Nice rig for the wife!

[JShelb]

Hello all...

My wife's computer took a dump and I can't get it working. Random lock-ups and I have no idea why. I'm thinking the mobo finally took a dump on me. Capacitors with brown tops aren't stock.

Anyways, the what I have is:
Case
350 Truepower PSU
Pioneer DVD/CD Burner

I'm looking for:
Mobo
RAM
CPU

The sound/video cards are optional at this time. If the onboard is good enough for what she does, then I was just going to use them to save money and headaches.

What she does:
Plays goofy little games
Massively into iTunes and music
Word processing/school work

I just need a rig that will get her rolling and I'm looking to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $200.00 max. I haven't built a system in quite awhile that wasn't considered a gaming system and I'm kinda outta the loop.

Btw, I did look through the threads for other topics, but none were similar in what I was looking for.

Thanks in advance for any help,
-J

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Well, if you're looking for the bare minimum get an ASRock K8NF6G-VSTA with a Sempron 64 2800+. That's what I did for my landlord, and it overclocks easily to 2.0 GHz, which is plenty for everyday usage. Throw in 512MB RAM and you've got a decent setup for $127. 1GB makes $162 shipped.

If you're in the market for something a bit spicier, I'd say get one of the Pentium D 805 OEM combo deals at NewEgg or Fry's B&M. The PCChips P13G+ seems to be overclockable, which is nice. Maybe get that, the ASUS P5A2-8SB3W heatsink/fan, and 1GB (2x512MB) Patriot DDR2-667 for $191 shipped.

 

[mcurphy]

Are you looking to build with "new" parts?

I just put together a rig for my wife from used parts for about $200. I had the same parts as you laying around, so I only had to buy a Pentium 4, a mobo, GPU, and RAM. Each component was around $50, and will probably play even some new FPS games at low settings

 

[JShelb]

Yes, I'd like to build with new parts. Nothing used or refurbs.

I looked around at that ASRock Mobo and it looks like a pretty nice deal. Forgive me though, but will micro ATX fit into a regular ATX case?

Would the Stock HS/Fan combo be sufficient for the Sempron 2800+ or should I look to upgrade that setup?

Thanks for the replies...I finally have some direction.
-J

 

[yh125d]

Mobo-$60
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813138269

RAM-1gb $70
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231036

CPU-$65
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103604
Total: 194.97

The integrated video on that board is prob fine for your wife, but if you want a dedicated card, go with this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131069 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103023 combo,
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820231078, and
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130052
Total w/ 7300GT- 211.46

[edit] oh, and a dinky $5 HSF
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16835103166

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: JShelb
Yes, I'd like to build with new parts. Nothing used or refurbs.

I looked around at that ASRock Mobo and it looks like a pretty nice deal. Forgive me though, but will micro ATX fit into a regular ATX case?

Would the Stock HS/Fan combo be sufficient for the Sempron 2800+ or should I look to upgrade that setup?

Thanks for the replies...I finally have some direction.
-J

Yes, the stock hsf is perfectly fine. I have a Sempron 2800+ system running at 2.32 GHz on stock cooling. At 2.0 GHz, which is where you'll probably stop, there's no question the retail package will be plenty.

And yes, mATX fits into an ATX case.

 

[engiNURD]

I'd go with one of yh125td's builds above, if I were you. You probably only need the onboard video of the 6100.

 

[yh125d]

If you go with integrated video, also look at this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186086

Best integrated video on the market

 

[Zepper]

Yes, microATX mobos fit in ATX cases. If you want to sleep in the same room with the wife, don't put an ECS or PC Cheaps mobo in her system... Asrock are fine.

.bh.