A PC for a Friend

Fate544

New Member
First off, I must say, thanks for all of the help on my other thread, this one is basically the same question, but on a cheeper budget.

I have a somewhat basic knowledge of computers, and am familliar with names, brands, and how things work, but I really don't have very much experience with them. So I really don't have a very reliable ability to choose for myself. So here are the specs of the computer that I'm thinking about building. If you have any comments/advice of a cheaper way to do it without sacrificing very much quality, or if I made a silly mistake of getting two parts that were incompatable, please tell me. I would aslo like any advice on other video cards/ram/processors and such. Or if there is a cheaper place to reliably buy some items with similar specs. it would be greatly appreciated if I were informed of them anyways, on to the good stuff. (I would like to lower the price if I can, I'd prefer to keep it no higher then it's current price.)

ASRock 4CoreDual-VSTA LGA 775 VIA PT880 Ultra ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813157107
link
$64.99

Intel Dual-Core E2140 Allendale 1.6GHz LGA 775 Processor Model BX80557E2140 - Retail
Item #: N82E16819116037
link
$75.99

CHAINTECH GSE86GT-A1 GeForce 8600GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 SLI Supported Video Card - Retail
Item #: N82E16814145146
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16814145146”]link[/URL]
$124.99

OCZ Platinum Revision 2 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model OCZ2P800R22GK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820227139
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16820227139”]link[/URL]
$99.99 ($40.00 MIR)

Western Digital Caviar SE WD2500JB 250GB 7200 RPM IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - OEM
Item #: N82E16822144309
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16822144309”]link[/URL]
$64.99

APEVIA X-CRUISER-BK Black Steel ATX Mid Tower Computer Case - Retail
Item #: N82E16811144151
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16811144151”]link[/URL]
$59.99 ($10.00 MIR)

StarTech ATXPOW300PRO ATX 300W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16817707006
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16817707006”]link[/URL]
$39.50

LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model LH-20A1L-05 - OEM
Item #: N82E16827106073
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16827106073”]link[/URL]
$36.99

Logitech Cordless Desktop EX110 967561-0403 Black USB + PS/2 RF Wireless Standard Keyboard Mouse Included - Retail
Item #: N82E16823126174
[URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16823126174”]link[/URL]
$29.99


Subtotal: $597.42
MIR: -$50.00
Shipping: +$33.33
OS (MSXP): +$79.99

Total: $660.74
 
I would suggest:
MB change to either of the following
Foxconn P9657AA-8KS2H LGA 775 $100 MIR $40
Or GIGABYTE GA-P35-DS3L $95 Prefer Option, Supports 1333mhz fsb intel cpu in case your friend want to upgrade later.

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3250410AS $70 Prefer Option
Or
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD2500KS
$68

Haven't heard of the PSU brand you are mentioning...
I will rather suggest using other brand like
XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W $50
or Antec earthwatts EA430 $70 MIR $20
Or FSP Group (Fortron Source) FSP400-60THN ATX2.0 400W $42 MIR$5

And DVD Burner: LITE-ON 20X DVD±R DVD Burner With 12X DVD-RAM Write Black SATA Model LH-20A1S - Retail $32
 
Last edited:
He said he wanted to save money, not spend more.:rolleyes:

I am not spending more!!
When you include the Mail in Rebate,
Change MB to Foxconn, -$5
WD SATA 250GB 16MB cache HDD, +3
FSP 400W PSU, $-2.5
Lite on DVD burner SATA, no lightscribe, -$5

Overall saving $9.5, but with a more upgradable decent system.
 
I agree about the mobo... I don't know how great that psu is but then again it doesn't have a huge system to drive so it will probably be fine
 
I wouldn't sacrifice on every just to have a nice GFX because the rest of your system will bottleneck it... its not worth giving up the nicer mobo, getting slower ram, an 80gig ide 8mb cache hdd... I say stick with an 8600 on that budget and make sure the rest of the machine is just as good if not better
 
Ah well :D It was fun fitting it into the budget though :D I think 2 cores at 1.6GHz is nice for it. You can always get an better HDD, I am living with 2MB cache and theres no difference I notice withm y 8MB...

The mobo should be fine as long as he doesnt overclocking alot.
 
I still think the system would bottleneck before it hit the potential of the 8800... but maybe not either way i don't think the video card should be half your budget
 
Back
Top