Socket 754 Integrated Graphics - Need Advice

[natethegreat]

Couldn't decide on where to put this thread so I finally just posted here

I am going to be building a PC for a relative and had some questions about some components, here is what I am looking at:



Case: Antec

CPU: Athlon 64 2800+ S754

Motherboard: Abit KV-80

Memory: Corsair 512MB DDR400 Valueselect

Storage: Seagate 7200RPM 80GB S-ATA

Optical: NEC Double Layer Dvd RW

I will probably add a 3.5" floppy wich brings the total to= $504.49

1gb ram would bring it to= $575.99

I have a couple of questions about this setup.

1: Is this a cost effective set up or could I save them more money? They will be using it mostly for internet access and amateur photo and video editing. I know the hard drive and Dvd burner are maybe more than they need but they seem to be very good deals.

2: They want to reuse their old monitor(Dell 17" CRT bought in '98) so is video/photo editing going to be a problem with an old monitor and this setup? Would they need a dedicated graphics card/new monitor?

I don't think they will go for anything that ends up with a hardware budget of over $600

I know you guys can help me out even though I am a noob

Edit: Changed motherboard, added 1GB ram

 

[stevty2889]

The onboard graphics should be fine for what they are doing. If they are gonna be doing amateur video and photo editing though, I would recomend a 1gig of ram over 512mb.

 

[natethegreat]

How about he monitor? Is it too old? I will reccomend 1GB of ram, thanks for your help:thumbsup:

 

[Zebo]

Do yourself a favor and get a shuttle SFF A64 setup for less than $500 total, it will be much more attractive package and perform better. See review http://www.anandtech.com/syste...oc.aspx?i=2120&p=7

Shuttle XPC Barebone System for Socket 754 AMD Athlon 64 CPU, Model SK83G
Sound 6 chan, Firewire, video, Spdif etc etc etc -$199.00

NEC 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Drive, Black w/ Software, Model ND-3520A, $65.99

SAMSUNG 80GB 7200RPM IDE Hard Drive, Model SP0802N, $57.00

pqi POWER Series 184-Pin 512MB DDR PC-3200 $61.99

AMD Athlon 64 2800+, 512KB L2 Cache, 64-bit Processor - $115

Total $498

 

[Zebo]

1gig of ram is a waste for all but one game Farcry, which you won't be able to play anyway on that setup or most intense photoshopper.

 

[natethegreat]

They are upgrading from a dell P3 800Mhz and buying their first digital camera(Canon Eos Digital Rebel 300D). they are not very computer literate so I think they will start out with just basic photo/video editing software.

Thanks for the help Zebo Shuttle XPC Barebone System for Socket 754 AMD Athlon 64 CPU, Model SK83G I will add this as an option but they are going to make the final decision.

 

[natethegreat]

Any opions on this motherboard?

 

[Zebo]

If you want a stand alone mobo get this one:
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/...jsp?ProductCode=240156

Has three phase power, high quality japanese capacitors, firewire, and gigabit ethernet.