New cpu/mobo/ram combo assistance please.

[de8212]

First of all this isn't for me. I need some help putting together a few components for a family member. I haven't bought a new motherboard since christmas 2001 so I am a little behind.
Here's the requirements:
1. Intel P4 cpu (I was thinking somewhere around 2.6 or so).
2. This will never be overclocked
3. Never play any games at all.
4. No budget given but I would estimate ~100 for mobo, ~150-175 for cpu. Not sure about RAM since I don't even know what the newer intel motherboards take.
5. Needs to be rock stable.
6. Hard drive, optical drives, etc. are being re-used from previous system.

SO any help on figuring out some worthy components is appreciated.

thanks

 

[Duvie]

What is its intended use??? A pretty powerful machine needs a use.....

Do you need all the bells and whistles??? SATA drives, IEEE 1394 ports, Onboard LAN, etc....This will drive the motherboard suggestion.....

2.6C is the current bang for the buck point for P4's so that will work fine....

Since you will not overclock the shop around for some reasonably priced name brand PC3200 that is spec'd to run cas 2.0.....

 

[de8212]

thanks duvie.

The main use for the pc will be general internet/email, some excel and maybe a bit of dvd copying/video editing type stuff.
Actually he just got a dvd burner for christmas and his old AMD 850MHz just isn't cuttin it.
Onboard LAN would be cool. No real reason for serial ATA. BUt good onboard sound would be a plus. ANd since his vid card is pretty old, on-board video would also be great if it's decent quality for dvd playback, and some light video work.

 

[ragazzo]

maybe something like this:

GA-8TRS300M

 

[Duvie]

I say get an ATI Radeon 9100 All in wonder pro and go for the great tuner/ pVR, etc solutions from it.....The intel onboard graphic really hose if you ask me...I can't stand to look at it in any mutlimedia playback period....

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: ragazzo
maybe something like this:

GA-8TRS300M

I agree with ragazzo. It's not something that I would want, but I'm sure your family member will be delighted with it, especially since he's used to using an 850mhz Athlon. And he is going to have to buy some PC3200 ram for a P4C. I bet he'll be happy with it, especially since he be getting HTing.

 

[de8212]

thanks for the link ragazzo. Only thing I see that may be a problem is that it only has 3 pci slots. I should have mentioned that I would like to get him one with at least 5. Just for future use.

Anything else by epox, asus, etc.? Don't forget the on-board stuff isn't mandatory (video, sound).

 

[myocardia]

Well, newegg has an Intel board on sale for $97, with on-board Intel graphics, and the 865-G chipset. You can't overclock with the Intel boards, but they are rock-stable. Oh, the board also has an 8x AGP slot, so he could add a new video card, if he isn't impressed with the on-board graphics. Here's the link. That's probably the best board he can get for under $100, unless someone else knows of another one.