Building an internet/email PC -- help please

[MrBlank]

I want to build an internet/email pc for my parents.I'm trying to decide what to get from newegg.com, but I'm not sure what I need.


WHAT I HAVE:
AGP video card
sound card
512 SDRAM
Modem
hard drive
CD
floppy
an old ATX case with only one fan, in the front

WHAT I WANT TO GET and approx. spend:
motherboard - $70
processor - $40
power supply (quiet) - $50


This is where I need some advice. Will my old case cool a 1.1 gig Celeron? How powerful of a power supply would I need?

OR, if you have any other suggestions on what I should get (cheap is good!) let me know. I'm open to ditching the case, but I want to keep the SDRAM.

Thanks for the help. My folks will appreciate it!Text

 

[yekim]

Yes, your old case should be fine. I've had my PC sitting on my desk barebones with no fan for some time now (im too poor to buy a case ;-)). Make sure you get a fan with your new celeron, but honeslty I would go with a Duron... my experience has taught me they are more reliable and just a better overall value. Actually, low clock Athlons are cheap nowadays too. Check out Pricewatch.com. I've bought from UnitedMicro.com and Allstarshop.com, they've consistantly got pretty good prices. For what you have I wouldnt think you would really need more than a 300W power supply. Especially since its just going to be used for basic stuff. Those E-Machines you see selling for $200 have something like a 250W, so you'll be fine. Good luck!

 

[lobadobadingdong]

newegg.com
Sparkle 250W power supply(queitest power supplies your ever gonna find) $29(w/shipping)
ecs k7s5a pro $59(free shipping) and this mobo can take either sdr or ddr for future upgrade.
Athlon XP 1700+ $55(free shipping)
Speeze CPU Fan Model 5R281B1H3G for AMD $11(30db fan w/shipping)

MUCH faster(almost 2x's) than that 1.1Ghz celeron for $6 less.

 

[MrBlank]

If I got an AMD chip, wouldn't I have to get a new case with fans in the front and back in order to keep it cool enough?

 

[redbeard1]

I'd say go celeron. You don't have the worries of chipping cpu's. They don't run as hot. You don't have as much to worry about with the power supply using the intel. The 250 that was recommended could work for the celeron, but I'd be concerned with a duron. Otherwise I'd say at least 300 watt, if not 350. They stick system boards in some pretty small cases these days, so I would think that what you have is fine either way.

 

[Zepper]

You don't need any more fans - perhaps better to move the front fan to the rear if possible. But I woulldn't go with an ECS mobo if you're a newbie. For the usage you have described, you could go with a Duron 1.1 or 1.2G. It would be plenty fast, save some money, and be much less of a heat producer. Go to newegg. Click on "Advanced Search" (in the yellow bar at the top of the page). Type '184 168' (w/o the quotes) into the search field and select the 'Motherboards-AMD' category, click on search. This will give you all the mobos newegg carries that can take your SDRAM and be upgradable to DDR if you choose in the future. I would look at the Shuttle AK32A or the MSI 'KM2M Combo L' or the Biostar 'M7VIG Pro'. If it were me, I would go with the MSI or Biostar - both have USB 2.0, Shuttle doesn't. Hard to beat for the money. You would then be able to keep a lot of your parts for a future build or backups in case something happens.
The Sparkle 250 or 300 and a Speeze HSF would also be my choices. If you're worried about crunching the die on an AMD processor, just get a shim (type 'shim' in the basic search field at the top of the page), click Go.
.bh.

 

[foofoo]

hi,
i'd reccomend the shuttle ak32a as a mb over the ecs. much better imho. and cheap duron, you're all set.