Non-gaming "tight purse strings" build Opinions?

[louv68]

I'm ready to hit the checkout button. In your opinion, are there other parts I should consider instead? I'm trying to keep it right around $400 I have all the other needed hardware and accessories and will load it w/ Win 2000 Pro This will be a general purpose, non-gaming pc. I will also use it for video/audio editing and re-encoding using DVD-RB/CCE

COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW Black Aluminum Bezel, SECC ATX Mid Tower Case $49.99 - $10 MIR http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811119068

GIGABYTE GA-M61P-S3 Socket AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 6100 ATX AMD Motherboard $84.99
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813128034

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+(65W) Windsor 2.4GHz AM2 Processor ADO4600CUBOX $109.99 with Promo Code EMC508FADO46 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103749

SAPPHIRE 100192L Radeon X1050 256MB DDR PCI Express x16 Video Card $47.99 - $10 MIR
http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16814102078

(2) Kingston 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Desktop Memory KVR667D2N5/1G $39.99 http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820134045 $79.98

Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound $5.99

Total $403.93 w/ S&H

[smitbret]

If money is tight, you'd almost be better off going with the 3800+ and spending the rest on another HDD. Sure, a faster processor is better for video encoding, but you'll be able to overclock the 3800+ to 4600+ speeds and save yourself some $$$. Then again, $110 for the 4600 isn't bad either.

[rallynavvie]

Halve the memory. I doubt you'll need that much on a Win2k box, especially if it's doing mostly encoding.

There's no PSU with that case that I can see so do yourself a favor and splurge on a good one. That is really the most important part of your PC.

[louv68]

Thank you both for your input. I decided to stick with the 4600+ as I'm not planning on OC'ing. Is it worth going with XP in your opinion, and if yes, which one - Home or Professional? Is it a safe bet to go with an OEM version of Windows?

[SingSing]

There are no Harddisk in your configuration.

Before you are done, you should take a look at a Dell or Compaq on sales.

[dphirschler]

XP home is fine. The pros may correct me, but the big advantage to XP Pro is remote desktop... which I assume you will not be using.


Darryl

[buttzilla]

It safe to go with and oem xp if you dont ever plan on updating your system. An oem version is tied to the motherboard you install on. If in the future you update you system there is a good chance windows will not allow you to activate it on your new system. If you do go with xp go with the pro version. It has more features then the home. I would also stick with a gig of memory at the minumum. go with 2 if you can afford. Video work eats memory.

[TheFamilyMan]

You should consider using DDR2 800 memory, with a 1G dual channel (2x512) kit, since this is the mobo's and CPU's memory standard. This can be had for about an extra $10 and it will noticably boost your system's performance. Using OEM XP is the way to go if you are getting XP. I recommend doing so since you're building with all up to date hardware. SATA drives are the way to go if you are getting a new HD, they kick the pants off ATA drives performance wise and are not that much more expensive.

Edit:
I agree with Nelson37's below point about 2000 . Don't bother with XP unless problems dictate otherwise. You can upgrade to it anytime.

[Nelson37]

On a budget, I certainly would not spend any extra for XP if you already have Win2K. Same performance, better in some areas, simplified installation requirements.

Board has built-in video. Save the $40.00 and put it towards the fastest RAM the board will take, the 800Mhz. I would start with 1 gig, you can always add two more 512 later.

Comments indicate on-board sound not of highest quality. If you're just editing, maybe not an issue but if doing any correction/enhancement, might be a problem.

I have that exact case, lotsa room, big fans, nice fasteners, inexpensive but not cheap.

[bevills1]

Recently I did similar upgrade to a 512 MB, 3400+ system running Win2k for under $300, and it's more than fast enough for my use. WinXP is quite similar to Win2k with a few added features, and I'd not buy WinXP unless those few features are needed. I've been running Win2k 4 to 5 years now, and I've found no need for WinXP.

[budz]

as already mentioned by rallynavvie buy a good power supply.
here's one that's worth buying since the cables are modular.

ANTEC 500 WATT NEO POWER SUPPLY, $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817103940

[ozymango]

I wouldn't let a Windows 2000 machine on our network (security issues up the kazoo) but for home use I don't see a need to update to XP. But keep it patched and make sure your virus updates stay current!