Another new computer

Q

Quasimodo

Weaksauce
Joined
Sep 23, 2003
Messages
87
I again turn to the wisdom of the masses. This time it's for a guy who is stubbornly refusing anything 'unusual' (his word not mine). Beige computer, 40gb hd, no overclocking, must be intel, wired keyboard/mouse, crt, modem (he still uses dialup!!!), single CDRW (no combo), prefer a intel mobo, atx, tower (no desktop). I think he's taking all the fun out of it, but here's a quick estimate:

ANTEC Solution Series Beige Mini Tower Case with 300W Power Supply, Model "SLK1600" -RETAIL
$46.00

Lite-On Beige 52X32X52 CD-RW Drive, Model LTR-52327S BEIGE, Retail
$32.00

Hard Drives
Seagate 40GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model ST340014A, OEM Drive Only
$56.00

Aopen KB-858 Keyboard PS2 107keys -RETAIL
$9.00

Memory (System Memory)
2 x Crucial 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-3200 4T - OEM
$110.00

Modems
Apollo 56K V.92 PCI Fax Modem, Model ENF656-GHW-INPR
Specifications:
Interface: PCI Bus, Plug and Play
Standards: V.92 and earlier ITU standards
Chipset: Intel (Ambient) MD3200 soft modem chipset
$16.25

ViewSonic G90F 19" PerfectFlat CRT Monitor –RETAIL
Specifications:
CRT Type: PerfectFlat® screen
Dot Pitch: 0.21mm horizontal, 0.25mm diagonal
Max / Optimal resolution: 1920x1440 @ 64Hz / 1280x1024 @ 90Hz
Frequency / Bandwidth: fh: 30~97kHz; fv: 50~180Hz / 200MHz
$234.00


Intel 865G Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU, Model "D865GBFLK" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Socket 478 Intel Pentium 4(HT)/Celeron Processors
Chipset: Intel 865G + ICH5
FSB: 800/533/400MHz
RAM: 4x DIMM for DDR400/333/266 Max 4GB
IDE: 2x ATA 100 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X/1X(0.8/1.5V), 6x PCI 2.2
Ports: 2xPS2,1xCOM,1xLPT,1xVGA,1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: Analog Devices AD1985 Codec
Onboard Video: Intel® Extreme Graphics 2 controller
Onboard LAN: Intel 82547EI 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet
Onboard SATA: 2x Serial ATA
Form Factor: ATX
$115.00

Logitech SBF69 Optical Wheel Mouse PS2 -OEM
$15.00

Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8C GHz 800MHz FSB, 512K Cache, Hyper Threading Technology - Retail
$178.00

shipping: $42.00

TOTAL: $853.25

I need some help on this one... I don't build things this simple and need to be sure I didn't miss something (oh, he already has speakers). Thanks.
 
Originally posted by Lime
Video? unless hes actually going to use....*shudder*...onboard
Click to expand...

Yes, go for a video card, the Intel Extreme graphics are really crap and chew up your RAM, just go for a cheap Radeon 9200 or NVidia 5200, that is if graphics aren't a primary concern...
 
Good, I wanted a excuse to buy a video card (even if it's not much of one). Ok, replace the mobo and vid with this then:

ABIT 865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU, Model "IS7-E" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Supported CPU: Intel Pentium 4(HT Ready) Processors
Chipset: Intel 865PE + ICH5
FSB: 800/533MHz, 400MHz only for Northwood CPU
RAM: 4x DIMM for Dual Channel DDR400/333/266 Max 4GB
IDE: 2x Ultra ATA 100 up to 4 Devices
Slots: 1x AGP 8X/4X(0.8/1.5V), 5x PCI
Ports: 2xPS2,1xLPT,1xCOM,SPDIF In/Out,1xLAN,8xUSB2.0(Rear 4),Audio Ports
Onboard Audio: 6-Channel AC97 Codec
Onboard LAN: 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet
Onboard SATA: 2x Serial ATA 150
$88.99

GIGABYTE ATI RADEON 9200 Video Card, 128MB DDR, 128-bit, DVI/TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "GV-R92128DH" -RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset/Core Speed: ATI RADEON 9200/250MHz
Memory/Effective Speed: 128MB DDR/400MHz
BUS: AGP 1X/2X/4X/8X
Ports: VGA Out(15 Pin D-Sub)+TV-Out(S-Video Out)+DVI connector
Support 3D API: DirectX®8.1, OpenGL®1.3
Cable/Accessories: VGA via DVI Adapter, 1 Cable, 3 CD, Manual
Max Resolution@32bit Color: 2048X1536@75Hz
$65.00

Grand Total: $892.24

Better?
 
What the hell is wrong with this person?

ANYTIME a person asks you to build for him/her (because of his/her own lack of expertise), but then turns around and forces you down a certain hardware route, you should immediately start worrying.

"Unusual" my ass, combo drives have been around almost as long as single-role DVD-ROMs and CD-RWs.

</rant>

Anyway. Considering the rest of the system, get him a 2.4C, the 2.8C is massive overkill. (Northwood-C for HyperThreading and 200MHz FSB)

Graphics card, if he's not a gamer (doesn't sound like it, he's too clueless), get him a Matrox. It's what the pros use, it's not exactly exotic hardware. Consider an FE991 for monitor; you really want aperture grille for big monitors.

Definitely get him a better mouse and keyboard, or something. :eek: Logitech's basic Cordless Freedom Duo only runs ~$40 or less, IIRC.
 
Ok, so change the monitor (+$11.00) and the processor (I agree) (-$15.00). I really have to stick with a simple keyboard / mouse, he'll go crazy if I try to change that. So unless there is something wrong with these I'm going to stick with them. That puts me at $888.24

(His wife/grandchildren do minor gaming so I'll stick with the cheap ATI)
 
Originally posted by qpid
would a single stick of 512mb ddr 2700 be cheaper?
Click to expand...
Ehh. Not by a whole lot. And it's an 865 board—dual channel is a Good Thing for Pentium 4s.

As for the graphics card, see if you can't find a 9100 somewhere. It's faster than the 9200.
 
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