questions about a low end build

[Ojannen]

I am building a computer for my older brother. He is looking for something relatively cheap that checks emails, does basic word processing, and can burn cds and dvds. He already has a monitor and other peripherals he needs.

This is my first draft of what to get him.

cpu: sempron 2800 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16819104245
mobo: MSI via K8M800 chipset - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16813130494
ram: 512 corsair valueram - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820145026
HD: seagate 7200.7 80 gig - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822148040
DVD: BenQ burner - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827101632
case and psu: Antec SLK2650 with 350W psu - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811129148

I decided on a sempron 754 because it is the cheapest processor you can get while still being able to upgrade. Please correct me if I am wrong on this point. Right, now I prefer to stay away from athlon xp processors. I am not exactly sure what to get for the motherboard. The only thing I am specifically looking for is integrated video so I can save about $50 not buying a video card.

Everything was coming together when he noticed my shuttle and said, I would really like something small like that. Buying a new shuttle was out of his budget, but he liked it enough that I am considering selling him my shuttle. It is 1 year old and everything runs fine except for the cpu fan which I am replacing. He would end up with the same specs as I have above with these changes

VIA K8M800 shuttle instead of case, mobo, and psu
AMD64 3200 instead of the 2800 sempron

I was thinking of selling it to him for $300 and buying the parts I don't currently own for about $100. this keeps the cost to him the same. My question is this: is this a fair price to him and me, and will I be able to sell this system for a similar price in the summer (when I was planning on upgrading).

If I upgrade now, this is what I can afford. I am planning to overclock.

cpu: opteron 144 - http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/product.asp?pid=13218
psu: FSP 500W - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104934
mobo: dfi ultra-d- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813136152
video: eVGA 6600gt - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130214

The obvious weakness is the video card, but that will hold me for a while, considering that I am currently on a 9600 pro. Is this upgrade worth it for me? It will cost me 250-300 more than I make by selling my current computer. However, I get a substantial video upgrade, a potentially much fast processor and a system that is upgradeable.

Any suggestions about parts for either system or what to do are welcome.

 

[python023]

Your brother's system looks fine for low-end. $300 seems a bit low but if your comfortable with it, go ahead. And you seem to have it right on your new system. Those optys are very good OCers and yes the videocard will slow you down a bit, you could think about a 6800GS?

 

[montag451]

For what you bro needs the system for, the vid card will not slow it down at all.
Obviously, if he wanted to do some gaming, I would be wrong, but then again, so would the system that is being built for him.

Stick with a branded good psu - if you want to spend more - get more RAM.
Other than that, a larger hdd will stop him worrying in 6 months that he is running out of space. It seems, that between 80GB and 100GB there isn't that much price difference, also with 100GB v 120GB etc etc.