Building value system for a friend

[BlueWeasel]

I've got a friend who wants me to build him a system so he can "check his email and download a few songs every now and then". What he really wants is to help me build it (I basically plan on walking him through all of it), which I don't mind.

I gave him an estimate of about $400-$450 and he's going to send me a check for $450. It's certainly not a new system, but will be plenty for what he needs.

Nforce2 Ultra motherboard (maybe NF3?)
XP 2400+ @ 2.0Ghz (non-mobile, non overclocked)
2x512MB PC2700/PC3200
120GB ATA hard drive
DVD-ROM/CD-RW combo drive (might be replaced with a DVD-RW drive)
GF4 Ti4400/4600 OR 9600 Pro video card
Antec case
350W PSU
56k modem
Keyboard/mouse/speakers
17" or 19" CRT

He told me he doesn't care much for gaming, but I know he'll like running some Emulators, and I might install some older games for him. I told him up front this isn't the system for running new games, and he's fine with that.

After getting a list started, I'm coming out around $400-425.

Any thoughts about the MB/CPU and video card? Those are my two biggest areas of concern. I can't really go much higher into the next level (ie, ATI 9700/9800) or else I start exceeding the budget. Would another Nvidia card other than the GF4 be better?

 

[theMan]

why not just get a prebuilt? you can get a way nicer prebuilt computer for $450 than you can build one with. just make sure you format the drive and install a fresh copy of windows on it for him. it would just be a lot easier, and it would be less of a headache for you if something went wrong with a computer you built for someone.

 

[Tarrant64]

theman is right. Once you go so low on a price to build a PC, it is definetely worth just purchasing brand new with all the bundled up software and all. For $450(and I hate to say it), you could very well pick out a nice Dell PC that would come with everything you need.

I'd say if you can spend up $600-$700, then it's definetely worth attempting to build on, but for less than $500, go prebuilt.

 

[Hacp]

You should def check out the fs/ft forums for good deals, esp on things like cases/dvd burners.

 

[slsmnaz]

Originally posted by: theman
why not just get a prebuilt? you can get a way nicer prebuilt computer for $450 than you can build one with. just make sure you format the drive and install a fresh copy of windows on it for him. it would just be a lot easier, and it would be less of a headache for you if something went wrong with a computer you built for someone.

QFT

 

[Hacp]

If your looking to build, and looking for a place to start, maybe this mobo/cpu combo for 90 dollars+shipping.

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4705559

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Hacp
If your looking to build, and looking for a place to start, maybe this mobo/cpu combo for 90 dollars+shipping.

http://shop3.outpost.com/product/4705559

That's a nice combo there. That might be the one I start with, as it's right about my budget for a MB/CPU combo ($90-$100) and is definately better than a XP 2400.

 

[theMan]

just looked in the sale flyers and there is a computer with a sempron 3400+, 100gb HDD, 17" CRT, radeon xpress 200 graphics, printer, and keyboard/mouse/speakers, for $320. imagine what you can get for $450.

 

[Twsmit]

Get a prebuild current generation computer with integrated graphics and a prepackedged OS and apps. No point in giving him 2-3 year old parts, a waste of money in the long run.

 

[dogmir]

asrock socket 754 mobo with onborad video $50
sempron 64 2800+ $75
2x512mb of pc 3200 $80
250 gig hd $100
forton 400 ps $36
cheap case $15
dvd burner $38

pretty much $400 plus shipping...

 

[jlbenedict]

Dell
If you assist him with building it.. you will have to support it.. Trust me.. This friend of yours will come running to you when any little issue comes up..
You will first help him, with an issue or two...
Your friend will think you are a computer god.. will tell his family & friends about the great knowledge you have..
Before you know it, you'll have your friend, and his friends, family, etc all coming to you asking you to either help them build, fix problems, or do anything computer related for them...

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

You can get a Biostar GeForce 6100-M7 for about $64. It's got integrated graphics, *and* you can overclock the heck out of your CPU. Pair it with a $65 Sempron 64 2800+ and 1GB PC3200 for $76, and you've got an amazing system for a lot less money than any comparable Dell.

 

[Hacp]

Originally posted by: dogmir
asrock socket 754 mobo with onborad video $50
sempron 64 2800+ $75
2x512mb of pc 3200 $80
250 gig hd $100
forton 400 ps $36
cheap case $15
dvd burner $38

pretty much $400 plus shipping...

no monitor

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Hacp

Originally posted by: dogmir
asrock socket 754 mobo with onborad video $50
sempron 64 2800+ $75
2x512mb of pc 3200 $80
250 gig hd $100
forton 400 ps $36
cheap case $15
dvd burner $38

pretty much $400 plus shipping...

no monitor

...also no keyboard, mouse, speakers, or 56k modem.

 

[dogmir]

well a modem is $5 and if you cant find one online i will sell you one...lol...i have a box and nobody hardly uses them anymore...and for a monitor they are usually good places to buy used...i live in madison wisconsin so i just go to st.vinncent depaul which is a thrift store they always have monitors cheap...i got a 19" trinitron for $19.50 last week....i always am finding cheap used monitors...also try craigslist for your area....i have picked up 5 or so from there and paid no more than $40 and got 3 for free...in regards to keyboard mouse and speakers....

keyboard
mouse

not to mention that you can get a deal from site like compgeeks and get a mouse keyboard and speakers bundle
such as this sure it isnt great but hey on a budget it will serve the purpose for a bit plus you will not get a great set of speakers on that kind of budget anyway....

 

[Tarrant64]

All of those proposed builds are at $400 without everything included though. no monitor, keyboard....come on...software?

 

[robertk2012]

Get a mac mini

 

[Copilot]

Originally posted by: dogmir
asrock socket 754 mobo with onborad video $50
sempron 64 2800+ $75
2x512mb of pc 3200 $80
250 gig hd $100
forton 400 ps $36
cheap case $15
dvd burner $38

pretty much $400 plus shipping...

He is checking email why does he need a 250GB HD? right now I am using a 9GB hard drive and am playing counterstrike with it. And diablo 2: expansion

 

[imported_blkdiamond]

A socket 754 Sempron system will be much better than a Socket A Athlon system.

 

[imported_fx]

http://www.e4me.com/products/products.html?prod=T3410

get this then you can upgrade the ram and video card.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I'm gonna look around for some deals on prebuilt systems, but the problem with cheap prebuilt systems is they are fairly lacking in RAM, usually have crappy integrated video, and use proprietary parts in some cases. By the time you add RAM and a different video card, what little you do save isn't worth it.

I'm gonna talk to him again about it, but I'm gonna recommend the NF3 + Sempron 3100+ combo linked above. It's the same price as I had budgeted for a NF2 board and a 2400+.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Have some of you even read the thread?

I've posted that he's willing to spend $450, and I'm trying my hardest to get the best all-around system for him. So why are you giving me links to a $400 system that doesn't come with a monitor and tell me to upgrade the RAM and video card? :roll:

 

[silverpig]

I'm gonna second the prebuilt. Wait around until you can get a coupon on a dell and see if you can score him a 15" or 17" LCD with it. You can probably get some decent parts for cheap, but most people don't factor in a case, keyboard/mouse, speakers, monitor... heck you might even be able to find a dell deal where they'll throw in a printer for free.

 

[theMan]

Originally posted by: silverpig
I'm gonna second the prebuilt. Wait around until you can get a coupon on a dell and see if you can score him a 15" or 17" LCD with it. You can probably get some decent parts for cheap, but most people don't factor in a case, keyboard/mouse, speakers, monitor... heck you might even be able to find a dell deal where they'll throw in a printer for free.

my recommendation is that you dont buy a dell. even if you can get a SLI GTX system from them for $450. just dont. you wont want your friend to have to deal with their crap. i have seen more problems in a dell in the past 3 months that i have seen in my entire life. its just rediculous.

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