Building a PC, first time.

[Poppa_Meth]

I'm going to build a PC for my girlfriend. She will be using for light gaming, nothing that required the latest tech in video cards or the fastest processors. Here is my parts list. Please let me know what you think and point out any errors or improvements.

Rosewill R114A Silver Case with 400W PSU $59.50
R114A N82E16811147005
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-147-005&depa=1

Intel P4 2.4 Ghz 800 mhz FSB 512k cache Hyper Threading $149.00
BX80532PG2400D N82E16819116157
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&depa=1

PDP Systems 184 pin 256 X 2 DDR PC-3200 RAM $87.00 for set.
PPC5123200LLK N82E16820220002
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-002&depa=1

ASRock P4V88 RAID VIA PT880 Motherboard $44.50
P4V88 RAID N82E16813157034
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-157-034&depa=1

Seagate Hard Drive 80GB OEM $62.15
ST380011A N82E16822148015
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-015&depa=1

Turtle Beach Santa Cruz $47.99
TBS3400 N82E16829118102
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=29-118-102&depa=1

Powercolor Radeaon 9600 Pro 128MB 128-bit $118.00
R96A-C3N N82E16814131219
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-131-219&depa=1

Samsung DVD-ROM Drive $25.99
TS H352A/WBGH N82E16827151208
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-151-208&depa=1

Sony CD-RW Drive $23.99
CRX230ED-B2 N82E16827106823
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-823&depa=1

Samsung Diskette Drive $7.50
SFD321B1LBL1 N82E16821103203
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=21-103-203&depa=1

Logitech Keyboard - HAVE
and Mouse $20.00

Windows XP Home $95.00 OEM

NEC 17" CRT $148.00
FE770-BK N82E16824002032
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=24-002-032&depa=1

Logitech X-230 2.1 Speakers $45.99
970123-0403 N82E16836121119
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=36-121-119&DEPA=1


Total of $935. More than I wanted to spend but I don't want to put junk in it and have to deal with the problems later.

[Poppa_Meth]

Also found this nVidia FX5500 card for $79.00 which seems pretty decent and would save me $40. Any input?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=14-145-076&depa=1

[adam]

How important is audio to this person? That mobo has 6 channel onboard audio and, in my opinion, onboard audio has gotten pretty good on the latest batch of mobos. Unless you are really into gaming or are going to use the pc as a media player, I think you could possibly lose the 3rd party sound card.

Also, maybe consider spending a little bit extra and just getting a cheap dvd burner instead of a separate cdrw drive and dvd-rom.

Make sure your girl doesn't mind having a giant nightlight either, otherwise you may want a case without all the lights.

[makntraks]

To much tech for a chixor.....

Agree w/ Adam...
onboard sound should be fine. I'd go one step further and drop the floppy and add a DVD burner..


YMMV,
makntraks

[Dr. DOS]

PDP Systems 184 pin 256 X 2 DDR PC-3200 RAM $87.00 for set.
PPC5123200LLK N82E16820220002
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-002&depa=1

How many memory slots do you have on this MB... if only two I would be tempted to get a single 512M stick.

[Poppa_Meth]

I may drop the sound card. I'd like the drive setup. I like seperate drives to reduce wear on them. And I'll be lucky if she can figure out CD burning. She'll have absolutely no use for a DVD burner. Thanks for the input.

[Poppa_Meth]

4 slots on the mobo. I would get more RAM, but I'm trying to keep cost down and with what she'll be doing with it I doubt she'll need more than 512mb for quite some time.

[Soopafresh]

She's gonna complain about the fan noise. Trust me on this. Adam is right, fuggetabout the Turtle Beach card. Actually, spend the money on a quiet cpu fan, ala

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=35-186-102&depa=0


and, a quiet power supply, ala

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-159-023&DEPA=0

and, a light aluminum case that allows her to move the PC around, ala

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-117-031&depa=1


Hope she's worth it. Sure you're not being too nice ? That stuff backfires on you.

[zzyzzx]

You should be able to get a HD for less than that (after rebate) from Staples if you wait for a sale. Same for the memory (except savings will be less).

The video card is way more than you need. A cheap used one off eBay will be sufficient. I'm talking less than $20. For a video card like the one I use now (that PCI) probably more like $5.

[zzyzzx]

Would also be much cheaper to get an AMD Sempron (like my 2500 I got for ~$60). Just aviod VIA motherboards. Intel stuff is a waste of money.

[Poppa_Meth]

The P4 comes with a CPU fan that by all reviews I've seen is quite and works very well. I'll probably try it before buying another CPU fan.

I might go with the PSU and case seperate like that. I've been debating if that case puts off too much light or not.

How many fans do you thing would be neccesary? There is a CPU fan, fan on the video card, the fans in the powersuppy, and I was debating putting a quite 120mm fan in the back on the case. Maybe that would be overkill though.

I think I've decided to go with the nVidia card for video. That'll reduce price quite a bit.

And I'm yet to decide if I'll do this at all. She very well may not be worth it.

[Poppa_Meth]

I've been thinking of checking into AMD setups. I just don't really know much about AMD. I'm familiar with Pentiums, but there is always room for change. Anyone recommend a good reliable AMD CPU and Mobo combination?

[HatchetMan]

Just go with Intel. Amd stuff is a waste of money.

[zzyzzx]

I've been thinking of checking into AMD setups. I just don't really know much about AMD. I'm familiar with Pentiums, but there is always room for change. Anyone recommend a good reliable AMD CPU and Mobo combination?

All the AMD CPU's are very reliable, probably better than Intel (slightly, both are excellent IMO). It's the motherboards that suck. Just dn't buy any motherboard that uses VIA branded chipsets. Personally I am using a Sempron 2500 with a Biostar M7NCD MB.

[Soopafresh]

The AMD Athlon 64 is a really nice chip. Runs VERY cool. The 3000 sells for $150 from Newegg.

I agree, the VIA motherboard chipsets aren't the best. The Nforce-3, however, is a different story.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-180-061&DEPA=1

[Poppa_Meth]

anyone have a clue how many fans this board has power for? I've never been into this enough to tell what I'm looking for. I had her look at cases tonight, told her I was building one for some idiots girlfriend. She really likes that Rosewill case, despite the possible fan noise.

[Soopafresh]

You'll have enough power between the on board fan connectors and the molex connectors coming from the power supply. Don't sweat it.

[Poppa_Meth]

Is there any problem with the VIA chipsets if using the P4 chip? Or is that just an AMD issue? I was originally looking at a nice Soltek Mobo, but it runs almost $100. Has more nice features for future upgrades though and has Wi-Fi. Speaking of which, what exactly is Wi-Fi? I'm assuming its like an integrated connection for a wireless network, but I'm not too sure on it. Also anyone have any opinions on wireless broadband? They have DSL at her place but the main PC and modem are a fair bit away from where her's will be. I was considering a wireless setup for internet, but there is a wall seperating the rooms. Think that will pose any problems?

[budz]

use a ASUS mobo if you're going with a PENT 4 chip.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=13-131-515&DEPA=0

wifi is accessible from asus. they have their own. check it out from asus website.

[Poppa_Meth]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-462&depa=1

How about this asus mobo? It has Wi-Fi support and seems to be a good solid board. There are some reports of having issues with the 2nd IDE controller when using front USB connections though.

[Soopafresh]

Yeah, that ASUS mobo you linked to is just fine. And, you avoided the VIA chipset. Good job.

[budz]

I would avoid the SIS chipset....they have their own share of problems from other computer forums that I've read from. I have built 2 pc's with the ASUS P4P800S mobo, the link I provided earlier is just the latest model that replaced the P4P800S. It's basically the same just a new mobo model number. I also built 2 pc's with the ASUS P4P800SE mobo. Not a problem with any of those mobo. The P4P800-X would be in my opinion a better mobo than the SIS chipset mobo. That's just my 2 cents!

[Poppa_Meth]

Okay here is my current configuration. how's it looking?

SkyHawk/Eagle Tech Silver Aluminum ATX Mini Server case, Model "MSR4611" -RETAIL $39.99
MSR4611 N82E16811117031
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-117-031&depa=1

COOLMAX 400W CX-400B, BLACK, Taurus CX Series Silent Power Supply $35.99
CX-400B (Black) N82E16817159023
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=17-159-023&DEPA=0

Thermaltake "Blue-Eye" High Performance 80mm LED Case Fan -RETAIL $4.90 X 2 = $9.80
A1640 N82E16811999114
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=11-999-114&DEPA=1

Intel P4 2.4 Ghz 800 mhz FSB 512k cache Hyper Threading $149.00
BX80532PG2400D N82E16819116157
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-157&depa=1

PDP Systems 184 pin 256 X 2 DDR PC-3200 RAM $87.00 for set.
PPC5123200LLK N82E16820220002
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=20-220-002&depa=1

ASUS "P4P800 SE" i865PE Chipset Motherboard for Intel Socket 478 CPU -RETAIL $95.00
P4P800SE N82E16813131484
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-131-484&depa=1

Seagate Hard Drive 80GB OEM $62.15
ST380011A N82E16822148015
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=22-148-015&depa=1

Chainteck nVidia FX5500 256MB Graphics Card $79.00
SA5500T2 N82E16814145076
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-145-076&depa=1

Samsung DVD-ROM Drive $25.99
TS H352A/WBGH N82E16827151208
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-151-208&depa=1

Sony CD-RW Drive $23.99
CRX230ED-B2 N82E16827106823
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-823&depa=1

Samsung Diskette Drive $7.50
SFD321B1LBL1 N82E16821103203
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=21-103-203&depa=1

Logitech Elite Keyboard USB/ PS/2 104keys -RETAIL $32.00
967234-0403 N82E16823126114
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=23-126-114&DEPA=1

Logitech Optical Mouse $20 at walmart.

Windows XP Home $95.00 OEM

NEC 17" CRT $148.00
FE770-BK N82E16824002032
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=24-002-032&depa=1

Logitech X-230 2.1 Speakers $45.99
970123-0403 N82E16836121119
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=36-121-119&DEPA=1

Total $956

[budz]

how about just getting a LITEON CDRW/DVDROM combo...
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=27-106-932&depa=1

i'd get a antec SLK1650B case that has a 350 watt power supply....i have that case which has a case fan that hovers over the cpu......the case has a door so if you wanna get drives that are beige no would be able to see them....

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-129-150&depa=1

everything else looks good.....

[ViRaL1]

If you're just looking for an inexpensive lightweight case on the other hand (I picked up 2 of these at Thanksgivinf and they're not bad, here's another Skyhawk case for $9.99 with the side air vent and a duct that screws down right over the CPU (depending on your mobo) to channel air directly in. It has as much space as (if not more than) the $40 case, but with an acrylic front versus the brushed (aluminum?). It includes the front USB and sound as well, just hidden behind the little door at the bottom.

[Poppa_Meth]

I'm not too fond of lite-on to be honest with you. Almost every CD drive I've seen from them screams like a banshee at high speeds.

I saw that $10 case as well. Didn't figure it could be very solid at that price but I'll give it another look.

The price tag is still awful high though. I'm wondering if maybe I should look into the AMD processors as well. How good is the sepiron series for gaming? Seems to be more of a business class CPU but I don't know much at all about AMD.

[ViRaL1]

I will say that it's not real heavy gauge material. It's not what I'd recommend turning on it's side and putting a CRT on top of, but something tells me it's probably not TOO different from the more expensive model which looks fairly thin as well.

[Poppa_Meth]

How is the fan port in the front set up? The reviews mention that it can take a 120mm fan in the front and back but I'm wondering how much good one in the front will do since the face doesn't look like it has much ventilation.

[gmatov]

You might, instead, consider buying a "barebones", all parts assembled, specify your additional parts, buy the OS on disk.

Most are box, board, CPU, RAM, you add HDD, OS, DVD/CD-RW, Floppy, monitor, which you can get locally for 69 bucks, after rebate, MAG, in this instance, KB and mouse, buy what you wish.

I do believe you can change the box/PSU if you want.

I have bought from the following link at computer shows, near here, and a time or 2 over the net. They have been good with defects, shipping replacements within a day. 179 and up for AMD based units.

If you don't know anything about CPUs, you would never in a million years know whether you had an AMD or an Intel in your machine. Strictly subjective. Intel has marketing muscle, but AMD seems to be killing them at the moment in results and performance.

Pricewise, the very highest end AMDs seem to be about the norm for the Intels of old. Super high, in my opinion. Of course, if their performance is so far ahead of the latest Intel, I can't blame them, just will wait till they get to be a gen or 2 old. I'm only up to 2400XP now, though Sandra says PR 2900, Pentium equivalent.

Innyhoo, microtechcomputers.com, here:

http://www.microtechcomputers.com/cats.asp?CatID=31

Barebones fopr AMD, go to HOME to check BB for Intel, browse for anythjing else you need, buy anything cheaper at newegg, or CompUSA, for that matter.

Cheers,

George

[Soopafresh]

I like your updated config so far. I too would get just a single DVD-CD/RW drive. You don't have to get Lite-On. Sony makes them as well, as do a slew of others.

The aluminum SkyHawk case is very light and easy to move around. I think you'll like it a lot.

Also, the speaker system you're allocating - unless you get free shipping, the freight charge on that puppy might be mucho bucks. Consider buying it locally.

I'll bet you can get a better deal on a keyboard as well. Look around locally once again.

Also, build it yourself. We'll help you. You'll know how to fix it if you're the builder.