Pentium 4, Celeron D, or Sempron?

[InorganicMatter]

Building for a pal. Uses it for Excell, Word, Downloading Music, Internet, Email, etc. No gaming. Budget is "reasonable" (I love obscure budgets ). I'm wondering if it would be worth it to spend to extra and get the P4 with HT, or if a budget processor would be more than enough. If budget is the way to go, Celeron D or Sempron?

EDIT - Also, integrated video or a cheap standalone?

 

[Malogato]

Building for a pal. Uses it for Excell, Word, Downloading Music, Internet, Email, etc. No gaming. Budget is "reasonable" (I love obscure budgets ). I'm wondering if it would be worth it to spend to extra and get the P4 with HT, or if a budget processor would be more than enough. If budget is the way to go, Celeron D or Sempron?

EDIT - Also, integrated video or a cheap standalone?

"no gaming" = "no need for high end video"


Recommendation.
Integrated video but on a board that HAS an agp (or pci-e) slot for future plans.

Celeron D's are now even coming out as 64 bit parts, so, I'd maybe suggest that. Other option is s939 sempron. P4 with HT is MORE than he needs.
Small, 7200RPM boot drive and budget 5400RPM data drive.
DVD Reader/CD-RW Hybrid, or for $20-30 more, dvd burner.

Onboard Sound, Onboard Lan, -- All are acceptable, as long as system has the "slots" for future upgrades.

512mb memory. No wiggle room. Doesn't need more, and less is stupid.

 

[NewGuy]

I've got a Sempron 2500 (socket A) in one of our computers. It's used for basically the same things you've listed. It's also paired up with an 256MB FX 5500...probably overkill for a box that really doesn't see any gaming. But, it does take the load off the processor.

I'm very happy with the system. It does everything we need it to, it's plenty snappy and has a very smooth feel overall. For a budget system, I don't think you can go wrong with a Sempron.

 

[UltimaParadox]

While the P4 can't hurt if he is looking for cheap a Celeron D, or sempron would be the ideal setup.

I would stick with onboard graphics, audio, and lan as it will all be cheaper and allow for upgrades later. Just if he keeps a lot of things going on at once, and might thinking about gaming then you might want to put him in a cheaper P4 or A64 box

 

[InorganicMatter]

It's a she, and I really really don't want to have to provide tech support, so what is the absolute most stable I can get? There will be no chance of gaming. Ever.

Another thing, I want to make sure she has the DEP protection XD bit whatchamacallity thingy, so what processor in each class (P4, Celly, Sempron) has this feature?

 

[UltimaParadox]

It's a she, and I really really don't want to have to provide tech support, so what is the absolute most stable I can get? There will be no chance of gaming. Ever.

Another thing, I want to make sure she has the DEP protection XD bit whatchamacallity thingy, so what processor in each class (P4, Celly, Sempron) has this feature?

In my book intel chipset + intel proc has the best running record of being stable, but that of course is my opinion, but it is widely shared

 

[InorganicMatter]

OK, I'm almost sold on the Intel D915GAG. It has onboard everything, uses DDR1, and has a 775 socket. Now the question is, do I spend $90 on a Celeron D, or $170 on a Pentium 4?