Spec Check for Budget PC!

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
Welp, it's been asked 999,999 times before, so I'll ask it again. Please tell me what you think about the parts that I have chosen for a budget PC for my two younger sisters.

I'll say it here first, before someone does: I've decided against a mac mini. As cool as it looks (and i'm sure my sisters will like it's looks better), I just don't think it will snappy enough for long enough to justify buying it...and I don't know enough about OSX to do tech support over the phone while I'm off at college.

So anyway, here's the parts:

SOLTEK "SL-K8AN2E-GR" NVIDIA nForce3 250Gb Chipset Motherboard For AMD Socket 754 CPU -RETAIL - $88.74/shipped
Justification: As far as I know, this is the best socket 754 budget mobo. If I'm wrong, tell me.

AMD Athlon 64 3200+ Processor Socket 754 Retail - $186.00/shipped
Justification: This computer will likely need to be used for nearly 4 years (at least 2 for sure) without any upgrades, just so my youngest sister can use it throughout high school. That's why I picked a faster processor, so the slowdown with age won't seem as bad. It's possible that you might convince me to go down to a 3000+, but it's also possible you all might convice me to get a 3400+ (Which I might end up switching out for my 3200+ :) )


ANTEC Solution Series Super Mid Tower Case with 350W Power Supply, Model "SLK3700AMB" - Retail $75.98/shipped
Justification: This looked like a solid budget case, with a solid 350w Antec PSU. Is there a cheaper option out there? I'm not convinced I would need more than 350w, but I wouldn't feel comfortable with less.

NEC ND-3520A 16X Double Layer DVD±RW Bare Drive (Black) - $59.99/shipped
Justification: I'll actually be taking this from their computer and putting it in mine, so that I can have 2 DVD burners :) I'll give them my 52x lite-on cd burner/dvd combo drive instead.

Corsair VS1GBKIT400 1GB Kit DDR400 PC3200 CAS2.5 Value Select Memory Retail - $108/shipped
Justification: What can I say? I like the idea of 1 gig of RAM, and at $108 I can hardly turn it down. If you can convince me that they only need 512mb, then please show me a better way to spend the money.

Asus V9400-X/TD nVidia MX4000 AGP 8X 64MB DDR Video Card w/TV-Out & DVI Retail - $33.99 shipped
Justification: They won't be gaming, and I happen to have 2 CRTs sitting around. This will give them the option to watch a dvd on one screen and still chat away on AIM on the other. Is there a better/cheaper option out there?

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Single Full Version OEM - $87.99/shipped
Is there a cheaper place to get windows xp home? I don't want to have to wait extra days to get it while the rest of the parts are sitting there, that will drive me nuts.

edit: NEC 1.44MB Black Internal Floppy Drive, OEM - $11.00/shipped
What's to say, it's a floppy drive.

Link Depot 10" FLOPPY UV CABLE 2 CONNECTOR SILVER, Model UV-FLP10-SL -RETAIL - $7.98/shipped
Do I even need a floppy cable, or will one come with my motherboard? I'm pretty sure I don't have any laying around at home, but I might...is $7.98 a ripoff?

Masscool 120mm Case Fan, Model "FD12025B1M3/4" -RETAIL x 2 - $19.96/shipped
Justification: The antec case doesn't come with a 120mm fan for intake up front, so I need one. I got a second fan because I plan to cut a hole in the side of the case and add another outlet fan to keep things cool, as the computer will spend most of it's time inside of a desk, as opposed to in the completely open air. Do you think this is necessary to do, or will 2 fans cut it? I know these things are loud (47 dB) but I don't think my sisters will even notice.

Why no hard drive you ask? I alread have this WD at home for them to use.

Total cost: $686.77/shipped Budget: $700.00

Well, did I miss anything? Would you change anything? Thanks, skew

 
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
Please don't make broad comments like that, if you feel I should change something, please tell me what part you would pick instead. Thank you for your comments though.
 
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
Thanks ribbon, I wasn't sure about the floppy cable. Cool fan, looks like it might cut my finger off though :) I may choose that one for the fan I cut into the side of the case, because that will look cooler.
 
M

Melchior

Banned
Sep 16, 2004
634
0
0
Corsair VS is very quality RAM.

Anyhow, I dont think you need 1 gb of it though. There is almost no way to go past 512 unless your sister likes to multitask like crazy.
 
I

imported_itr

Senior member
Mar 2, 2005
900
0
0
if you don't game, then there really isn't a need for 1gb of ram, 512mb will do just fine. spend the extra money on something else.
 
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
Good points...that's two votes for 512mb or RAM. I think 5 votes will change my mind.

skew
 
R

ribbon13

Diamond Member
Feb 1, 2005
9,343
0
0
If you sisters have The Sims 2, or are the types that would get it, do NOT get just 512MB RAM.
 
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
Hmm...I do own the Sims 1, and they probably would play it if I installed it. Point: ribbon.
 
I

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
If it's not gonna be a gaming maching, 512 MB is plenty.
And you can always back the CPU down to 3000+ or 2800+.
 
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
512mb doesn't sound like a terrible idea...it would give me $54 to buy them a keyboard/mouse...heck, if i threw in another $15 or so of my own, I could get a wireless mx duo and give them my keyboard and mouse...hmmm....i like the sound of that :)
 
I

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
Originally posted by: iamskew
512mb doesn't sound like a terrible idea...it would give me $54 to buy them a keyboard/mouse...heck, if i threw in another $15 or so of my own, I could get a wireless mx duo and give them my keyboard and mouse...hmmm....i like the sound of that :)
Click to expand...

Good idea.
 
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
Wow, awesome deal on the mx duo ribbon :) Especially with free shipping :) For that price, I'll just buy the mx duo for myself and donate my keyboard and mouse to the cause. 3400+ w/ 512 ram...I like the way you all think :)
 
I

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
Just realize that's a refurbished Duo. But I have bough from Justdeals in the past, and they seem to be a good etailer.

Edit: Rechargable battiries not included.:(
 
I

iamskew

Senior member
Aug 17, 2004
538
0
0
Originally posted by: Ike0069
Just realize that's a refurbished Duo. But I have bough from Justdeals in the past, and they seem to be a good etailer.

Edit: Rechargable battiries not included.:(
Click to expand...


Refurbished isn't a big deal and I bet I can pick up some cheap rechargable batteries on ebay. Thanks for pointing that out though :)

skew

On topic:
Just talked to my mom, she was actually up for 1 gig RAM and a 3400+ as it only boosts the price to $713.45. My sister's are going to happy campers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom