New Rig On A One Grand Budget

[ScottAD]

That's the goal. A friend of mine is wanting a new computer for herself. Budget is around $1,000 USD. She isn't exactly technically inclined but she isn't computer illiterate either.

She likes new bells and whistles even if she has no understanding of them -rolls eyes- women...

Her specs:

Full Tower Case
Core 2 Duo
80 GB HDD (minimum but if theirs extra $$ for a nice fat SATA I'll put it in)
2GB DDR
DVD/CDRW (No need for DVD burning)
No specification on graphics card though I am sure a decent one since she'll need it
Same for no spec on audio card no specification
Wireless enabled
USB 2.0
Able to run Adobe Photoshop, WMP 11, Video Editing Software, other such demanding things in software

How would you spend that grand?

 

[engiNURD]

OnBoard HD Audio should be fine. Go with the E4300 and OC it to 3.0Ghz (9*333):
$180 - Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2MB L2 Cache
$105 - Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$200 - G.Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
$100 - eVGA 256-P2-N550-T2 GeForce 7600GT 256MB ($120 - $20MIR)
$80 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB 7200RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
$52 - XClio GoodPower 500W ATX 500W
$50 - Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue ATX Case
$50 - D-Link DWL-AG132 IEEE 802.11a/b/g USB 2.0 Wireless 108AG Adapter w/WPA
$31 - Lite-On 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-05
==========
$848 + tax and shipping (after rebates)

If she needs a better video card, go for this instead:
$165 - His Hightech H195PRF256DDN-R Radeon X1950PRO 256MB ($175 - $10MIR)

I know she doesnt need a DVD burner, but it can burn CD's too and they cost about the same. Anyhow, if she really doesnt want one, go with this instead:
$31 - Lite-ON Combo Drive Black SATA Model SHC-52S7K-05

 

[ScottAD]

Not a bad set-up. I'll show it to her, Anyone else for suggestions?

 

[gerwen]

Looks pretty solid, nice work.

I'd add a Freezer 7 Pro for $30 to keep the processor cool.

 

[KayKay]

Originally posted by: engiNURD
OnBoard HD Audio should be fine. Go with the E4300 and OC it to 3.0Ghz (9*333):
$180 - Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 Allendale 1.8GHz 2MB L2 Cache
$105 - Gigabyte GA-965P-S3 Socket T (LGA 775) Intel P965 Express
$200 - G.Skill 2GB (2x1GB) DDR2-800 F2-6400CL5D-2GBNQ
$100 - eVGA 256-P2-N550-T2 GeForce 7600GT 256MB ($120 - $20MIR)
$80 - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250620AS 250GB 7200RPM SATA300 16MB Cache
$52 - XClio GoodPower 500W ATX 500W
$50 - Cooler Master Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UB Black /Blue ATX Case
$50 - D-Link DWL-AG132 IEEE 802.11a/b/g USB 2.0 Wireless 108AG Adapter w/WPA
$31 - Lite-On 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-16A7S-05
==========
$848 + tax and shipping (after rebates)

If she needs a better video card, go for this instead:
$165 - His Hightech H195PRF256DDN-R Radeon X1950PRO 256MB ($175 - $10MIR)

I know she doesnt need a DVD burner, but it can burn CD's too and they cost about the same. Anyhow, if she really doesnt want one, go with this instead:
$31 - Lite-ON Combo Drive Black SATA Model SHC-52S7K-05

Very good build, go with this one,Saffleur