Recommendations for wife's computer

[mrichardson2]

Hi all. Everyone here helped me in the past and I love my DFI Lanparty NF4 Ultra-D + Athlon 3200+ (2.5ghz on stock) OCZ Ram, etc. Now I need to build my wife a basic computer. Here's what she'll do with it:

Office work, like MS Word and Excel. Lots of eBay surfing (she has a store on eBay), lots of printing (already have a printer) and some basic photo editing (Photoshop, just to crop pictures, reduce size for emailing, etc) She does not play games!! My 5 year old may play Reader Rabbit games or something but definately no 3D gaming.

So, here's what I looked at: (Chiefvalue.com)

RAIDMAX xB ATX-528B Black SECC Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail CF11156053 $22.99

CHAINTECH VNF4 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail CF13152053 $69.99

Albatron PC6600Q Geforce 6600 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card - Retail CF14170071 $99.99

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-430 ATX12V 430W Power Supply - Retail CF17103928 $68.99

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Venice 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Processor Model ADA3200BPBOX - Retail CF19103535 $155.99

OCZ Premier Dual Channel 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM DDR 400 (PC 3200) Unbuffered System Memory Model OCZ4001024PDC-K - Retail CF20227069 $89.99

NEC Black 1.44MB 3.5" Internal Floppy Drive - OEM CF21152005 $8.99

Western Digital Caviar SE WD800JD 80GB 7200 RPM Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM CF22135106 $54.29 I know this ain't the best gb per $$ option - but she doesn't use the 10 gb HDD she has now

LITE-ON Black ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner Model SHW-160P6S - Retail CF27106013 $43.49


Here are my questions:

1) How's the Chaintech VNF4? I also looked at

MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ($82.99)

ABIT KN8 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ($84.99)

Which board is better (no overclocking on her system) What about NF4 vs NF4 Ultra? What's the Ultra?

2) The Antec PSU says it has a 20+4 pin ATX power, not a 24 pin? Is that okay? I don't want to really buy her a $150 PSU for a basic system.

3) She is used to using my DFI + Athlon 3200 (OC'd to 2.5ghz) Would it be worth the extra $50 to get her the 3500+ instead of the 3200+ since I will not be overclocking her system? Is there a noticeable difference between the 2 at stock speeds?

4) Is that Albatron graphics card okay? She will not be gaming at all! Can anyone suggest a cheaper s939 PCI express card in the nvidia line? 6200? 6200TC? Remember, no gaming (hard to believe I know)

5) If I can save money anywhere I can get a faster PSU - the graphics card seems like a possible savings?


Thanks for your input - I hate to ask everyone on such a basic system but I've got a budget of $650 including shipping - and I have to put it together (not as much fun as my DFI I'm sure)

Thanks again.

 

[CalvinHobbes]

With that kind of budget just get a nice dell when they go on sale.

 

[mrichardson2]

Wow. I'm not really sure what to think of the "Dell" comment. Sorry I bothered you with a help request on such a low budget system.

Why would I spend $600-$700 for a crappy Dell with generic everything inside when I can pick quality components from quality manufacturers for the same price and know exactly what is in the system? What sort of upgrade options will I have with a Dell? How about none! This system won't be cutting edge, but not everyone who builds a computer wants to spend $3000 to play games.

If you have nothing to offer, then please offer nothing.

 

[mrichardson2]

Sorry, didn't mean to snap back there. I should mention that if a Gateway or Dell every sits on a desk in my house I'll probably have to burn the house down to recover from the trauma!!!

A Dell/Gateway is just not an option for me - but thanks anyway for your input. Anyone else?

 

[chuckywang]

The machine you're describing seems like an overkill for what you want it to do. Why not just get Corsair ValueSelect RAM?

 

[Finns14]

Sorry but don't be narrow minded you can get a barebone system from dell with Windows included and a monitor for $300 which would do everything you need. While I built my own high end gaming PC my family has used a dell for a number of years now and it runs rock steady so please explain to me why dell would be a bad option unless you know magic where you can get Comp+OS+Monitor<$300


Edit plus wait for a sale and you could save even more money or get one of their better comps

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: mrichardson2
1) How's the Chaintech VNF4? I also looked at

MSI K8N Neo4-F Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ($82.99)

ABIT KN8 Socket 939 NVIDIA nForce4 ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail ($84.99)

Which board is better (no overclocking on her system) What about NF4 vs NF4 Ultra? What's the Ultra?

Chaintech VNF4 has good reviews for the most part. I built a rig on the K8N Neo4-F board. Worked great.

No idea on the Abit board but the brand has a decent rep.

For an office pc don't get ultra anything It's most likely RAID options, firewire, etc.

2) The Antec PSU says it has a 20+4 pin ATX power, not a 24 pin? Is that okay? I don't want to really buy her a $150 PSU for a basic system.

Yeah that's fine.

3) She is used to using my DFI + Athlon 3200 (OC'd to 2.5ghz) Would it be worth the extra $50 to get her the 3500+ instead of the 3200+ since I will not be overclocking her system? Is there a noticeable difference between the 2 at stock speeds?

For office apps she won't notice a thing. Save the $50.

4) Is that Albatron graphics card okay? She will not be gaming at all! Can anyone suggest a cheaper s939 PCI express card in the nvidia line? 6200? 6200TC? Remember, no gaming (hard to believe I know)

If there is absolutely no gaming or any graphics software whatsoever, just get her a cheapass 6200, she won't care. EDIT: saw photoshop listed. RAM and CPU power are more important there however, so the 6200 should still be adequate.

5) If I can save money anywhere I can get a faster PSU - the graphics card seems like a possible savings?

Faster PSU??
You could save $20 on the ram, go for value ram, there's no difference except in serious overclocking scenarios.

 

[Wentelteefje]

Originally posted by: Finns14
Sorry but don't be narrow minded you can get a barebone system from dell with Windows included and a monitor for $300 which would do everything you need. While I built my own high end gaming PC my family has used a dell for a number of years now and it runs rock steady so please explain to me why dell would be a bad option unless you know magic where you can get Comp+OS+Monitor<$300


Edit plus wait for a sale and you could save even more money or get one of their better comps

Agree... Buy yourself a 7800GT with the money you save...

 

[mrichardson2]

Originally posted by: chuckywang
The machine you're describing seems like an overkill for what you want it to do. Why not just get Corsair ValueSelect RAM?

I was going to, but I can get the OCZ4001024PDC-K for $89, Corsair ValueSelect is $79 - for $10 I'll stick with OCZ brand, I've got OCZ in my machine and have heard nothing but good things about the company and their service.

As far as the machine being overkill, I'm not sure.

1) It needs to be s939, the Chaintech is the least expensive s939 board from a brand I trust.

2) The Ram is only slightly more than ValueSelect ($10)

3) The video card for $99 seems to be the only choice unless I drop down to a 6200TC (which I am looking at so I can move CPU up to 3500+)

4) The HDD is basic and cheap but still moves her from IDE to SATA.

5) The Venice core is one I love, just because it's cool and quick. I may steal her CPU later anyway for another machine. The 3200+ is the cheapest Venice core ($155)


The machine may be faster than she needs for now, but cost/performance is good. It should last her for years to come, don't you think??

If I can spend $600 or so for a computer for her for 3-5 years, I'd rather spend the extra $50 to $100 to make it a little bit better.

 

[Finns14]

3000+ is cheaper if they still make it

 

[halw]

For office apps, have you considered an Intel based system?

Starting with P4S800D mobo.

Otherwise, I agree with previous poster. Overkill for what you are looking at. Unless you plan to upgrade the system down the road.

 

[bob4432]

imo, you would be fine with a 1GHz machine with a decently fast hdd. that is where the "snappiness"(don't even know if that is a word, but i think you know what i mean) will be noticed as the programs she is using aren't using much power. even ps, because the pics are so small (since they are for ebay).

i would personally get her the slowest thing you can find. some sempron or whatever you can get cheap or a cheap skt 939.

as far as her "feeling" the difference between your cpu and hers, i really doubt it. my wife ran a 1GHz Athlon for a long time and to be honest, there was not much of a difference between it and the p4 @ 3.0GHz for basic stuff like that. i wouldn't even think of doing any hard cpu stuff on it though, like large graphic stuff in ps or video editing. i did run either a 10k u160 hdd or a decently fast 7.2krpm hdd in my wifes machine though.

as for psu, get one of the 24pin ones by fsp, they are usually pretty good in price and are built nicely, and you only need 300W

 

[Malladine]

Originally posted by: halw
For office apps, have you considered an Intel based system?

Starting with P4S800D mobo.

Get out. :frown:






:beer:

 

[mrichardson2]

Originally posted by: Finns14
Sorry but don't be narrow minded you can get a barebone system from dell with Windows included and a monitor for $300 which would do everything you need. While I built my own high end gaming PC my family has used a dell for a number of years now and it runs rock steady so please explain to me why dell would be a bad option unless you know magic where you can get Comp+OS+Monitor<$300


Edit plus wait for a sale and you could save even more money or get one of their better comps

I'm sorry, but to me Dells are useless. I'm not trying to offend anyone that owns a Dell, so sorry if I have.

I should clarify my position on Dells. Dell uses the cheapest components it can find. Every large manufacturer does. I work with a number of people who have Gateways and Dells and I spend a lot of time helping them get their machine's working again. Dells customer service is a joke, as non-business calls go to a call center in India (or at least did until recently) My mother has a Gateway. To install her LAN card for a cable modem, I either had to buy her a "special" half-height card or "cut" an exisiting card to make it smaller. Dells "free" printers are usually from Lexmark, and Dell requires them to change the pins so that when you need a refill, the only way to get a cartridge is directly from Dell. Can't go to the local office supply store.

A $300 budget Dell system is as follows:

17" CRT monitor (I have 4 of these at home, a 19" LCD and 2 19" CRT's) I don't need a monitor.

256MB ram - barely able to run Windows

Windows Home Edition - not worth running - I already have Win XP Pro

Intel Celeron - umm, it's not AMD so no thank you.

A floppy drive costs $30 - mine is $14 after shipping

40gb IDE HDD vs 80 gb SATA

$80 to upgrade to a DVD burner (she has to have one of these for backups) the Lite-On is about $45



Here's the Dell I built online:


Dimension B110 Qty 1
Intel® Celeron® D Processor 325 (2.53 GHz, 533 FSB), Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition Unit Price $409.00
Catalog Number: 29
Module Description Show Details
Dimension B110 Intel® Celeron® D Processor 325 (2.53 GHz, 533 FSB)
Operating System Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition
Memory 256MB DDR SDRAM at 400MHz
Keyboard and Mouse Bundles Dell USB Keyboard and Dell 2-button Scroll Mouse
Monitors No Monitor
Video Cards Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900
Hard Drive 40GB Ultra ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive
Floppy Drive 3.5 in Floppy Drive
Mouse Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Network Interface Integrated 10/100 Ethernet
Modem 56K PCI Data Fax Modem
Adobe Software Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 6.0
CD or DVD Drive Single Drive: 16X CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) w/double layer write capability
Sound Integrated 2.0 Channel Audio
Speakers No speakers (Speakers are required to hear audio from your system)
Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) No Productivity Suite - Corel WordPerfect® word processor only
Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) No Security Subscription
Hardware Warranty 90 Day Warranty, 90 Day At-Home Service, and 90 Days Technical Support
Internet Access Service 6 Months of America Online Membership Included
Mail-in Rebate Save $50 with mail-in rebate. Price shown before rebate
Miscellaneous Award Winning Service & Support
Dell Digital Entertainment Starter Entertainment Pack -Basic digital Music, Photo, and Casual Gaming

TOTAL:$409.00

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


subtract $50 for the rebate

$99 for shipping and handling

$33 for sales tax


GRAND TOTAL OF $541


Can anyone try to explain why I would spend $541 on a "$300 Dell" when I can build a Venice 3200/3500 AMD, 1GB OCZ Ram, 80 GB SATA, DVD Burner, NF4 MOBO for under $650 including shipping?


Dell computers are not worth the money - I am sorry to say it. I am surprised that the suggestions from a forum as great as anandtech al say to buy a Dell. If I wanted to buy a Dell, why would I be here???????

 

[mrichardson2]

Originally posted by: halw
For office apps, have you considered an Intel based system?

No, I hate Intel. They are evil. Thanks anyway though.

 

[mrichardson2]

Originally posted by: Finns14
3000+ is cheaper if they still make it

They don't, I was looking for one but couldn't find it. The 3200+ is the only thing left at major online retailers. They also have some E3 steppings left, but E4's are out.

 

[Malladine]

$541 for a Celeron powered Dell pc with a 40gb hdd, 256 mb of ram and almost non exsistant display hard ware, OR $650 for a custom built AMD 64 rig with 1gb ram, tons of upgrade potential and an 80gb hdd.

Man.

Tough choice.

 

[mrichardson2]

Originally posted by: Malladine
$541 for a Celeron powered Dell pc with a 40gb hdd, 256 mb of ram and almost non exsistant display hard ware, OR $650 for a custom built AMD 64 rig with 1gb ram, tons of upgrade potential and an 80gb hdd.

Man.

Tough choice.

Hmm, let me take some time and think on that one. . . . . .

 

[mrichardson2]

quote:

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5) If I can save money anywhere I can get a faster PSU - the graphics card seems like a possible savings?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Faster PSU??



I meant faster CPU - sorry, I'm an idiot.



quote:

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4) Is that Albatron graphics card okay? She will not be gaming at all! Can anyone suggest a cheaper s939 PCI express card in the nvidia line? 6200? 6200TC? Remember, no gaming (hard to believe I know)

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If there is absolutely no gaming or any graphics software whatsoever, just get her a cheapass 6200, she won't care. EDIT: saw photoshop listed. RAM and CPU power are more important there however, so the 6200 should still be adequate.



The 6200 is unavailable for PCI express - it's just AGP (found that out after post) The only other option instead of a 6600 is a 6200TC - which doesn't excite me too much. It has 32 or 64mb on board ram and then uses system ram for the rest. Reviews I read said it's not horrible and will run newer games, just at low quality settings, no AA, lower resolutions, etc. Since she still runs 800x600 most of the time (ghastly I know) and never plays games, I think the 6200TC might be okay. Her Photoshop work is limited, and she can always use my rig if she needs to for that.

With the 6200TC I can get a 3500 and it's actually cheaper.

PS - This is her money, not mine (eBay store profits) So there's no advantage to save a lot of cash, she said she's got $650 so get the fastest system I can for $650.




By the way, thanks for actually posting some useful information. This is why I am here.

You get a gold star.

 

[Twsmit]

Get integrated video, a nforce 4 with 6100 or 6150 video would be an excellent choice.

 

[Wentelteefje]

Originally posted by: mrichardson2

Originally posted by: Malladine
$541 for a Celeron powered Dell pc with a 40gb hdd, 256 mb of ram and almost non exsistant display hard ware, OR $650 for a custom built AMD 64 rig with 1gb ram, tons of upgrade potential and an 80gb hdd.

Man.

Tough choice.

Hmm, let me take some time and think on that one. . . . . .

Ok, if there is such a small price difference, then of course build your own eh... I would have picked the Dell (or any other prebuilt one) if they really were about $ 300 - 350 all-in...

 

[Eug]

Having built several of my own PCs, I second the name-brand PC recommendation. The home-built PC only is cheaper if you already own the OS (or are bootlegging it), and if your time is worthless.

 

[piasabird]

Why not just get her an abacus and tell her to pretend it is a computer. (Joke)

Just get a Dell if you want. Or build your own. If you already know what you want go ahead and build it.

Intel processors run hotter than AMD Athlon 64 processors so if you get Intel by a slightly slower P4. People on this forum probably prefer AMD as a majority, so that is what I would expect to see as a suggestion. When you purchase an Intel Celeron you are buying 3 year old technology, so just keep that in mind. Would you buy a 3 year old car for your wife and tell her it is new? Dont you love her more than that?

If you feel more comfortable with Intel at least get her a real P4, not a celeron. Think of it as an investment. Good stock holds its value and poor stock may plummet like a rock in value.

I see no difference in using Microsoft XP Home edition. I have used both versions and can not see a difference for the average user. I suggest at leas 512 megs of RAM as a minimum. Microsoft office does not run well on much less than that.

 

[poisonthewell]

I totally agree with a previous poster that the proposed rig is overkill based upon its intended use. The proposed components are not necessary to do the basic functions listed in the original post.

1) I don't see the point of having a $100 video card if there will be no gaming involved. A $30-40 card with DVI will be fine for editing photos. You can readily find these at NewEgg or ZZF
2) Go socket 754. It can more than handle M$ Office and eBay surfing. A processor and good 754 mobo will cost around $130-$150.
3) PSU does not need to have that much power. 350w is plently. Get the Antec slk3000b case from amazon which comes with a PSU.
4) Get 1gb of value ram from corsair (as previously mentioned), kingston, g.skill, mushkin

Your proposed rig will be easier to sell in the future because it will appeal to more buyers than what I have suggested; someone could turn it into a gaming machine fairly easily. My suggestions are geared toward the stated use of the computer (assuming you'd like to spend less money and receive similar performance) and with that in mind I cannot agree with your choices.

 

[mrichardson2]

Originally posted by: Eug
Having built several of my own PCs, I second the name-brand PC recommendation. The home-built PC only is cheaper if you already own the OS (or are bootlegging it), and if your time is worthless.

Do you own a "name-brand PC?" Does the fact the Dell slaps there name on generic components and says it's a "DELL" make it name brand? Me thinks not.

Yes, I already "own" the OS (Microsoft will survive, I promise)

No, my time is not worthless. It will take 1 hour to build, and 2 more hours to install Windows, update and test. 3 hours total, the exact amount of time it takes to watch a hockey game, which is what will be on my TV in my office while I build a PC.


A Dell with a P4, 1gb RAM, Windows Media Center, 80gb SATA, 128mb Video X300SE (not a great card) and a 19" LCD is $1200!!!


I don't think Windows + LCD is worth $600 - plus it's still an Intel!!!!


Do you work for Dell? It's the only reason I can think why you'd recommend "name brand PC" to someone on a forum asking about internal computer components. If I was someone who would buy a Dell, I probably wouldn't know how to use a forum.


BTW, I sell cars for a living, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge exactly. Recommending a Dell as a name brand PC would be like me recommending a KIA because it's a name brand car. Sorry KIA owners out there.