Ideas for a geezer computer

[MVasigh]

Cable-wise, the PSU usually comes with everything you need in the innards of the case, unless you will be SLI-ing, which you are not.

The thermal paste, you'll only really need it if you buy an OEM CPU and a 3rd party Heatsink. Retail CPUs come with a Heatsink, and the heatsinks have thermal paste already applied to the bottom, you just need to neatly place it on the CPU and lock it in.

I highly recommend mechBgon's guide to a first time build. It's thorough, has pictures, and everything else a first time builder would want.

It's right over here: http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/guides/build/

 

[aplefka]

You can get thermal compound from NewEgg for like $7, I'll link you up when I find it.

It depends; you should be able to use your current rigs IDE cables as well as the audio cables for the optical drives (should you wish to use them). I'm not sure what your final setup is looking like as I only skimmed the thread, but post a final selection and I or someone else can help you out figuring out what cables you need.

 

[Mauldigger]

Thanks MVasigh, that looks like a great place for me to learn. I am now planning on letting the wife use this machine, and I have another smaller CRT for standby, so I will need everything but a monitor, I saw newegg has a MS kb/mouse combo for around 35.00.

So I guess if you look at nick1985's list and add the kb/mouse that is what I'm looking at now. I think I can get a copy of XP thru my employer's HUP cheaper than newegg. But I don't see any cables for the three drives in the pics. I just don't want to order everything and then find out I needed something else.

BTW within a month, funds should be available for a LCD monitor.

 

[kornphlake]

Have you considered a Shuttle system? I like the look of them personally, if I were to build another system for the type of use you describe that's what I'd pick. They come with a case, powersupply, motherboard and heatsink. All you need to add are disc drives, a processor and memory and you're ready to go, unless of course you feel like you need an add on video card.

I'd pick this barebones system:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856101420

maybe this CPU:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103381

Add your favorite drives and memory and you're good to go.

Or if you want to do the 64 bit thing try this barebones system:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16856101468

Then find a processor that matches.

Personally I don't see any reason for a cutting edge processor for the usage you describe. There's little reason for any graphics card more powerful than what you'd get with an integrated solution either. On the other hand if you've got $1000 burning a hole in your pocket, you might as well go for broke and get the fastest computer you can afford that will still be plenty fast enough in 4-5 years.

 

[Texun]

Don't forget to read up on the link MecBgon has in his sig.

LINK

It's a good reference for all those little and not so little things you will most likely encounter during your build.

It's not that hard to build your own. Just read and ask questions about anything that isn't clear. I wouldn't pay too much attention to threads mentioning BIOS options or overclocking since you aren't planning on any of that.

The one thing that I firmly believe in is using a good power supply. Many stability problems can often be traced back to a marginal PS. Just because one brand may list higher wattage doesn't mean it is good enough. Antec, OCZ, Fortron, Sparkle, Seasonic and Enermax power supplies would be a good place to start. One of those with at least 380W or higher should be fine unless you get a high end video card, which I would not suggest since you aren't a heavy gamer.

Also, Newegg is a great place to shop and their service is very good but you can shop around and perhaps save a few dollars by checking out some other vendors. Mwave, Directron, ZipZoomFly have always been fair with me and just as fast, but not always super fast on RMA's if you have to return something. Newegg is about your safest bet there.

Before buying from any other online retailer you should check them out first at resellerratings.com to see how they rate. Lower prices are not always better.

 

[wfn]

ok, here's my contender (it's a shared wishlist at newegg):

http://secure.newegg.com/Oldversion/app/WishR.asp?ID=1552092

• ? AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0GHz, 512KB L2 Cache 939-Pin 64-bit Processor - Retail

• ? CHAINTECH NVIDIA nForce4 Ultra Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 939 CPU, Model "VNF4/Ultra" -RETAIL

• ? Corsair Value Select (Dual Pack) 184 Pin 512MBx2 DDR PC-3200 - OEM

• ? ImageQuest L90D+ 19" LCD Monitor w/ Speakers, 8ms and DVI ?RETAIL

• ? eVGA nVIDIA GeForce 6200 Video Card with Turbo Cache supporting 128MB*, DVI,TV-Out, PCI-Express, Model "032-TC-1N02" -RETAIL

• ? COOLER MASTER Cavalier 3 Black ATX Mid-Tower Case, Model "CAV-T03-UK" -RETAIL

• ? Antec SmartPower 2.0 400 Watt ATX12V v2.0 PSU, PCI-E Ready, Model "SP-400" -RETAIL

• ? NEC Black 16X DVD+/-R DVD Burner support Dual Layer, Model ND-3520A BK, OEM

• ? Hitachi 160GB T7k250 SATAII Hard Drive, Model HDT722516DLA380 Part# 0A31637, OEM Drive Only

There's an instant savings of $20 on the LCD monitor so the total comes out to $1004.00 I chose nVidia TC because the OP said he doesn't play many games. For pictures click on the wishlist link on the top.

 

[Mauldigger]

Is there a different wish list for the classic view on newegg? I can't find your list on the new view and I want to save it to my list. Is the case a good one? I never knew there were so many options!

 

[wfn]

here's the same list in the new version of the store:

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion/Wis...asp?ID=1552097&WishListTitle=1k+system

the case is a good one, check out the pictures. i like it better than the antecs. also the LCD panel is simply awesome, I have a dell 2001fp, xerox 17" lcd and nec 18" lcd and this Hyundai LD90+ is in a league of its own.

 

[Mauldigger]

Nick, I am thinking hard about using your recommendations for my
geezer computer.

I am adding the following:
Microsoft Black Wired Keyboard - OEM 28.00
Microsoft Windows XP Professional With Service Pack 2 - OEM 145.00

If I were to do one of the following which would you recommend:

Go to the 3200+ Venice CPU or

Add another GB of RAM

which would give better performance?
If I go with the RAM would I just order 2 of the kits you recommend?

One other thing, I was looking at the video card which is 128MB, and
the 265MB card is only 15.00 dollars more, would it be worth it??

I might want to play DOOM3 or if another Wolfenstein came out, maybe that, like I said I don't do much gaming, but I'm not completely "game-free" yet.

I've added a DVD burner to this rig and it's awful slow and the video stinks.

 

[Mauldigger]

Well I'm now writing this on my own home built system!!!! It wasn't hard at all after reading the how-to articles. I basically went with nick1985's list, but I added 2gig Ram and added a DVD drive. I haven't checked the sound (in fact I've noticed I don't have any but it may be because I don't have any speakers hooked up. but I'm just tickled I got this baby put together and running. I was worried about all that SATA stuff but I didn't do anything, just let XP run.

This thing is blazing fast compared to my old system!!

Many thanks to everyone for their help and to the AnandTech folks for a great site!

I know where to come if I have any problems. You're the best!!:thumbsup:

 

[Texun]

Congratulations!!! :beer:

 

[Furen]

Overclock it!!! hehe

 

[bjc112]

the only overclocking I know is when I stay late at work.

:beer:

 

[Sforsyth]

Originally posted by: Mauldigger
I have an old MAG 17" CRT I guess I'll be looking at a similar size LCD. I'll be ordering from newegg. Oh, do I need an additional DVD drive for burning/copying?

might just be me but I bought a DVD-Rom drive so I could copy bankedup dvd to another DVD and alot of them messed up, so I always copy to my HD first, I have 2 PC's both with only one HD and 1 DVD Burner

 

[DanDaMan315]

my bad

 

[wfn]

:beer: cheers!

 

[PsYcHoCoW]

Originally posted by: nick1985
No periphials, just computer...

PRICES REFLECT SHIPPING

Case - Antec Sonata w/380 watt true power $105

DVD burner - NEC $49

Floppy drive $12.50

Hard Drive - 160gig 8meg cache $85

RAM - gig of Mushkin value $80.83

Motherboard - Chaintech Nforce4 Ultra $95.50

CPU - Athlon64 3000 Venice Retail $148

Video Card - Gigabyte 6600 $115.50

Grand Total: $691.33


man, i have a hard time spending $1000 on a non gaming rig. but to be honest, this should be more than enough for you

I agree with these suggestions. These parts aren't overkill, yet they are powerful enough for doing everything ; even gaming wouldn't be all that bad with this video card. The case would make the whole thing pretty silent as well as neat-looking.

There's one thing I'd change in that setup ; that motherboard has a chipset fan, and my motherboard with a chipset fan (a8n-sli) is very noisy. I'd go for something like this Gigabyte board with K8T890 : http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813128288 , which is passively cooled. I don't think the K8T890 will lack important features the NF4U offers.

The video card is a nice pick ; passively cooled mid-range card. A X300 or 6200 card could be other options on the lower end (starting at 60$)

There are lots of options for case and power supplies if the buyer prefers them beige ; the Sonata recommended here is only available in black, but it is quite cheap considering its features.



edit: NM, I see it's bought already.