Budget Build, Components?

neezee · May 2, 2008, 12:39 PM

Have a budget of $1000 to build for a family member, i was looking at the phenoms but i think i read of ananadtech that @ that price point i might as well get a C2D? any suggestions?

Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E7200 Socket LGA775, 2.53 GHz, 1066 MHz FSB, 3MB L2 Cache, 45nm (Retail Box)
-Heatsink - Stock
-Thermal Paste - OCZ Freeze
cost = ~170 (canadacomputers)

Mobo - MSI P35 Neo 2 Socket 775 Intel P35 ICH9R Chipset
cost = ~130 (canadacomputers)

Case - Antec Sonata III Quiet Super Mid Tower w/ 500W PSU Metallic Charcoal Color
cost = ~100 (infoneccomputers)

Memory - OCZ 2GB PC2-6400 EL Platinum XTC Edition Dual Channel DDR2 Kit (2 x 1GB)
cost = ~30 (friend)

HDD - Western Digital Caviar (WD3200AAKS) 320GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB Buffer (OEM)
cost = ~65 (canadacomputers)

Optical Drive - Pioneer DVR-212D(Black) SATA DVD-Writer
cost = ~30 (canadacomputers)

Video Card - ASUS EAH3650, 512MB DDR3,128BIT TVOUT,D DVI-I,HDTV,HDCP-E,PCIE (EAH3650 SILENT/HTDI/512M)
cost = ~100 (infoneccomputers)

Sound Card - N/A (on board)

PSU - N/A (case)

Monitor - Samsung Syncmaster 920NW
cost = ~188 (canadacomputers)

Misc - Logitech Deluxe 250 Desktop Keyboard and Mouse, Black (OEM)
- Logitech Quickcam Chat Web Camera
cost = ~25 (canadacomputers)

total = $xxx... less MIR = $xxx...

thx...

tcman · May 3, 2008, 02:15 PM

Maybe some change, for example;

the motherboard, Asus P5N-E SLI is a Nforce 650i SLI Motherboard which is a quite good OC board, but the problem is it can't support newer quad core cpu's like the new 45 nm Penryn Core 2 Quad, Q9X00 or QX9X00 series. Although it should support the Core 2 Duo E8x00/E7X00 series via a bios update. For a more futureproof midrange/-end motherboard go for an Intel P35 or Nforce 750i SLI.

As for the rest, it is a fine built.

Good luck!

mkk · May 3, 2008, 02:41 PM

The newest budget Core 2 Duo, E7200 would be a good option if they have it in stock. The price is about the same here and I'm getting one for a budget upgrade.

neezee · May 4, 2008, 01:42 AM

thx... updated...

OldBuzzard · May 4, 2008, 05:33 PM

IF there is room in the budget, I'd opt for either the Cooler Master RC590, or CM690 case.

Not that there is anything 'wrong' with the Elite 330, I just think you will find the other two will be a lot easier to work with, and both will cool the system better than the Elite 330.

One other thing about the case choice would be clearance for the vid card. Are you sure that the 330 has enough room for the 8600? I don't know how long the 8600 is, but if it's as long as an X1950, then it might be touch and go.

neezee · May 6, 2008, 01:10 PM

thx... updated

tcman · May 6, 2008, 02:23 PM

If you build a computer for your family member that meant to surf the net, for emails, to use wordprocessors, to watch movie/video etc., then the ATI/AMD HD3650 on your list is good enough, but if you also want to play newer games like COD4, Bioshock etc., then I would go back to your earlier choice: the Geforce 9600GT 512MB DDR3; or if you like ATI: the HD 3850 512MB DDR3.

Good luck!

Matth · May 7, 2008, 11:12 AM

Operating system, unless it's a Linux build or a Windows replacement with transfer allowed.

Speakers?

Wifi/Bluetooth - could be added later on USB, but for use with a wireless router, a PCI card would be tidier.

Monitor?

neezee · May 7, 2008, 05:14 PM

have speakers and OS... monitor added...