Computer for Grandma

T

tpfaff

2[H]4U
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Jan 30, 2006
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How's it look?
Wanna keep it pretty cheap. The mobo supports 667 but the ram is 800mhz, this isn't a problem right? Won't this just oc the processor a bit (not a problem.) How does that mobo/proc oc, just looking for a little oc nothing big. Any suggestions?



EDIT: The case has no power button???? http://www.newegg.com/Product/ShowImage.aspx?CurImage=11-163-112-07.jpg&Image=11-163-112-14.jpg%2c11-163-112-02.jpg%2c11-163-112-03.jpg%2c11-163-112-04.jpg%2c11-163-112-05.jpg%2c11-163-112-08.jpg%2c11-163-112-07.jpg%2c11-163-112-06.jpg%2c11-163-112-10.jpg%2c11-163-112-09.jpg%2c11-163-112-11.jpg%2c11-163-112-12.jpg&S7ImageFlag=0&WaterMark=1&Item=N82E16811163112&Depa=1&Description=SILVERSTONE+SUGO+SG02B-F+Black+Computer+Case
 
a PC for your granny? so where are the GTX280s SLI and the dual Quad cores??? :confused:
 
A cheaper and better option would be this:
Shuttle KPC K45 Barebones kit - $100
Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180 CPU - $70
G.SKILL F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM - $45
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 160GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $48
---
Total: $263 plus tax and shipping

Pick up an external CD/DVD drive and you'll be set. Or if you're willing to do a little modding or don't care for the plastic front face, you might be able to use a slim optical drive in there. Either route should total around $300, $100 cheaper but zero loss in quality.

But to answer your questions:
- Yes, DDR2 800 RAM is fine. RAM can downclock itself to the maximum speed a motherbaord can support.
- Mobo might not be capable of overclocking. But if it can, it should be able allow for a light OC. Though I'd spend the extra $10 just to be sure and to get a better quality mobo:
Gigabyte GA-G31M-S2L Intel G31 mATX Motherboard - $60

You might also want to take a look at this case/PSU combo:
Antec NSK1380 mATX Case with 80Plus 350W PSU - $85
Antec NSK2480 mATX case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU - $90

The PSUs that come with those case/PSU combos are better than the cheap TR2 PSU you chose.
 
There's an Optiarc (Sony, NEC) 20x DVD burner for $23.99 on there right now with free shipping. The one you chose has $8.25 shipping attached to it.
 
Not a fan of the case you picked out. E2180 is a solid processor and I got a question answered about my RAM. I have some Tracers laying around but been looking at MOBO's that can handle DDR2 800 only. The machine will be for folding only so didn't want to have to buy slower RAM.

Build looks solid but check out the feedback.
 
As for the RAM, it should downclock to 667 speeds. You may have to get a cheap 667 stick to force to those settings though.
 
Don't only look at the newegg specs page. Most boards support way more ram speeds than whats listed on those newegg pages. Click on the manufacturer link on the lower left quadrant of the newegg page and check out the real specs of the board.

Yes, RAM will downclock to an extent. However, it may not have the necessary SPD info. Though, last I checked, my Ballistix did.
 
Why not just get one with dell so if stuff breaks you can have the 2 to 3 year warranty next day service. Plus she can call in with silly questions vs. bugging you.
 
Yah, Danny posted a nice list. Though, in my experiences, shuttles can be finicky (at stock speeds). :(
 
calikool said:
Why not just get one with dell so if stuff breaks you can have the 2 to 3 year warranty next day service. Plus she can call in with silly questions vs. bugging you.
Click to expand...

Yeah....:( I checked out the prices and its about 100 dollars more to get a dell, but I guess it might be worth it.
 
tpfaff said:
Yeah....:( I checked out the prices and its about 100 dollars more to get a dell, but I guess it might be worth it.
Click to expand...

If you get a dell deal, its actually the same price as your first post. I got the following for $399 + tax, free shipping:
  • Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180
  • 1GB (2x512MB) DDR2-667
  • Intel GMA 3100
  • 160GB SATA300 7200RPM
  • DVDRW SATA 16x
  • 300W Dell PSU
  • Micro ATX Dell Vostro 200 MiniTower
  • MS Windows XP Home
  • 20" LCD Widescreen

Recently, the deal went to a 22" and 250GB HDD for $485, IIRC. Check gotapex.com for dell deals... just search for "dell" and you'll see a ton of results.
 
tpfaff said:
Yeah....:( I checked out the prices and its about 100 dollars more to get a dell, but I guess it might be worth it.
Click to expand...

If you get a dell deal, its actually the same price as your first post. I got the following for $399 + tax, free shipping:
  • Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180
  • 1GB (2x512MB) DDR2-667
  • Intel GMA 3100
  • 160GB SATA300 7200RPM
  • DVDRW SATA 16x
  • 300W Dell PSU
  • Micro ATX Dell Vostro 200 MiniTower
  • MS Windows XP Home
  • 20" LCD Widescreen

Recently, the deal went to a 22" and 250GB HDD for $485, IIRC. Check gotapex.com for dell deals... just search for "dell" and you'll see a ton of results.
 
The 250GB Seagate 7200.10 may end up being cheaper than the 160GB model since it has free shipping and is only $7 more. Since newegg adjust shipping when you order multiple items, it may end up costing more. If the extra space would be used, then it could be worth the few bucks extra.
 
dhc014 said:
The 250GB Seagate 7200.10 may end up being cheaper than the 160GB model since it has free shipping and is only $7 more. Since newegg adjust shipping when you order multiple items, it may end up costing more. If the extra space would be used, then it could be worth the few bucks extra.
Click to expand...

True. didn't think of that. Though for $5 more than that Seagate drive, you can get an extra 70GB of storage with free shipping and the possibility of getting the almost as fast as a Raptor:
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - $60
 
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