Please provide feedback/suggestions on MicroATX PC

[TemetNosce]

Hello forumites,

I've recently taken on the task of building my sister a computer from scratch that will act as her main media hub. Right now she's suffering on an old P3 500mhz box, with a 17" crt. Her requirements put forth to me are :

1) That it be fast.
2) That it be able to serve as her media station: music, videos, pictures, create cds, etc..
3) That it have an LCD monitor.
4) That it be small (she has an old full size gateway box currently).
5) And that it be "cute"

I'm not sure they make any "cute" SFF cases targeted towards women, because I definitely couldn't find one. Instead I went with the most simple and clean looking SFF case that I could find that got decent reviews. Also, she mostly uses her computer now for web surfing, some music playing, and some light word processing, with expectations of this new build as mentioned before.

Requirements that I put forth upon myself are as follows:

1) Upgradeable to faster components (in the future).
2) At least dual-core processor.
3) Able to run Vista Aero (in the future). I'll be installing XP SP2.
4) HD and DVD be SATA.
5) Quiet.
5) Price for everything, excluding monitor, not to exeed $500.

And here's where I'm at:

Athenatech Desktop / Mini Tower Computer Case : $39.99
N82E16811190057

MSI LGA 775 Intel 945G Micro ATX Intel Motherboard : $72.99
N82E16813130060

Intel Pentium D 915 2.8GHz LGA 775 Processor : $87.99
N82E16819116253

POWERCOLOR X1550 256/64DDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card : $64.99 ($44.99 after rebate).
N82E16814131037

PQI TURBO 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) : $88.99 ($73.99 after rebate)
N82E16820141064

HITACHI Deskstar T7K500 320GB HD 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s : $74.99
N82E16822145129

ASUS 18X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA : $35.99
N82E16827135145

Rosewill Silver/Black USB Slim Keyboard : $13.99
N82E16823201015

Rosewill Black 3 Buttons USB Wired Optical Mouse : $4.99
N82E16826193024

8" molex 4pin male to 15pin SATA Power Cable Model : $2.99
N82E16812123137

3 x SilenX IXP-34-16 60mm Case Fan : $12.99(each) x 3 = $38.97
N82E16835191005

Subtotal: $526.87
Subtotal - Rebates: $491.87
Shipping: $37.18
Grand Total: $529.05

For the monitor, I was going to go for a WS 20.1" Sceptre, which can be had for $180 at Costco

Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Brainonska511]

You can get a better, cheaper, and cooler system by going with an AMD buudget mahcine instead of using a Pentium D.

In another thread, I made the following for someone:
Asus T3 Barebone (includes 300W PSU) - $177
Asus 16x SATA + Lightscribe DVD-Burner - $36
---If you want a white one to match the case, for an extra $4, the LITE-ON 20x DVD SATA Burner comes with a white face plate as well (Retail package)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 160GB SATA HDD - $54
Transcend 2GB (2x1GB) Kit DDR2 800 - $76
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ - $69
The above is $411 before S&H. None of your peripherals are included in the price here, but from the looks of it, the overall computer will still be cheaper

The motherboard in the barebones case has DVI-out, so you can easily run an LCD. The PSU inside it is also more than enough for a low-power budget machine. A graphics card is pretty pointless for a machine that won't be playing games. The integrated graphics (Nvidia 6150) on the Asus T3 would be more than enough. And overall, this system will be faster and cooler than a machine running a Pentium D. There are ways to cut the budget further, such as picking out your own case and motherboard, and you can always bump the hard drive up if you need more space.

Edit:
Don't forget to buy an OS. Consider an OEM copy of Vista Home Premium (32-bit just for compatibility of programs and drivers) because of the improved security. You'll probably spend less time overall cleaning and protecting the Vista machine if you have all the security features turned on.

 

[imported_SLIM]

You may also want to consider the new E2140. It is almost certainly faster than the pentium D and you can probably speed it up a fair amount at default voltage just to make sure. This would also make for a cooler/quieter system.

I second the suggestion about integrated graphics.

 

[jpeyton]

$469

AMD Athlon X2 4000+
1GB DDR2 RAM
160GB SATA HD
16X DVD+/-RW
19" Samsung Widescreen LCD
GeForce 6150 Graphics
7.1 Channel Audio
Windows XP Home
1 Year On-Site Warranty
24/7 Tech Support

Small, quiet, a couple hundred dollars less than your configuration, at-home system repair if anything goes bad, 24/7 tech support for your sister to call.

 

[zig3695]

i think you should get her a better case. dont go cheap on it, its a girl man she says anything about 'looks' then you damn well better get that right.

i found a few suggestions.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811173013

dont use the power supply for that asus though. or any included power supply in a $50 or less case.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119115

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811173014 - if you get this one you can pair it with an apple lcd and really make her happy!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811173015

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119075

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811119074

and my favorite- http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811156187

 

[TemetNosce]

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
You can get a better, cheaper, and cooler system by going with an AMD buudget mahcine instead of using a Pentium D.

I've never put an AMD based system together before. Is there anything that I may run into that I'm not used to with Intel? I'm not against the idea, it's just that I've always been an Intel house.

Also your barebones idea isn't bad. I might have to switch to that for the combo case/motherboard/psu. Also, with the integrated graphics, will that be enough if she's surfing the web playing games, running itunes, or watching movies? I've always been told to stay away from integrated graphics whenever possible, so that's why I went with the $45 dedicated GPU.

Originally posted by: SLIM
You may also want to consider the new E2140. It is almost certainly faster than the pentium D and you can probably speed it up a fair amount at default voltage just to make sure.

A 1.6GHz C2D will best a 2.8 GHz Pentium D. Is that true? If so I'm definitely going to buy that instead. I didn't even see that processor when I was searching, and it's even cheaper than the one I chose. Will this overclock to 2.0Ghz on air easily if I do go for it? Also if I wanted to OC it to 2.0, what type of memory sticks would I need.

Originally posted by: zig3695 i think you should get her a better case.

I don't know why I didn't come across the white computer cases before. I mentioned to her that I could get her a white computer case instead, and she practically broke my ear drum screaming. So I guess that's what I'll have to do. Trouble is now I have to find a white monitor to match. Anyone know of one for cheap, preferrably 19 or 20" WS.

Thanks guys!

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: TemetNosce

Originally posted by: Brainonska511
You can get a better, cheaper, and cooler system by going with an AMD buudget mahcine instead of using a Pentium D.

I've never put an AMD based system together before. Is there anything that I may run into that I'm not used to with Intel? I'm not against the idea, it's just that I've always been an Intel house.

There is really nothing different about putting an AMD system together.

Also your barebones idea isn't bad. I might have to switch to that for the combo case/motherboard/psu. Also, with the integrated graphics, will that be enough if she's surfing the web playing games, running itunes, or watching movies? I've always been told to stay away from integrated graphics whenever possible, so that's why I went with the $45 dedicated GPU.

The integrated gpu will be more than enough for doing those activities. The Nvidia 6150 integrated chip is certainly better than the Intel GMA 950, but even the GMA 950 would be plenty of power for those activities.

Originally posted by: SLIM
You may also want to consider the new E2140. It is almost certainly faster than the pentium D and you can probably speed it up a fair amount at default voltage just to make sure.

A 1.6GHz C2D will best a 2.8 GHz Pentium D. Is that true? If so I'm definitely going to buy that instead. I didn't even see that processor when I was searching, and it's even cheaper than the one I chose. Will this overclock to 2.0Ghz on air easily if I do go for it? Also if I wanted to OC it to 2.0, what type of memory sticks would I need.

Most definitely. I don't know about the overclocking abilities of that chip though.

Originally posted by: zig3695 i think you should get her a better case.

I don't know why I didn't come across the white computer cases before. I mentioned to her that I could get her a white computer case instead, and she practically broke my ear drum screaming. So I guess that's what I'll have to do. Trouble is now I have to find a white monitor to match. Anyone know of one for cheap, preferrably 19 or 20" WS.

Thanks guys!

Answers that I could provide are bolded in your quote.

 

[zig3695]

looks like your choices are limited. this nec should be good, but it is only 250cd brightness. should be fine for that size screen though.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16824002126

its not widescreen though. i think you should get a ws, thats where all types of screens are going....

 

[TemetNosce]

I found this monitor on Newegg, that says it's white and it's a 19" WS. However, a quick search on pricegrabber showed that dell.com had it for cheaper <$200 w/shipping, and I decided to grab it from there. Although, on dell's site, it says that the monitor is silver. Is Newegg right, or Dell? Same exact model numbers for both sites.

Newegg
Dell

Any experiences with Philips monitors? I know they make decent TVs. And the reviews seem split, good with Newegg, and not so good with Dell.

 

[zig3695]

wow- how did i miss that screen? it looks silver on both pages to be honest, i say that because the base is black, and they wouldnt likely put a black base on a white case. but i think you should not care. that seems like a killer monitor!

i havent tried any phillips screens though, that is a magnavox company right?

 

[hans007]

that case is pretty much horrible. i've had it and the power supply shorted out inside of a year. i had the exact same one, and i more or less only build miicroatx machines.

if you want a decent microatx case that is at least somewhat stylish get an antec nsk3300 which is worth the extra money (its like $40 more... not sure its worth it if you are on a budget). another well made and nice looking alternative is the inwin 613T which newegg also sells ($55 i think)

i know of one other ini the fs/ft forum that had the same happen. i actually know becuase i sold him an enermax replacemnt PSU for it that i had laying around.

also if you just want to run aero the 945g can probably already run it. or just get a g965 board . the pentium D is also a terrible choice. you could just buy a pentium E2160 or e2140 and it would still cost about the same and be lower power and probably faster.

in fact if you want to just get it done real cheap with dx9 support for aero for sure and a faster / cheaper cpu, just get a x2 3600+ retail with the 65nm core i think its like $55. and get an amd 690g chipset with the hdmi out. for $70. cheaper and faster and better and you dont need a video card since the 690g can easily do aero glass.

 

[imported_OrSin]

Get what ever case she likes. Get 965 chip set not 945. (65 might cost $10 more but it much better and most have better graphics. Maybe even look for cheap 680i since the graphic card is even better. Dont buy a graphics card at all at first. I doubt you will need it. Go C2D. Most you have already been told so it so no suprise.

DON'T get any barebone asus. They all suck. I got 2, 1 for my GF and 1 for my Parnets and thier support sucks. They have know issue and Asus dont care at all. I had to mod both case to get them to even be workable. They are pretty for the women but dont bother. For my sister I just send her a link to directron and new egg case page and said pick one. I narrowed it dfown to white and silver for her.

PS
AMD is not a bad choose and usually thier on board video is better. For the low end both intel and amd are equal.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: OrSin
PS
AMD is not a bad choose and usually thier on board video is better. For the low end both intel and amd are equal.

I'd say for the low-end, AMD is better by far. You just can't beat the AMD prices, for a little over $400 (even if you don't choose the barebones Asus), you can still build a very good, complete AMD system. Going with more low-end Intel stuff means getting processors that run hotter and the possibility of getting older chipset boards that are no longer compatible with anything modern.