PC for Mom Build

[Slammy1]

Well, after a few hours shopping for PC deals I decided to just build one for my mom. I ran a little over on price. I'm hoping for critique before I commit, and I'd like to order tonight if possible to make sure I can put it together next weekend.

ASUS A8N-VM CSM Micro ATX AMD Motherboard $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131570
Foxconn 3GTW-152 Beige Computer Case $34.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811153018
Western Digital Caviar SE 80GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive $55
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822135106
CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit $76.25
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145440
AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor $165
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819103602
LITE-ON Beige ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner Model SHM-160P6S $38.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16827106012
Microsoft Windows XP Home $93.95
Arctic Silver Ceramique $4.99

$549.16
s/h = 36.23

She already has keyboard, mouse, and a modem.

 

[poisonthewell]

Can't really comment without knowing what the computer is being used for - is mama a gamer??

 

[Slammy1]

Sorry, mistake on my part. She's not a gamer, but has a nice 19" LCD that I'd like to drive reasonably (for some 1280x1024 DVD play back). Also, she has a nice set of Logitech 2.1 THX speakers and likes music, so I'd like to be able to give her a good sound. Her games are more cards and such, but she has a 200MHz MMX system now so wants to upgrade to something that will last (similarly) as long.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

That looks fine, but you don't need thermal paste since the CPU comes with a thermal pad on the HSF. Also, I don't really recommend going with an included noname 300W PSU. At least get like a 300W Fortron/Sparkle or something.

 

[Reapsy01]

Yeah it will save you having to replace it in 9 months when it dies.

 

[Cinna696]

i built something very simliar for my mother actually, same mb cpu ram cd rom and a 19" lcd, only thing i would change with yours is the case, try the antec slk that comes with the 350w psu instead of buying that case and a seperate psu, however the system staying like that will survive on that psu as there is very little draw from the overall system,

if you ever do put a video card in it i'd suggest going with a better quailty psu

 

[Twsmit]

I think thats a great system, but i would go for a more attractive microATX case that already has a reputable PSU. That case is fugly....

 

[JMoore]

Get an Antec Case/PSU combo

 

[Cinna696]

also don't be worried when you get that case that the motherboard has a 24pin power and the psu only has a 20 cause that extra 4pins is for the video card..which again, you don't have

 

[alimoalem]

looks like overkill for a mom pc

 

[Slammy1]

I couldn't get an Antec case/PSU that had microATX support. I ended up with the following:
Sky Hawk/Eagle Tech MSR4615 D7 Silver Computer Case $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811117036
SPARKLE ATX-300PA 300Watts Power Supply,24pin & 4pin, SATA $28.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103514

I agree with the overkill issue, but since it's integrated video I went to the higher standard. I think I'll back off from the 939 support and get back with some other options.

 

[eXx08]

Yea deffiantly get a better PSU.

 

[Slammy1]

Well, I changed the order. ZZF and NE were both out of the new MSI board, but at least the K8N runs the NVidia 6100 standard. So, I replaced processor and CPU for this:
MSI K8NGM-V Socket 754 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 Micro ATX $65.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813130534
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice 800MHz FSB 512KB L2 Cache Socket 754 E6 Processor $126.00
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819103606

I think I'll order first thing tomorrow, assuming no other changes are suggested. Getting pretty tired. Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[ND40oz]

Originally posted by: Slammy1
I couldn't get an Antec case/PSU that had microATX support.

I have a mATX board in a Titan550 (EATX) right now, so I'm pretty sure most Antec cases will take a mATX board.

Take a look at the P150 or the SLK2650, according to antec's website, they both support up to standard ATX motherboards to include mATX.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Go with a Biostar TForce6100-939 or GeForce 6100-M9. Both are cheap mATX integrated boards, but they can overclock like mad.

EDIT: If you want to go with a cheap case/PSU combo, at least get that $29 number over at supergooddeal.com. With the $22 you save, you can get a decent Fortron Source PSU.

 

[Slammy1]

Hmmm, I do wish I could feel safe in the antec solution. I looked at their web site, and it notes only standard ATX dimensions.
http://www.antec.com/specs/solu_slk2650BQE_spe.html

I decided to up the Sparkle to a Fortron.
Fortron Source) ATX350-PA 350W Power Supply $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104901

It'll give a little head room, at least so long as there are no video upgrades in the future. I wanted to get the TForce6100, but NE is OOS and ZZF only has the socket 939 version.

 

[Changwan]

if she likes music, get her a sound card.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: Slammy1
Hmmm, I do wish I could feel safe in the antec solution. I looked at their web site, and it notes only standard ATX dimensions.
http://www.antec.com/specs/solu_slk2650BQE_spe.html

ATX is what you want. What's the trouble?

I decided to up the Sparkle to a Fortron.
Fortron Source) ATX350-PA 350W Power Supply $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104901

You can get a more than adequate 300W Fortron Source PSU from NewEgg for $27 shipped. That reminds me, don't forget shipping in your cost analysis.

It'll give a little head room, at least so long as there are no video upgrades in the future. I wanted to get the TForce6100, but NE is OOS and ZZF only has the socket 939 version.

If you're getting an Athlon 64, you should go with s939. If you're going with a Sempron, you should go with a 6100-M7 (not a TForce).

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Originally posted by: Changwan
if she likes music, get her a sound card.

Negative.

 

[piasabird]

Overclocking is a worthless adventure to use the Internet and make a little music. I think what he really needs is stability and a good sound card. That means a high quality motherboard but not the fastest processor. If She likes to play DVD'S Maybe a MS Media Center Edition box or a PVR is a better choice.

 

[Slammy1]

Well, after spending a lot of time researching I decided to go with an HP 1330e which is on sale. For $518 (total) I was able to get the same specs (socket 939), plus not have to worry about the minutia of building a PC. Thanks again for everyones' help.

 

[Acanthus]

Good choice slammy. Its hard to beat the big name brands when they have sales on their low end. :thumbsup:

Edit: Just in case someone is using this for reference, Corsair Value Select has compatibility problems with a lot of Nforce 3/4 chipset motherboards from various OEMs.

 

[0roo0roo]

does frys still have the sonata for 60 after rebate? saw it last week...
u want stability for mom..and perhaps quiet. overclocking is a bad idea. cheap psu is alsobad.

 

[ND40oz]

Originally posted by: Slammy1
Hmmm, I do wish I could feel safe in the antec solution. I looked at their web site, and it notes only standard ATX dimensions.
http://www.antec.com/specs/solu_slk2650BQE_spe.html

I decided to up the Sparkle to a Fortron.
Fortron Source) ATX350-PA 350W Power Supply $29.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817104901

It'll give a little head room, at least so long as there are no video upgrades in the future. I wanted to get the TForce6100, but NE is OOS and ZZF only has the socket 939 version.

On this page it clearly says Motherboards up to standard ATX.

Antec 2650