Novice Building a New System - Please Help!

[dthyer]

I haven't built a computer in years. I've agreed to build a new system for my cousin. This will be good practice as I hope to upgrade myself in a few months.

She is looking for a system that will not be obsolete for a while. It should also be upgradeable in the future. They will do a bit of gaming (they already own a PS2 and XBox), standard MS Office apps, MP3 downloading, DV NLE editing and DVD authoring of home movies in the near future, and watching DVD's on a small TV through the TV out. Their budget is not defined, however, I need to keep the costs at the best performance/value for the buck while preserving upgradeability.

Below is what I am considering for them. Please share any advice that you have. (I'm not sensative.) Will I need any additional fans, accessories or anyhing else when I get ready to assemble?

Qty Product Item # Unit Price Qty x Price

Cases (Computer Cases, ATX Form)
AMS GMONO Model#CF-2029 (BLACK) MID-TOWER CASE- RETAIL
Unique High Gloss Car Paint Finish case w/ 1/3" Clear Acrylic Front Bezel, All Folded Edges, Front USB/Audio ports, 250/300/350w P4 Power Supply ready, & a strong Steel Construction.
Specifications:
Material: Steel
Driver Bays: External 4 X 5.25" - 2 X 3.5" Internal 4 X 3.5"
System Board: AT/ATX
Expansion Slot: 7 Slots
Standard Fans: 1 X 80mm (front)
Optional Fans: 2 X 80mm (rear) or 1 X 120mm Intake Fan Option (rear)
Dimension:19"(L) x 8"(W) x 17"(H) ***No Power Supply*** more info>
N82E16811180013 $45.00
I'm hoping that they offer the version with the clear window that they now make. Is there a better sub-$50 case?

CD/DVD Burners (RW Drives)
►Hot Item! Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-48246SBlack OEMBuffer underrun error free & automatically adjust writing strategy plus running OPC to meet various burning condition.
Specifications:
Speed : Recording 48Xmax CAV Re-writing 24X High-Speed CLV Reading 48Xmax CAV
Interface : ATAPI-E/IDE, support up to Ultra-DMA Mode2 33.3MB/sec
Access Time : 80ms (typical)
Buffer Memory Size: 2MB
Operating System : Windows 95/98/NT/XP/2000/ME
MTBF : 70'000 Power On Hours with 25% Duty
OEM (Comes with Software, Manual and Audio cable.) more info>
N82E16827106189 $59.99
$59.99

CD/DVD ROM Drives
Lite-On 16x DVD Model LTD-166 Black
Specifications:
Speed VD-ROM 16X (6.4X~16X) - CD-ROM 48X (20X~48X)
Interface : ATAPI-E/IDE
Sustained Transfer Rate : Support up to Ultra-DMA/33 33.3MB/sec
Burst Transfer Rate : Support up to Ultra-DMA/33 33.3MB/sec
Access Time : 120ms (typical)
MTBF : 70'000 Power On Hours with 20% Duty
Supported OS: DOS 6.xx, Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP, OS2 Warp
OEM (Contains Power DVD software) **Black Color** more info>
N82E16827131109 $46.99
$46.99

Memory (System Memory)
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 256MB PC3000 DDR RAM 370MHz - OEM
CMX256A-3000C2 DDR, PC3000 32x64, Non-ECC, 184-Pin, CAS2 -Unbuffered Requires DDR supported Motherboard - Lifetime Warranty. more info>
N82E16820145402 $104.00
$208.00
This may be overkill, but they may upgrade the CPU in the future.

Motherboards - AMD
Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon/XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail
Specifications:
CPU Supported: Socket A AMD Athlon/XP/Duron (support AMD XP2800) Throughbred core CPU ready
Chipset: NVIDIA nForce2 SPP, nForce2 MCP-T
FSB: 333/266/200MHz
IDE: 2x channel ATA133
RAM: 3x 184-pin DIMM Sockets (PC3200/PC2700/PC2100 non-ECC DDR Ram)
Slots: 1x AGP (Pro/8X), 5x PCI
Ports: 6x USB(2.0),
Onboard Serial ATA: Silicon Image Sil 3112A Controller with 2 ports, support RAID 0/1
Onboard Audio: Realtek ALC650 6-ch w/built in amplifier, integrated APU (Audio Processor Unit), Soundstorm Encoder
Onboard LAN: MCP integrated 3Com MAC + Broadcom AC101L PHY
Onboard Firewire 1394: 2 Ports MCP-T integrated IEEE 1394a + Realtek PHY 8801B more info>
N82E16813131436 $153.00
$153.00
Do I need to get the Asus SPDiF attachment with this board to use the Labtec Z-640 speakers?

Power Supplies
Antec 480W Power Supply TRUE480 ATX Form Factor, ATX12V compliant for Pentium 4 (backward compatible with previous Pentium versions) and AMD systems
+5V Stand-By & Logic On/Off Antec Low Noise Technology Maximum Power 480W Dimensions - L5.9" x W5.5" x H3.4" UL, CSA, TUV, CB, CE, NEMKO Approved more info>
N82E16817103909 $91.00
$91.00
I may downgrade this to the TRUE380

Processors
►Hot Item! AMD Athlon XP 2000+/266 FSB Processor CPU - 2000+/ 1.67GHz -Retail Box
BOX2000DMT3C. 3 Years Warranty. The AMD Athlon XP processor with QuantiSpeed architecture powers the next generation in computing platforms, delivering extra performance for cutting-edge applications and an extra-ordinary computing experience.world's highest overall performing PC processor.
Specifications:
CPU: 1.67 GHz
Type: 2000 XP
Cache: 256K
BUS: 266MHz
Socket A (PGA)
Retail (Box with Heatsink and Fan) more info>
N82E16819103327 $90.00
$90.00
The 2100+ is out of stock. They may opt for the 2400+ .13 micron or the 2700+. Would they notice the performance increase as much as the dent in their wallet?

Speakers
Logitech Z640 5.1 Speaker - RETAIL
Patented subwoofer design delivers twice the bass energy of conventional designs
Innovative satellite design with rotating pedestals that allow for wall or desk placement
Internal power supply eliminates bulky wall adapters
Easily hook it up to your video game console with our included adapter cable... no need for an external amplifier or receiver! more info>
N82E16836121104 $67.00
$67.00
$20.00 mail in rebate on these now as well. These are the cheapest 5.1 speakers I could find. How will I connect these to the A7n8x board to get DD 5.1?

Video Cards
ATI RADEON 9500 PRO 128MB DDR DVI AGP RETAIL
Specifications:
Chipset:9500 PRO Visual Processing Unit
Engine clock: 275 MHz
Memory:128MB of double data rate SDRAM
Memory speed: 540 MHz
Eight parallel rendering pipelines
Four parallel geometry engines
128-bit DDR memory interface
BUS: AGP 8X support
OS Support: Windows® XP, Windows® 2000, Windows® Me
Ports; VGA + DVI + S-Video
Retail box (see pics for details) more info>
N82E16814102256 $201.00
$201.00
I'm open to a cheaper card if you have a recommendation. It should have a good TV-Out. They may add a realtime DV editing card in the future.

Subtotal » $961.98
Shipping and Handling Charge »
>How Newegg.com calculates shipping< $ 30.00
Grand Total » $ 991.98

I plan to build this with an old ATA 100 hard drive. I plan to add two of the Seagate Serial ATA 80 or 120 MB drives in a RAID 0 configuration next month when they are available. To best utilize the board for future video editing.

OS - Windows XP Home-SP1 upgrade.

Thanks for the help! -Drew

 

[SuperPickle]

Originally posted by: dthyer
Will I need any additional fans, accessories or anyhing else when I get ready to assemble?
Probably. You'll want the intake 120mm fan and the dual exhaust. If you are handy with tools, cutting out the prefabbed grill and slapping on a normal chrome grill will increase airflow and decrease noise.

I'm hoping that they offer the version with the clear window that they now make. Is there a better sub-$50 case?
stylish case at a good price. fan in front of 3.5" bays will be nice for HDD cooling.

&#9658;Hot Item! Lite On 48x24x48 CDRW Model LTR-48246SBlack
nice drive

Memory (System Memory)
CORSAIR MEMORY XMS Extreme Memory Speed Series 256MB PC3000 DDR RAM 370MHz
Corsair is a nice choice. Quality RAM

Asus Motherboard for AMD Athlon/XP/Duron Processors, Model# A7N8X Deluxe Retail
Do I need to get the Asus SPDiF attachment with this board to use the Labtec Z-640 speakers?
solid board with lots of bells and whistles. Can't say for sure about the SPDiF, but I doubt it. Analog should be just fine
Power Supplies
Antec 480W Power Supply
I may downgrade this to the TRUE380
great PSU. Downgrading might be OK, but if they're looking to pack a pile of HDDs in there, the extra juice would be nice...especially with a speedy CPU and that big ol' vid-card

AMD Athlon XP 2000+/266 FSB Processor CPU - 2000+/ 1.67GHz -Retail Box
They may opt for the 2400+ .13 micron or the 2700+. Would they notice the performance increase as much as the dent in their wallet?
the 2700+ would be grand, but the cost is pretty damn steep. The 2400 is probably a nice middle for speed vs. heat vs. cost
Speakers
Logitech Z640 5.1 Speaker - RETAIL
Patented subwoofer design delivers twice the bass energy of conventional designs
Innovative satellite design with rotating pedestals that allow for wall or desk placement
Internal power supply eliminates bulky wall adapters
Easily hook it up to your video game console with our included adapter cable... no need for an external amplifier or receiver! more info>
N82E16836121104 $67.00
$67.00
$20.00 mail in rebate on these now as well. These are the cheapest 5.1 speakers I could find. How will I connect these to the A7n8x board to get DD 5.1?
perhaps someone with more experience can help you out here
Video Cards
ATI RADEON 9500 PRO 128MB DDR DVI AGP RETAIL
I'm open to a cheaper card if you have a recommendation. It should have a good TV-Out. They may add a realtime DV editing card in the future.
some of the Nvidia 4xxx cards may cost a bit less, but the ATI card has a little more snort and is traditionally a bit better 2D card

You'll need an aftermarket CPU cooler.
The AX-7 is still around and is a solid performer. The SK-800 rules as does the PAL8045. All of these take 80mm fans for good airflow and low noise. Don't forget the thermal paste like Arctic Silver 3 or Arctic Alumina.

Speaking of fans, it may be considerate outfitting all the fans places with Panaflo fans to reduce noise. They're great and very popular.

Hope that gives some reassurance that you've done some homework. Hope others can give some other insights. BTW...welcome to Anandtech!

 

[skyking]

The 2000+ processor works pretty good, IMHO.
It is easy to fall into the trap of buying the latest and greatest, without considering what the goals are.
I spent 120$ for a 1600+ a year or so ago, and now they are 50$ and overclock better than ever. I am not lamenting the purchase, but a processor upgrade is about the easiest thing to do, and that 2700+ will be the same price as a 2100+ is now, in 6 months or less.
Looks good, have fun!

 

[SuperPickle]

Originally posted by: skyking
The 2000+ processor works pretty good, IMHO.

You have a good point. My rationalle for going with the 2400+ is that then it would surely be .13micron which is good for heat, or rather lack thereof. Truthfully, if you got a T-bred core 2000+, that would really be a good way to go for heat/$$. The performance difference would be negligable until you started doing some heavy number crunching and with the money saved, you surely can upgrade when the prices drop.
EDIT: grammer