Building my roommate a comp.

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kenprescott21

Limp Gawd
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
Messages
248
My roommates laptop is starting to shit-the-bed, and since he's been playing WoW and crysis on the rig i build last month, he wants me to build him a machine. He wants to run WoW, maybe source. Word Processing, e-mail and web browsing. I have a Windows XP key from his laptop, so all i need to do is find a xp dvd or iso. If any of you know where i can get one let me know. I'm going to take his laptop and put Ubuntu on it. He will also be getting my 9600GT since I want to upgrade my video card. If any of you have a 3870 or higher card for sale let me know. I'll send a bank check or money order on Friday if we come to a deal

Sticky:
500-600$ Price range
Need everything minus video card
No raid, or crossfire needed. Sata primary
WoW, Source, Office Programs, E-mail Web Browsing
Shipping to 02760
I don't want to consider rebates a part of the price.

This is what im looking at getting for him:

Combo: $136
-ASUS P5Q SE PLUS LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
-Rosewill R604TBLK-N 120mm Fan, mesh air filters & Tool-Free kits ATX Mid Tower Computer Case,with 450W Dual Fan Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.151589

-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM $74.99

-G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model $39.99

-Intel Pentium E5200 Wolfdale 2.5GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80571E5200 - Retail $74.99

-ASUS VB172D Black 17" 5ms LCD Monitor - Retail $99.99 (He doesnt need a l33t monitor so a cheeper lcd would be fine.

-LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black IDE Model DH-20A4P-04 - OEM $20.99

-Microsoft 65X-00024 Black USB Wireless Standard Optical Desktop 700 - Retail $21.99

Total: $469.92
 
Please answer the questions in the sticky marked "ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FIRST!" so that we can help you better.

Oh and you cannot use the windows XP key from the laptop on a new desktop. It is against the Windows EULA.
 
@ TehNomad
While I agree that he should get better quality parts, the parts you recommended may be a bit overkill. So wait until the OP answers the questions in the sticky before starting to recommend parts. For this kind of system, I highly doubt a $100 PSU is necessary.
 
Mostly good. I'd swap out the SE mobo for something with an ICH10R SB (or ICH9R for that matter) in case he wants to run raid at some point. A p5q-pro would be good.If you happen accross a P5k board cheap that would be great. Even one of the P43 boards would be just dandy. Dito on the PSU, get something of quality. Perhaps a corsair TX650 or similar. Microcenter has a coolermaster 690 with a decent 550 watt psu for $100 which might be a better case+psu option too.
 
cool, I'm in Cambridge myself. I'll be picking up one of these combos within the next few days - they have 9 in stock:D
 
Ok, thank you for answering the questions.

Now, ditch the Asus mobo, case, and PSU combo since the PSU is crap as TehNomad said. I recommend this setup instead:

Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L Intel P43 Motherboard - $80
Antec Earthwatts EA380 380W PSU - $35
Coolermaster RC-534 ATX Case - $50
----
Total: $165 plus tax and shipping.

You gain a better quality PSU, better case and better mobo. Totally worth the extra $29.

As for the OS, you have several options:
- Check to see if your college (assuming that you're a college student) has discounts for Windows Vista 64bit. Remember that you can get a new copy of Vista 64bit OEM for $100 from newegg.
- If you're a college student, go to http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx. You'll see Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade w/SP1 for $65. You don't need a previous Windows OS install to use the upgrade disc.
- If neither of you are in college, then just pay for a copy of Vista 64bit from newegg
- Use the Windows 7 Beta until July 1st and hopefully there will be another Windows 7 beta or release candidate by then so you can keep using Windows 7. Whenever those betas run out and whenever Windows 7 comes out, get Windows 7.
 
Thanks danny you always come through.

What do you guys recommend for a good vidcard ati flavor for 100-170$? Maybe one of you have something for sale?
 
As Enginurd said, the HD4850 would be your best bet for a ATI card around that budget range.
 
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