~$600 System

[blinky8225]

I am building a computer for someone with upgradability in mind. I already have the hard drive and OS covered.

~$600 Computer

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Processor Socket 939 Retail - $150
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80699-2
MSI K8N Neo4 Platinum nForce4 Ultra - $139.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=241158
NEC ND-3520A 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Bare Drive (Black) - $59.99
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=172504
Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select - $104
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=80098-21
Shipping - Free
Total - $443.98 = $453.98 - $10 (AMD BUNDLE)

http://www.monarchcomputer.com/
eVGA Geforce 6200 with TurboCache supporting 128MB DDR/32bit/PCI-E/TV-Out/DVI (Retail Box) - $60.00
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...PROD&Product_Code=190061&AFFIL=pg&NR=1
Shipping - $7.70
Total - $67.70

http://www.newegg.com/
Mitsumi Black 1.44MB 3.5inch Floppy Disk Drive - $8.50
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=21-104-101&depa=0
Antec Solution Series Quiet Black Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK2650-BQE" - $72
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-148&depa=1
Shipping - $18.99
Total - $99.49

Total - $611.17

I am a little concerned about the PSU. Will the Antec PSU work being only 20 pin?

 

[Cha0s]

you can get 3ghz alienware computer for 650 or something they have a sale rightnow, but your build will be faster

 

[KoolDrew]

Looks good :thumbsup:

 

[ComatoseDelirium]

His system will pwnz the alienware system, although, OP, Im not sure about the 20/24pin issue.

 

[imported_Kensai]

That's an awesome build for that price, though I suggest dropping the floppy and getting something with actualy onboard memory (VGA)

 

[Amplifier]

The 20 to 24 pin issue isn't an issue. You just need to be careful.

When you get the power supply and are about to hook it up to the motherboard you need to plug it all the way to the right (not the center).

When you plug it in correctly the 350watt power supply will work normally. The best test to know if you are putting it in correctly is "Does it go in super easy". If you force it in the wrong way/upside down/in the middle the Motherboard will be fried.

Here's a diagram:

24pin motherboard
[: : : : : : : : : : : :]

20pin powersupply plugged into a 24 pin motherboard.
[: : | | | | | | | | | |]

 

[Stewby]

nice diagram

 

[blinky8225]

Okay thanks for the replies. I'm sure I wouldn't be dumb enough to plug it in the wrong way considering it's keyed so wouldn't be able to. I just wanted to know if it provided enough power which I'm assuming it does.

 

[KoolDrew]

I just wanted to know if it provided enough power which I'm assuming it does.

Yes it should work fine.

 

[fstime]

get the non-turbo cache if you want to unlock the pipes >> softmod to 6600.

 

[blinky8225]

IMO, things like softmodding and overclocking are asking for trouble when building a computer for someone else.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: blinky8225
IMO, things like softmodding and overclocking are asking for trouble when building a computer for someone else.

Ya I agree.

 

[n yusef]

You may not want that 6200TC card because it isn't really a 128MB card. It accesses system RAM via the PCI Express bus so it will make your system slower. If you pay a little bit more for a vanilla 6200 or 6600, you will not use up your system memory, and you can unlock four extra pixel pipes (not applicable with 6600) and get a good OC on it to get pretty good gaming performance if you are feeling adventurous. If you don't want to pay more for that, you can go for an ATi X300SE for $61.50, which won't give you as good performance as a vanilla 6200 or 6600, but won't steal your RAM like the 6200TC.
The rest seems fine though.

 

[blinky8225]

Originally posted by: n yusef
You may not want that 6200TC card because it isn't really a 128MB card. It accesses system RAM via the PCI Express bus so it will make your system slower. If you pay a little bit more for a vanilla 6200 or 6600, you will not use up your system memory, and you can unlock four extra pixel pipes (not applicable with 6600) and get a good OC on it to get pretty good gaming performance if you are feeling adventurous. If you don't want to pay more for that, you can go for an ATi X300SE for $61.50, which won't give you as good performance as a vanilla 6200 or 6600, but won't steal your RAM like the 6200TC.
The rest seems fine though.

I do understand what TurboCache is, and the fact that it really doesn't do much. This person doesn't actually play games, though. I just went with the cheapest PCI-E card with a DVI out. The X300SE doesn't have a DVI out at that price.

 

[ribbon13]

Why not just get this motherboad instead of wasting thier money on a shittý video card? Seriously, you are buying a gamer motherboard for a non-gamer? Why not use the $100 that would save to get them a 3200+?

 

[Anonemous]

hmmm ati chipset, how're the reviews on that board?

 

[Ike0069]

I agree that MB is overkill. I don't know anyting about the above MB (ribbon's link), but you can also look at the plain NF4 boards. It's likely the user would never even know the difference between the Ultra and non-Ultra chipsets. Then get a 6600 VC with the difference.