My Friend wants me to build him a computer

GunFridge

GunFridge

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So I was in Computer class today looking up prices for hardware on Frys online store. I want to build him one that is decent but cheap. Under $1000 Cheap. He has a monitor, keyboard, and speakers he can use.

Gigabyte GA-81PE1000 Pro-G Socket 478 Motherboard $96
Fudin ATX868WBP "Scorpio" 420W Mid ATX Case - Silver $64.99
Intel Pentium 4 2.4AGHz, 1MB 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Boxed Processor $124
Thermaltake: A1583 Spark 3 Support Up To P4 2.8GHz, 45dBA; 33.8CFM; 5500RPM $15
Western Digital 120GB WD1200JD Serial ATA 150 (SATA/150) 8MB Buffer - Bare Hard Drive $130
Corsair 512MB PC3200 400MHz 64x64 DDR 184Pin - Model #CMX512-3200S - Lifetime Warranty $100
Various CD drives (DVD-CD-Whatever) $70
Diamond Stleath S100 128MB AGP Graphics Card with RADEON 9600SE $110
Total-$710
Any advice on other parts? or any parts that might not work together (Im not sure on the ram). If you do have other parts to advise, please try to look them up at www.outpost.com, because nearly everything there at at my local Frys and It would make my shopping a little easier.
 
why on earth would you get the 2.4A?

Get a abit nf7-s, xp2600+ mobile, corsair xms 512mb, Radeon 9600xt, Nec DVDR. I'd buy all from newegg.
 
Brando457 said:
why on earth would you get the 2.4A?

Get a abit nf7-s, xp2600+ mobile, corsair xms 512mb, Radeon 9600xt, Nec DVDR. I'd buy all from newegg.
Click to expand...

Why on earth would you get the xp2600m? K I'm just gonna list some general stuff.

Athlon 64 2800+ $144
Asus K8V SE Deluxe socket 754 $95
1GB (512x2) pc3200 corsair ram $150
Nvidia 6600GT AGP when it comes out $200

And I'd just make sure that case and power supply is good quality and not cheap, but doesn't seem like it would be as it's $60.
 
GunFridge said:
Gigabyte GA-81PE1000 Pro-G Socket 478 Motherboard $96
Fudin ATX868WBP "Scorpio" 420W Mid ATX Case - Silver $64.99
Intel Pentium 4 2.4AGHz, 1MB 533MHz FSB Socket 478 Boxed Processor $124
Thermaltake: A1583 Spark 3 Support Up To P4 2.8GHz, 45dBA; 33.8CFM; 5500RPM $15
Western Digital 120GB WD1200JD Serial ATA 150 (SATA/150) 8MB Buffer - Bare Hard Drive $130
Corsair 512MB PC3200 400MHz 64x64 DDR 184Pin - Model #CMX512-3200S - Lifetime Warranty $100
Various CD drives (DVD-CD-Whatever) $70
Diamond Stleath S100 128MB AGP Graphics Card with RADEON 9600SE $110
Total-$710
Click to expand...
go away from fry's, they are only usefull for their rebates in person, sometimes. And that's only in you're in socal.

www.newegg.com - use newegg, and www.directron.com for anything specific you can't find at newegg. Shipping out of newegg is MUCH cheaper.

Let's start at the top.

Case, ugly. Mind you that's just my opinion.

Step away from the Intel CPU's eh? AMD Athlon 64 is the answer. Go with one of the lower end models, ie 2800+ or 3000+ and overclock.

For the motherboard. pick up a socket 754 (Athlon 64) made by ASUS, Gigabyte, Abit, etc. Go with names you've heard of. (The nForce 3 based boards are really nice)

Heatsink/ Fan - Thermalright. End of story.

Ram is alright, might want to go with 2x 256MB sticks of ram for the extra bandwidth via dual channel. Lest he's thinking of getting another 512 stick some time in the future, in which case that is perfect. no need to get the superexpensive ram unless you're planning on heavy OCing

CDRW / DVD - One of each, Sony. Same color as case. might want to consider a DVD burner instead, can be procured for around 70 these days.

Stay away from diamond, though they rocked in the old days (stealth 3d 2000!!!) not anymore, they're just piggybacking cheap chipsets off nVidia and ATI, maybe they'll make a comeback, so go with sapphire or powercolor, a 128mb radeon 9800pro is around 180 new. Might be able to work in a 6800gt depending on other parts.

Check out this box i made for someone about 2 weeks ago.
 
Daegon said:
Step away from the Intel CPU's eh? AMD Athlon 64 is the answer. Go with one of the lower end models, ie 2800+ or 3000+ and overclock.
Click to expand...

You don't need to overclock the Athlon 64's they're fast enough, besides I don't think they overclock well, they're not the same as the XP's. And the last thing on my mind after buying an Athlon 64 would be to overclock, there's always a risk and there's no point in taking that risk after buying an incredible processor that doesn't need to be overclocked.
 
the 754 does not have dual channel capability i'm pretty sure. go with a single 512. and there's nothing special about sony optical drives. i think they're overpriced. and unless you're overclocking (proablably not really worth it, esp. if this isn't for you and you'll get bugged to tech-support it's crashin' ass. a bit isn't bad but don't buy all that extra to push a few mhz), the stock heatsink/fan with a retail cpu should be good enough IMO.

otherwise, Daegon's layed it all out.

Edit: nothin wrong with overclocking. do it slow, check your temps, make sure it's stable, and know that your warrenty is technically void as soon as you do it.

I OC'ed a box, and when the weather got hot, it started crashing. Ther are some gotcha's at time. Be aware.
 
take a look at newegg, sony's drives are actually in the low end, and it's a name anyone will go "ok, that's a name i've heard of, i'm not scared it'll break"
 
Daegon said:
take a look at newegg, sony's drives are actually in the low end, and it's a name anyone will go "ok, that's a name i've heard of, i'm not scared it'll break"
Click to expand...

Didn't know that. My DVD+RW/CD-RW burner is an NEC, I think they're pretty good. Plextor's are good.
 
Unless you already have an OS to load (Windows, etc.), don't forget the cost of that. Not sure about the cost, but think WINDOWS XP Home is somewhere around ~$150.

Another good website for computer parts is
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/Home.jsp

Compare versus NEWEGG.

Hulk
 
The Hulk said:
Unless you already have an OS to load (Windows, etc.), don't forget the cost of that. Not sure about the cost, but think WINDOWS XP Home is somewhere around ~$150.
Click to expand...

No, you can get it for $100, OEM probably but cheap.
 
yes. lowend. pretty much. and overpriced (actually i bought a super-cheap sony floppy. but it stopped after 3 months:p). i've heard they have some problems too. i don't remember what ATM but I've never thought 'oh, yay, sony' i dunno.

plextor, teac, pioneer. not the cheapest neccisarily but good qual and decent value.
 
whatever fits the bill I suppose. I have never had a problem with a sony drive, but it is personal prefference and i should not wish to hijack this thread.

In summary, use trusted names and retailers, do not be afraid to ask questions and please take suggestions into as much consideration as possible.

Back onto the video card debate, the radeon 9600se that the card you chose is based on is reviewed in this video card round up as you can see, it performs exceptionally poorly, avoid anything the the suffix 'se' or 'le.'
 
yes. lowend. pretty much. and overpriced (actually i bought a super-cheap sony floppy. but it stopped after 3 months:p). i've heard they have some problems too. i don't remember what ATM but I've never thought 'oh, yay, sony' i dunno.

plextor, teac, pioneer. not the cheapest neccisarily but good qual and decent value.
 
Wow, you're all really helpfull. If you dont mind, Ima steal Daegon's box Idea what he had the link fer, cause thats pretty damn good for that cost.
If he doesnt mind, of course! :E
 
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