Building a computer for someone, does this look ok?

[alexstreff]

OK, here is the story. I'm a wrestler for a college in Minnesota and my athletic trainer needs a new computer. It needs to be around 600 dollars. She can get windows xp pro operating system from the school so I'm going to try and build her one. She has a program for video editing and its not to demanding (recommend graphics are like nvidia 6xxx series) otherwise its just for surfing the web, email, etc. I have all the parts selected and i just need some input also i need to know if I'm going to have a cooling issues because i'm using and older Compaq case that i had lying around. I also have an older antec power supply that im not sure will have enough power for the graphics card.
This is what i have.
-Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822136218

-Kingston HyperX 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16820104012

-Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819115037

-HIS Hightech H467QT512P Radeon HD 4670 IceQ Turbo 512MB 128-bit GDDR3
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814161252

-GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813128359

- I have an antec truepower 2.0 model TPII-430
http://i14.photobucket.com/alb...lex/Stuff/DSC00901.jpg

-Compaq case
http://i14.photobucket.com/alb...lex/Stuff/DSC00900.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/alb...lex/Stuff/DSC00903.jpg
http://i14.photobucket.com/alb...lex/Stuff/DSC00902.jpg

I also have a 4 pin to 8 pin converter for the motherboard to work with the power supply.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Radeon 4350 is $30-40 and fine for video editing and non-gaming 3D.

You could use the $50 difference to get an Antec NSK4480 black/silver case with very good PSU for $75 - $20 bundle discount with the intel E8400 = $55.

This case has great cooling (120mm exhaust fan right by the CPU) and is quiet.

 

[alexstreff]

I kind of like the card i have pick out already I'm just wondering if the system is going to run cool enough in the case i have.

 

[alexstreff]

That and if the power supply has enough amps on the 12v rail to power the card are my biggest issues.

 

[Denithor]

Ok, several comments here.

First, you're looking at an ATX motherboard and your Compaq case is mATX so the motherboard in question isn't going to fit. Unless you get out a hacksaw and then it won't work. Get something like this: Foxconn M7PMX-S ($50). More than sufficient for your needs and will fit your case.

Second, 1GB of RAM? Are you serious? Not to be mean or anything but the minimum these days is really 2GB if you're running XP and 4GB for Vista. Also, no need for high-performance ram on this system, just buy this kit.

Good choice in CPU & GPU. I wouldn't reuse an old PSU though, look on newegg, you can get this OCZ 500W model for $25 after rebate.

Honestly though, I would probably just say buy her a Dell. You don't want to do all tech support for the next three years, do you? For $600 you can get a nice setup with monitor and everything, look around the Hot Deals forum for a deal or check out their refurb section. That way Windows is included and you don't have to do any assembly, etc.

 

[alexstreff]

That Foxconn motherboard is pci express but its isn't 2.0 so i don't if I'm going to go that route. I definitely didn't notice its was atx format so nice save on that one. There is not too much of a difference on the two psu's why should i go with the ocz? I think ill just get some sort of a cheap case and stick with the setup ive got, what do you think. BTW i wasn't just going to put one stick of ram in there, haha.
How about this motherboard? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813121357

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: alexstreff
That Foxconn motherboard is pci express but its isn't 2.0 so i don't if I'm going to go that route. I definitely didn't notice its was atx format so nice save on that one. There is not too much of a difference on the two psu's why should i go with the ocz? I think ill just get some sort of a cheap case and stick with the setup ive got, what do you think. BTW i wasn't just going to put one stick of ram in there, haha.
How about this motherboard? http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813121357

PCIe 2.0 vs 1.0 = no difference

Think of the newer PSU as a $25 insurance policy. If your old one goes out it can easily nuke lots of other components, costing much more than $25 to replace. And I have seen this happen many times over the 15 years I've been servicing computers. Plus the new one is higher efficiency so it will save her power and pay for itself over a couple of years.

If going with a new [ATX] case, by all means stick with the UD3R, it's a great board (overkill, but great). If working with your Compaq you need a mATX board, I would suggest a G43 or G45 chipset but not made by Intel (zero overclocking options, no voltage adjustments). Maybe this: Foxconn G43MX-K ($63AR).

 

[alexstreff]

OK if i decide to use this Compaq case still do you think there will be any heat problems?

 

[Denithor]

No. Components today generate less heat than they did a generation or two back while doing considerably more work. So you should be just fine reusing the case (as long as you don't go crazy and drop in a Q6600 or something).

 

[alexstreff]

alright, awesome, so whats the deal with pci express 2.0? I can put a 2.0 in a regular slot and a regular card in a 2.0 slot?

 

[Denithor]

PCIe 2.0 slot just provides more bandwidth to the card (which isn't necessary yet as today's fastest cards haven't saturated PCIe 1.0 bandwidth). Cards are backward compatible, meaning they will work fine in 1.0 slots.

What part of "Minnesnota" are you from? I've got family in Windom (SW corner). Not much going on out there...except cold and lots of lakes...and mosquitos that can carry off small children.

EDIT: BTW, it's a balmy 70F down here in NC today. Just thought I'd share.

 

[alexstreff]

Haha, I'm from Burnsville which is like 10 min. away from the mall of America but I'm going to school in Marshall which is southwest MN. I've met a few people from Windom in Marshall. Right now its 9 degrees which is up from -2 just a couple days ago, that's without the windchill.

 

[DSF]

I think you should take Denithor's point about the tech support into serious consideration. Is that really something you want to be obligated to do?

There are deals running on nicely equipped Dells including monitor and OS for less than $500.

 

[alexstreff]

Yes I'm going to show her all the options. I thought it would be nice to build it for her because she can get a free operating system and Microsoft office. I just want to be certain that, if she wants me to build her this, everything will work correctly.

 

[jae]

Get the Dell. Is the Vostro mini-tower sell still going? That plus a HD 3450 (she doesnt need a 4670) would work great.