New rig for my old man *Your thoughts*

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Spawne32

Senior member
Aug 16, 2004
230
0
0
Hey guys, just like to hear your thoughts on my setup for a business computer for my dad, it will mainly be used for word processing, accounting, internet and small games, like card games and such he likes to play. Heres the list of parts i put together, its just the tower mainly altho if you have links to cheap parts like monitors and stuff like that it would be great, most of the prices are from newegg.com anything other should have a link.

Intel Celeron (Pentium 4 based) 1.7 GHz 400MHz FSB, 128K Cache - Retail

Model# BX80531P170G128
Item # N82E16819112169
$57.00

MSI "P4MAM-V" P4M266A Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL

Model# P4MAM-V
Item # N82E16813130456
$42.00

Kreton 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-2100 - Retail

Model# PC2100 256MB KRTN
Item # N82E16820207018
$38.00

CasEdge Black/Silver Micro ATX Mini Tower Case with 300W Power Supply, Model "TLM436" -RETAIL

Model# TLM436
Item # N82E16811153028
$30.75

MSI nVIDIA GeForce MX4000 Video Card, 64MB DDR, TV-Out, 8X AGP, Model "MX4000-T64" -RETAIL

Model# MX4000-T64
Item # N82E16814127128
$38.00

20 GB E.I.D.E. MAXTOR or Western Digital 5400 RPM ATA / 100 2MB, 8.9 ms
http://www.upgrade-solution.co...mp;PID=246&add=yes
$36.79

ROUND, 12-Inch, True ATA133/100, IDE Cable, Aluminum shielded, 2-Head ( CLEAR ), Specially shielded with Copper Aluminum Mesh -OEM

Model# 21AT-R1212-CL
Item # N82E16812104125
$2.99

Unincom ROUND, 10-Inch, Floppy drive cable, Booted, 2-Connector ( BLACK ), Single-device -RETAIL

Model# FLOPPY-10BLACK
Item # N82E16812181002
$1.99

Lite-On SK-7260 Black/ Silver RF Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse -RETAIL

Model# SK-7260(O)
Item # N82E16823107116
$23.00


TOTAL $271
 
mechBgon

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
0
I'd build an nForce or nForce2 system with integrated video and high-quality RAM and PSU. Something like:

Shuttle MN31L (dual-head VGA, onboard LAN, audio, USB 2.0, 2-year warranty)
Antec SLK3700AMB case with Antec SL350 PSU (quality stuff, 3-year warranty)
512MB Crucial PC2700 memory (lifetime warranty)
Retail-boxed AthlonXP 2500+ (3-year warranty)
40GB Seagate 7200.7 hard drive (quiet, 5-year warranty)
Lite-On DVD-ROM drive (black)
Floppy drive (black)
WindowsXP Professional (supported to 2009, works in a domain/VPN situation)
McAfee VirusScan 8.0 Professional (each VS 8.0 Pro is a two-computer license, by the way)


Our fleet at work consists about 50% of systems I built myself. I don't suggest buying bottom-of-the-barrel hardware if they'll be expected to hold up year after year after year. But it's your choice :) The bottom link in my signature shows one of my builds going together, if you want to see approximately what it would look like built.
 
S

Snoop

Golden Member
Oct 11, 1999
1,424
0
76
Originally posted by: mechBgon
I'd build an nForce or nForce2 system with integrated video and high-quality RAM and PSU. Something like:

Shuttle MN31L (dual-head VGA, onboard LAN, audio, USB 2.0, 2-year warranty)
Antec SLK3700AMB case with Antec SL350 PSU (quality stuff, 3-year warranty)
512MB Crucial PC2700 memory (lifetime warranty)
Retail-boxed AthlonXP 2500+ (3-year warranty)
40GB Seagate 7200.7 hard drive (quiet, 5-year warranty)
Lite-On DVD-ROM drive (black)
Floppy drive (black)
WindowsXP Professional (supported to 2009, works in a domain/VPN situation)
McAfee VirusScan 8.0 Professional (each VS 8.0 Pro is a two-computer license, by the way)


Our fleet at work consists about 50% of systems I built myself. I don't suggest buying bottom-of-the-barrel hardware if they'll be expected to hold up year after year after year. But it's your choice :) The bottom link in my signature shows one of my builds going together, if you want to see approximately what it would look like built.
Click to expand...

Ditto, nice overall system, great motherboard, Decent video, upgradable Processor. Forget the Celeron :D
 
G

Gibson12345

Member
Aug 31, 2002
191
0
0
Get an Intel chipset if you go Intel, nVidia if you go AMD. VIA is an AWFUL company, as is MSI, so I'd definately swap your motherboard for something else. You're going to pay a bit more, but I'd up the case to an Antec or other reputable brand, and the RAM to Crucial. Integrated video, if you can find it, should save you some money, too.

It's ok to skimp on speed in a business rig (which is why the Celeron and 256mb RAM is ok), but you don't want to skimp on reliability. Buy quality products with quality warranties.
 
B

Bar81

Banned
Mar 25, 2004
1,835
0
0
Definitely go AXP I just built one for my pops and he couldn't be happier.
 
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Spawne32

Senior member
Aug 16, 2004
230
0
0
lol that is far too expensive for the budget i have and besides i need it to be a microatx system, im dealing with a limited space situation. you reccomend mcfee virus scan over norton?
 
mechBgon

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
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Originally posted by: Spawne
lol that is far too expensive for the budget i have and besides i need it to be a microatx system, im dealing with a limited space situation. you reccomend mcfee virus scan over norton?
Click to expand...
What I would really recommend is VirusScan Enterprise 8.0i. Talk to McAfee's reps if you want a quote. If you're getting off-the-shelf home-grade antivirus software then I think VirusScan 8.0 Professional may be a little easier to set up, and it'll update its defs even from a Restricted User account. I got Norton AntiVirus 2004 for my mom's system and had to do some special tweaking to get its LiveUpdate to run from her Restricted User account.

As for the hardware, if you want to focus on mere up-front cost of the actual computer, then I think that's very short-sighted.
 
G

Gibson12345

Member
Aug 31, 2002
191
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0
The Gigabyte board that you posted looks fine: it's from a good company and a VERY stable chipset with onboard video to boot.

As much as I detest VIA/MSI, though, the real problem is your power supply. Too much can go wrong if your power supply is cheap, and it's a pain in the ass to troubleshoot. Better to spend the extra $20 on an Antec ($49 @ Newegg) for the peace of mind. You're saving a few bucks with your new motherboard, anyway, by not getting a video card.

Also, spend the extra $8 for a stick of memory from Crucial ($46 @ Newegg). It's one less thing to worry about.

Ditch the rounded cables (your motherboard will come with cables), make my suggested changes, and you're still well under $300. There's free anti-virus and firewall software out there, too, and you probably have a copy of Windows lying around from an old PC. It might not be XP, but if you're on an extreme budget, you have to go with what you have.
 
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trexpesto

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2004
1,237
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0
You can get this real Real nice machine for $350: :) :) :)

$71 Biostar M7NGC 400
$68 2400+ Sempron Retail with HSF
$75 Antec SLK3700AMB with PSU
$44 Corsair 256MB PC-2700 2.5-3-3-6
$50+shipping 80 gig Maxtor but you can find a better deal on special
$10 After $40 rebate Mad Dog DVD Burner

Total: $318, under 350 shipped with your keyboard, mouse, and floppy, and including tax. That's if you can't find a better HD deal.
This machine has the DVD burner (you didn't have a CD on your list?) and the important components are almost twice as good.
I would spring for the Barton 2500+ for that extra oomph, but it's $25 more for the Retail version. That and double the memory for still ~400.
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
10,225
126
I have to say, the original computer, as specced, seems to be a bit "penny-wise, but pound-foolish". For the same range of prices, you can get a much less-crippled system, by going with an AMD Athlon-based solution. I would recommend an XP2000-2500 CPU, on a Biostar M7NCG board (combined shouldn't be much more than $100-120), $70 for a 512MB DIMM, $40 for a case with a decently-rated (but still generic, most likely) PSU, $20 for a half-decent mouse and keyboard, or that much apiece for corresponding Logitech items, if you can find them on sale, and then go from there. I also really recommend at least a 4X DVD burner (both for watching moves, and backup purposes), and a 7200 RPM HD. HD prices have been dropping like rocks, no reason to stick him with a slow, old, tiny 5400 RPM drive.

Aww... scratch that. I didn't realize that you wanted a MicroATX system. In that case, go with what 'mech' suggested, you really can't go wrong. :)

Edit: for the record, that post from trexpesto wasn't there when I started composing my post. Guess he just types faster. I heartily endorse his choices though. :)
 
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TwoBills

Senior member
Apr 11, 2004
734
0
76
Check out the Chenbro mATX desktop cases at NE. The latest one comes with a 270w Fortron psu.
 
J

justly

Banned
Jul 25, 2003
493
0
0
I agree with the others that AMD is a better choice than a Celeron on a VIA motherboard. On the other hand I think an nVidia chipset is overkill for a business machine, SiS would be my choice here. Something like the ASRock "K7S41GX" should do fine for your needs at a much lower cost ($42). A retail Sempron (like the 2400+ at Newegg for $66) should also fit the bill for a business machine.

A 7200 rpm hard drive and name brand memory should also not be overlooked to save a few dollars, and if a budget is so important then dump the rounded cables and use the cables that come with the motherboard. What you save by going with the standard cables and integrated video should be enough to upgrade the hard drive and memory.

 
T

trexpesto

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2004
1,237
0
0
Oops, yeah I meant 2400+. Also you can round your regular IDE cables with a few zip ties - you dont need to slice them.
That mobo will save you 24 bucks, and it's mATX.
Originally posted by: TwoBills
Check out the Chenbro mATX desktop cases at NE. The latest one comes with a 270w Fortron psu.
Click to expand...
The only one I saw with a 270 PSU cost 63.49 shipped and the PSU wasn't Fortron. :( Got a link?


So far:
$47 ASRock "K7S41GX"
$68 2400+ Sempron Retail with HSF
$75 Antec SLK3700AMB with PSU
$44 Corsair 256MB PC-2700 2.5-3-3-6
$50+shipping 80 gig Maxtor but you can find a better deal on special
$10 After $40 rebate Mad Dog DVD Burner

SubTotal: $294

Now we need to find a cheaper, mATX case+PSU? What style, laydown or tower?

 
R

Richard98

Golden Member
Jan 30, 2001
1,093
0
0
I'd get him a Dell and let them do the tech support. This seems to be a pretty decent deal to me:
Dimension 2400 with Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor (2.80GHz, 533 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition and a MONITOR for $399 after MIR

Text
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Originally posted by: Richard98
I'd get him a Dell and let them do the tech support. This seems to be a pretty decent deal to me:
Dimension 2400 with Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor (2.80GHz, 533 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition and a MONITOR for $399 after MIR

Text
Click to expand...
Also your dad might not want a pirate copy of Windows for a business computer. Some dads still believe that stealing software is wrong, mmkay? :)
 
T

trexpesto

Golden Member
Jun 3, 2004
1,237
0
0
Originally posted by: Richard98
I'd get him a Dell and let them do the tech support. This seems to be a pretty decent deal to me:
Dimension 2400 with Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor (2.80GHz, 533 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition and a MONITOR for $399 after MIR
Click to expand...
direct LINK
Cheap deal with the monitor and OS. 256 Shared memory. Today only it says.
 
mechBgon

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
1
0
Originally posted by: trexpesto
Originally posted by: Richard98
I'd get him a Dell and let them do the tech support. This seems to be a pretty decent deal to me:
Dimension 2400 with Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor (2.80GHz, 533 FSB), Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition and a MONITOR for $399 after MIR
Click to expand...
direct LINK
Cheap deal with the monitor and OS. 256 Shared memory. Today only it says.
Click to expand...
XP Home, for a business system? :confused:
 
I

iwantanewcomputer

Diamond Member
Apr 4, 2004
5,045
0
0
i'd actually recomend considering a dell for bottom o the line. the service will be better than having warranties for every different part and you don't have to pay extra for windows

or

go with one of the above amd xp 2000-2500 options. it won't seem like a piece of crap for a few more years compared to the celeron system which was a piece years ago
also dump the xp pro if you go with this. waste o money. install it from a cd you already have or learn linux
 
S

Spawne32

Senior member
Aug 16, 2004
230
0
0
mine dont :D

thanks alot for the help guys i got alot of new ideas here to work with, ill be able to put somthing together thats far better then i would have had. i appreciate it.
 
S

Spawne32

Senior member
Aug 16, 2004
230
0
0
ok guys i spent hours going over the parts and i think i have finally got a good combination here for the right price...

--Hardware--

AMD Sempron 2400+ 1.667GHz, Socket A Processor - Retail

Model# SDA2400BOX
Item # N82E16819104210
$66.00

ASRock "K7S41GX" SiS741GX Chipset Motherboard for AMD Socket A CPU -RETAIL

Model# K7S41GX
Item # N82E16813157022
$42.00

Mushkin Basic Green 184 Pin 256MB DDR PC-2700 - Retail

Model# 990961
Item # N82E16820146214
$41.00

CasEdge Black/Silver Micro ATX Mini Tower Case with 300W Power Supply, Model "TLM436" -RETAIL

Model# TLM436
Item # N82E16811153028
$30.75

Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model 6E040L0, OEM Drive only

Model# 6E040L0
Item # N82E16822140133
$47.49

ROUND, 12-Inch, True ATA133/100, IDE Cable, Aluminum shielded, 2-Head ( CLEAR ), Specially shielded with Copper Aluminum Mesh -OEM

Model# 21AT-R1212-CL
Item # N82E16812104125
$2.99

Unincom ROUND, 10-Inch, Floppy drive cable, Booted, 2-Connector ( BLACK ), Single-device -RETAIL

Model# FLOPPY-10BLACK
Item # N82E16812181002
$1.99

Lite-On SK-7260 Black/ Silver RF Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse -RETAIL

Model# SK-7260(O)
Item # N82E16823107116
$23.00


TOTAL $254



now i know theres some things on there like cd drive and stuff that arent listed, thats because either they arent being purchased until xmas time or i already have them. The case im still iffy with, i havent found a case i liked yet that wasnt too expensive, not to mention it has to be a miniatx mini tower. that sempron 2400 i have up there could end up being a 2200 if i get it off of ebay for 10 bucks :D
 
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