Building a system for someone...RIP IT APART LIKE THE FIENDS YOU ARE

[Goosemaster]

This will be a home Office machine that will also be used by teen agers to play their games (THANK GOD FOR USER SWITCHING). THe games themselves will be played be regular folk( not hardcore etc), so I think that Gainward card will be fine.

The main problem with this system is that I NEED to keep it under or as close as possible...$1000....basically, lets get rid of stuff.


Anyways here it is:


Shuttle XPC Intel Socket 478, 800MHz FSB, Intel 865G Chipset, Model SB61G2 $320
PIONEER INTERNAL ATAPI DVD-RECORDABLE MODEL DVR-105 $170
Seagate 120GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive Barracuda $94
Buffalo Technology 1x512MB 6 Layer PC3200 DDR Memory Module CL 2.5 32X8 $89
Samsung 19" CRT Monitor Model 955DF-T/T $295
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL $173
INTUIT Quicken 2003 Deluxe - RETAIL $48
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM $93
Gainward FX5200, 8X AGP, 128MB(128bit) DDR Golden Sample, memory clock speed: 440MHZ.$87

Total $1279




Here's the edited system:


ASUS Micro ATX Motherboard for Intel Pentium 4 / Celeron Processors, 800Mhz FSB Model# P4P800-VM Retail $111
Floppy $7
Antec Silver/Piano Black Slimline MicroATX PC Case, Model Minuet - Retail $70
LiteOn DVD-ReWritable Drive MODEL LDW-401S - RETAIL $144
Seagate 120GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive Barracuda $94
Buffalo Technology 2x256MB PC2700 DDR Memory Module 32X8 - OEM $84
NEC 19" CRT FE950+ 1280X1024 Flat $201.40
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL $173
INTUIT Quicken 2003 Deluxe - RETAIL $48
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM $93
VGA CHAINTECH A-GX20 TI-4200 128MB 8X VGA, DVI & TV-OUT. RETAIL BOX $118


Total $950 + $201.40 for the monitor



AMD System

Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon XP Processors, Model# A7N8X-VM Retail $105
Floppy $7
Antec Silver/Piano Black Slimline MicroATX PC Case, Model Minuet - Retail $70
LiteOn DVD-ReWritable Drive MODEL LDW-401S - RETAIL $144
Seagate 120GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive Barracuda $94
Buffalo Technology 2x256MB PC2700 DDR Memory Module 32X8 - OEM $84
NEC 19" CRT FE950+ 1280X1024 Flat $201.40
AMD ATHLON XP 2500 /333 BARTON $90
INTUIT Quicken 2003 Deluxe - RETAIL $48
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM $93
VGA CHAINTECH A-GX20 TI-4200 128MB 8X VGA, DVI & TV-OUT. RETAIL BOX $118

$900 + $200 for a shipped 19' CRT FE950+ 1280X1024 Flat

$1100

 

[Goosemaster]

The thing is I can prolly bump their spending to $1500 and get away with this config.
Of couse I want a backup.

 

[DanJ]

Do they specifically want the Shuttle? Could save a lot of money with just a small case and motherboard..

 

[Lonyo]

That seems really expensive for some reason. :/

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: DanJ
Do they specifically want the Shuttle? Could save a lot of money with just a small case and motherboard..

Before I looked at the Shuttle I was going to use an ASUS Motherboard for Intel Pentium 4 / Celeron Processors, 800Mhz FSB Model# P4P800 Deluxe for $139 @ newegg.


Problem is factor in the cost of a PS, the Casee etc.....Then again, can you make a nice system? THe key is htat the case has to be sweet., such as the Lian-Li PC-7 USB, 10-Bay, Aluminum Cases. Color: Silver.

 

[Goosemaster]

 

[Goosemaster]

 

[Goosemaster]

WTH..the forums just went nuts

 

[Goosemaster]

How about a GeForce 3 Ti200 128MB For $94? Will that hold up at least a little in current game titles?

 

[CZroe]

Two slower modules would probably be faster in dual-channel mode, and match better with the 800MHz FSB performance wise.

I doubt it would save much though, but check on 2x256MB DDR400/PC3200, or 2x256MB DDR333/PC2700. Both would total to more bandwidth than 1x512MB DDR400/PC3200. Both are probably cheaper.

Or MAYBE you could ditch 800MHz FSB altogether. If you aren't gonna utilize it with the memory, then knock down the motherboard and CPU's price. Of course, that'll make upgrading the memory to attain 800MHz FSB not a future option, but if they want it under $1,000...

The Hot Deals forums has steals on 120GB drives and lesser DVD recorders frequently. If you had jumped on one or two of those and had them in stock, you'd save a ton.

I haven't really been digging into monitor deals, but it looks like there might be a large 19" for cheaper somewhere right? Also, a $40 GeForce3 is probably better than any non-Ultra FX card (Commonly said to be slower than a GeForce4 MX but with DX9). A GeForce4 would probably cost more. Anything better than a Radeon 9000 (GeForce3-class) may be more adequate.

 

[ChefJoe]

Antec SLK2700AMB from newegg = $71 shipped
P4P800 reg = $123 or the VM (microATX) for $111

Then, you have $120 or so more to spend on a nice 17" LCD.

If they don't need a DVD burner just yet, why not get them a CD-RW and keep an eye out for nice AR deals on it ? Similarly, a little planning and a rebate may save about $30-40 on a HD.

If they don't like tinkering with the insides of a computer, I wouldn't get them a shuttle... they gather dust in a more dangerous way than most desktops.

 

[Goosemaster]

Thanks

 

[DanJ]

Plus, in my experience, the Shuttle's are quite loud with not the most impressive PSU's ever.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: ChefJoe
Antec SLK2700AMB from newegg = $71 shipped
P4P800 reg = $123 or the VM (microATX) for $111

Then, you have $120 or so more to spend on a nice 17" LCD.

If they don't need a DVD burner just yet, why not get them a CD-RW and keep an eye out for nice AR deals on it ? Similarly, a little planning and a rebate may save about $30-40 on a HD.

If they don't like tinkering with the insides of a computer, I wouldn't get them a shuttle...they gather dust in a more dangerous way than most desktops.

Wow that case is pretty sweet...definitely reconsidering. And yes, they do want a DVD burner...that pioneer seems to be the standard.

 

[Goosemaster]

ASUS Micro ATX Motherboard for Intel Pentium 4 / Celeron Processors, 800Mhz FSB Model# P4P800-VM Retail $111
Floppy $7
Antec Silver/Piano Black Slimline MicroATX PC Case, Model Minuet - Retail $70
PIONEER INTERNAL ATAPI DVD-RECORDABLE MODEL DVR-105 $172
Seagate 120GB 7200rpm EIDE Hard Drive Barracuda $94
Buffalo Technology 2x256MB PC2700 DDR Memory Module 32X8 - OEM $84
NEC 19" CRT FE950+ 1280X1024 Flat $201.40
Intel Pentium 4 / 2.4CGHz 512k socket 478 Hyper Threading Technology 800 MHz FSB - RETAIL $173
INTUIT Quicken 2003 Deluxe - RETAIL $48
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack SP1a - OEM $93
VGA CHAINTECH A-GX20 TI-4200 128MB 8X VGA, DVI & TV-OUT. RETAIL BOX $118


Total $1200


How's that?

 

[Bonesdad]

Would they/you consider an AMD system? You can save LOTS of $$ on the mobo and CPU.

 

[magomago]

Not to sound like a fanboy or anything, but why not go AMD if you are trying to stay under a 1000?

A 8rda+/2500+ combo will run you about 170ish and if you feel like it you can overclock it too...and that will have been the same price as the 2.4C - and if you choose to overclock it (you'll hit between 2.1Ghz and 2.3Ghz unless you get an older stepping) just toss an extra 30 bucks twoards a heatsink/fan and you'll still be around 100$ ahead of the game and it'll be faster than a 2.4c

Yeah the 2.4C is faster at stock...but I doubt they are going to notice any difference in speed at all and you can put that extra money to more worthwhile upgrades

And the moniter...Why don't you just go to a store and pick up one of those moniters that have deals? My friend got a 17inch flatscreen for 88 dollars @ OD a few months ago...would they really notice the difference at all or not? I know there will be those who disagree with me since if the moniter sucks your image qualiy would be bad but I doubt moniters in general are that ugly...at best they'll be limited to 1280*1024 resolution or something and I don't think they'd need 1600*1200 or something really high like that

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: magomago
Not to sound like a fanboy or anything, but why not go AMD if you are trying to stay under a 1000?

A 8rda+/2500+ combo will run you about 170ish and if you feel like it you can overclock it too...and that will have been the same price as the 2.4C - and if you choose to overclock it (you'll hit between 2.1Ghz and 2.3Ghz unless you get an older stepping) just toss an extra 30 bucks twoards a heatsink/fan and you'll still be around 100$ ahead of the game and it'll be faster than a 2.4c

Yeah the 2.4C is faster at stock...but I doubt they are going to notice any difference in speed at all and you can put that extra money to more worthwhile upgrades

And the moniter...Why don't you just go to a store and pick up one of those moniters that have deals? My friend got a 17inch flatscreen for 88 dollars @ OD a few months ago...would they really notice the difference at all or not? I know there will be those who disagree with me since if the moniter sucks your image qualiy would be bad but I doubt moniters in general are that ugly...at best they'll be limited to 1280*1024 resolution or something and I don't think they'd need 1600*1200 or something really high like that

Well the teens...around juniors in HS want this thing to llook sleek so I am pretty much staying with the monitor and case.

AS for the AMD chips, I might be open to them (i usually only use AMD) except for the fan issue. I want this little sucker to be as quiet as possible. In addition, that antec case looks sweet so it must be mirco-atx



Also, this machine will NOT and most likely WILL NEVER be overlocked. It will be a business machine first and formost.

 

[Goosemaster]

I added an AMD system

 

[Outlawv6]

don't quote me on this, but I think that the 2nd antech case reccomended won't work with standard height expansion cards.

would you consider getting some Nforce2 board with integrated video? if you have DDR400 in there it would be like a free 460MX (not that it's really that great or anything) and could help with cost a bit more. just a suggestion.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Outlawv6
don't quote me on this, but I think that the 2nd antech case reccomended won't work with standard height expansion cards.

would you consider getting some Nforce2 board with integrated video? if you have DDR400 in there it would be like a free 460MX (not that it's really that great or anything) and could help with cost a bit more. just a suggestion.

I think you might be rightlook at this

Concerning the graphics, this system will need more than the integrated solution can provide.

 

[Goosemaster]

Dammnit..


Review from newegg:

THIS CASE ONLY TAKES LOW PROFILE PCI AND AGP CARDS. OTHERWISE IT WORKS NICELY, POWERED AN ATHLON 2500+ (BARTON) JUST FINE.

 

[Goosemaster]

Cooler Master ATC-610-GX1 ?

 

[ChefJoe]

So, you're set on using a small form factor case for this ? Cause, a mini-tower would be cheaper.... you could get something smooth like an antec sonata if you didn't want something small. mATX motherboards will fit in a regular ATX case.

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: ChefJoe
So, you're set on using a small form factor case for this ? Cause, a mini-tower would be cheaper.... you could get something smooth like an antec sonata if you didn't want something small. mATX motherboards will fit in a regular ATX case.

Yeah..this microATX stuff is a problem..can't find a half-height Vid card anywhere. Upgrading in the future will be a mess too.


I've been looking at both Coolermaster and Antec's offerings.