Please critique potential build for co-worker

[Mloot]

My co-worker is looking to upgrade from her 1.3 P4/Rambus system. She is looking for something moderately powerful (but not too expensive) and the rig will be for used for internet surfing, general every-day stuff, burning DVD's, and some photo processing. Gaming will be next to nonexistant, and overclocking will probably not be a factor.

Already have: Monitor (CRT), keyboard, mouse, speakers


Here's what I've come up with so far:

Case - Compucase LX-6A19 for $38.97

Front case fan - Vantec Stealth 120mm for $14.07

PSU - Enermax 430w for $60.62

Mobo - Chaintech NF3-250 for $78.99

CPU - A64 2800+ retail w/HSF for $128

RAM - Mushkin pc3200 2x512mb for $129.98

HDD - Samsung 120gb for $83.69

DVD-ROM - Samsung DVD-ROM for $25.98

DVD burner - NEC 3520A for $64.50

Video card - Radeon 9000 64mb for $42.49

OS - WinXP Home for $92


Total = $759.29


I live in Houston, so shipping is not a factor with Directron, and all prices from Directron included tax and Newegg's included shipping. The case was chosen, over a similar Antec Sonata or 3700 something-or-other because co-worker does not want a door. Assuming that I won't be getting anything from the FS/FT forum and co-worker does not want to mess with rebates, I would appreciate any input you guys could give me. TIA.

 

[stevty2889]

Looks good.

 

[dc5]

lower the ram to 512mb total. 1gb is not needed if youre not going to game. enermax 430w is an overkill for your athlon 64 2800+ and radeon 9000. you can go for a 380w and it will still be plenty (make sure it's name brand). get this yate loon 120mm (very similar to nexus) over that vantec stealth. with these changes, it should bring the price to the mid 600s.

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: dc5
lower the ram to 512mb total. 1gb is not needed if youre not going to game. enermax 430w is an overkill for your athlon 64 2800+ and radeon 9000. you can go for a 380w and it will still be plenty (make sure it's name brand)

Good call. He could go with the Antec Sonata case which is a quality case, is quiet, and comes with a 380w Antec PSU. Plus, he'd save money since the Sonata would be cheaper than that Compucase case + the Enermax PSU.

edit: Well, rats. I just read the end of the first post and saw that they specifically ruled out a Sonata because of the door.

 

[dc5]

you could take out the door on the sonata if you wanted to.

 

[ts3433]

You can remove the door. There are also some Antec Solution Series cases and Performance II cases that come with no door. You shouldn't need a front case fan, either.

Aside from that, everything looks pretty good.

 

[Mloot]

Alright. Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Based on what you told me, how does this case/PSU combo look? If I were to go with that case, I could drop the Enermax PSU, the Compucase, and the front 120mm fan, which would drop the total from $759.29 to $709.49.


The reason I figured in a gig of RAM is because my co-worker and her husband want to start using Photoshop. I've never used it myself, but I was under the impression that it is a RAM hog. With that in mind, should I keep the gig or drop it down to 512mb?


Thx again.


EDIT: I know you guys said an Antec 380w PSU would be powerful enough, but do you think the 350w jobber that comes with the smaller Antec case would get the job done?

 

[Imyourzero]

Originally posted by: Mloot
Alright. Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Based on what you told me, how does this case/PSU combo look? If I were to go with that case, I could drop the Enermax PSU, the Compucase, and the front 120mm fan, which would drop the total from $759.29 to $709.49.


The reason I figured in a gig of RAM is because my co-worker and her husband want to start using Photoshop. I've never used it myself, but I was under the impression that it is a RAM hog. With that in mind, should I keep the gig or drop it down to 512mb?

As long as it's within her budget, go with the gig. It will help in XP period, not just Photoshop (where it will help immensely)...and will let the PC last longer without her having to upgrade to a gig later.

 

[stevty2889]

Even if they don't fully use the 1gig of ram I would still recomend it. And I imagine if they start working with large files in photoshop, it will be very useful.