron? -Is that RAM okay? Could someone point me in the right direction on that? -Being that there's no gaming on it, will the onboard video and audio be okay with that mobo? I'm sure that I'll have more questions, so I'll ask when I think of them. My goal is around $500 with no monitor or keyboard/mouse. Thanks! |
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09-10-2004, 07:15 AM
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#2 |
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Remember
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: MO
Posts: 1,478
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Not trying to kill your budget, but I'd recommend you ditch the VIA chipset board if you can afford it, spend $25 more and get an nForce chipset. Your build worked pretty well with the nForce board, didn't it?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...131-483&depa=1 |
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09-10-2004, 07:39 AM
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#3 |
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Remember
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: MO
Posts: 1,478
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Another option, which would give you some experience with an Intel build for the same price of your 2000+ & Va-10 would be:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...157-030&depa=0 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...112-173&depa=1 The ASRock board also has SATA, which will increase performance a bit. I've used 2 of the ASRock boards, they set up with no problems and are stable. The Kingston Value RAM is good stuff. The thing about the VIA chipsets, in my experience, is they're buggy and they tend to need more fiddling with to work properly. nForce is definitely the way to go with AMD. If you decide to go AMD, I'd go with a Duron if there's savings there. A Duron would be more than they need for what they'll be using the computer for, & the onboard audio and video will be just fine too. Last edited by mc2phat; 09-10-2004 at 07:46 AM. |
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09-10-2004, 10:18 AM
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#4 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: southern cal
Posts: 644
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Cool. I'll pick a nforce chipset, I forgot about that part. I'll check prices on the Duron, I just wasn't sure how reccomedable they are. I know that they don't really need an XP to surf the internet. Thanks for the help!
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09-10-2004, 10:26 AM
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#5 |
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Resident Intel Fanboy
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 1,669
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I'd personally go with 512MB RAM, even if one 512 stick with an AMD build. Windows switches tasks much more efficiently with 512. My Dell at work has 256 and 2~3 apps running at once it gets a little sluggish. . .for example, running an adaware or spybot scan while surfing with a browser window or two open, and wanting to open something else brings it to a crawl for a few seconds.
__________________
...wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat... |
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09-10-2004, 11:00 AM
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#6 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: southern cal
Posts: 644
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I agree om the 512 of ram. My uncle's brand new Dell only has 128mb, and it's deathly slow. I will make sure I get 512.
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09-10-2004, 01:34 PM
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#7 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 993
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they'll prolly also want a printer wont they ? i highly recommend an HP (duh :-P) and im using an HP deskjet 5150 which is just incredible, it was free with my HP comp, but its 100$ last time i checked, might cost less now.
a duron might need a different mobo, im really not sure, but overall, it looks pretty good. i say: its either u go XP and 256, or Duron and 512. unrelated: get on msn aswell dude, and write me a msg cause u keep changin your nickname :-P KoMoDo |
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09-10-2004, 11:43 PM
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#8 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: southern cal
Posts: 644
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That actually introduces my next question. I'm not getting them a monitor or printer (but I will send them keyboard and mouse), because I'll be sending it from California to Michigan. Thus my question: How the heck do you ship a coputer????
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09-11-2004, 05:08 AM
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#9 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 993
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i have no idea, i donnu crap about shipping ;-)
where do they live in michigan ? i used to live in Ann Arbor for a year :-P just go to your local postoffice and ask em, they'll wrap it in a box and it may aswell cost u like 50$, not sure... depends on what u choose to ship with, ground (whichll take like a week), air (whicll cost like 100$ :-P) etc.. KoMoDo |
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09-11-2004, 09:38 AM
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#10 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: southern cal
Posts: 644
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They live in Grand Rapids. I figure it'll cost a pretty penny, since I'll get the most expensive insurance for it. I know if I didn't get the insurance on it they would drop it off the face of the earth. I'll have to go to the new UPS Store and ask them. You think it'll weigh abot 35 pounds? More?
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09-11-2004, 11:10 AM
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#11 |
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Member (10 bit)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 993
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grand rapids ? thats cool, a close friend of mine moved there a month ago (from ann arbor).
not sure about the weight, case is like 20 pounds ? it all depends upon the case, the other parts are all 5-10 pounds together, heh :-P (except psu, but thats inside of case aswell, and monitor, but ure not sending a monitor with it.) KoMoDo |
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