Processor, DVDs, burning

D

Decker87

Limp Gawd
Joined
Mar 24, 2005
Messages
415
Hi, I am building a cheap computer for my girlfriend's family, ,just planning now, and two of the parts I have questions about are a retail sempron 2400 and the CD Burner. Just so you know, the motherboard has a 6-channel audio codec. They will be using built-in video (they dont play any games). I buy from NewEgg

Processor: The Duron 1.8Ghz is the cheapest and the clock speed is higher than the cheap semprons. However, it's only reatail which means another +$10 for a HSF. Most of all, it's only got 64KB of L2 cache versus 256KB of the semprons. Did I make the right choice here? Out of the semprons, the 2400 offered the lowest dollar about per megahertz so I chose that one.

The CD-RW Drive: It costs $13 more to upgrade to a drive with the ability to play DVDs. Is this worth it? I think the deciding factor is: if it has the ability to read DVDs, does that just mean movies, or could it read files and data written onto DVD-R media? Is a good videocard needed to play DVDs? Do DVDs, when played on a computer, lag?

Thanks for the help, and I will not be a one-post guy, I posted a lot on Tom's Hardware but as it seems many people there learned how to build computers, but never learned how to read posts, I will be posting here.
 
Semprons own durons in every possible way. Although id have said go for a Celeron D if bang per buck is what youre after. They beat out everything amd has at even twice the price in pretty much everything but gaming. As far as the DVD goes, get a dvd reader, most of them will read dvd-r, especially if you get a decent brand. Why not get them a dvd writer? a non dual layer one isnt a great deal more expensive than a good cd-rw.

For my money, a celeron D 320/325 in one of the intel boards with integrated video is the best bang per buck youre gonna get if youre not gaming.
 
I agree. After looking at intel processors, I found that the processor would be $6 more for around 800 more MHz. And the mobo (a Foxconn) would be around $3 cheaper. Thanks, I think I shyed away from celerons, well, because I've heard so much bad about celerons.

That will be a big upgrade. They say they would not play DVDs down there because they have two DVD players elsewhere.
 
Just make sure you get one of the Celeron Ds, not the older celerons. And id still say go with an intel board, allthough you will pay a little more for them they are rock solid stable and the integrated graphics is about as it gets. For limited values of good, it is an integrated system after all. If youre going that route id suggest something along the lines of:
Intel Board
with a Celeron D 320/330 if you can stretch the budget,
and 512mb of Kingston value RAM, as a good starting point, for around 150$ throw in a cd burner, hard disk, and case/psu and youve got a pretty decent system for ~250$ ish.

 
Yeah, right now this is what I have set up: http://secure.newegg.com/app/WishR.asp?ID=1398548

Please note I will buy windows XP from here, $63: http://www.pricegrabber.com/user_sales_getprod.php?masterid=508417&lot_id=193672

Please also note that the fan grills are there because I plan to cut out those weird cheese-grater looking fan covers on the case. I will put two fans in back going in and one in front going out.

I have a monitor and keyboard for her laying around the house. I see the Celeron D's have much more cache, is this why a celeron D is better than a normal celeron? Or is there another reason?
 
That, and the celeron D is essentially a P4 prescott core without the extra cache. If youre in the mood for it, get an abit IS-7. people are taking 320s up to 3.5 Ghz on decent air cooling, they are a fantastic little chip.

Edit: Looks like a good little rig, not being from the us i cant really comment on prices, i dont know what you guys get charged over there, but i have picked up that chiefvalue seem to be the same people as newegg, but the prices are usually a bit lower, so you might grab a bargain that way. Also, celerons only need pc2700, so you might save some money there, or not.
As far as the case goes it doesnt looko like the front intakes would be much use. But with so little in there youll be good with just the rear exhausts, you might even get away with just the psu fan, but keep it a few days at load ( I reccomend folding) and have half an eye on the temps if youre gonna do that.
 
Yeah, I thought about pc2700 but a step down to that @512 MB only would lower the price by about $5, so I figured in any future upgrades having 3200 might be handy.


I am also thinking about getting this case instead: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-145-034&depa=0
Because it is cheaper after shipping. One question: I see there is an interior fan holder thing on the inside...but where the heck can it blow the air out? It looks like it's totally closed off in front.

I was planning to have intake in the back and exhaust in the front. What's wrong with this? Isn't the CPU closer to the back? As far as the IS-7 mobo, I like abit but I can't do much overlcoking...if it overheats even once you know who my girlfriend's dad is gonna grawl at;).
 
Its Not a huge issue which way the air blows, but the main logic goes that if you have intake at the back, you end up with a lot of stagnant air because you get such weird air flow around the cpu/psu area, because unless you want to do a lot of modding your psu is going to be exhaust. You should be fine with just the psu and an 80mm exhausting.

Just a tip, put all the stuff you can on there, im talking antivirus, firewall a proper one like kerio, as well as windows firewall, and turn on automatic updates. And for the love of god install firefox, otherwise all youre gonna be doing is sitting removing all the random crapware that they end up with, and belive me it will be you that ends up doing it, certainly if you value your balls.
 
Yeah, don't worry, I really do load computers with diagnostic and antivirus and optimizing software. I have a freeware CD with about 30 programs like the said that is a bit famous in my school
 
i would go with a different case, that ones pretty plain, get one that stands out a little more. i've noticed that building pc's for people if the case looks nicer they are much more impressed overall. if it looks like it came from the early 90's they usually arent so impressed. but i do agree with going with the celery as they are the best bang for your buck. i have built quite a few systems with those cheap lil celerons, hehe. also software is slowly going to DVD so for an extra $13 i would definately go with a dvd/cd burner combo, i have 6 dvd roms in 2 pc's on my desktop and i have never watched a dvd once on either pc, i only use them for reading DVD-/+ R's and installing new software that i buy on DVD cause its so nice to not have to switch out 4-5 cds when installing (ie. HL2)
 
Good advice. Are there any cases you'd reccommend at NewEgg? Keep in mind they won't like anything with LEDs besides power LED. I'll edit later with other cases I like.

APEX Case
Codegen Case

I guess I kinda still like the powmax case because of the front fans. They have this crappy comp desk that block it off on the sides, so side fans don't do much good. My girlfriend is good at art, maybe I could just tell them that I had it white so she could paint on it.
 
well this one dont look too bad http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-113&depa=1

fairly cheap, just remember the cheaper the case is the more flimsy its gonna be. i have bought a couple cases in the past that when they got here the whole thing would twist, they felt like they were made of 28 guage metal, i try not to spend under $50 on a case now. i got a really kewl one a few months back for a pc that i built for a friend i think it was about $60, but was probably the best made case i have seen for the price, im having a hard time finding it, i can only remember what it looked like, hehe. and just an FYI usually the cases with windows are a little more study, because without the window u have a pure metal side of really thin metal so if u tap on the side it flexes in and makes a really cheap sound, but i've found the ones with windows obviously have plexi so it makes the whole side alot less plyable and just makes the case feel alot better.
 
I saw the raidmax one as well, I like it but the side fans will do nothing. I've seen that kingwin case before too. I like kingwin cases a lot, and I like their higher-end cases modeled after lian-li better than their actual lian-li counterparts.

I'm considering stepping up the price range a bit, can you guys reccommend some more cases? I'm looking for one that's 70 or under after shipping. It needs to have: two front USB ports, ability to exhaust/inhale through the front, and a conservative design that is beige or at least beige around the drive bays.

also considering: http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-150-014&DEPA=1
and http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-162-028&DEPA=1
 
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