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Need a build evaluated?

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SSpiro

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jan 5, 2005
Messages
259
Looking to build a new PC for my brother, put together the following list real quick based on budget (max of $500). Extremely light gaming (if any), strong future-proofing ability, mostly internet, itunes, and college homework. He has 2 laptops right now and both are P3's I believe, so it'll be quite the upgrade.

Case (34.99 after rebate) http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5520044&Sku=T925-3018

· Power Supply (34.99)
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4465483&Sku=C283-1220

· 1TB HDD (64.99)
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5659779&Sku=TSD-1000EARS

· Motherboard, with i3 Intel (2.93GHz) processor, HD 8-channel audio, HD Graphics with HDMI-output, and gigabit network card ($209.99).

http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5635131&Sku=B69-4090

· 2 x 2GB RAM. (74.99 after rebate)
http://www.compusa.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4837614&Sku=C13-8220

· Sony DVD-ROM (DVD Reader). (18.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827118031

· Samsung DVD Burner (Dual Layer) (24.99)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...51175&cm_re=dual_layer-_-27-151-175-_-Product

· Additional Case fan (18.70)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999344


Looking forward to your input! My only requirements are that it be an intel setup, and under $500. This total above is just around $500.

My one thought is possibly replacing that mobo/cpu combo with the components broken out, slightly upgraded for an additional $20 or so:

Same mobo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131623&cm_re=P7H55-M-_-13-131-623-_-Product

3.06 i3, instead of the 2.93:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9115221&cm_re=intel_i3-_-19-115-221-_-Product

Would getting the 3.06 be worth the extra $20 to go this route?

Send me your feedback, ready to purchase for him!
 
Not a bad combo, i'll probably go that route, Thank you. I prefer Gigabyte anyway.

Two drives not necessarily needed, but not an expensive add on and helps making backups fly that much quicker when it comes to movies, data, etc.
 
SSpiro said:
Not a bad combo, i'll probably go that route, Thank you. I prefer Gigabyte anyway.

Two drives not necessarily needed, but not an expensive add on and helps making backups fly that much quicker when it comes to movies, data, etc.
Click to expand...

Actually, two optical drives are no faster than one when it comes to disc-to-disc copying. This is because by default all disc copying programs cache their contents onto the system's hard drive, and that IDE or SATA is only a half-duplex interface (versus SCSI's full-duplex). The IDE or SATA controller cannot read and write both at the same time (or more specifically, getting the optical subsystem to "fly that much quicker when it comes to movies, data, etc." would have required the host controller to transfer in both directions simultaneously, which SATA or IDE cannot do). However, the latter parts of this paragraph may not apply to SATA since each SATA optical drive is connected to separate channels.

Therefore, the ONLY reason for multiple optical writers is that some of them do a poor job of writing to media with certain codes (in that case, you will want the second writer to be of a different brand or model than the first writer). The choice of a writer and a reader is redundant these days since most writers are pretty good readers. And readers are now almost as expensive as a good writer/reader--all the more reason to render readers as redundant.

In addition, your original choice of a PSU is questionable: That CoolerMaster 500W Extreme Power Plus is made by Seventeam, which has gotten little to no reputation here at the [H].
 
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Ah ha.. this I did not know, Thank you.

Perhaps provided benefit being that he doesn't have to return to the computer to insert blank disc?
 
SSpiro said:
Perhaps provided benefit being that he doesn't have to return to the computer to insert blank disc?
Click to expand...

If he is that lazy to do that, then yes. However, I would get a writer (of a different brand and/or model than the first writer) instead of a read-only unit - if only because read-only drives now cost almost as much money as writers, and as a CYA measure for DVD media codes that are not quite compatible with various certain writers.
 
I don't know that it's laziness, I just think he's trying to be more efficient.

I'll just 86 the extra drive.
 
What power supply do you guys recommend, if not the one I picked? I went by price, thats all. Under $50 preferred
 
SSpiro said:
What power supply do you guys recommend, if not the one I picked? I went by price, thats all. Under $50 preferred
Click to expand...

Go with the Corsair 400CX taht lt_shiro recommended. Far far far better than that POS Coolermaster that's only capable of 300W at 25C.
 
Danny Bui said:
No confirmation showing that it's actual quality PSU. It's probably ATNG made though with ok performance. However stick with the Corsair 400CX since A) willing to be that the Corsair is better than the ATNG design and B) the Corsair is a confirmed quality PSU.
Click to expand...

Sounds good, i'll go Corsair
 
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