need advice on budget build

thenewguy001 · May 18, 2008, 04:00 AM

The computer I left for my sister has finally kicked the bucket. She has a backup computer that is a:

celeron D 2.66Ghz
1GB DDR400
intel 965 chipset

This system is pitifully slow, and I want to build her something that is dual-core and much faster, but relatively cheap. Mainly this PC will be used for web browing, email, and office apps. She also watches a lot of movies. She doesn't do any 3D gaming at all right now, but does play 2D games like tibia and zsnes. When starcraft 3 comes out, though, she might play that.

We'll be reusing a 500W OCZ stealthxstream psu, case, and dvd r/w drive. I'll be getting the cheapest seagate sata hd. It'll be running XP home for now, and might need to run vista later.

I've got a few CPUs in mind, but I'm not sure if which is powerful enough. I'm thinking intel, as I've never had any AMD experience, but I'm not opposed to a AMD system since I hear they are cheaper with budget builds. If the power is comparable, I'd go with AMD if it's cheaper

=====CPU======
Here are the procs I'm considering:

Intl Pentium Dual Core E2180 Dual Core Processor LGA775 2.0GHZ 800FSB 1MB Retail Box
$72.98
NCIX.com - Buy Intel Pentium Dual Core E2180 Dual Core Processor LGA775 2.0GHZ 800FSB 1MB Retail Box - BX80557E2180 In Canada.

or
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200 (2.2 GHz) Dual-Core Socket 775 Processor
$89.95
Anitec.ca - Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2200 (2.2 GHz) Dual-Core Socket 775 Processor

I'm concerned these first two since they aren't core2 duo processors. Should I shell out extra and get this c2d?:

Intel Core 2 Duo E4600 Dual Core Processor LGA775 Conroe 2.4GHZ 800FSB 2MB Retail
$127.98
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=26610&vpn=BX80557E4600&manufacture=I ntel&promoid=1084

=====RAM=====
For ram, I'm considering these:

Buffalo Select 2GB 1X2GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM Memory
$39.99
NCIX.com - Buy Buffalo Select 2GB 1X2GB PC2-5300 DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM Memory - D2U667C-2G/BR In Canada.

or

Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory
$49.99
NCIX.com - Buy Corsair XMS2 TWIN2X2048-6400 2GB 2X1GB PC2-6400 DDR2-800 CL 5-5-5-18 240PIN DIMM Dual Channel Memory - TWIN2X2048-6400 In Canada.

How much of a difference is there between DDR2-667 and 800? Is it substantial enough to justify paying extra for mainly web browsing and office apps?

=====MOBO=====
As for mobo, I'm looking at onboard video for now, and when SC2 comes out, I might give her my 9600GT. I really have no clue as to which mobo to get. I'm guessing it's better to get an integrated AMD or nvidia GPU than intel, right? I could really use some advice on a good mobo. Video needs to be dvi output.

Any help is appreciated!

Zelig · Jun 9, 2008, 11:12 PM

Oi, sorry I missed this thread for so long, not sure if you're still interested in replies.

I just built a similar budget rig, went with the E2200 and 2GB of DDR2-800. Runs beautifully for office work. Probably not a big difference between DDR2-667 and DDR2-800, but they should be pretty comparable in price by now.

I picked up the Asus P5E-VM HDMI for the motherboard, it's on the pricey side, but I needed a mATX board with HDMI out, onboard video, quad-core support, and support for 8GB of ram... working perfectly so far.