Check out this machine I spec'd out for my brother, need comments

[MattBraynard]

This is a machine for my brother. Everything needed is here and spec'd out along with where you can order it.

The total of these products is $503 shipped, except he wants a super-duper studio sound card that cost $205 shipped.

If you can find anything to improve on here or a way to save money let me know please. Still trying to figure out how I want to do the OS since that winXPpro for $50 deal is dead.

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Mainboard
Model: SOLTEK SL-75DRV4
Price: $79 shipped ($75)
From: www.newegg.com
Comment: Tom's Hardware's top pick. The one I use now (DRV2) and like a lot.
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CPU
Model: Athlon XP 1800+
Price: $83 shipped ($83)
From: http://www.tcwo.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/st_prod.html?p_prodid=1390
Comment: Optimal value here.
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Memory
Model: Crucial PC2100 256 MB
Price: $45 shipped ($50 with $5 coupon)
From: www.crucial.com
Comment: Lifetime warrenty.
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Harddrive
Model: Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM EIDE ATA-133 HARDDRIVE
Price: $67 shipped ($66)
From: http://www.estoretogo.com/showitem.asp?item=HD-MX540S
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Video
Model: Geforce 3 (MSI /w Vid-in, Vid out)
Price: $104 shipped ($95)
From: http://www.fticomputer.com/cgis/det...3&ses=1c6bd3326e62b39fc23549ddbd4bf8e6&cat=VB
Comment: Excellent card that has depreciated in cost from $300+
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Sound
Model: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy Platinum EX
Price: $205 shipped ($192)
From: http://store.yahoo.com/nexthardwareshope/sounblasaudp.html
Comment: This is the model you say you want. This is as good a price I can find on something that usually goes for $245 before shipping.
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DVD/CDR-RW
Model: Samsung Combo CD-RW/DVD 32x8x8x4x
Price: $58 shipped ($49)
From: http://corporate.auctionworks.com/s...2112400000000000174569&sfid=18891&id=50380904
Comment: Two in one - the speeds are decent. Same source as floppy.
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Floppy
Model: Y-E Data 1.44 OEM
Price: $9 shipped ($5)
From: http://corporate.auctionworks.com/s...2112400000000000174569&sfid=18891&id=50480363
Comment: If you can't salvage one from a junk system, you can get this one
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Case/PS
Model: SuperCase 7C443115 /w 300w powersuply.
Price: $45 (shipping cost unknown)
From: http://www.pyrinex.com/cases/
Comment: This is a good, inexpensive steel case recommended by Tom's Hardware.
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CPU Fan
Model: Cooler Master EP5-6151
Price: $13 shipped ($6)
From: http://www.belka.com/Merchant2/merc...ode=8591&Product_Code=2512&Category_Code=2500
Comment: I have some arctic Silver II that you can use between it and the CPU.
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Operating System
Model: Microsoft XP Professional
Price: Working on this. Prices fluctuate a lot.
From: Working on this. Prices fluctuate a lot.
Comment: This is a final step. You can get this for Free or you can get it for $92. Looking around still.
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[flawedexistence]

Looks like a decent setup. Your case will cost 15-20 bucks to ship. If you are running an Athlon XP proceessor, you will most likely need to upgrade your power supply to at least 350W. I would also suggest a name brand like Antec, Enermax, or Sparkle.

 

[littlezipp]

Question, why does he want the Platinum EX?
IMHO, I would put that money to doubling the ram.

 

[MattBraynard]

He is a musician. He has a digital recorder and wants a digital in sound card with all the studio extras.

The Audigy Ex was made specifically for people like him.

 

[littlezipp]

Just asking, I have an EX is why I asked, and do not use anywhere near half of the toys it has.
It is a standard Audigy card with the external drive.
If he is doing music recording and editing, consider paying a little extra for the 512mb of ram.
Otherwise sounds like you have put together a nice system.

 

[MattBraynard]

thanks. I am trying to keep the price down for him and Ram is the kind of thing that is easy to incrementally boost. (would also make a good birthday present.)

 

[Boonesmi]

looks like a nice system