Non Overclocker System - Need suggestions

[Zolcat]

Hi

I've been using a Celeron 333 Mhz machine for the last 5 years, and it seems time to upgrade. My requirements are:

1. Browsing + Emailing + Instant Messaging
2. Listening to Music
3. Compling C++ code
4. Scanning, Coverting Home Videos to MPEG CDs (so need fiewire)
5. Small amount of work in Open Ofifce
6. VPN to connect to office.

Thats about it. Not much Gaming intended, and dont want to touch the innards once its setup. So looking for something sturdy and stable and fast for the next three years (or five!).

Processor:
After reading the reviews, I decided to go in for an AMD chip this time around. The 333Mhz FSB chips are much more expensive than the 266Mhz chips.
Q1: Does the FSB make much difference?
Q2: The Barton core vs the non-Barton core, does that also make much difference?
Q3: If I buy an Athlon retail, is the Fan that comes with it good? And does it come with a Thermal compound? I read a lot of recommendations for Arctic Silver 2 Thermal compound.

Power:
PSU will be probably be an Antec/Thermaltake/ for around 450W. Might also go for the Thermaltake XASER3 boxes with the four fan controllers. They look pretty cool and had firewire ports at the top.

Motherboard:
Everywhere I look around I see very good reviews for the nForce2 based motherboards. I liked what I read about the Epox 8KRDA+, but if I never overclock, isnt it overkill?

Memory:
For the memory, its most probably going to be one stick of 512MB from Crucial.

Video:
For the video card, I'm thinking about the ATI 9000 64MB card.

Storage:
For the hard disk, I'm going to pull out the 60GB from my old box to the new one.

Audio and LAN, almost everyone has it onboard. Dont really need anything much.

Display:
Monitor, I already have a 21" Sony, and if I need a second one, I think I might look at one of those LCD ones. But thats later.

Keyboard:
Will look at wireless ones, any recommendations?

Mouse:
Already have a spare Logitech Optimouse wireless (and love it)

Speakers:
I have 2 Advent speakers with a woofer, going to plug out from the old into the new.

Thanks for reading my post and hope for your suggestions.

 

[Tavoc]

Q1 & Q2: There isnt that much of a difference, you should probably just save money and got with a 1700+ or a 2100+

Q3: The Retail comes with a decent HSF and it has a peel off thermal adhesive that seems to work pretty well. If you arent going to be doing any overclocking, you will not need anymore than the stock fan.

Power: You probably wont need anything above 400w for what you are doing, but it never hurts to have extra. The Xaser III is a very expensive Overclocker oriented case, It would be major overkill for the rest of the system. You will hardly need any fans to keep this cool unless you change your mind and want to overclock. If I were you I would go for a quiet case for this system, possibly the antec sonata. The sonata would also include a powersupply that would be very sufficent for your needs.

Motherboard: I assume you are talking about the Epox 8RDA+ when you said 8KRDA+. The Epox 8RDA+ is an excellent value priced nforce2 board that also happens to be a great overclocker. You dont really pay for many frills with the Epox, and I think its a very good choice for what you are planning. You will have to sacrifice a slot on the back of your PC to put the Firewire header in though.

Memory: I would think about getting 2x256 in order to use the dual channel abilities of the nforce2 board. Frankly this is one area where I would just go ahead and spend the extra money to get 2x512mb. You could get a basic 512mb stick for 50 bucks, theres no reason to go with only 512.

Video: Since you mention no need for gaming, you could probably save money and get a video integrated nforce2 motherboard like the Epox 8RGA. If not, the Radeon 9000 is a fine choice for light work.

Dont really have any suggestions for the rest of the system, good luck.

 

[AthlonXP]

Get a dell.

 

[Tavoc]

If he needed a complete system I would say dell, but as it is, he could get away with building his own for less than 400 dollars.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: AthlonXP
Get a dell.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: AthlonXP
Get a dell.

Ditto. The only thing to keep in mind is that the "cheaper" ones only come with like 256mb of ram, I'd reccomend adding in another stick. By seeing how long you keep your systems, I'd make sure to get a Pentium 4 Northwood cpu and not a celeron.

 

[dexvx]

Originally posted by: Tavoc
If he needed a complete system I would say dell, but as it is, he could get away with building his own for less than 400 dollars.

Cant beat those deals, but you'd probably wanna add memory manually.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Also, those Dell deals will you give an OS with it, a few small programs, a Hard Drive which if you dont' need you can sell on Ebay and then buy RAM with that money.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: AgaBooga
Also, those Dell deals will you give an OS with it, a few small programs, a Hard Drive which if you dont' need you can sell on Ebay and then buy RAM with that money.

Very true, i say purchase a Dell and buy another 512 stick on the side to throw on top of whatever they give ya..