Comments on this budget build

[whitehotdawn]

I'm helping a college buddy build a computer. He wanted to spend $500, but after I priced everything else he was happy with the total cost of about $615. He wants to use this for surfing the internet, watching movies and a limited gaming. What do you guys think? (He already has a keyboard and mouse and a monitor) Did I miss anything? All prices include shipping.

I've heard mixed reviews on the MoBo, the main draw back I can see is taht it does not come with FireWire--but he can live with that. I went with the RAM choice because it seemed like a good deal, it will take advantage of the daul channel and some of that memory will be dedicated to the video card.

He wanted a simple and quiet computer--I read that the case with the included fan and power supply is pretty quiet. He did not want a door on the case either.

How is this video card, has anyone used it? What games do you think it will support well?
Any comments are appreciated. Thanks.

Peace,
sean.

Motherboard
MSI K8N Neo4-F ATX AMD Motherboard ? Retail $87.50

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813130491

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor ? Retail $146

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103537

Video Card
MSI Geforce 6200TC NX6200TC-TD64ES Video Card ? Retail $58.50

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127177

Hard Drive
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive ? OEM $97

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...44358&ATT=Hard+Drives&CMP=OTC-d3alt1me

Case
Antec Solution SLK1650B Black Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply ? Retail $88 (shipping $18 included)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129150


Memory
Kingston HYPER X 1GB PC3200 400MHz 2x512MB HyperX DDR Memory Kit - 184Pin - Lifetime Warranty $96.50 (including $10 rebate)

http://shop4.outpost.com/product/3746176

DVD Burner
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner Model ND-3540A ? OEM $42

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827152047

Total $615.50

 

[pibb]

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=A64-3200BW

3200+ Venice (oem, no heatsink/fan) 133$ shipped, i'd get this because of the extra multipler over the 3000+ and just buy a hs/fan somewhere else, if you plan to OC you can't go wrong with a XP90 heatsink

 

[whitehotdawn]

Thanks. He will not be OC. I found the XP90 for $35 (with Shipping and Tax to NJ), has anyone found a better price?

 

[alimoalem]

do get the 3200 and if he's on a budget, what are you doing getting him an $88 case? go to a local fry's and get a case with a 400W+ case. they usually have a couple at all times for under $40. use that money on the 3200. don't get Hyper X ram. go for value ram. not too much noticable difference and it's CHEAP. i'm not sure exactly what to get for a video card but the rest looks good

 

[pibb]

Originally posted by: whitehotdawn
Thanks. He will not be OC. I found the XP90 for $35 (with Shipping and Tax to NJ), has anyone found a better price?

I got mine for 25$ without a fan at SVC.com, then I payed 10$ for a a panaflo at the same site. So 35$ is about right but i'd what I did instead because the panaflo is a top-notch fan over the standard XP90 one

 

[Super56K]

Yeah, you should get a gig of value ram instead at around $70-80 off Newegg. That videocard is HORRIBLE. A big waste of money. It has 64mb ram on the card, and makes up for the rest using system memory. He won't be able to have very much fun playing games with that card. Your choices are limited though with the newer tech on the mobo. I also second the purchasing of a cheaper case. If he isn't going to OC it then having an expensive case isn't necessary. You could use the extra money saved to get him a slightly better card like maybe a 6600 series with 128-bit architecture and 8 pipes, or a similar Ati x700 series card.

 

[1Dark1Sharigan1]

Hell I got a case once at Fry's for $20 and then a 450W PSU for $15 (after rebates) so you def do not want to spend $90 on a case if everything is running at stock. The XP-90 is a good choice. On the hard drive thing, always check Fry's for rebates on hard drives, you may find a good deal on a 250GB HD . . . the 6200TC you should realize uses system ram like an IGP would . . . and thus is a complete waste of $XX. Get a 6600GT instead for around $130 . . .

Summary:

Motherboard
MSI K8N Neo4-F - $83 @ ZZF

CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice - $133 @ Ewiz

Video Card
XFX Geforce 6600GT - $129 after rebate @ Newegg

Hard Drive
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive ? OEM $97

Case
Get one at Fry's for ~$40

Memory
Corsair Value Select 2x512MB - $89 at ZZF

DVD Burner
NEC Black IDE DVD Burner - $42

Total: $613

 

[whitehotdawn]

Thanks for responces. I don't know what I was thinking in terms of the case, just that it seems like a decent deal for $60 but then I found out it was $18 S/H which made it not that great. We go to school in Madison NJ 07940--I'm from Oregon so I don't know the stores around here--I looked at Frys website and there does not seem to be a Frys in NJ. Any other suggestions? I wasn't sure about the video card--I am still using my 9500 Pro which I love, especially concidering the price that I payed for it about three years ago. The 6600GT seems like a good card that will suit his needs well. Thanks again.

Peace,
sean.

 

[laurenlex]

I would stay with the Antec case in your first post. He wants quiet. That antec has a 120mm fan which moves more air slower than 80mm fans. Plus you are getting a good power supply. Saving 30 bucks is not worth getting a louder case with a shltty power supply.

 

[whitehotdawn]

I looking for a place to get the XP-90 and fan... SVC.com is out of stock right now.. any ideas?

Thanks,
sean.