Computer for College

[Carpathia]

I'm building a computer for college, and I want it for gaming/school use (probably will use open office), as well as to act as a TV. I would use the provided laptops, but they aren't nearly as fast, and the one(s) i've been issued break often. That aside, this is what i'm looking at. Clicking on the price will pull up the website. I also need suggetions for a TV-Tuner card that can accecpt a cable TV hookup and act as a DVR.



(i'll send the spreadsheet i've made to anyone who asks)
Component-----Brand-----Model-----Description-----Retail/OEM-----Price Total

Main Components
Processor-----Intel-----Core 2 Duo E6300-----1.86 ghz-----retail-----$193.00
Motherboard-----ASUS-----P5NSLI-----nForce 570-----retail-----$126.40
Memory-----Patriot-----2x1 gig-----DDR2 667 2 gig-----retail-----$164.98
Case-----Thermaltake-----Armor Xaser-----Black, Aluminum, 10 bays-----retail-----$179.82
Power Supply-----Antec-----TruePower-----550w-----retail-----$96.99
Thermal Compound-----Arctic Silver-----Arctic Silver 5-----12 grams-----OEM-----$20.98

Storage Devices
Hard Drives-----Western Digital-----2x Caviar SE 16-----250gig, 16 meg cache, sata 3.0-----OEM-----147.26
DVD-Burner-----BenQ-----DW1650BK-----DVD-DL Burner-----OEM-----$35.89

Graphics
Video Card-----XFX-----7900 GT PV-T71G-UCE7-----256 meg-----retail-----$305.13
Monitor-----Spectre-----X9WG NagaV-----19" Widescreen LCD-----retail-----$179.99

Sound and Audio
Soundcard-----Creative-----X-Fi-----Platnium-----retail-----$177.10

Input Devices/Power
Keyboard/Mouse-----Logitech-----diovo 2-tone-----RF Wireless-----OEM-----$75.93
Surge Strip-----Belkin-----Cyberpower 750-----7 Outlets-----retail-----$17.23

Cables
CD Cables-----Link Depot-----IDE Round w/ Red LEDs-----26"-----retail-----$17.48
Hard Drive Cables-----Thermaltake-----18" Sata----- 2x-----retail-----$16.96

OS
Operating System-----Microsoft-----Windows-----Media Center Edition 2005-----OEM-----$109.99

The total cost (all prices include shipping and discounts/rebates) is $1,865.13. Any and all suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

 

[IHAVEAQUESTION]

Conroe is where it's at, and it's not that expensive.

 

[Carpathia]

I'd rather keep it AMD. The conroe that is near the price range is a tad more expensive yet operates at a slower frequency.

Here is a link to the spreadsheet, if that makes viewing easier.
http://web.bentley.edu/students/k/krug_jona/collegesys.xls

 

[Howard]

I wouldn't expect the "more MHz = better" argument from an AMD user.

 

[Carpathia]

Originally posted by: Howard
I wouldn't expect the "more MHz = better" argument from an AMD user.

What does that have to do over the intial question of "will this system work"?

 

[Howard]

It doesn't. It was a comment about your post.

I'd rather keep it AMD. The conroe that is near the price range is a tad more expensive yet operates at a slower frequency.

 

[dexvx]

If you're shelling that much for CPU/Mobo, an E6300 is better. Not only is it faster at stock speeds (equivalent to a 4600+), but overclocked it'll just blow it away.

 

[Aluvus]

Some niggles:

The power supply line lists a 500 W Smart Power, but links to a 550 W True Power II. The TPII is a better choice, but I would still personally lean more toward an Enermax unit with similar 12 V rails for less money, or something made by Fortron, Enhance, etc. Someone's bound to push it on you at some point, so I'll go ahead and mention the Seasonic S12-430.

Your school doesn't offer discounted Windows licenses?

 

[GiantPandaMan]

Staying in a dorm room? If so I'd get a quiet, smallish case. Something like the just reviewed Aguila. Will save you quite a bit of dough too. There's zero reason for you to need 10 bays.

I'll second the Conroe argument. It uses less power, so the computer should be quieter. It may be running slower on the MHz meter but only a monkey looks at that rather than the actual performance of the processor. I mean, if MHz is where it's at I have a $200 3+ GHz PentiumD I can sell you.

 

[Carpathia]

I'd like to keep the current case, and the power supply discrepency is probably me failing to fully update the spreadsheet, which I just did. The seasonic you suggested costs more than the 550w Antec.

If I go with the conroe, which I personally don't know much about, could anyone suggest a motherboard with equivlent capabiities to the Antec a8n32-sli?

Edit: The student discount on Windows XP professional is horrendous, i'm saving quite a bit using the OEM of media center.

Edit 2: I updated the origional post to include a (cheaper) intel option. I'm not sure of the motherboard (was reviewed on the main anandtech page) is the best option though, and I could use a TV tuner suggestion as well.

Thanks to all the advice/criticisms/etc.!