Simple Computer Build

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ayman

Senior member
Dec 22, 2004
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My friend needs a new computer that will support just basic things. It's going to be used for internet (email surfing etc), burning cds, uploading pictures from digital camera, chatting. There's not much to it... problem is i'm very busy atm and i thought i'd ask for some help from you guys here at AT. I honestly don't have enough time as of this moment to go looking for parts to buy for this build so i'm KINDLY asking to PLEASE help me pick out some good, quality parts for this build.

I'm looking for the specs below plz:

- Maybe an intel 2.4 to a 2.8 range? or less if you guys think its not a big deal
- Good reliable motherboad, no need for all the features... just something stable and solid
- 512mb ram ?? or 256 is ample? I'd rather go with 512
- Video card ( will most likely be using one of my 64mb Geforce 4's... i have both an AGP and a PCI)
- I will be picking out a case
- Most likely will pick out a harddrive too but suggestions are welcome (going for 80gb or 120... but most likely 120)
- WinXP Home
- I will worry about kb/mouse :)
- He has a monitor but a new one would be nice to have... prolly gonna tell him to get a nice 17" CRT.

So basically the only concern i have is what kind if hardware will be good enough to handle some picture editting... NOTHING HARDCORE... just basic editting with paint softwares. Loading times for pictures? what processor and amount of ram should be ample.

Again my friend is not computer friendly so it's not a big deal as far as what the hardware's extra features. Also like i said no major or hardcore edditting invovled, for the most part it will just be uploading pictures from his digital camera to the computer to view, send, email, etc.

P.S. MOST IMPORTANTLY ... is this build possible for around $400-500? That would make him happy cuz hes not spending a lot.



Thank you VERY much in advance from everyone,

Ayman
 
mechBgon

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
30,699
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Antec SLK3700AMB is a nice budget case overall, to start with. 350W Antec-brand PSU, 120mm exhaust, not too loud. Looks nice with black drives :) There are pics of it in the link in my signature, if you/he want to see one torn apart.
 
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Cares

Senior member
Mar 8, 2005
868
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76
Is your friend interested in buying a preowned system? I am upgraded to a new system and I might sell my ASUS P4B533-E motherboard with an Intel P4 2.4GHz 533FSB processor. No ram or HDD or anything. Selling for $100 including some cheap case I got for $30 at a computer show (really basic).
 
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sangyup81

Golden Member
Feb 22, 2005
1,082
1
81
that power supply has only 15amp on the 12v rail
you could get more for less

and you can get that athlon64 3000 90nm s939 for $129

as for the hard drive, go for a best buy or compusa sale if you don't mind the rebate
 
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ribbon13

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2005
9,343
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Originally posted by: sangyup81
that power supply has only 15amp on the 12v rail
you could get more for less

and you can get that athlon64 3000 90nm s939 for $129

as for the hard drive, go for a best buy or compusa sale if you don't mind the rebate
Click to expand...

Basic machine... most computers don't even eat 180w of power across all the voltages.

Show me where a retail winchester is $129 w/ shipping and I'll chane my list.

Supporting best buy and compusa is a good way to end up in hell.
 
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Cares

Senior member
Mar 8, 2005
868
0
76
I think it might be cheaper to get an OEM and buy an aftermarket HSF since the price difference is about $25.
 
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ribbon13

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2005
9,343
0
0
Good HSF is $20. Save $5 to lose 30 months of warranty ^^ Actually save $0 after shipping. Try again.
 
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inspiron8200guy

Member
Jan 26, 2005
120
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CompUSA had a WD 80 GB hard drove for 30 bucks on Thursday. Don't know if the sale is still going on though. Good luck!
 
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sangyup81

Golden Member
Feb 22, 2005
1,082
1
81
Originally posted by: ribbon13
Originally posted by: sangyup81
that power supply has only 15amp on the 12v rail
you could get more for less

and you can get that athlon64 3000 90nm s939 for $129

as for the hard drive, go for a best buy or compusa sale if you don't mind the rebate
Click to expand...

Basic machine... most computers don't even eat 180w of power across all the voltages.

Show me where a retail winchester is $129 w/ shipping and I'll chane my list.

Supporting best buy and compusa is a good way to end up in hell.
Click to expand...

Monarch Computer Winchester 3000+ OEM $129.00
http://www.monarchcomputer.com/Merchant...PROD&Product_Code=120421&AFFIL=pg&NR=1

And Best Buy/CompUSA = you get it right away. But if you live in a state with high sales tax, then maybe I wouldn't get it from them.
 
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ribbon13

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2005
9,343
0
0
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piasabird

Lifer
Feb 6, 2002
17,168
60
91
Might be better off buying a Dell. They probably are still selling 400Mhz FSB Celerons pretty cheap. I think any processor with 2 Gig speed will be fast enough.

Depends what you want to do and if you have a monitor and other peripheral devices like a mouse and a keyboard and maybe some speakers.

I am still using an Asus A7N8X motherboard, with a XP2800 processor. It has been running cool and trouble free for a long time. I think a motherboard like this runs about $75.

I put mine in an Antec SLK3700AMB Case. This case is top quality and is designed to run as quiet as is reasonable possible. It has a nice car quality Gloss finish in a silver grey color. The hard drive mounts are at the bottom of the case directly infront of the intake vents and cool air constant passes around my hard drive. The mounts on the case for the hard drive have special screws that go through rubber grommets that reduce roise and vibration from the hard drive. Mine came with the Antec Power supply. Antec power supplies run very cool and very quiet. Whether you put an Intel or AMD motherboard in this case it will be a nice quiet case.

There are plenty of nice cases out there. Just depends what you want to spend.

You dont have to have a $150 Processor to read E-Mail or an expensive Motherboard, but there is an advantage to going with an AMD Athlon 64 since it is a good running motherboard and the processor tends to run cool and does not use too much power.

Option 1 AMD
Athlon 64 2800 $120 Retail
Asus K8N Nforce3 250 $87 + $3 shipping

Option 2 AMD
AthlonXP 2800 $109 Retail
Asus A7N8X Ultra 400 $76 + $3 shipping

I think both of these options are nice.

I dont feel comfortable recommending an 800 Mhz P4 I think you might do better with AMD. The Intel Price is so high that the 775 socket processors are cheaper than the older 800Mhz Processors. However they just cost too much. If you want a fairly good deal get a Celeron with at least a 533Mhz FSB because it has a larger Cache size. Then get a intel Chipset motherboard.

 
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ayman

Senior member
Dec 22, 2004
327
0
0
Thanks soo much guys for all the feedback, helped me out a lot!


Ribbon13, that list looks really good, even with that machine and a 64mb card that i will supply him i bet he'll be able to play some cool games... although he wont lol.

well at first i was thinking intel b/c of the whole "image" dealing idea but i think the amd64 should do just fine! ram will work great with it too, yay

aright well my last thing is to look for a cd-rom burner and a dvd player... hell if there's any good deals out there for a dvd burner that will be great!! i dont know what good name brands for rom drives are... only thing that comes to mind to me when thinking is samsung, sony, and that c-open or w/e its called... so i'll need a good suggestion :D

other than that the info you guys gave me was A++


Thanks again,

Ayman
 
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mshan

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2004
7,868
0
71
Antec SLK3700AMB without power supply: $35 shipped
http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview...atid=45&threadid=1541757&enterthread=y

NewEgg has the 400W Coolmax Taurus power supply, whose cable lengths are perfect for the SLK3700AMB and is extremely quiet. Was occaisionally on sale for $38 shipped. Another not as quiet option is the Fortron FSP300-60PN.

Why not AMD Nforce2 mobo (Asus A7N8X v2 Deluxe or Abit NFS-7S) and an AMD Athlonx XP "barton" (unlocked 2500+ or even a mobile)? Probably can get both for about the same price as an used P4.

And if he really doesn't do any gaming, a Matrox G450 produces a beautiful picture for phot editing (DirectX 6 support, however).
 
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