UPDATED: Hi, I need a couple of AT stamps of approval on this Computer Setup

[optimistic]

Hi, I've been out of the comptuer scene for a while. Just want to get your guy's opinion on this setup I will be building for my cousin.

Budget: $900
Wants: LCD Monitor, Printer, Burner? (She doesn't know how to use one)
For: Word Processing, Internet, Light Gaming?
Already Has: mATX Case, Keyboard & Mouse

MWAVE MOTHERBOARD BUNDLE $266.70
EPOX EP-4GLM+
- Integrated Graphics
- Integrated Sound
- Integrated LAN, USB 2.0
INTEL PENTIUM 4 1.6AG
MWAVE 256MB NON-ECC PC2100

OTHER COMPONENTS
SAMSUNG 15"/15V SYNCMASTER 151S $355
Current Fry's 40GB 7200RPM Deal $70
SONY SPRESSA 24X/10X/40X CDRW $55
HP DeskJet 656C $30
ALTEC LANSING AVS 200 Speakers $13
56k Modem $10
Floppy Drive $10

____________________________________________
Total So Far: $809.70
After Tax/Will Call: $881.50

Do you think it's ok? Did I leave anything out? Can anyone comment on the parts?
Should I discourage my cousin from buying LCD? (Not in budget?)
Can you guys do better with $900? Not looking for anything as specific as this, just throw some general specs at me. I'd appreciate it.
- Thanks!


________________OLD SPECS___________________

MWAVE BAREBONE $360
Epox 4G4A i845G
- Integrated VGA
- AC97 Sound
Intel Celeron 1.7GHz
256MB PC2100
Sony 24x10x40x
CaseEdge 3000SFP4
- 1.44MB Floppy

OTHER COMPONENTS
HITACHI 15"/15V CML153XW .29 1024X768 LCD $340
- Integrated Speakers
Current Fry's 60GB Deal $80
HP DeskJet 656C $30
56k Modem $10

____________________________________________
Total So Far: $820
After Tax/Will Call: $892.65

 

[Adul]

light gaming on integrated? probaly more likely to happen on a nforce system then a p4 based system
but over it looks ok.

nef stamp of approval

 

[optimistic]

Originally posted by: Adul
nef stamp of approval

Cool! Eh, she's in her late 20s -so maybe light -to- no gaming, but she does have a 13-year-old newphew that visits a lot.

And what are you doing up so late, Adul?

Thanks though, and I need more NEF stamps...err AT stamps of approval!!

 

[Chaotic42]

I'd ditch the flat panel and get a good $250-300 19" CRT.

Does she really need a burner?

 

[optimistic]

I can't imagine anyone living without one. And I guess she might want to make an audio CD one day. The LCD is her idea. Maybe I can get her a better one if I go with an Athlon setup. Or I can just discourage it altogether if you really think it's too hard to find a decent LCD at this budget.

Thanks for the repiles.

 

[oldfart]

I'd ditch the C1.7A in favor of a P41.6A if you can.

 

[optimistic]

Here, I updated my specks, tell me if you like

 

[cmdrdredd]

I'd spend around 80 bucks for a Radeon or a Gf4MX card for light gaming.

 

[Vinny N]

If you're looking for stamps of approval from here guess you'll get a couple just for using an Epox mobo..

Nah, nothing against them, seriously just slightly annoyed at how we all herd to the same stuff and sometimes it doesn't turn out so well...I just hope Epox doesn't go the way of MSI, popular product starts dying on its buyers. *cough* MSI K7T Pro 2-A *cough* Bitter?....nooooooo


Only thing I would really change in the system is possibly the burner, most of the Sony 24X burners I've seen have seemed just a wee bit flaky. (but that was the first rev Sony 24x, Mwave's stock doesn't indicate what model). It's probably fine, especially if it's the second revision.

 

[optimistic]

Yeah I was wondering about the Spressas, but went with it beause I thought my cousin will be more appreciative of the pretty "Sony" name on the faceplate rather than the blank faceplate of the LiteOn's.

Do you think the Sony will serve fine as the main CD Player? The case only has one 5.25" bay.

 

[optimistic]

Originally posted by: Vinny_N
...just slightly annoyed at how we all herd to the same stuff and sometimes it doesn't turn out so well...

Oh! Like the K75SAs??? Heheh

 

[Adul]

sony will serve just fine.

 

[optimistic]

I just saw pics of Sony Spressa's on newegg without any logo's on the faceplate. Do you guy's have logos inprinted on your Spressas? I'm buying mine from mwave, but it says White Box. What do you think? No logo on that one either?

 

[Adul]

no logo on it i bet. whitebox is oem for most part. you could always get a tdk one and go for the cool looks.

asus makes a really nice burner has well

 

[Vinny N]

Yep unfortunately, all the whitebox/oem ones don't have the logo anywhere, it's not even labeled on the front with the drive speeds like the retail package. Looks nicer IMO, but doesn't work if you're after the logo

 

[hans007]

my computer cost me $660 so far.


if youwant a cheaper motherboard. go to newegg refurb, and pick up a ECS l4s5mg.

its like $49, has everyting that board from epox has. check out my sig. i did that for $660 and the considering the case waws$85, so you should be able to do better if you are creative, use the fs/ft forum, and get hot deals. maybe shave off $100 or so.

 

[Adul]

never use refurb for a customer.

 

[optimistic]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone!! I'll look for those asus drives, tdk might be a little top expensive. And I agree about the refrubs...It'd be kinda hard to troubleshoot & replace a defective parts when the computer belongs to someone else :\