Budget System for a friend.

[pat]

Howdy folks, one of my good pals and his wife needs a new system. There is not a big budget for this however. I?m trying to keep the price for the tower in the 400-500 range to leave some room so they can upgrade their monitor also. They did look into one of the low end Dells, but they are so stripped down I think I might be able to do a little better and leave room to upgrade as the need and budget allows. They really don?t have any need for a super fast system as they mainly use their system for basic word processing type tasks as well as the internet. They do have a digital camera, but don?t do any serious editing.

Here?s what I?ve came up with so far. I welcome your comments and/or suggestions.

Antec Solution SLK1650 Beige Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply ? Retail  $65

So far I?m looking at a couple of different motherboards, both use on-board video. We will most likely start out with the on-board video option and reserve the ability to add a dedicated video card at a later date.

MSI K8M Neo-V Socket 754 VIA K8M800 ATX AMD Motherboard ? Retail  $69
or
GIGABYTE GA-K8VM800M Socket 754 VIA K8M800 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard ? Retail $65

AMD Sempron 2600+ Palermo 800MHz FSB 128KB L2 Cache Socket 754 Processor ? Retail $74

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory ? Retail $41

LG Beige 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE CD Burner ? Retail $23

Windows Home OEM, $92
Trend Micro 2005 $34

For a hard drive, this week Best buy has a WD 80gig drive for 89.99 with a 70.00 rebate; that is a pretty good deal. The down side is they only have the one-year warranty. I?m sure if we waited a bit a Seagate may go one sale again soon with the better warranty. But still an 80gig drive for 20.00 after rebate is hard to ignore.

I will most likely use the floppy, modem and perhaps one of the optical drives from the old system. They will also be using the old keyboard, mouse and speakers from their old system for the time being. They?ll also try to keep their old printer (if there are drivers for XP).
They do want a new monitor, I?m thinking of something along the lines of a 17in. Samsung CRT or watch for a deal on a 15in flat panel.

So I?m still in the low $400 range and although I?d like to stay within budget, I don?t really want to skimp. What do you all think?

[query]

Looks reasonable and far better than a low-end Dell (2400/3000) or other budget box (Compaq, HP, eMachines, etc.).

[Bill]

Pat,
Why don't you skip the Trend Micro in favor of AVG and put the $34 toward the LCD?
In this kind of situation every dollar counts.

Bill

[Neon]

I like those choices. If they are going to use the optical drive for making backups, then you might try squeezing a DVD-RW drive like this one into the budget. Otherwise, the one you have is good.

[pat]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

query, my thoughts exactly.

Bill, I know, but I?ve always had good luck with the Trend Micro product. There is a $25 rebate available and I don?t think it will be too hard to come up with a previous product version CD to meet the requirements. I would feel better knowing that there is an AV that for the most part will take care of it?s self.

Neon, I would indeed like to include a DVD recordable instead of a regular CDRW. I would like it to come with software though, preferably Nero. This NEC drive comes with Roxio. There are a couple others that may fill the bill, this Samsung or perhaps this Asus. Both of those include a copy of Nero, but I would have to track down some reviews.

JA, they will also spend less time on hold.

[scuzzy]

I understand your thinking on Trend Micro, but Bill has a really good idea on using AVG. I have AVG installed on two of my systems, and I find it very easy to keep updated. It doesn't update automatically, but it only takes a couple clicks to get the latest updates. I have found it to be a no-brainer, and I have not had a single virus sneak through since my first AVG install about a year ago.

Either way, I wouldn't be surprised if one of the mobos you're considering comes with some sort of virus protection.

[Bill]

Not to digress here but a point-
My version of AVG - 7.0.308 - has an auto update feature in the task scheduler.

Bill

[scuzzy]

Pat,

At a mininum for an optical drive, you may want to consider a combo DVD-ROM CD-R/W unit such as this LITE-ON IDE Combo Drive. The $33.99 + $4.00 S/H price includes NERO OEM Suite as well as PowerDVD 5.

Three other combo possibilities are:
AOpen   Combo Drive $32.00 + $4.00 S/H
Samsung Combo Drive $34.50 + $4.00 S/H
LG Combo Drive $37.99 + $4.00 S/H

All the above options offer Nero software with the package.

[scuzzy]

Not to digress here but a point-
My version of AVG - 7.0.308 - has an auto update feature in the task scheduler.

Bill

Thanks, Bill. I'll have to take a look at that.

[Chandler]

I've never had any issues with LG CD/RW or DVD-RW drives despite feeding them very cheap media.  They've been more reliable than the Toshiba drive(s) in my laptop.

[Carskick]

I second Neon's choice of the NEC 3520 optical. For only $50, it is really one of the best drives on the market. I bought the NEC3500 several months ago for $65, and I am very happy with. This upgraded model is now only $50. Great bargain!

I also second AVG. I use it on all of my computers. Doesn't take many system resources, and has not faltered me yet. I would use that $35 plus anything left over to replace the integrated video with a basic stand alone card such as a 9250. Even something as that will be much better than integrated, as it does not share memory and is much more powerful.

[pat]

Thanks again for the suggestions. The combo drive is an excellent idea.
I would like to use a video card instead of the on-board option, perhaps one of the budget Sapphire cards may work, any suggestions for an Nvida card?

I appreciate all the recommendations for AVG and you all have convinced me to try it, on my own secondary system. For these folks though I really need the all in one solution (and features) of the Trend Micro product and it will be money well spent.

[Bill]

Pat,
Not sure what the video budget is but I have one of these and, so far it's terrific.  I am not a gamer either.

http://tinyurl.com/cubbo

Bill

[Chandler]

pat, I'd definately recommend an AGP card since VIA and SiS have such weak onboard video (nVidia aren't so bad though).

I put a Radeon 9200SE in my dad's new system last year and he's happy with it.  It doesn't cause any slowdown in office/internet apps, handles video OK and can play less demanding games (he has Simpsons Hit & Run and it's fine).  These are as low as $30.

The GeForce FX5200 is a little more advanced (DX9-class) and I have one such card in my Quantex.  It handles games as recent as GTA Vice City fine.  These are around $40.

More modern, the GeForce 6200 AGP is close to the Radeon 9600XT in performance and may be found a little cheaper.  ASUS have a passively cooled model for $73:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121542

[Carskick]

I would get an FX5200-Fx5500 with 128 bit memory, should range between $40 and $80

[pat]

Ok, lets kick this thing up a notch.

I?ve changed things a bit and here?s how it stands now, I?m still real close on the budget.
Prices include shipping.

Antec Solution SLK1650 Beige Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply ? Retail  $86  

ASUS K8N Socket 754 NVIDIA nForce3 250 ATX AMD Motherboard ? Retail $88

ASUS V9520-X/TD/128 Geforce FX5200 128MB 64-bit DDR AGP 4X/8X Video Card ? Retail $47.50

AMD Sempron 2600+ Palermo 800MHz FSB 128KB L2 Cache Socket 754 Processor ? Retail $75

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) System Memory ? Retail $46

NEC Beige 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive Model FD1231H - OEM  $11

LG Ivory 16X DVD-ROM 52X CD-R 32X CD-RW 52X CD-ROM 2M Cache IDE Combo Drive ? OEM $42

Windows XP Home OEM $93

A hard drive bought locally with a rebate, if the WD figure $20 after rebate.

Total = $508

[Bill]

Looks like you've got it!

Bill

[Carskick]

Looks great. The only thing I might consider changing is try to find an FX5200 with 128bit memory. It shouldn't cost much more, but has a very nice performance advantage.

[scuzzy]

Pat,

In place of a regular floppy dirve, you might consider the Mitsumi USB2.0 Digital Card Reader/Writer with Floppy Drive for $19.99 + $3.00 S/H. I think they're a great tool, and if your friends have a digital camera it will come in handy.

[pat]

I did, they don't seem to care to have that option. Too bad because it is a handy feature for sure.

[pat]

Howdy folks,
Just a short follow up here.
After going over the possibilities one last time, here is what they selected based on their needs.

Antec Solution SLK1650 Beige Steel ATX Mini Tower Computer Case 350W Power Supply
ASUS K8N Socket 754
ASUS V9520-X/TD/128 Geforce FX5200
AMD Sempron 2600+ Palermo
CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB
NEC Beige 1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Drive
LG CDRW OEM with Nero Express
Seagate 80gig ATA100 hard drive
XP SP2 Home

Cost including shipping was 495.73.

Everything went together well. The Solution series case was a little tight to work in and lacked some of the features of the Performance series cases (removable drive bays, slide in accessories for the 5.5? drives, etc). It does have a few nice touches though; two thumb screws and the whole case comes apart, rubber mounts for the hard drive the newer 2.0 version of the Smartpower power supply.
System temps are good considering the only ?air? we have is the same temperature as outside, 87F as I write this. The processor is at 93F (34C) and system temp is 91F (33C).
The OS install went off just fine and I have the system to play around with for a few days until they get back from holiday.
Thanks for all the nice suggestions and comments.

And just a few pictures.

[Carskick]

Very nice build, Pat. I hope mine goes that well. I am using the same case but in black with the non 2.0 PSU. One thing I like better about the old PSU is that it has a fan on the bottom and rear of the PSU, hopefully helping cool the CPU.

I'll bet it flies, too. Tell them they got a great deal on that machine. Now you'll be able to help me if I have any problems with mine since you've delt with the same case, as that is what I am most worried aobut, getting the mobo in the case. Any tips would be appreciated. I know it screws in, but is there anything else to it?

[pat]

Thanks Cars,

I also wondered about the front fan and no bottom fan, but that was the same situation with the system I put together for my daughter. That Antec case had the same basic design as this one, but with that rear 120mm fan and the side vent the case and CPU stay nice and cool.

One thing about the new 2.0 Smartpower power supply is that the rear fan does not spin unless the temperature requires it. I had thought I got a lemon with my daughters system when I noticed the rear fan wasn't spinning and emailed Antec a support request.
Their reply;
Pat. The rear fan will not come on until the internal temp of the power supply reaches 52.1C then it will spin at 859 RPM. at 65.9c it will raise to 1268RPM and at 69.3c it will reach 1400RPM. Your power supply is functioning as it was designed to.

They have an online type help system and answered my question in less than 4 minutes.

[Bill]

Nice build, Pat.
Too bad all the name brands don't have that kind of support.  

Antec is a class act.

Bill

[scuzzy]

Pat, that's a very nice system. It looks like a lot of the cables are cluttering behind the drives, though. Is there a way to tighten that up?

It's a shame about not having removable drives bays, but I suppose it isn't really needed anyway.

[pat]

Scuzzy, Thanks and thanks for the input. It looks more cluttered than it actually is. Normally I?d tuck the extra power leads up behind the space between the rear of the power supply and back of the 5.5? drives. Since this power supply draws the intake air from the rear, not the bottom, I had to tuck the extra power leads in the space under the 5.5? drives. The main power lead is directly behind the floppy drive and goes up the side of the case, as does the hard drive cable. I did what I could to keep a clear air path to the power supply intake fan. Even though the cables and power supply wires look like they are behind the drives, they are off to the side.

[Igloo]

are those.... NAIL CLIPPERS i see there for cutting cable ties  :o

nice build  ;)