Bang for the Buck Suggestions ~ New Build

[Holo]

Hello guys, I'm building a computer for my girlyfriend... The computer is just going to be for normal use so I don't need an 8800 or even a Conroe... I set up a build via Newegg; hoping/wondering if someone might have other suggestions for more bank-for-the-buck items...

I already have a spare PSU (Antec Trio 650W), Motherboard with 1GB RAM, and an evga 6800 so they won't be on the list of items. Planning on getting a 19' lcd off of eBay maybe.

Opty Drive
Hard Drive
Case
Keyboard/Speakers/Mouse
CPU
Operating System (XP Home)
Two Purple Cathodes (I don't like them, but you know they're "pretty"...)

Total comes out to be $410 including shipping and tax. I know, I know, not A LOT of money, but i'm 17 and unemployed so the more I save, the better...

Questions:
Is the Optical drive adequate?
Would a Pentium D be better?
Any suggestions/links on monitors would be appreciated.

Thanks guys!

 

[DOM]

What kind of mobo is it ?

You can get a Intel Pentium D 805 Smithfield 2.66GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache - OEM if you can OC with that mobo or a Intel Pentium D 930 Presler 3.0GHz 2 x 2MB L2 Cache - OEM if you cant.

805
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116249
930
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116252

 

[bruins004]

You have a few options in order to lower the price.
The first thing you can do is get a cheaper and lower quality case since the case is about 1/4 of your price.

The second thing you can do is look for local deals on Hard Drives and Optical Drives since retailers like Best Buy, Circuit City, Micro Center and Fry's can usually match or have a slightly better price than Newegg or other online retailers, plus you dont have to worry about shipping.

The third thing you can do is get a Pentium D805 and OC it (with the below link given by DOM). But you would need a cooler so I would get something like this nice and cheap solution from Spire (the cheapest good solution avail) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835151121
I would suggest the AC Freezer 7 Pro but it is more expensive, but newegg has it for $35 here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

or you could get the cheapest P4 they have which is this one (Pentium 4 631) and you wont need a third party cooler
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116004

 

[Holo]

The motherboard was taken from a Gateway PC. "Intel (Augsburg) 915G Motherboard"

I don't know if it overclocks. I'm doubting it, though...

Then Pentium D 805 would be better than the Pent. 4 640?

I think I will keep the case ~ She wants a window for the cathodes, and wants a sleek look. I was afraid to go with lower end cases and suffer heating issues or something, so I chose TT... Would it really matter with this PC?

And thanks I'll look into Best Buy et cetera for deals on HDD and Optical Drives.

I also have a spare CPU cooler that came with a Pentium 4 631 (same exact one you mentioned, bruins) It has a tunnel (cant think of the other term) that leads to a duct on the side of the case. Not sure if it can be removed. Would that be adequate for overclocking the 805?

 

[bruins004]

The motherboard was taken from a Gateway PC. "Intel (Augsburg) 915G Motherboard"

I don't know if it overclocks. I'm doubting it, though...

Then Pentium D 805 would be better than the Pent. 4 640?

I think I will keep the case ~ She wants a window for the cathodes, and wants a sleek look. I was afraid to go with lower end cases and suffer heating issues or something, so I chose TT... Would it really matter with this PC?

And thanks I'll look into Best Buy et cetera for deals on HDD and Optical Drives.

Quality vs. non-quality built cases arent really about overheating issues.
The main difference is cheaper cases use more plastic than metal (such as steel or aluminum).
The heat depends on the amount of fans and the airflow inside the case.
When looking for a case I would suggest looking for one with 3 fans (1 back, 1 front and 1 side in the window).
The TT makes nice cases and quality ones.

Take a look at this guide and it should help you.
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=30822

 

[Holo]

Ok thanks. By the way, I edited my second post and it's not in your quote, so I don't think you saw it.

 

[Holo]

I've looked through the cases at newegg, and have yet to find a case with a rear, intake and side fan that I liked. Filtered the search down to; no psu, side window, and black... Sorted lowest to highest and looked untill I got to $79.99 so I think I'm going to stick with it.

Now onto CPU's... From looking at Tom's hardware CPU charts, it seems the Pentium D 930 beats the Pentium 4 640 in most categories. And it's only 5 bucks more. It's an OEM though, will a fan from the 631 be sufficient?

Thanks guys.

 

[DOM]

Which cooler do you have the stock one from intel ?

Also does that mobo support PD's


Edit:I just check it only suports P4's
Support for an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor in an LGA775 socket with an 800 or 533 MHz system bus

 

[DOM]

Cuz it uses DDR ram right ?

Is that what it looks like

 

[bruins004]

I've looked through the cases at newegg, and have yet to find a case with a rear, intake and side fan that I liked. Filtered the search down to; no psu, side window, and black... Sorted lowest to highest and looked untill I got to $79.99 so I think I'm going to stick with it.

Now onto CPU's... From looking at Tom's hardware CPU charts, it seems the Pentium D 930 beats the Pentium 4 640 in most categories. And it's only 5 bucks more. It's an OEM though, will a fan from the 631 be sufficient?

Thanks guys.

Yea you are going to have to get a new heatsink bc the Pentium D series needs a bigger and better heatsink since its dual core.

 

[DOM]

Yea you are going to have to get a new heatsink bc the Pentium D series needs a bigger and better heatsink since its dual core.

I look up his mobo and it only supports P4's read

 

[[I.R.A]_FBi]

edit: stupid me

 

[hat]

Will it support celerons?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819112211

 

[bruins004]

I look up his mobo and it only supports P4's read

Good call

So looks like you are stuck with only P4s.
I linked the cheapest one on newegg (the P4 631).

 

[DOM]

Will it support celerons?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819112211

Support for an Intel® Pentium® 4 processor in an LGA775 socket with an 800 or 533 MHz system bus

 

[Holo]

Ah, thanks guys. Yeah, its a lameo mobo but oh well... I'm happy I found this out because I was tempted to purchase that Pentium D...

DOM_ATI_X800XL_PCI-E: Yes, I think that it is... But then again older mobo's seem to look alike.

So, I guess my CPU choice is narrowed.

Thanks everyone!...