looking at options

[mrweirdo]

Hello I'm trying to help out a friend because they need a computer and don?t have a lot of money to buy one so I thought I would look into what it would cost to build them a cheap one. What they will be using it for is just standard internet browsing, chat, etc and maybe the occasional DVD playing. I'm thinking that onboard video and AMD Sempron is probably the way to go so I came up with a few options from newegg. All they need is the tower itself. So here?s what I have:

Option 1

mobo: GIGABYTE "GA-7VM333M-RZ" VIA KM266 Pro Motherboard -- $47
cpu: AMD Sempron 2300+ 1.583GHz - retail -- $57
ram: Kingston 512MB PC3200 DDR -- $67
hard drive: Western Digital 80GB 7200rpm 8MB buffer OEM -- $60
case: Antec "Sonata" Black ATX with 380W PSU -- $100
optical drive: Sony Black 52x32x52x16 DVD/CRW Drive OEM -- $41

total $372

Option 2

mobo: CHAINTECH "7NIF2" nForce2 IGP Motherboard -- $71
cpu: AMD Sempron 2300+ 1.583GHz - retail -- $57
ram: Kingston 512MB PC3200 DDR -- $67
hard drive: Western Digital 80GB 7200rpm 8MB buffer OEM -- $60
case: Antec "Sonata" Black ATX with 380W PSU -- $100
optical drive: Sony Black 52x32x52x16 DVD/CRW Drive OEM -- $41

total $396

Some things that I'm not sure about are what chipset to use? What are the differences between the two onboard videos? what other case options there are with good quality psus that come with them? Also I have used Gigabyte boards many times before and never had experience with Chaintech. Anyways I thought I would post and get some thoughts from others.

 

[laurenlex]

I can't help with the motherboards, but the rest of the system looks just fine.

While it is a great idea to not "cheap out" on the case, I think the Sonata might be overkill. I have this case and it's great. Antec 3700amb, and it will save about 35 bucks.

 

[mrweirdo]

thnx for the sugestion. I also just came up with anouther option to add to the mix

Option 3

barebone: ASUS Terminator Barebone System for Socket A at 333MHz FSB AMD CPU, Model A7VT -- $109
cpu: AMD Sempron 2300+ 1.583GHz - retail -- $57
ram: Kingston 512MB PC3200 DDR -- $67
hard drive: Western Digital 80GB 7200rpm 8MB buffer OEM -- $60

total $293

 

[Safeway]

Save money on your two with a cheaper case. You can get some for $10.

 

[mrweirdo]

ya I think the best route would be to build it with one of the mobos in the first two options I'm leaning towards the gigabyte mobo but i like the nforce2 beter for amd chipsets. Dont know much about the VIA chipset yet.

As for cases I'm not exactly sure what the good case manufactures with quality psu I should look for. Antec is oviously one. Can anyone recremend other case brands to look at?

 

[wisdomtooth]

Hmm... How about having your friend buy a refurbished Dell (or some other brand)? It would take the support load off of you..