Building a Machine for Mom :)

S

Sadude

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 20, 2003
Messages
227
After years of discussion i've finally convinced my mother to stop buying big brand name machines with crappy parts & tons of useless software. So mom wants me to build her a machine. Mom does the following: Surf the web, store massive amounts of video/picture for her business and edits videos on her machine. This machine is going to run on XP which we already have. we're trying to stay under $800 here's what I have so far, but I still need some input from you fellas.


Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB
Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R
SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe
G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)


My mother will from time to time upload videos onto her computer and edit them, so we need a video card that can handle that. I've looked around on newegg and other sites and most cards are game oriented. Is there a particular video card that isnt to expensive that will do the job?

We also need a CPU, not sure if the Q6600 is worth getting for mom. Maybe an older duel core will be enough with stock cooling (mom's not going to OC :) ) we'll need a good PSU and case.

Mom hates my Antec 900 she wants something smaller. my worry is smaller = less cooling = pain in the rear? Any suggestions? I want to order this stuff this week. I've got an old SB Audigy 2 that im going to throw into the machine.
 
I forgot to add that we've already got a Monitor and a Mouse/Keyboard.
 
try the sonata 3. Also if you are going to use that mobo you need to buy a video card, there is no onboard video. And no xp will not recognize the full 4gb of ram, nor is it likely that you really need that much for an xp machine. for the video card I would get an 8600 or a 2600 or something.
 
Ok, so 2gb of Memory it is and yeah I stated in my original post I needed a Video Card Suggestion as well as a PSU/Case one.
 
This is the Sonata III (not 3), but your mom really doesn't need that. If she wants "small," give her the NSK4480. As long as you don't go overboard on the parts -- which, based on what I've seen so far, is unlikely -- the smaller cases will still cool properly.

Since your mom doesn't need a gaming machine, you could "cheat" a little and give her some lower end parts. A passive-cooled, DX10-ready video card like the HD2600 or 8600GT should suit your mom's needs. You could also go with a Core 2 Duo processor (like the E4xxx or E6xxx series) and use the stock HSF. Unless graphic design or heavy video editing is part of your mom's job, I don't believe that she really needs the Q6600.

With today's motherboards, onboard sound has caught up to the point that it's good enough for most people's needs. Since this computer is for a business, I don't think that the Audigy 2 is going to be needed.
 
tiraides said:
This is the Sonata III (not 3), but your mom really doesn't need that. If she wants "small," give her the NSK4480. As long as you don't go overboard on the parts -- which, based on what I've seen so far, is unlikely -- the smaller cases will still cool properly.

Since your mom doesn't need a gaming machine, you could "cheat" a little and give her some lower end parts. A passive-cooled, DX10-ready video card like the HD2600 or 8600GT should suit your mom's needs. You could also go with a Core 2 Duo processor (like the E4xxx or E6xxx series) and use the stock HSF. Unless graphic design or heavy video editing is part of your mom's job, I don't believe that she really needs the Q6600.

With today's motherboards, onboard sound has caught up to the point that it's good enough for most people's needs. Since this computer is for a business, I don't think that the Audigy 2 is going to be needed.
Click to expand...


both of these stock PSU's good enough im guessing.
 
tiraides said:
This is the Sonata III (not 3), but your mom really doesn't need that. If she wants "small," give her the NSK4480. As long as you don't go overboard on the parts -- which, based on what I've seen so far, is unlikely -- the smaller cases will still cool properly.

Since your mom doesn't need a gaming machine, you could "cheat" a little and give her some lower end parts. A passive-cooled, DX10-ready video card like the HD2600 or 8600GT should suit your mom's needs. You could also go with a Core 2 Duo processor (like the E4xxx or E6xxx series) and use the stock HSF. Unless graphic design or heavy video editing is part of your mom's job, I don't believe that she really needs the Q6600.

With today's motherboards, onboard sound has caught up to the point that it's good enough for most people's needs. Since this computer is for a business, I don't think that the Audigy 2 is going to be needed.
Click to expand...

both of the antec cases are roughly the same size. If you feel the 500w psu is overkill (which it is) then check out the sonata 2 (yes 2 is the same as II just like 3 is the same as III). I can't speak for the NSK4480, but both the sonatas are quiet enough that I sometimes have trouble telling that they are on.
 
The Sonata II isn't preferred because it uses the TruePower 2.0 power supply that had a history of dying out at various times -- often when being placed under full load. The Sonata III and the NSK-series cases use the newer EarthWatts power supplies, which were made by Seasonic and are designed to be energy efficient.
 
wrt to the original build, I'd drop the Arctic Silver 5 as it's totally unnecessary and I'd also drop the board down to something lower end unless there are features on there that are a must have ( e.g. DS3L, P31-S3G, or MSI P35 Neo2-FR )
 
gwai lo said:
wrt to the original build, I'd drop the Arctic Silver 5 as it's totally unnecessary and I'd also drop the board down to something lower end unless there are features on there that are a must have ( e.g. DS3L, P31-S3G, or MSI P35 Neo2-FR )
Click to expand...

Either of those boards good for the Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz ?


E6850 or the E8400 The E8400 is cheaper on Newegg what do you fellas think?
 
Sadude said:
Buy.com has the E8400 212 - 229 can't figure out what the difference is.. check it out.

http://www.buy.com/retail/usersearchresults.asp?querytype=home&qu=E8400&qxt=home&display=col&dclksa=1
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The $212 unit is sold out.



Heh, pre-builts are actually fine for your mom's needs. But hey, at least you get to play around with more toys now. :p

Sadude said:
My mother will from time to time upload videos onto her computer and edit them, so we need a video card that can handle that.
Click to expand...

How will she be transferring the video to the system?
Directly from a vidcam?
If so, what kind of vidcam?
does it have Firewire?
 
It's a Canon minicam.. it does have Firewire i think... i'll have to check in on that
 
I can't stand the prebuilt store garbage... dollar for dollar a built machine is just better. quality parts minues all the preloaded garbage
 
Sadude said:
Either of those boards good for the Intel Core 2 Duo E6850 Conroe 3.0GHz ?

E6850 or the E8400 The E8400 is cheaper on Newegg what do you fellas think?
Click to expand...

The E6850 was a bad choice before the E8400 was out. So it's not going to be a good choice now.
 
what about starting with one of the shuttle barebones? I put together one of those for family, they loved it.. easiest build EVER
 
Dollar for dollar, its hard to beat a low budget Dell system. Anyways...

If you have a microcenter near you, they may have some in-store. They also had the Q6600 in-store for $200, but I think that sale ended last weekend.

If you need Firewire, look into the Asus P5K or Gigabyte DS3P instead.
 
enginurd said:
Dollar for dollar, its hard to beat a low budget Dell system. Anyways...

If you have a microcenter near you, they may have some in-store. They also had the Q6600 in-store for $200, but I think that sale ended last weekend.

If you need Firewire, look into the Asus P5K or Gigabyte DS3P instead.
Click to expand...

I went on Dell's site earlier and priced together a machine and it just wasnt on par with the system im building. Unless im doing something wrong...
 
Bump still having a hard time finding an E8400 or E3110 anyone got any suggestions.

Fyi im in Miami Fl, no Microcenters here
 
I'm sure if you got, say, the E6750, it will work just as well as the E8400.

The reasons why the E6850 is such a bad buy are:

1) The E6750 has the same OC threshold as the E6850 but is around $80 cheaper.
2) The E8400 has the same specs as the E6850, but runs on a smaller die size (45nm vs. 65nm), requires less voltage, and is cheaper (or, it's supposed to be). The E8400 also (reportedly) has a higher OC threshold than the E6750/E6850.

ZipZoomFly and NewEgg both have the E6750 in stock for $189 (with free shipping).
 
In terms of best bang for your buck, these CPUs are your best choice:
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2160 CPU - $74
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 CPU - $190 (Until the E8400 drops down in price)
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 CPU - $255

The E8400 typically retails for around ~$230 give or take $5. Since for just $20 more you can get a quad-core CPU and considering that more apps will take advantage of quad-cores in the future, the Q6600 is the better buy. So if you want to spend that much money on a CPU and your mom plans on keeping the rig for a long time, go with the Q6600.

Though the E6750 is just as good of a choice as well.
 
Danny Bui said:
Note that CPU is the OEM model. Meaning that it only has a 90 day warranty (Retail model has 3 year warranty) and does not come with a HSF. So you will need to buy a 3rd party HSF.
Click to expand...


yeah just noticed that :( I do have the Q6600 HSF here at home since i went aftermarket.. but don't like the 90 Day Warranty for mom. Thanks
 
Once supply kicks in with demand, the E8400 should drop to current E6750 pricing in a couple months. However, I doubt you want to wait that long. :p The Q6600 will help with her video encoding anyhow.

As for the dell system, I meant getting one of the good dell deals that roll around every month or so... you know, $700 for a quadcore, 2GB of RAM, 160GB HDD, and 20" monitor, including a windows license. Lets see if there are any right now... well speak of the devil...

Dell Small Business - Dell Vostro 400 Desktop with Core 2 Quad Q6600, 2GB Memory, 160GB HD, DVD Burner, and 20" Widescreen Monitor for $649 with FREE Shipping!
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And the best part, it already comes with a legit license for Windows. ;) ... but you're not interested in those deals.
 
Since you have stated your mother is doing massive video editing, the q6600 sounds to be more beneficial. On one of the [H] threads, I recall other members stating that the q6600 would be a better choice (up against the e8400) if it were to be for long term use, seeing that it's already future proof, being quad core, and as Danny Bui stated, only for about $20 more. e8400 is more of the here and now, oc'ing very well and runs cooler, but without the extra 2 cores.
 
Sadude said:
Thanks Danny and Tira,

Clubit has the q660 for 242 http://www.clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=A1938460

Already went over it with mom she doesnt mind and it's not that much more
Click to expand...

Tira?!?

Seriously, though, if you're not really planning on overclocking (much, if at all), go ahead and get the retail Q6600 from NewEgg or ZipZoomFly. There's no guarantee that you'll get a G0/SLACR processor from them (ClubIT is one of the few places that guarantee it), but I can't find a better deal around (other than the Microcenter one, which may or may not have expired by now...). Both places offer free shipping, but ZZF is $5 cheaper. (ClubIT has them back in stock now.)
 
Yah... I agree with Tira... :p lol... your nick is just toooooooo long... or maybe he was lazy, like me? :D
 
tiraides said:
Tira?!?

Seriously, though, if you're not really planning on overclocking (much, if at all), go ahead and get the retail Q6600 from NewEgg or ZipZoomFly. There's no guarantee that you'll get a G0/SLACR processor from them (ClubIT is one of the few places that guarantee it), but I can't find a better deal around (other than the Microcenter one, which may or may not have expired by now...). Both places offer free shipping, but ZZF is $5 cheaper. (ClubIT has them back in stock now.)
Click to expand...


tiraides,

lol sorry... yeah went with the Q6600 total build price was $790. Mom should be happy.. all parts were ordered and are on the way.

enginurd, I do have a legit liscenced copy of Win Xp Pro, I worked in retail many years ago and MS would give us this stuff for free :)
 
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