Help me spec out a parts list for a friend

[yelo333]

He already has a raptor 74gb HD, and a nec 3520a dvd-burner.

Some notes about usage

-little to no gaming
-will likely be used mostly for general internet/development work
-will probably stick around for awhile as their main computer. Their current box is a p2/300mhz dell. This also means upgradability is a must, which is why it's PCI-E based, even though there will not be much in the way of gaming.
-will probably also be used to expierment with linux.
-no overclocking. Stability comes before everything.
-Silence is a concern. This is why I am getting
Budget is somewhere around $800, though, if necessary, he does not mind spending a bit more.

My current idea:
HD: $150: (already own) Raptor 74gb
DVD: $70: (already own) NEC 3520a (purchased before the price drop to $50)
Mobo: $120: Asus A8N-E mobo (ZZF)
Case: $90: Antec SLK3800B (amazon.com) (comes with 400w 24-pin antec smartpower 2.0 psu)
CPU: $146: A64 3000+ Venice(chiefvalue.com)
Ram: $86: Corsair value select 1gb stick(chiefvalue)(CAS 3/1 true 1gb stick, not 2x512)
GPU: $48.00 sapphire radeon X300 SE(chiefvalue)

Total: $704
Questions:

1.) Should I consider spending the extra $20 or so It would cost to get the case at chiefvalue or ZZF instead of amazon? Has anybody bought cases/electronics at amazon.com? What kind of shipping time should I be expecting? The extent of my experience with amazon has been all books.
2.) Would it be worth it to go with the A64 3200+ instead of the 3000+ and spend an extra $44?
3.) Since there will be no overclocking going on, is there a reason to go with 2x512 instead of 1x1gb?
4.) Since linux will be used, would it be a good idea to spend the extra $20, and go with a nvidia turbocache 32mb card?
5.) Since I am slightly under-budget, any really good upgrades I should consider?
6.) Would a soundcard be a good idea, ditching the integrated? Basically, the sound needs to be ok, and good, but in no way will this computer be used for some sort of home theatre setup. Chances are, it will be hooked up to a simple 2 speaker setup, the set that came with the dell.
7.) Also in light of upgrades, would it be worth it to get the A8N-SLI if there is even the slightest chance firewire might be needed at some point? Besides the obvious SLI and firewire, any good reasons go wo with the -SLI instead of the -E? My main reasoning for the -E is that it should already have the quieter, newer revision chipset fan installed. However, the decision to go -SLI or -E is almost a coin-toss in my mind right now. Any stability issues with the one but not the other could easily tip the scales.

Thanks for reading, I look forward to reading your comments!

 

[poisonthewell]

1) I just bought an Antec SLK1650B from amazon. In comparing prices it was cheaper there by around $15. Arrived to me in 3 days I believe.
6) The Chaintech AV-710 is a nice cheap card and works well with a 2.1 setup.

 

[PerfeK]

Originally posted by: yelo333
1.) Should I consider spending the extra $20 or so It would cost to get the case at chiefvalue or ZZF instead of amazon? Has anybody bought cases/electronics at amazon.com? What kind of shipping time should I be expecting? The extent of my experience with amazon has been all books.
2.) Would it be worth it to go with the A64 3200+ instead of the 3000+ and spend an extra $44?
3.) Since there will be no overclocking going on, is there a reason to go with 2x512 instead of 1x1gb?
4.) Since linux will be used, would it be a good idea to spend the extra $20, and go with a nvidia turbocache 32mb card?
5.) Since I am slightly under-budget, any really good upgrades I should consider?
6.) Would a soundcard be a good idea, ditching the integrated? Basically, the sound needs to be ok, and good, but in no way will this computer be used for some sort of home theatre setup. Chances are, it will be hooked up to a simple 2 speaker setup, the set that came with the dell.
7.) Also in light of upgrades, would it be worth it to get the A8N-SLI if there is even the slightest chance firewire might be needed at some point? Besides the obvious SLI and firewire, any good reasons go wo with the -SLI instead of the -E? My main reasoning for the -E is that it should already have the quieter, newer revision chipset fan installed. However, the decision to go -SLI or -E is almost a coin-toss in my mind right now. Any stability issues with the one but not the other could easily tip the scales.

1) Amazon is fine. I bought my Sonata there.
2) No, the 3000+ is more than enough.
3) Go with 512*2. It will run in dual channel. There is no reason to go 1024*1.
4) It depends on which you prefer. I tend to go with nvidia when I buy low end stuff simply because I am familiar with their drivers. It's up to you.
5) I'd upgrade the case if I had $100 burning a hole in my pocket.
6) No, you do not need a soundcard. Nforce4 onboard is more than enough for them.
7) The nforce4 Ultra boards are supposed to have firewire. Do not, for any reason, buy an SLI board.

 

[yelo333]

Originally posted by: poisonthewell
1) I just bought an Antec SLK1650B from amazon. In comparing prices it was cheaper there by around $15. Arrived to me in 3 days I believe.

Hmm...So, I'll probably get the case at amazon...thanks!

6) The Chaintech AV-710 is a nice cheap card and works well with a 2.1 setup.

OK, I'll keep that in mind if he decides he does not like the sound quality of the integrated sound. Perhaps the best route is build it and try it. If the sound just isn't up to par, just spend the extra $20 for the AV-710.

Originally posted by: PerfeK
1) Amazon is fine. I bought my Sonata there.

There seems to be a concensus here... 🙂

2) No, the 3000+ is more than enough.

As I was suspecting. Just wanted to make sure.

3) Go with 512*2. It will run in dual channel. There is no reason to go 1024*1.

I'm note entirely sure I understand your reasoning here. Dual channel seems pointless on the A64, or at least, I have yet to see a real-life difference performance-wise. Is it the fact 1x1024 is CAS 3, as opposed to CAS 2.5? How big a performance difference would I be seeing here? Having 3 open ram slots seems like a big plus to going 1x1gb.

4) It depends on which you prefer. I tend to go with nvidia when I buy low end stuff simply because I am familiar with their drivers. It's up to you.

Considering their better linux support, I can really see going nvidia instead. On the windows front, though, I like both brand's drivers. I have both nvidia and ati cards running, and have yet to have significant problems with either. I guess this one depends on how much playing around with linux he really plans to do. Anybody know if the X300SE PCI-E is even supported under linux in the first place?

5) I'd upgrade the case if I had $100 burning a hole in my pocket.

To what? I'm open to suggestions. Suggesting the slk3800b was only because I've had experience with other cases from the slk line, and find them to be built very well. If this one is any different, please say so! It seems to me that with such a weak graphics card, the PSU is going to be absolutely fine for this system. Any features in the Sonata II that make it worth the extra $60?

6) No, you do not need a soundcard. Nforce4 onboard is more than enough for them.

OK. As I stated earlier, I think I'll just play a wait-and-see with this one.

7) The nforce4 Ultra boards are supposed to have firewire. Do not, for any reason, buy an SLI board.

Well, the A8N-E does not. Perhaps it was because the firewire made the board unstable, or they were rushing it. If it's either of those, that would def. tip the scales in favor of the A8N-SLI. Another "feature" of the A8N-SLI would be that I could consolidate my order more because that's avaliable at chiefvalue. Getting an Asus-made board is very important to me. The steps they have taken to ensure replacement for the chipset fan is, IMO, very commendable. I have heard enough bad things about the other boards that I really don't feel good recommending them considering everything is going to be running stock. However, once again, if there is a board you really like, I'd be very happy to hear about it.

Thanks for all the help so far!

Questions I still have(lettered to reduce confusion with my previous questions):

A) Why not go 1x1gb?
B) What are the feature differences between the A8N-E and the A8N-SLI besides firewire and SLI?
C) Keeping in mind everything is staying stock, and the fact I'm around $100 under-budget (though, keeping the build at $700 is absolutely fine), are there any parts I should swap out for others?
D) What would be a good case/psu setup, if it's not the slk3800b?