Best I can get for $400? (Motherboard/CPU/Cooler/RAM/Video Card)

D

djlenoir

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 15, 2002
Messages
371
A family member would like to upgrade their computer. She is not a gamer, but does a lot of photo and video editing. She is keeping most of the stuff in her computer, so I just want to know what the best 'bang for your buck' would be for $400 to get the following components:

Motherboard: AMD or Intel, I don't care. If it helps though, this will not be overclocked. Lots of USB2.0 ports as she has a lot of USB attached devices. She also needs at least four internal SATA ports.
CPU: Looking for a Dual-Core (minimum) processor. Also recommend a cooler if not retail.
RAM: 2 GB of DDR2800 should work fine.
Video Card: One with video inputs would be nice but not required. She currently has an ATI 9600 AIW AGP card.

Also, if possible, try to consider components that have future upgrade capabilities. This mostly applies to the motherboard. It would be nice to pop in a new chip in the future to give it a new lease on life. However, if it is too expensive, this is not a necessity.
 
Motherboard:

A nice cheap P35 board should do nicely. I''d reccomend a Abit or Gigabyte board.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813127031
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128059
The P35 chipset supports Intel's next processors so you will be able to plop a new CPU in there to extend it's life.

CPU:

A good choice would be a E4500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115031

Memory:

These G. Skill sticks would do nicely.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098

Video:

Somthing like a 8500GT would do fine. Could even handle some light gaming.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127285


That puts you at around $340, With the extra money you could get a faster CPU or a Video Captue Card because that video card does not have video inputs.

Edit: Also saw in the title that you needed a cooler. The CPU is retail and does include a heatsink fan.
 
This is if you're into rebates...

Foxconn 690 Board
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813186114

RADEON 3850 (you could go less or just use the onboard if you want to save $$$)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102714

Patriot 2 GB memory
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820220144

AMD X2 5200+ processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103210

Then just buy an additional USB 2.0 hub or PCI adapter and you should be set.
 
Can she wait until Feb? There should be a $220 quadcore by then.
 
I doubt that she will want to wait. I appreciate these suggestions and will run with this.
 
It really is a sad waste to buy a C2D and leave it at stock. At least bump up the FSB a bit and get a nice clock, like 350 mhz FSB and 8x multiplier for 2.8ghz. As for the rest, some cheap Corsair non-enthusiast DDR2 800, and an HD2400 Silent from Sapphire. Mobo, again something like an Asus P5K-E.
 
If a mobo with onboard video doesn't sound too bad:
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 CPU - $169
Asus P5K-VM LGA 775 Intel G33 mATX Motherboard - $119
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-4GBPQ 2 x 2GB DDR2 800 RAM - $110
----
$398 Plus tax and shipping.

That Asus mobo does have onboard video so no need for a video card. Though it does come with a PCI-E x16 slot just in case you need a video card. It does have four SATA ports and six USB ports. It also has a firewire port just in case she gets a video camera that needs firewire. Plus it's a G33 chipset mobo which means that it'll support INtels new Penryn CPUs that are coming out next year.

The E6550 should be plenty of power for her needs. As for the 4GB of RAM, do note that you will need a 64bit OS, Vista 64bit, in order to use all 4GB of RAM. Though a 32bit OS like Windows XP Home will only be able to use around 3.2GB of RAM out of that 4GB, RAM is cheap now so might as well go for 4GB. Photo and video editing does take up quite a bit of RAM.
 
Get these if you want to save some cash:

$37 - STT DDR2-800 2GB (128x8) S-RIGID Memory (Super Talent, single stick)
$37 - STT DDR2-800 2GB (128x8) S-RIGID Memory (Super Talent, single stick)
 
Don't forget to budget for a new PSU if her current one is borderline.
 
I think the current PSU is going to work fine, but I need to fine a decent mid-tower case with at least a 400W PS because they are going to recycle the current system into another one to pass along to another family member.

lamboman: I agree that it is a shame to not overclock but I never force that upon anyone and I gave them the option and they would rather leave everything stock. If it were mine, you know it would be overclocked. ;)
 
Whats your budget on the case/psu?

The only bundled PSU/Case combo I'd trust would be from Antec, and the PSU would have to be a Neo or Earthwatts unit.

There's an instant rebate on this case right now, so get it while you can:

$67 - Antec Solution Series NSK4480B Mid Tower Case w/ 380W Earthwatts PSU (27A on the +12v rails)
 
Did I mention that I love these forums... you guys are really good. :p

I really do appreciate all the suggestions and effort made to put these builds together for me. This is the one place I can ask a question like this and know that I will get an answer... that is why I visit these forums first and foremost.

You all have given me plenty to digest, so I am going to let this thread die now, before I buy something and find that I could have saved another $1. :D
 
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