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Codegen

Gawd
Joined
Aug 28, 2004
Messages
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My brother in law wants me to build him a computer. He said all he wants is something cheap, so he can do the following:

- Watch his work DVDs for learning
- Burn CDs

and a bunch of other simple stuff. He said he can do everything on my brother's Athlon 800, but of course, he can't use it forever.

This is what I've come up with:

Powmax ATX Case

Samsung DVD-ROM

Samsung CD-RW

Supposedly a couple of Diablo case fans.

AMD Duron 1.8ghz

Thermaltake TR2 M3 CPU Fan

XFX GeForce MX4000

Simpletech 256MB PC2100

AOpen VKM266PM Motherboard




The only thing I'm wondering is if I should drop the vid card for memory. As I know OB video takes away at least 32MB. But up RAM to 384 for a total of 352. But in case he wants to play the odd game, the MX4000 should be enough (my MX200 does me)

He obviously won't be doing much in the way of overclocking. As I said this is more intended for a work machine.
 
At the newegg comment, hint hint tigerdirect.CA

Another thing is is that he's coming from a P200 :eek:

Like I said, he's also been using my brother's Athlon 800, so this one should be able to do what he has to do as well.
 
Do you understand a DVD burner can read and write both DVD and CD? You don't absolutely need both. You can buy a NEC ND3520.

I know you're going real cheap, but maybe a 9550 might be slightly better for Directx 9 compatibility. And please, for the love of well, you know, get 512 MB of 400 MHz RAM. I know it's "only for work" but lag city is not what you want.

Anyway, here's 9550 for $68 CDN
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1476653&CatId=0

Or, possibly 9600 Pro for $95 CDN
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1337275&CatId=0

Kingston 512 MB 400 MHz RAM $72 CDN
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=235775

Note: Be careful with those cheap built-in power supplies. They may only last a month.
I'll try to find a brand name one if I don't fall asleep.

\EDIT: Well, I regret to inform you, but the CHEAPEST brand name power supply is $45 CDN:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1482404&CatId=1077

\ANOTHER EDIT: I just found something kind of entertaining. It's a barebones kit for $308 CDN. If the power supply is no good, you can always replace it. Anyway, it has a case, motherboard with on-board video, XP 3000+, heatsink, 512 MB RAM, keyboard and mouse. That's kind of sweet in a way. I thought about building a rig with cheap parts but I was too scared what would happen if the parts were too cheap.
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1496796&CatId=0
 
Am I the only one that thinks 9600 & XP3000 is just a tad bid overkill?

Not trying to crap on my own thread or anything, just saying my opinion.
 
Codegen said:
Am I the only one that thinks 9600 & XP3000 is just a tad bid overkill?

Not trying to crap on my own thread or anything, just saying my opinion.
Click to expand...
People here have a different view on money.

i would spec it out something like this:

Duron/Sempron
some cheap mobo (but not with a SiS chipset for the love of god. Can have IGP though.)
512mb RAM (this is what matters the most for him)
some hard drive
Geforce mx4000 or similar if you don't get IGP (R9200se, 9250, gffx 5200,...)
300w+ brand name PSU
generic case

a dvd burner (they cost like 50 bucks now, might as well get one)
 
PCJ said:
People here have a different view on money.

i would spec it out something like this:

Duron/Sempron
some cheap mobo (but not with a SiS chipset for the love of god. Can have IGP though.)
512mb RAM (this is what matters the most for him)
some hard drive
Geforce mx4000 or similar if you don't get IGP (R9200se, 9250, gffx 5200,...)
300w+ brand name PSU
generic case

a dvd burner (they cost like 50 bucks now, might as well get one)
Click to expand...

Pretty much the way I have it specced out, and you get raped on DVD Burners here, thoug \h not as bad as it used to be.

I know about the SiS thing. Ever try an ECS board?

As mentioned, the MX4000 is there.
30GB HD
Duron 1.8ghz


...hell just read the specs lol :p I'll consider upping the ram
 
Check out shoprbc.com. They're Canadian and from what I have seen their prices are much better than tigerdirect.ca and they have very affordable shipping too.
 
What about saving some money and instead of getting 2 optical drives, just get one combo drive.
 
Codegen said:
Am I the only one that thinks 9600 & XP3000 is just a tad bid overkill?

Not trying to crap on my own thread or anything, just saying my opinion.
Click to expand...

Just trying to show you different options. I also showed a 9550.

But, that's not the point, in Far Cry, a Directx 8.1 card (like my Ti4200) will show water etc like it's a fricken cartoon. Your brother in law or whoever it is, might tell you NOW that they only want something cheap. But, you know what some people are like (yeah, we've all had different experiences). This person may come up to you later and crap in your face about "Why did you build the system like that at the time when you KNEW the difference and didn't tell me?".

Discuss the difference with him and explain to him the price difference and what it may mean in the future. Me, I'd never want to build a system for someone else unless I explained the choices to them and knew that they fully understood what I told them.
 
forumposter32 said:
Just trying to show you different options. I also showed a 9550.

But, that's not the point, in Far Cry, a Directx 8.1 card (like my Ti4200) will show water etc like it's a fricken cartoon. Your brother in law or whoever it is, might tell you NOW that they only want something cheap. But, you know what some people are like (yeah, we've all had different experiences). This person may come up to you later and crap in your face about "Why did you build the system like that at the time when you KNEW the difference and didn't tell me?".

Discuss the difference with him and explain to him the price difference and what it may mean in the future. Me, I'd never want to build a system for someone else unless I explained the choices to them and knew that they fully understood what I told them.
Click to expand...

I've told him that for that cheap, it sure as hell ain't gonna be top of the line (Except in a nicer more explanatory way).
 
You really want to spend the extra money and get the extra 512 of RAM. You don't necessarily need the DDR400, should be able to find some for about $50. That vid card rots, too. Personally, Id get at least a 5200 if nvidia.
 
Couple of changes:

RAM: 512MB Ultra PC2100
Optical: Samsung 52x32x52x16 Combo drive
Video: Chaintech GeForce FX5200

Making for a grand total of $570.09 ($437.90 parts, $36.40 Shitting, $65.79 tax (ugh) and $30 for build.
 
What about ditching the duron for at least a socket A sempron, or maybe even a s754 sempron system.
 
Look at the for sale/trade forum for GFX card or ebay. MX4000 for more than $20 is a sin.

You can probably find most of a system for $300 on ebay or I think there was a sale at the outpost on one of these threads (hotdeals) for $149.99 .

 
Shmuckety said:
Look at the for sale/trade forum for GFX card or ebay. MX4000 for more than $20 is a sin.

Keep in mind that in Canada we get raped for anything...
Click to expand...
 
Codegen said:
Couple of changes:

RAM: 512MB Ultra PC2100
Optical: Samsung 52x32x52x16 Combo drive
Video: Chaintech GeForce FX5200

Making for a grand total of $570.09 ($437.90 parts, $36.40 Shitting, $65.79 tax (ugh) and $30 for build.
Click to expand...

I saw screenshots comparing an FX card against a Ti4200 and the FX SUCKED in video quality. The MX400 would be even better than that. That's why I recommended the 9550 or 9600 Pro because you have to jump to 6600 GT in order to get something worthwile from Nvidia (or possibly absolute minimum 6200 Turbo Cache (though that's PCI-E).

Shit, you never read about the FX on the video card forum?

\EDIT: What do you mean $30 for build? Build it yourself and if you screw up, then you can get it to a shop. It's not THAT hard.
 
forumposter32orum? said:
\EDIT: What do you mean $30 for build? Build it yourself and if you screw up, then you can get it to a shop. It's not THAT hard.
Click to expand...

Because it's for someone else.
 
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