Help building 3 desktop pcs for small dental office

[bradul]

I am trying to finalize a decision for 3 computers. All I need some guts of the pc (mb, ram, cpu, ps, graphics), as the other items are being re-tasked from previous pcs (case, monitors, input devices, hds, disk drives). Trying to keep cost as low as possible, shooting for about $300 each, still have to get 5 copies XP Pro (not Vista compatible), server just bought and other things. Software required specs are 2.4Ghz p4, 512-1 gb ram, Gb lan, video 3d capable direct x9 with 128 mb.

Planned:
Motherboard - Biostar T-Force TA690G AM2
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=249027

RAM - Corsair TWIN2X1024-5400C4 1GB Kit
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-13

or

RAM - WINTEC AMPO 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161067

CPU - AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core Processor 4200+ Socket AM2 (65W)

PS - Antec EA380
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371005

Graphics - thinking that onboard able to use 512 MB will be adequate?

Current total shipped with different reliable stores is $297.

Any help in the form of critiques and recommendations is welcomed.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Your software doesn't seem to demanding, if anything you might want to look for a cheap graphics card. Here's my proposal:

Power Supply: Cheaper and more reliable than that Antec.

CPU: More than enough for an office PC.

Motherboard: Heard it's a great budget board.

RAM: From you above post, and good enough.

That brings your total to about $250 (w/o shipping)

Now since your building this for dental work I assume imaging will be a big task of this computer's software, So any graphics card $30-40 would be good, especially the newer x1 and 7 series from ATI and Nvidia, better image quality.


Good Luck!

Edit: Forgot a cooler since i recommended a OEM CPU . So either pick up a cheap AM2 cooler or buy a retail CPU.

 

[bradul]

I am able to get the Antec ps for $47 shipped. It also comes with the antec 3 year warranty and I thought I had read that the Earth Watts were made by Seasonic, so of good quality. If I am mistaken I apologize.
I also forgot to specify that a requirement of the reused cases was mATX for the mb.
Would a low end separate graphics card be that much of an improvement over the 690G's onboard?
And one question I forgot, would a separate sound card have better sound input quility than current onboard options?

 

[boomerang]

As was said, you want a retail CPU.

Most software is quoted at minimum specs, make sure you have this covered.

You're going to have to get a video card as onboard isn't going to cut it. Your requirements list 128MB.

512MB of RAM is not going to be enough. Your specs list 512 to 1GB. You're going to need 1GB minimum. Remember XP needs memory too.

I'll get flamed, but I wouldn't even consider a Biostar board. Think top-tier manufacturers with a 3 year warranty. And you're going to have to buy an additional board to have a spare in case one takes a dump. Boards are only manufactured for a short time. You'll have a tough time finding one when you need it. If you're lucky enough to be able to RMA, can you afford to wait?

Onboard sound is fine for your purposes.

I consider those specs to be pretty demanding for office software. You should build in some headroom for future needs. That's a tight budget. I would look into leasing from Dell or HP.

 

[robmurphy]

The gigabit lan on these will only work upto 7K jumbo frame size. I would also check the reviews for ATI chipsets using the SB600. I'm having terrible problems with the ATI SB400 and SB450. I would want to see reviews of its IO perfromance before even considering a motherboard with an ATI south bridge. If onboard graphics is not going to make the grade you would be better of without it.

Just my 2p worth.

Rob Murphy.

 

[bradul]

Any recommendations then for a top tier manufacturer mb, mATX and graphics card?

 

[bradul]

How does this motherboard look - ASUS M2NBP-VM CSM Socket AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131072

Would the Quadro be a capable solution or should I still be looking for separate. The low end cards seem overpriced for performance.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Originally posted by: bradul
How does this motherboard look - ASUS M2NBP-VM CSM Socket AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131072

Would the Quadro be a capable solution or should I still be looking for separate. The low end cards seem overpriced for performance.

The Asus MB is a good option too for the price. I still think a stand-alone GPU would be a good idea, but perhaps you should test the software on the integrated graphics first? It may work fine, and if not then make a GPU purchase after the matter?

I really think your biggest needs are at least 1gb system RAM, and at least 128mb GPU RAM as by your software's requirements. Even the cheapest X2 CPU's will be more than enough.

 

[boomerang]

I second Asus boards.

 

[SeTeS]

At $300 bucks each, wouldn't you be almost just as well off getting some boxes from dell with the OS already included?

New equipment, less headache. Take the old stuff and sell, donate, or combine the drives into one box and make a NAS or similiar.

 

[bradul]

Dell adds a premium for XP machines, and I would still have to add a video card for which they charge too much, and upgrade the ram.

Looking at this now -
MB - ASUS M2NBP-VM CSM Socket AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131072

CPU - AMD 4200 x2 AM2
http://clubit.com/product_detail.cfm?itemno=CA1906818

RAM - Corsair TWIN2X1024-5400C4 1GB Kit
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=85016-13

PS - Antec 380W ATX12V 2.2v EA
http://www.ajump.com/ajump/product.asp?...3&sku=99%2D99%2D99%2D99%2D99%2D4830033

GPU - ASUS EAX1550/TD/256M Radeon X1550 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121059

OS - Windows XP pro 32 bit

Total $511 - shipped and tax

Dell OptiPlex Mini-Tower
4200 x2
1 GB
80 GB sata
no media drive
XP pro
256MB PCIe x16 ATI Radeon X1300 Pro

Total - $813 - w/o shipping and tax

And I need to build 3 or 4, so thats a possible $1200 savings or am I crazy, and I apologize for all the questions.

 

[bradul]

ASUS M2NBP-VM CSM Socket AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
$74.99

Asus GeForce EN6200TC512/TD 256M DDR2 PCI-E
$48.00

FSP Group (Fortron Source) Green PS FSP300-60GLN ATX2.0 300W Power Supply - OEM
$31.99

A-DATA 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model ADQPE1A16K - Retail
$114.99

Microsoft Windows XP Pro SP2b 1pk - OEM
$139.99

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+(65W) Windsor 2.0GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADO3800CUBOX - Retail
$91.99

Total - $517 shipped

 

[RebateMonger]

If you are working for free (ordering, assembling, testing, warrantying, installing software, and repairing) the Dentist's PCs, then you might be able to save a few bucks by building them. Hopefully you are available to fix them for free at a later time.

But otherwise, you are comparing apples and oranges.

Dell provides a complete PC (case, keyboard, mouse, MB, RAM, CPU, and, often, an LCD monitor) pre-built and pre-tested with the software pre-installed and with a one- or three-year warranty. You only have to perform a single order and only deal with a single company.

 

[slackerinabox]

Get dell refurbs. them bugging dell instead of you is a good thing

 

[alocurto]

I would go with Dell. At this point in time I only build custom PCs for myself, my family, friends and select home customers. Most businesses have the money to spend. It's amazing how they try to always be cheap on the equipment that RUNS THEIR BUSINESS. I got sick of the headaches. In terms of labor and parts, Dell PCs are cheapst... in my opinion anyway.

 

[alocurto]

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Get dell refurbs. them bugging dell instead of you is a good thing

He beat me to it. This is a business.

 

[slackerinabox]

Originally posted by: alocurto

Originally posted by: freedomsbeat212
Get dell refurbs. them bugging dell instead of you is a good thing

He beat me to it. This is a business.

Yessir. I'm guessing you're young and a friend of your dad thought it would be cute to support your hobby by offering you a cookie.

Any real business would care about 24/7 support and, most of all, accountability. The motherboard craps out and what do you do? What would dell do? I used to build computers for friends and often I'd buy new parts out of my pocket because the RMA procedure took too long and I didn't want my friends to be without a computer...

Also, why do dentists need dual core chips? On dell outlet you can get a Sempron with 512mb ram and a WARRANTY for $269.. Plenty of ommph for their meager needs. hell, I worked at an investment bank that probably still uses Pentium IIs and they did millions of dollars worth of business every day... Be realistic here and DON'T walk into a world of pain. If you're evil plan is to make profit and not help these guys out, act as a consultant - order the dells for them and charge set up/consultation fees.