**Updated** Need suggestions for what I have building computer for customer.

[Sappster]

Alright, here's the update...

Case - ANTEC PERFORMANCE II Model# SX630II (BEIGE) ATX MINI TOWER CASE w/ 300W Smart POWER SUPPLY..................$75.00

Mobo - Asus A7N266-VM............................................................................................................................................................$71.00

Processor - AthlonXP 1700+ with HSF combo............................................................................................................................$65.00

Memory - DDR PC2700 1 stick - 512MB from Crucial...................................................................................................................$118.99

Monitor - SyncMaster 750S 17" She wants and needs a REALLY good 15-17" CRT.................................................................$126.00

Burner - Sony 40x12x48............................................................................................................................................................$51.00

DVD - Toshiba 16X.....................................................................................................................................................................$40.00

Grand Total................................................................................................................................................................................$546.99

Now, keep in mind that I have a budget here. I have to keep the total cost under $650. I trust Crucial Memory. She doesn't want to have to wait around for her computer to load and stuff, so she wants it fast, which is why I'm going with the PC2700. I really need a good monitor for her. One thing I didn't include in the Price was the HD. I'm looking for one of these. If I can find a 80GB HD for $85 or under I'll get it. It has to be WD, IBM, or Seagate, NOT maxtor. Any other suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!

Peace!

 

[Biggerhammer]

At that budget, you have some room to get a decent motherboard. I've gotten good service out of an A7V333-raid, but choose what you want. I just wandered through Newegg and put together a system like you're talking about for just under $600:

AMD Athlon XP 2000+/266 FSB Processor CPU - OEM 2000+/ 1.67GHz, $79
Asus A7S333-E SIS745 Chipset 266/200MHz FSB Motherboard with CMI 6 Channel Sound RETAIL $70
GEIL 512MB PC-2700 (333MHz) DDR RAM, $112 (there's much cheaper out there, if you want)
GOLDSTAR CDRW and DVD COMBO Drive Model GCC-4320B(B) OEM $72
Codegen Model# 6081-1 (Beige) ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 400W Power $28
Maxtor 80GB 7200RPM Hard Drive Model # 6Y080L0 - OEM $98
floppy $12
17" monitor $120 inc shipping

 

[newbiepcuser]

Dude she is getting a Dell.

Catch Dell with those LCD deals. Save yourself the tech support hours.

 

[Sappster]

Originally posted by: newbiepcuser
Dude she is getting a Dell.

Catch Dell with those LCD deals. Save yourself the tech support hours.

Uh...no she is not getting a Deal. Did you catch the hint that I am building it for her? Besides, computer companies like that build everything on the mobo. So if one dies everyone dies. But not with my built computer. But thanks for the help anyways...

 

[Macro2]

RE:"Codegen Model# 6081-1 (Beige) ATX Mid-Tower Case w/ 400W Power $28"
Ut oh....

DVD Rom - Toshiba - $41

CD-RW Liteon or LG - say $50 or $20 after rebate.

Case - Enlight 72xx w/300 W PS $59 or better yet an Antec 630 or 835...w/smartpower PS (truepower is better but mo' money.

HD- think I saw a 60 gig this coming weekend at a store near you. - $60

Video card - matrox G450 - $72 nice colors.

17" CRT monitor - $100 after rebate at a store near you.

Nice Soltek KT400 muthaboard for $71 @ mwave--- purple too!

Athlon XP 1700+ $52 @ newegg or faster if you have the money

Mouse optical $15

Keyboard $10-15.

Speakers $10

Thermaltake Volcano 6cu HSF $10.

RAM- one 256meg stick of PNY DDR on special this weekend at a store near you for???

NIC - $5 on special at a store near you fter rebate.

I think you be way under $650.

 

[Shockwave]

I would go with the aforementioned PC, with one exception. I tell everyone, budget the PC, but not the monitor. Sometimes people get caught up in the chase for speed, and forget one thing. The monitor is what YOU interface with everyday, all the time you use the PC. Get the absolute best you can afford. That doesnt mean go snag some 21" Triny or Diamond, but definately shop around. Find one you like. Go to the stores and look at them, not at the prices. Just look, when you find one you like the looks of then check price.
The point is, eye strain (To me) is WAY worse then watching the hourglass spin while the PC thinks. So, I would look for the best monitor you can.

 

[Macro2]

Good point Shockwave.
Throw another $130 at the monitor and get that 19" flatscreen viewsonic I saw at OD last week for $230.

 

[mechBgon]

Also keep the Asus A7N266-VM in mind. It's worked out very well for our office systems. I won't claim the 2D video is visually spectacular, but it's got an AGP slot you can use if you don't like its built-in video. Its onboard sound is the full-blown nVidia Soundstorm 5.1 with AC-3 output on both optical and RCA, as well as analog jacks, it takes up to a 2600+ (266MHz-based) as well as all other 200- or 266-based SocketA CPUs, and it's only $72. Onboard LAN, too.

Also, don't forget an operating system. I'd go with Win2000 if you're thinking to use the A7N266-VM.

 

[newbiepcuser]

Uh...no she is not getting a Deal. Did you catch the hint that I am building it for her? Besides, computer companies like that build everything on the mobo. So if one dies everyone dies. But not with my built computer. But thanks for the help anyways...

Dell uses Intel boards by the way.

Well remember that 50% of the motherboards out there have everything on the motherboard...nForce 2 boards, 845G/GE boards.

But to help you out more.

I agree with Shockwave-Get a good monitor

Monitor definetly get it at Dell esp with stackable coupons, speacial deals.
My buddy got nice flat monitor 17 inch Samsung for under 140 shipped. These aren't generic rebate speacials
check your favorite techbargains or chubbywallet site for those deals.

If you have time and there isn't immediate rush, you can probably hook up with Dell deal for Lite-on DVD-rom for 31.00 and 48X CDRW for for 42.00 shipped.
I would stick with Antec true powersupply, if crappy powersupply blows out, it can take out your whole system down, not intergrated parts.


If you buy your parts make sure you get them from Newegg.com so if sh$t hits the roof, you will have no problems RMA it. The other members pick out pretty nice parts.

Always check the sunday ads for deals on mice, keyboards and burners. The rest of stuff, buy it from a reliable vendor and not some pricewatch low ball place.


oh,common mistake for building for others, you're buidling for her and not your specs.

nForce2 MSI review--->saves you on video, sound, etc...

if she can work with that saves you some money. If not then pop in a nice video card.


Just newbiepcuser's 2 cents-good luck.

Congrats on your first machine built by the way. Read your rig.

 

[Sappster]

Alright, here's the update...

Case - ANTEC PERFORMANCE II Model# SX630II (BEIGE) ATX MINI TOWER CASE w/ 300W Smart POWER SUPPLY..................$75.00

Mobo - Asus A7N266-VM............................................................................................................................................................$71.00

Processor - AthlonXP 1700+ with HSF combo............................................................................................................................$65.00

Memory - DDR PC2700 1 stick - 512MB from Crucial...................................................................................................................$118.99

Monitor - SyncMaster 750S 17" She wants and needs a REALLY good 15-17" CRT.................................................................$126.00

Burner - Sony 40x12x48............................................................................................................................................................$51.00

DVD - Toshiba 16X.....................................................................................................................................................................$40.00

Grand Total................................................................................................................................................................................$546.99

Now, keep in mind that I have a budget here. I have to keep the total cost under $650. I trust Crucial Memory. She doesn't want to have to wait around for her computer to load and stuff, so she wants it fast, which is why I'm going with the PC2700. I really need a good monitor for her. One thing I didn't include in the Price was the HD. I'm looking for one of these. If I can find a 80GB HD for $85 or under I'll get it. It has to be WD, IBM, or Seagate, NOT maxtor. Any other suggestions would be awesome. Thanks!

Peace!

 

[Sappster]

Anyone have anything else they would like to add??