Uncle Computer... Setup

[msg43]

New Thread: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=446434

I have changed teh setup a great amount.

Hello I'm building I system for my uncle which is suppose to last atleast 5 years hopefully longer so I hopping you guys will be willing to give me some suggestions and make sure everything is compatable.

DVD Drive:

NEC 16X DVD?R DVD Burner - $37.49

Computer Case:>

Antec Performance I P180 Silver - $124 before instant savings

Hard Drive:>

Western Digital Caviar SE16 320GB 3.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s - $125

Mother Board:>

ASUS A8N5X ATX - $80.90

Video Card:>

MSI NX6600GT-TD128E Geforce 6600GT 128MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card - $118

BFG Tech Geforce 7600GT BFGR76256GTOCE - $210.99

PSU:>

Antec TRUEPOWERII TPII-550 550W - $89.99 before instant savings

Ram:>

CORSAIR XMS 2GB (2 x 1GB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Dual Channel Kit- $195 before instant savings

CPU:>

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ 1GHz HT - $355

Virus Scanner>

NOD32 - $38.96

Total cost:> About $1,139

All Prices are in US currency

I might go with Windows XP Pro 32 it depends wether or not there is a 64bit driver for his printer.I may or may not buy the virus scanner depends which version of norton he has. - edited>

Edited March 26, 2006 by msg43

[Brandon]

get rid of x64. its useless and will only cause headaches in the future. thees no real reason to get it. Also is he a gamer? If not, why not go for a cheaper 6600GT

[msg43]

^^

Ok so I'll though 64bit out the window

Well I wasn't sure on the video card hes not a gamer a friend of mine said this is a better card for his needs funny that it is also a 6600Gt card

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16814127147

Edit: Hopefully I will be able to use the serial number on his dell box to install xp home which will mean there is no need to buy windows.

Edited March 25, 2006 by msg43

[CaKeY]

Again, unless hes a gamer theres no need for even the 6600gt. Also unless he does alot of video editing, a gig of corsair valueselect would be plenty ( and save over 100 bucks. ).

[sundayx Veteran]

your uncle, a gamer? video editor? 3d renderer? cad? audio producer?

none of the above, or somewhat but not the above, 2gb ram, x2, 6600gt (maybe), 550w psu is not necessary

[Brandon]

Another question.. does it have to be that case? That case is extremely expensive ($135 shipped) If you could, you can save another 50 or 60 and go for a cheaper case if you wanted.

Another thing - Is he going to be doing a lot of video editing? If not, you really dont need dual core, I mean it doesnt help since many programs dont use the second core anyways, only photoshop and a few video editing programs... If not, get the Athlon 64 3700+ and save another $140, its a sandiego core, runs extremely cool and if you wanted, you could overclock it with the stock cooling very easily to 2.4 by rasing the FSB to 218

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103539

Change the RAM to this, corsair valie 2x512MB, get 2 kits for a total of 4x512 or 2GB. It will be faster then the 2x1GB and would be better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820145440

[morgs]

Edit: Hopefully I will be able to use the serial number on his dell box to install xp home which will mean there is no need to buy windows.

You shouldn't have a problem using the Dell serial number to install XP Home because they dont actually use that serial number to install the OS on the machine.

Hope everything works out for you!

[msg43]

First thanks to all the replys

Again, unless hes a gamer theres no need for even the 6600gt. Also unless he does alot of video editing, a gig of corsair valueselect would be plenty ( and save over 100 bucks. ).

Well my goal is to have the machine last and work with windows vista. The projected goal is about 2010-2015 cause at the moment he is a doctor (doubt that will change) and he just does email, internet, etc...

Another question.. does it have to be that case? That case is extremely expensive ($135 shipped) If you could, you can save another 50 or 60 and go for a cheaper case if you wanted.

Another thing - Is he going to be doing a lot of video editing? If not, you really dont need dual core, I mean it doesnt help since many programs dont use the second core anyways, only photoshop and a few video editing programs... If not, get the Athlon 64 3700+ and save another $140, its a sandiego core, runs extremely cool and if you wanted, you could overclock it with the stock cooling very easily to 2.4 by rasing the FSB to 218

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16819103539

Change the RAM to this, corsair valie 2x512MB, get 2 kits for a total of 4x512 or 2GB. It will be faster then the 2x1GB and would be better

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?...N82E16820145440

It does not need to be that specific case but I want a case that does heating and cooling very well

Again I want this to last while.

Ram well the mobo can handle up to 4gigs so if/when vista comes out or some better techology there will be room to just add more ram.

You shouldn't have a problem using the Dell serial number to install XP Home because they dont actually use that serial number to install the OS on the machine.

Hope everything works out for you!

Thanks for you advice. Though I do have like a modified copy of a xp home disc so I might have to download a retial one of the internet (that isn't warez is it). I wouldn't use the serial number thats on his dell box.

I just basically want this computer to last a long time and to be fast.

If anyone can suggest a cheaper/effecient case that'd be good very good. How much is dual core going to effect things cause it might not be around now but in a while it might make the difference of another year or two out of that pc.

[msg43]

New Thread: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=446434

I have changed teh setup a great amount.

Mod Please close

[Si Veteran]

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